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| John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, USA. © AFP=News1 |
As vaccinations have accelerated worldwide and blockade mitigation is being reviewed, the introduction of a’vaccine passport’ is also intensifying. A vaccine passport is a certificate that allows vaccinations to travel abroad, to visit performances, or to sports events.
Several countries have decided to introduce a vaccine passport in anticipation of an economic recovery through the vitalization of the tourism industry, but voices of opposition are also hard on the grounds of reverse discrimination and invasion of privacy.
According to foreign media on the 25th, vaccine passports are being actively introduced in Europe.
According to a French local press, France24, 13 countries, including Greece, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, and Portugal, have already introduced or will introduce vaccine passports, starting with Iceland, which issued a vaccine passport last month.
In the UK, which has announced a roadmap for mitigating the four-phase blockade, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would review the vaccination status certificate for domestic use.
Asia is no exception. Thailand is promoting the introduction of a vaccination passport with the goal of shortening or exempting the two-week quarantine from vaccinated travelers to three days.
The aviation industry is also rushing to introduce technology to keep pace with the introduction of vaccine passports.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is preparing the’Travel Pass’, an application that checks passengers for corona 19 testing and vaccination with the aim of launching next month.
Starting with Singapore Airlines, it is preparing with more than 20 airlines, including most of Asia Pacific airlines such as Etihad, Emirates, Qatar, and Air New Zealand.
The IAEA also urged countries around the world to introduce digital vaccine passports to resume travel.
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| London Heathrow Airport in England. © AFP=News1 |
However, criticism has also been raised that the vaccine passport gives privileges to some classes, causing discrimination.
The vaccine supply varies from country to country, and it excludes people who have not received the vaccine due to health problems such as pregnant women or allergic reactions.
The French and German governments oppose the lack of evidence that vaccine passports prevent corona19 infection.
Some point out that revealing whether or not to get vaccination is a violation of privacy.
French Minister of Culture, Roslyn Bachelo, even described the vaccine passport as “an attack on freedom.”
A report released by the Royal Society of England on the 19th also suggested 12 prerequisites such as meeting legal and ethical standards and international standardization, saying that it is still too early to introduce a vaccine passport.
The European Union (EU) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are also drawing lines on the introduction of a vaccine passport.
The EU Commission has yet to postpone the decision to introduce a vaccine passport, saying only 3% of the European population has been vaccinated against the coronavirus.
The WHO also said it currently opposes the introduction of vaccination certificates as a condition for allowing foreign travelers to enter the country.