RIGA, Mar 10 (LETA) - In Latvia, introducing the so-called Covid-19 passports for vaccinated people could be considered in the summer when Covid-19 vaccines become freely available, President Egils Levits  told journalists following his weekly meeting with Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) on Wednesday.

Presidents regards the plan to introduce such vaccine passports in European Union member states as a logical step given that the bloc's internal borders are open. "Obviously, those people who have received the vaccine pose less health risks to themselves and others," the president said, adding that applying the strict Covid-19 rules to them would be "disproportionate". 

Levits believes that introducing the Covid-19 passports should be considered as soon as the vaccines become freely available to everyone who wants to take them. "And this is up to each individual, whether they want to get vaccinated or not."

In the current situation, while Covid-19 vaccines are still scarce, it would be premature to introduce Latvia's local Covid-19 pass, Levits believes. 

Levits also noted that Covid-19 passports, or the so-called "green passes", are already in use in Israel where the largest part of the population has already been immunized, allowing people to move around freely, go to restaurants, theaters and other public places and events.

"This gives the undecideds an impetus and motivation to vaccinate. This [the Covid-19 pass] is being discussed in France and other countries. I think that to some degree it will be introduced in Europe," the president said. 

As reported, the European Commission has said it will propose a law on setting up a "green pass" scheme for vaccination certification as the EU prepares to step up the rollout of vaccines, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. 

"We'll present this month a legislative proposal for a Digital Green Pass," Leyen said on Twitter, adding that the aim is to gradually enable people to move safely in the European Union or abroad - for work or tourism.