A Spanish traveler who sees a new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) negative QR code. EPA=Yonhap News
A plan to introduce a new coronavirus infection (Corona 19)’vaccine passport’ ahead of the summer vacation season is being promoted in each country.
This is because the economy continues to deteriorate as the blockade to prevent the spread of Corona 19 is prolonged.
In particular, some countries, where tourism accounts for a large portion of the economy, are rushing to introduce digital vaccine passports in the peak summer vacation season.
The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 7th (local time) that Greece and Spain are urging the European Union to introduce digital vaccine passports to lower entry restrictions.
Already, some countries have begun preparing for the introduction of the system. In the UK,’vaccine certificates’ are being reviewed, and Israel has recently begun issuing digital vaccination certificates for access to gyms and restaurants.
Israel also agreed to test a’travel bubble’ that exempts quarantine by consulting with EU countries such as Greece and Cyprus in advance. Cyprus said it would allow British citizens who had been vaccinated to enter the country freely from this coming May.
The EU Commission is expected to present a plan this month to introduce vaccine passports to countries outside the EU as well as inside member states to free traffic, the WP said.
However, it is unclear in what form the vaccine passport will be issued. QR code methods that are difficult to manipulate like Israel are also subject to review.
It is not known whether a common denominator can be found in the EU, respectively, for vaccination rates.
In countries such as France and Germany, the introduction of it is expected to result in discrimination against non-vaccinated citizens. German Prime Minister Angela Merkel said that while considering the introduction of a vaccination passport positively, considering the low vaccination rate, there is no plan to proceed with preferential treatment of vaccinated travelers. France is also showing a similar position to Germany, with only half the rate of vaccination.
In particular, there are concerns that ethnic minorities, pregnant women, young people who are subordinate to vaccination, and elderly people who are not familiar with digital machines may be disadvantaged. There is also a problem that creating a digital vaccine passport can infringe on privacy by grasping the traveler’s path.
Reporter Han Young-hye [email protected]
