Tánaiste Leo Varadkar says it will take some time to send out EU digital Covid certificates to everyone who has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Nearly two million travel certificates, which pave the way for people to travel seamlessly across the European Union from July 19, are due to be sent today.
Certificates provide proof of vaccination, proof of recovery from infection in the past six months, or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of travel.
“It is a very large operation which is also being led by the Governmental Procurement Office with the help of the Revenue Commissioners,” Varadkar said.
«I don’t expect everyone to get their digital degree today, it might take a little longer than that.»
People who have registered and been vaccinated through one of the group vaccination centers across Ireland will receive their Digital Covid certificate via email.
However, for those who have had vaccinations at a GP surgery pharmacy, they will receive their certificate in the mail.
Tanisti added that he will only go to people who have been fully vaccinated.
«It is important to say that people are not fully vaccinated until a week or two after the second dose, or two weeks in the case of the Janssen vaccine,» he said.
For those who receive their certificates via email, there will be a link where they can download the QR code, says Eoghan Corry, Editor of Air and Travel Magazine.
«We don’t know how the technology for that size will fit, and there’s a call center set up,» he said.
«In other countries, they handled large volumes of orders on opening days with great success.»
Redemption certificates will be available 11 days after the positive test and will be valid for no more than 180 days.
Digital Covid certificates will also be made available through private Covid testing services.
Meanwhile, the infectious disease consultant says every step that is unlocked will lead to increased transmission of the virus.
Dr Eugan de Barra of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) says that once people mix, there will be an increase in case numbers.
576 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed on Sunday, with 58 patients hospitalized, an increase of six cases from the previous day.
Dr. de Barra told Newstalk that he hopes more people will not end up in hospital with the disease.
«I think we’re preparing ourselves a little bit to see exactly what the hospitalization rate is with the vaccination rate in the population and that variant,» he said.
«The hope is that it will be much less and the people in it, the patients who live in the present, will be less sick and be for a shorter period of time.»