New York launched a digital vaccination passport …

The governor of new York, Andrew Cuomo, announced the implementation of Excelsior Pass, a free and voluntary digital application developed in collaboration with IBM which It will check if a user is vaccinated against the coronavirus or if they have had a test done in the last few hours with a negative result. In this way, New York becomes the first state in this country to officially apply a digital passport for covid-19. to enter massive events.

The launch of this app, which aims to speed up the reopening of sports stadiums, concert halls, restaurants and other businesses with limited capacity due to the coronavirus, comes after two successful pilot demonstrations and a test including thousands of New -Yorkais.

As Forbes explains, the app is available for iPhone and Android users and works like a digital airplane boarding pass: people receive a digital pass with a secure QR code, which they can print or store on their smartphones using the Excelsior Pass Wallet app. Then businesses and stores can scan this code using a companion app, which maintains data security.

“Rthoughtful, science-based openness“

Large rooms like the Madison Square Garden of New York, with a capacity of 20,000 people, and the Times Union Center in Albany, with 17,500 seats, they are already planning to use this technology. As of April 2, the Excelsior Pass will also be extended to smaller arts, entertainment and event venues.

“The Times Union Center looks forward to using this platform and making this great technology available for future events,” said Bob Belber, CEO of Times Union Center. Belber said, “This will be a game-changer for the ongoing reopening of our site and for New Yorkers in the Capital Region and beyond.”

“As more New Yorkers get vaccinated every day and major public health indicators continue to hit their lowest rates in months, The Excelsior Pass is the next step in our thoughtful, science-based reopeningGovernor Cuomo said in a statement. “The question of “ public health or the economy ” has always been a false choice: the answer must be both“, he underlined.

From “flexible technology”

According to Forbes, Excelsior Pass builds on IBM’s Digital Health Pass solution and is designed to verify health references, such as test results and immunization records, without the need to share medical and personal information.

Technology is flexible and intended to be scaled upsaid Steve LaFleche, CEO of IBM Public and Federal Markets, so other states can join the platform in the future.

“New York State is a role model for the rest of the country of how new technological approaches can help safely revitalize economies while striving to protect public health,” he said. .

Similar proposals

Israel, the country with the most advanced vaccination campaign, uses a Similar application that allows people vaccinated a “green passport” to access gyms, concerts and restaurants.

Also in Europe Similar alternatives are being debated. A few days ago, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented a proposal ensuring that she will help citizens to move safely during the covid-19 pandemic in the EU.