We have already developed a certificate in line with EU criteria, including a specific code that will be used by citizens to travel in Greece, after the authorities in Athens take the official decision, says Health Minister Venko Filipche and adds this will likely happen on May 14. Citizens will also be able to travel to Greece with a negative PCR test issued by one of 20 laboratories certified by the Ministry of Health.

“A certificate of an administered vaccine will be required to cross the border. This certificate is ready and will be issued as of Monday to all persons who have received a second dose of the vaccine. The PCR test is the second option if people are not vaccinated. We have a list of 20 certified laboratories that will issue this PCR test. We are waiting for an official confirmation from Greece,” Minister Filipche told Sitel TV.

On the possibility of travel abroad with only one dose of the AstraZeneca jab, he says there is no decision yet, but one is already in place in Great Britain.

“They allowed this because of two reasons – vaccination of more people in a shorter period and the fact that one dose creates a sufficient amount of antibodies, with people fully protected 2-3 weeks after vaccination,” says Filipche.

The Health Minister says the large amount of Chinese vaccines, which is set to arrive by the end of April, as well as the additional vaccination capacities within sports halls across the country will alter the picture in the country.

“We expect the 200,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine on April 28 and we know exactly how they will be distributed and who will be inoculated. We expect about 10,000 daily vaccinations, not including the sports halls that are being currently prepared and should be ready by the end of the week, in Kumanovo, Shtip, Kavadarci, Tetovo, Ohrid and Bitola,” notes Filipche.