EU sets binding 9-month validity of vaccinations for COVID-19 travel pass

FILE PHOTO: Travellers walk with their luggage at Fiumicino Airport after Italy lifted quarantine restrictions for people arriving from the EU, Schengen zone countries, Britain and Israel in a bid to revive the tourism industry, as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions continue to ease, near Rome, Italy, May 17, 2021. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

(Reuters) - The European Commission on Tuesday adopted rules that will make the European Union COVID-19 certificate valid for travel nine months after the completion of the primary vaccination schedule.

The proposal comes as several EU states introduce additional requirements on travellers in a bid to reduce the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant. EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders told Reuters the EU Commission was against additional requirements, and was assessing the measures.