EU signs digital COVID vaccine pass into law

European Union lawmakers on Monday signed into law a new digital COVID travel pass aimed at opening the 27-nation bloc up for the summer.

Speaking at the signing event, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hoped the new certificate will solidify the spirit of an open Europe and "a Europe without barriers."

The speedy creation of the digital pass had been achieved in "record time", she said.

It would "give Europeans back the freedoms they value and cherish so much," she added.

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said the pass was a "renewed signal of confidence to our citizens that together we will overcome this pandemic."

Beginning on July 1, EU nations will have to recognize the free vaccine certificate, which can take paper or digital form, and shows whether a person has either been vaccinated against the virus, has recently tested negative, or has recovered from the disease.