People might need to show two passports while traveling in 2021. As per the latest report, many countries around the world are going to develop a ‘passport’ app, which will show a person’s COVID19 vaccination and test status. This verification method will be used for traveling on planes and attending large gatherings such as meetings and concerts. The Common Trust Network has developed such a COVID19 passport. The agency is going to team up with airlines such as JetBlue, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Swiss Air Lines, Cathay Pacific, and Lufthansa. It will join forces with health systems as well in the US and Aruba. This passport is called the CommonPass app. People can easily upload their COVID19 test results on it and proof of their COVID19 vaccination status given by a medical professional. The app will not make personal information public rather it will make a certificate in the form of a QR code, which will be scanned by flight attendants or security officers. The app will record health requirements at the time of passengers’ departure and arrival destination as well.
An official from the Common Trust Network, Thomas Crampton has said that people might be tested for the disease whenever they cross the border but they cannot be vaccinated. As per the report, tech giant IBM as well is going to develop a Digital Health Pass. This will help venues to set health requirements for entry, such as a negative COVID19 test, vaccination status, and temperature check. However, the information will be stored in the digital wallet. Some companies are planning to come up with a smart card, which will be able to record the credentials of people who do not have smartphones.
The lead author of the COVID19 Credentials Initiative Lucy Yang has said that they have come up with such a plan to digitally store and present the credentials not only via a smartphone but in other ways as well for those people who do not have access to a stable internet connection and do not have smartphones. He has said that there are many companies, which are doing incredible work to make it possible. Some experts have said that it will be effective in channelizing the right kind of information, however, there is no way to understand how these passports will make people’s travel safe. An Infectious Disease Expert, DR. Julie Parsonnet has said that health experts are still unsure whether a vaccinated person can spread the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
