Current Affairs

Issue

In an effort to reduce curbs on travel and public life, Denmark is in the process of rolling out a digital passport that would show if holders have been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

 

Details

• The first step will be completed by the end of February, when Danish citizens who have been vaccinated will be able to see a record on a government health website. After another three or four months, the digital passport and an app will be launched. 

• Denmark, along with countries in northern Europe, has in recent years pushed for paperless communications in both the public and private sectors.

• The corona passport is considered a part of its effort to reduce bureaucracy by using electronic verification.

• The government will take a decision at a later date whether the digital passport would be used for purposes other than travel, such as access to restaurants, music festivals, and sports events.

 

Opening up travel in Europe

• Europe’s tourism sector was severely impacted because of the pandemic. So, the EU has been under pressure this year to evolve mechanisms to safely restart travel.

• The EU has been considering the use of vaccination certificates, but has so far such certificates would only be used for medical reasons.

• The World Health Organisation had also said it was working on an e-vaccination certificate. Estonia would permit those travelling to the country to skip quarantine requirements if they are able to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination.