Since the idea of a digital health passport was first mentioned as a possible pathway to restart international air travel, we’ve seen quick development and frequent discussion of the technology. However, if you’re not an expert in software development, blockchain technology and API building then it can be hard to get a grasp on exactly how digital passports work and, most importantly, whether you should be downloading one before your next flight.
We’ve broken down the jargon and distilled the essential information about digital health passports and their use into this short selection of FAQs:
A digital health passport is digital documentation that confirms a traveller has been vaccinated against a virus and/or has taken necessary tests to prove that they are not carrying a virus. This information will usually be stored in an app or as part of an online certification and can then be used to assess whether the traveller is at a low risk of acquiring or transmitting the virus.
Digital health passports have most commonly been discussed within the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, with conversation focused on whether this technology can be used to help limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Although the idea of producing vaccination certifications in order to travel is not a new concept (an International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever has been an entry requirement for many countries in Africa and the Americas for some years), digital health passports are a new technology that has been created in response to the global outbreak of Covid-19.
Airlines in particular have expressed their desire for a standardised form of ‘proof of testing/vaccination’ as a way of facilitating a return to air travel. Digital health passports are seen by many as a way of reducing the risk of catching and spreading Covid-19 while travelling when used in conjunction with PCR testing and global vaccination roll outs.
In their most basic form, a digital health passport shares information regarding a traveller’s vaccination and test status with a chosen travel provider via a QR code or online certificate. If the information that is shared meets the destination country’s entry requirements or an airline’s travel criteria then a traveller is deemed safe to fly.
There is an expectation that the functionality of digital health passports will increase as development and roll-out continues. This could include increased integration with airline-specific apps, the ability to include children or minors and group bookings.
Although digital health passports are welcomed by many airlines and are of interest to governments, it is still early days when it comes to the implementation of the technology. With that in mind, there are currently no hard rules about the use of digital health passports and most regulations and legislation still focuses on testing. For further clarification on the travel requirements for your home and destination countries, check official government websites.
As the introduction of digital health passports is still relatively new, it seems unlikely that the use of the technology will be made mandatory around the world any time soon - if at all.
There are still logistical challenges and circumstances that digital health passports are yet to overcome, such as suspicions around security, a standardisation process and a successful global vaccination programme.
The security of data that is so sensitive and personal is understandably a common concern amongst travellers.
Different apps are choosing to implement different types of data security measures. For example, the ICC AOKPass and IATA TravelPass use blockchain technology as this means that there is no central database that could be hacked to access personal information. VeriFLY, which is being offered by identity assurance technology company Daon, will use biometric authentication.
The best way for travellers to make an informed choice that they are comfortable with is to stay up-to-date with the development and adoption of digital health passports over the coming months.
The first digital health passports to emerge included ICC AOKpass, CoronaPass and CommonPass. Other passports include the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Pass, Mvine-iProov passport, VeriFLY, V-Health Passport, Passport for COVID and CCI Linux.