Since digital COVID-19 passports emerged, they have been the breakthrough between multiple sectors to restart international travel and reinstate confidence in travellers to continue their normal routines while being vaccinated.
The latest development in their widespread use has been decided by The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in the last week, who confirmed plans for a common, global health passport would be underway. The move would unite and streamline different apps and COVID passports currently managed by different countries.
Proposals will be accepted in Montreal, Canada this September at a key summit.
The entire world was witness to vaccine passports following the pandemic outbreak, and moreover, healthcare, travel and the identity industries have effectively worked together on the NHS app, to monitor virus cases and who is infected.
With more vaccine passports travelling through airports to kickstart international travel again, the ICAO wants to digitalise a single vaccine and test system between all countries.
At the recent UNWTO Global Summit in the Maldives, Director General of the Airports Council for International Asia Pacific (ACI) region referenced the positive headway, saying “While some countries appear to be reluctant towards a common health passport, there is general agreement among many others.”
One aspect of the talks will focus on how biometric technology, which has become multi-faceted with facial, voice and fingerprint recognition, should enhance a single passport to ensure legitimate access to medical data and efficiency in checks.
There have been concerns over how secure Japan’s biometric system is and whether data is safe and uncompromised using the technology.
Nevertheless, one COVID-19 passport supported by different stakeholders promises to provide clarity for all global citizens on the vaccines and test results accepted and incentivise efficient travel again.
It comes after the ICAO previously introduced a Health Master List to provide unanimous understanding of different passport style documents needed to travel like vaccine and test certificates.
Baronci said in a recent interview with The Golf Times: “A majority of countries in our region have abolished pandemic-related travel curbs which will further stimulate the recovery of industry. Testing, quarantine and limitations on foreign arrivals and limitations on tourism, discourage travel and hinder the economic recovery. Therefore, it is crucial that border restrictions are eased to enable seamless movement of people.”
All digital ID and biometric solutions for Healthcare, Travel and Government will be demonstrated at Identity Week Europe. Apply to attend here: https://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/identity-week/Tickets.stm
