an experienced vaccination passport from mid-April in the United Kingdom

The British government announced on Sunday April 4 that it plans to test a health passport system in England from mid-April to allow the resumption of activities very affected by the pandemic, such as football matches and indoor events.

While the United Kingdom has started to gradually lift strict restrictions in place for long months, on the strength of the success of its vaccination campaign, this project will be detailed on Monday by the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, who will also announce new rules for holidays abroad, prohibited until at least May 17. “We are doing everything possible to allow the reopening of our country (…) in the safest way possible “, the conservative leader said in a statement.

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So a “Certification of Covid status”, indicating that a person has been vaccinated, is negative for the coronavirus or has antibodies, will be developed “Over the next few months” to allow mass gatherings. It will not be required in public transport and essential shops, or in pubs when they reopen.

“Discriminatory” for seventy deputies

Nine pilot tests will be launched from mid-April, notably for the semi-final and then the final of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium, during a nightclub party and a conference in Liverpool. The public health service is working on a way to show status via an app or in paper format, according to Downing Street. This health passport project was greeted with hostility by more than 70 British MPs from across the political spectrum, who judged it “Discriminatory”.

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Many countries are considering the implementation of a health passport and some have already launched it. In March, the European Union presented a draft certificate, requested by countries very dependent on tourism such as Greece, aimed at facilitating travel on its territory in view of the summer season.

Regarding travel abroad, the British government is planning a traffic light system to classify countries according to the degree of progress of their vaccination campaign, their rate of contamination or the presence of variants. “Green” destinations will be exempt from quarantine on return, unlike “orange” and “red” countries. The list of countries has not yet been established.

The World with AFP