(1)

Regulation (EU) 2021/953 lays down a framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of interoperable COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates (‘EU Digital COVID Certificate’) for the purpose of facilitating the holders’ exercise of their right to free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also to contribute to facilitating the gradual lifting of restrictions to free movement put in place by Member States, in accordance with Union law, to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, in a coordinated manner.

(2)

Regulation (EU) 2021/953 allows for the acceptance of COVID-19 certificates issued by third countries to Union citizens and their family members where the Commission finds that those COVID-19 certificates are issued in accordance with standards that are to be considered as equivalent to those established pursuant to that Regulation. Furthermore, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/954 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2), Member States have to apply the rules laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/953 to third-country nationals who do not fall within the scope of that Regulation, but who are legally staying or residing in their territory and who are entitled to travel to other Member States in accordance with Union law. Therefore, any equivalence findings laid down in this Decision should apply to COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Republic of Panama to Union citizens and their family members. Similarly, on the basis of Regulation (EU) 2021/954, such equivalence findings should also apply to COVID-19 vaccination , tests and recovery certificates issued by the Republic of Panama to third-country nationals legally staying or residing in the territory of the Member States under the conditions laid down in that Regulation.

(3)

On 4 August 2021, the Republic of Panama provided the Commission with detailed information on the issuance of interoperable COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates under the system entitled ‘National Digital Vaccination Certificate (Certificado de Vacunación Digital Nacional)’. The Republic of Panama informed the Commission that it considered that its COVID-19 certificates are being issued in accordance with a standard and a technological system that are interoperable with the trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953 and that allow for the verification of the authenticity, validity and integrity of the certificates. In this regard, the Republic of Panama informed the Commission that COVID-19 certificates issued by the Republic of Panama in accordance with the ‘National Digital Vaccination Certificate (Certificado de Vacunación Digital Nacional)’ system contain the data set out in the Annex to Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(4)

On 9 September 2021, following a request by the Republic of Panama, the Commission carried out technical tests that demonstrated that the COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates are issued by the Republic of Panama in accordance with a system, the ‘National Digital Vaccination Certificate (Certificado de Vacunación Digital Nacional)’, that is interoperable with the trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953, and allows for the verification of the authenticity, validity and integrity of the certificates. The Commission also confirmed that the COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Republic of Panama in accordance with the ‘National Digital Vaccination Certificate (Certificado de Vacunación Digital Nacional)’ system contain the necessary data.

(5)

In addition, the Republic of Panama informed the Commission that it will issue interoperable vaccination certificates for COVID-19 vaccines. These currently include Comirnaty COVID-19 Vaccine and Vaxzevria COVID-19 Vaccine.

(6)

The Republic of Panama also informed the Commission that it only issues interoperable test certificates for nucleic acid amplification tests, but not for rapid antigen tests.

(7)

Furthermore, the Republic of Panama informed the Commission that it issues interoperable certificates of recovery. Those certificates are valid for not more than 180 days after the date of the first positive test.

(8)

The Republic of Panama also informed the Commission that it accepts vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Member States and EEA countries in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(9)

In addition, the Republic of Panama informed the Commission that when verifiers in Panama verify certificates, the personal data included in them will be processed only to verify and confirm the holder’s vaccination, test result or recovery status and will not be retained afterwards.

(10)

The necessary elements for establishing that COVID-19 certificates issued by the Republic of Panama in accordance with the ‘National Digital Vaccination Certificate (Certificado de Vacunación Digital Nacional)’ system are to be considered as equivalent to those issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/953 are thus fulfilled.

(11)

Therefore, COVID-19 certificates issued by the Republic of Panama in accordance with the ‘National Digital Vaccination Certificate (Certificado de Vacunación Digital Nacional)’ system should be accepted under the conditions referred to in Article 5(5), Article 6(5), and Article 7(8) of Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(12)

In order for this Decision to be operational, the Republic of Panama should be connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(13)

In order to protect the Union’s interests, in particular in the area of public health, the Commission may use its powers to suspend or terminate this Decision if the conditions of Article 8(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/953 are no longer met.

(14)

In the light of the need to connect the Republic of Panama to the EU Digital COVID Certificate trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953 as rapidly as possible, this Decision should enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(15)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2021/953,