The COVID-19 pandemic is still raging in the country and many parts of the world. And it is no secret that the travel industry has been severely hit ever since the pandemic began. The only good news is that people in the country are getting rapidly vaccinated against the virus, so the government is thinking about resuming full-scale travel. As a part of this, the government is working with various organizations to develop something called a vaccine passport.

What is a vaccine passport?

A vaccine passport is proof that a traveler has been vaccinated against COVID-19 or recently tested negative. This will allow travelers to skip testing and quarantining. Vaccine passports, however, are not a new thing. They began hundreds of years ago, and even today, several countries around the world require visitors to be vaccinated against diseases like yellow fever and tuberculosis. With a COVID-19 vaccine passport in your hand, you will not only be allowed to travel within the United States and to other countries, but you may also get to visit restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, and event spaces.

How will it work?

It’s only obvious that the vaccine passport is a digital one. It is generally in the form of a digital application that can be quickly checked by concerned authorities. The mobile application shows the COVID-19 vaccination status, the status of the last COVID-19 test, and even other health-related information pertaining to you. The passport can be printed too.

Who is developing them?

A couple of organizations are working to develop COVID-19 vaccine passports for US citizens. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the trade group for global airlines, is designing a mobile application called Travel Pass. The app will allow you to upload documents that show your vaccination status. Travel Pass is currently being tested by several airlines, some of which are Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways.

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is also developing an application called Digital Health Pass. The app will allow an organization to verify the health credentials of its employees, customers, and visitors entering their offices. IBM says that Digital Health Pass is designed to serve employers and industries like sports, entertainment, travel, and transportation.

Clear, an app that allows users to speed through airports, stadiums, and other venues, is also planning to introduce a feature known as Health Pass. To collect and manage vaccination records of individuals, the app creators are working closely with The Commons Project Foundation.

Do you need a vaccine passport to travel?

Currently, no. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently said that vaccination against COVID-19 must not be mandatory for international travel. There are two main reasons for this: it’s still unclear how effective vaccines are at preventing the transmission of the COVID-19 virus; and not all countries have access to the vaccine. Besides, not every country may accept a digital vaccination certificate.

There are some countries, however, that have started using vaccine passports. Israel, for example, has released a “green passport” that allows citizens to attend concerts and visit gyms, theaters, hotels, and synagogues. Denmark, too, is set to launch a pass that will allow vaccinated individuals to travel with a minimum number of restrictions. In fact, even New York state has launched the Excelsior Pass, an app that lets vaccinated individuals visit various entertainment and event venues.