COVID-19: How are countries implementing the ‘Covid green card’?

Efforts to open up the economy are making the “vaccine green card” emerge as a necessary tool in many countries with effective Covid-19 vaccination programs.

More and more countries are considering using Covid green cards as a re-opening tool, facilitating the resumption of social and cultural activities.

Israel, one of the most successful implementations of vaccination programs globally, first introduced its temporary green card system earlier this year. This is a QR code that people can present through a phone app or print out to prove their vaccination status, which has become the template for most other countries’ systems.

In July, the European Union (EU) also implemented a vaccine travel document system applied in all 27 member countries along with Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.

Meanwhile, since last year, China has issued a QR code system to classify people by different colors. Those classified as green are allowed to travel without restrictions, while yellow code holders may be asked to self-isolate at home for seven days. Color grading is based on a combination of big data and user-provided information.

Unlike many countries, the US government does not establish a standard system of vaccination data and vaccination certification across the country. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki has said the administration of President Joe Biden wants to encourage the sector to develop on its own, with businesses and NGOs joining in. Currently, only seven states in the US have developed electronic certification systems, and 2 of them have a valid “vaccine green card” function.

The United Kingdom, which has announced that it will launch the Covid green card program later this month, on September 12, decided to cancel the plan. According to British Health Secretary Sajid Javid, the government does not consider this move necessary in the current epidemic situation when the rate of vaccine coverage in the UK is relatively high.

In Southeast Asia, Cambodia has become a “vaccination phenomenon.” As of September 6, the country has given at least one dose to two-thirds of the population, of which 53% are fully vaccinated. With this rate, Cambodia is only behind Singapore in Southeast Asia, which has fully vaccinated more than three-quarters of the population. 

Observers say that it is too early to conclude whether the Covid green card program is effective or not. However, the way it is implemented and what happens in the pioneer countries can provide valuable lessons.

(Source: vnexpress)