© REUTERSEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
Brussels has unveiled plans for an EU-wide vaccine passport to allow citizens to travel safely between member states.
It's hoped the so-called 'Green Pass' will help EU countries' hard-hit tourism industries recover from the battering they have suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It will show whether a person has been who have had a European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved vaccine. But it won't include the Russian or Chinese jab, neither of which have been given the green light by the EMA.
It will also show negative test results, as well as whether the holder has previously recovered from the virus.
The certificate was the main point of discussion at a meeting of the European Commission College this morning, led by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
She told a press conference in Brussels: "We aim to help member states reinstate the freedom of movement in a safe, responsible and trusted manner."
The UK will not have access to the system, after leaving the EU in January.
Michael Gove is leading a review into plans for the UK to introduce a similar vaccine passport, to allow access to travel, hospitality and entertainment.
P&O Cruises said on Tuesday that it would only accept as passengers those who have had both doses of the vaccine for its trips around the UK this summer, sparking a fresh debate on the issue.
When asked about the fairness of companies requiring proof of vaccination to grant entry and what the government's stance was on the matter, Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng said it was under review.
"We are discussing what the best way to proceed is," Mr Kwarteng told the BBC.
More than half of Britain's adult population will have received the first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the week.
Kwarteng said there were two separate issues, that of vaccine certification or so-called vaccine passports for access to theatres, restaurants and venues within Britain, and that of vaccine certification to allow travel abroad.
Airlines and holiday companies across Europe are desperate for travel to resume this summer after a year of COVID-19 restrictions has left them struggling to survive.
"With international travel, you're dealing with other countries and they will have their own input into what policies you have," Kwarteng told ITV.
Greece, Spain, Cyprus and Turkey have all said they will welcome UK arrivals who have either had the vaccine or have had a recent negative COVID-19 test.
Britain has said holidays will not be allowed until May 17 at the earliest, but rising numbers of COVID-19 infections in some parts of Europe could derail the country's plans to re-open some routes.
"I think what we also have to do is be driven by the data, we've got to see how coronavirus develops," Mr Kwarteng told the BBC on travel.
Saga stated in January that only fully vaccinated people would be permitted to board its cruises.