Vaccine Passport: Understanding the Digital Pass for International Travel

There have been very few global incidences that altered the functioning of the world and created as much havoc as COVID-19 did in the recent past. While almost every other industry faced a slump during the pandemic, the travel industry or more specifically aviation sector took a huge blow, so much so that experts are anticipating that we can only reach pre-pandemic levels of air travel by 2023. With almost all countries stopping international flights to contain the spread of the virus, and only a few allowing international travel even after 2 years of outbreak, there seems to be no respite for the industry to bounce back. There is, however, still a gleam of hope as many countries, independent agencies and airlines are looking for ways to make air travel easier and more accessible. One of the recent trends emerging globally is called the COVID-19 Passport or Vaccine Passport, which has been receiving flak off late from various countries and travellers. A Vaccine Passport is by enlarge a fancy term used for a mobile app to help passengers easily and securely manage their health documents needed for travel in line with the government's policy for either COVID-19 testing or vaccine information. A Travel Pass enables passengers to create a ‘digital footprint' that helps the destination country to verify any traveller's pre-travel test or vaccination certificate. Many governments are seeing these passports as a one-stop solution for easily managing traveller inflow in their countries. While many say a Travel Pass discriminates against the freedom of citizens. All in all, the app enables travellers to manage all travel documentation digitally for a seamless travel experience. Various countries, independent bodies and airline companies have been pitching for the Vaccine Passports and some have already implemented the same. Here's a brief list - China: China was the first country in the Asia Pacific to issue a COVID-19 certificate for its citizens, making them eligible for travel. Iceland: The Nordic state became the first country to issue vaccination certificates in 2020. All the citizens who have received two doses of vaccine are now eligible for a digital certificate. Israel: Israel’s health ministry unveiled a Green Passport that enables people who are already vaccinated to travel and be part of large gatherings. The passport is both digital and physical.