Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

What is a Covid vaccine passport? Everything we know

What is a Covid vaccine passport? Everything we know

Could vaccination passports be the route to a summer of travel?

Boris Johnson will soon announce the path to easing lockdown, with schools and non-essential shops thought to be closer to reopening.

The UK beat its own target of vaccinating 15,000,000 people before 15 February, with more than half a million also receiving their second dose.

Something that has been discussed often is the idea of a coronavirus vaccine passport, issued to people who have received their jabs.

So, what is a coronavirus vaccine passport, and what do we know about them?

What is a Covid vaccine passport?


Some are hoping that certificates proving their vaccinated status could allow them to engage in previously-limited activities, like browsing shops or gathering in groups.



The passports could also allow certain groups to go on holiday, as the vaccinations significantly reduce the chance of infection.

They could also allow people to enter restaurants or work in the retail sector.

What has the government said about Covid vaccine passports?


Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that while they won’t be necessary for browsing the high street, vaccine passports might be required for travel.

He said: ‘I think inevitably there will be great interest in ideas like can you show that you had a vaccination against Covid in the way that you sometimes have to show you have had a vaccination against yellow fever or other diseases in order to travel somewhere.’

Vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi insisted that there is no plan to introduce the scheme in the UK at the moment, describing it as ‘discriminatory’.

Speaking to the BBC’s The Andrew Marr show on 14 February, Zahawi said the passports could not work as ‘vaccines are not mandated in the UK.’

Some experts think passports would allow restaurants and pubs to safely reopen.


Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, seems to agree – telling LBC Radio that they are not part of the post-lockdown roadmap.

However, Dominic Raab said that vaccine passports could be an option as part of the plan to lift restrictions, telling LBC that they haven’t been ruled out.

Speaking to the radio station, he said that ‘whether it’s at an international, domestic or local level, you’ve got to know that the document being presented is something that you can rely on and that it’s an accurate reflection of the status of the individual.

‘I’m not sure there’s a foolproof answer in the way that it’s sometimes presented but of course, we’ll look at all the options.’

Will I be able to travel with a Covid vaccine passport?


At present, Covid vaccination passports are not required for travel – and it’s not clear that they will ever be used to allow people to move internationally.

Worldwide travel continues to be limited, with many borders still closed and airlines operating at a reduced capacity. A large number of countries are now requesting passengers produce negative PCR tests before arriving at airports.

Some travel companies have said they will insist certain passengers are vaccinated before allowing them to buy tickets, too.

Saga, which specialises in holidays for the over-50s, has said people will have to have had the second jab before they are allowed to journey abroad.

Passengers will have to ‘self-declare’ their vaccination status, and won’t need to provide a certificate as proof, according to their website.



Which countries have vaccine passports?


No countries have vaccination passports yet, although it is understood that many European countries are considering introducing a version of them. These include:

*  Iceland, Denmark and Sweden are rolling out a plan for digital certificates, that will allow citizens to ‘eat out, travel, and attend festivals’ according to Forbes.

*  The EU is working with Greece to create a standardised certificate that would allow travel across the continent, known as the Yellow Card.

*  Poland has introduced a QR code system, that quickly allows officials to check citizens’ vaccination status.

*  Portugal and Cyprus have suggested that vaccine passports would make ending travel restrictions easier, but are yet to commit to an official vaccine passport plan.

The EU are working on a standardised certificate for member nations.


Are vaccine passports a good idea?


They’re certainly controversial. A gov.uk petition entitled ‘Do not rollout Covid-19 vaccine passports’ has around 130,000 signatures, citing concerns around ‘societal cohesion’.

Some experts think that they could improve prospects for job seekers – with a passport allowing a wider variety of workplaces to safely open.

However, others have warned that allowing certain groups more freedoms than others has the potential to be divisive – with unvaccinated groups essentially being penalised.

As other countries are at different stages with their vaccination rollout, too, experts have suggested it would be hard to introduce a system that would work for international travel.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
EU Majority Demands Hungary Reverse Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws
Top Hotel Picks for 2025 Stays in Budapest Revealed
Iron Maiden Unveils 2025 Tour Setlist in Budapest
Chinese Film Week Opens in Budapest to Promote Cultural Exchange
Budapest Airport Launches Direct Flights to Shymkent
Von der Leyen Denies Urging EU Officials to Skip Budapest Pride
Alcaraz and Sinner Advance with Convincing Wins at Roland Garros
EU Ministers Lack Consensus on Sanctioning Hungary Over Rule of Law
EU Nations Urge Action Against Hungary's Pride Parade Ban
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
U.S. Considers Withdrawing Troops from Europe
Russia Deploys Motorbike Squads in Ukraine Conflict
Critics Accuse European Court of Human Rights of Overreach
Spain Proposes 100% Tax on Non-EU Holiday Home Purchases
German Intelligence Labels AfD as Far-Right Extremist
Geert Wilders Threatens Dutch Coalition Over Migration Policy
Hungary Faces Multiple Challenges Amid EU Tensions and Political Shifts
Denmark Increases Retirement Age to 70, Setting a European Precedent
Any trade deal with US must be based on respect not threats', says EU commissioner
UK Leads in Remote Work Adoption, Averaging 1.8 Days a Week
Thirteen Killed in Russian Attacks Across Ukraine
High-Profile Incidents and Political Developments Dominate Global News
Netanyahu Accuses Western Leaders of 'Emboldening Hamas'
Ukraine and Russia Conduct Largest Prisoner Exchange of the War
×