EU Unveils Interoperable Tracing App Guidelines for Seamless Travel ⋆ Alertify

tracing apps to support international travel

EU Unveils Interoperable Tracing App Guidelines for Seamless Travel

Today, the Commission presents a package of guidelines and recommendations to help Member States gradually lift travel restrictions and allow tourism businesses to reopen after months of lockdown while respecting necessary health precautions. tracing apps to support international travel ratracing apps to support international travel

The Commission’s guidance aims to offer people the chance to get some well-needed rest, relaxation, and fresh air. As soon as the health situation allows, people should be able to catch up with friends and family in their own EU country or across borders, with all the safety and precautionary measures needed in place.

Member States, with the support of the Commission, agreed on guidelines to ensure cross-border interoperability between tracing apps so that citizens can be warned of a potential infection with coronavirus when they travel in the EU. This will guide developers working with national health authorities.tracing apps to support international travel

Such tracing apps must be voluntary, transparent, temporary, cybersecure, use anonymized data, rely on Bluetooth technology, and be interoperable across borders as well as across operating systems. Interoperability is crucial: EU citizens must be able to receive alerts of a possible infection in a secure and protected way, wherever they are in the EU and whatever app they are using. The Commission is supporting Member States in finding the right solution, in line with the principles set out in the EU toolbox and the Commission guidance on data protection.

Europe is home to a vibrant tourism ecosystem. Travel, transport, accommodation, food, recreation, or culture, contribute to almost 10% of EU GDP and provide a key source of employment and income in numerous European regions. 267 million Europeans (62% of the population) make at least one private leisure trip per year and 78% of Europeans spend their holidays in their home country or another EU country.

The tourism ecosystem has also been one of the most affected by the heavy restrictions on movement and travel imposed in the wake of Coronavirus outbreak. The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) foresees a 60% to 80% reduction in international arrivals, amounting to losses of between €840 and €1.100 billion in export revenues worldwide. In Europe, the summer is a crucial season for tourism:during an average summer season (June-August) residents of the EU make 385 million tourism trips and spend €190 billion.