Digital Health Passports Explained in 5 Questions
Photo Credit: A group of Chinese tourists wear full protective suits against the COVID-19 virus wait at Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport. Flickr / Cyril Marcilhacy/International Monetary Fund
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A passport tends to imply freedom of movement, but with so many options and fast-changing restrictions, travelers need to do their homework before choosing one.
Digital health passports are taking off as technology companies and even governments start developing them. But as we’ve seen with disparities around testing and vaccination regulations, too many of these passports could complicate things.
In this explainer, we outline some of the passports available, examine how they work and explore the concerns raised so far.
What are Digital Health Passports, and Who’s Providing Them?
A digital health passport is an app, or online certification, that displays a traveler’s Covid test result or vaccination record. It will confirm to airline staff or border control that a particular individual is at a low risk of acquiring or transmitting the virus.
They're a viable method of checking who’s eligible to enter a country, depending on that country's recognition of the type of passport platform, and type of test or vaccination. They may also help pave the way for people to return to their offices.
As early as April last year, some airl
