Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1365814
15 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 28 APRIL 2021 ANALYSIS you have been vaccinated, or you have tested negatively or if you have recovered from COV- ID-19, then, in principle, it doesn't matter where you have come from. "If member states, during the trilogue, decide they want to impose measures unilaterally, then they will have to explain how they are going to do that while still recognising the cer- tificate, and without interrupt- ing travel. "That is because you cannot have both: you can't have the certificate system and also say you want to have the right, at any given time, to close the borders to certain people. This certificate means that people will feel that they can travel, and if member states then say that that they can basically repeal that at any given time, people will not travel." Member states will 'have to explain' extra restrictions If any member state were to impose any additional restric- tions over and above those provide for by the certificate, that member state would have to explain itself and the meas- ures will have to be "predicta- ble, based on medical evidence, objective, and European". On the question of whether there will be an end agreement by June, in 't Veld says that Parliament, on its part, stands ready, "We are ready, we have done are homework but the question now is whether the member states will be equally willing to find compromise and quick solutions. "If they are, this can be ready in time for the summer break." Whatever the case, in 't Veld insists the current approach will no longer work: "It's high time that the national govern- ments start taking their re- sponsibility in the interests of their citizens, and not only talk about issues of sovereignty and subsidiary. "Please talk about the citizens first, and then about powers and sovereignty. "Whatever the outcome the trilogue will take, we cannot agree to a patchwork of meas- ures whereby every member state does as they please. We have to agree on a system that brings clarity, predictability and certainty to businesses and citizens." COVID tests must be free-of- charge across the EU Parliament has also taken the staunch position that COV- ID-19 tests for all EU citizens should be permanently availa- ble and be administered free- of-charge, in light of the fact that in some member states testing remains purely com- mercial with test in Finland, for example, running up to EUR240. The Commission is of the opinion that member state policies in the area cannot be interfered with but, according to in 't Veld, "First of all, vac- cines are free everywhere. And secondly, and while as a mar- ket liberal I don't like calling for price caps, we have done so when it comes to mobile roam- ing and to credit card fees, for example. The issue, in 't Veld says, is n o t j u s t about t a k - i n g h o l i - d a y s . There are real situations that people are suffering from every day, especially in areas on the continent where people who live close to national borders need cross those borders to go to work, school, shop, or visit relatives. As an example, she mentions a constituent who lives near the Dutch-German border. The individual is living on un- employment benefits because of the COVID-19 situation and his son lives across the border in Germany. He pays EUR140 for a COV- ID-19 every time he wants to cross the border to visit his son, meaning he can now only afford to do so a couple times a year because of the debilitating cost. She adds, "Tests are essen- tial for everybody, so let's have free tests or, at the very least, ensure that the tests associated with the issuing of the certifi- cate are free of charge." to deny entry out of national hands This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. These articles reflect only the authors' view. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.