Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he believes vaccine passports will be available to be carried on mobile phones by October 2021, after discussion with world leaders at last month’s G7 summit.
Speaking on Wednesday in a media briefing around the topic of vaccine passports, Mr. Morrison said “We already have vaccine certificates.”
“Later in the year, about October we estimate, we will have a vaccination certificate that will be able to be internationally recognised to facilitate when people are moving out of the country and into the country.
“Being able to recognise others’ certificates, is something that has been a common feature of the conversations I have been having with other leaders,” he said.
Three weeks ago, the federal government announced that Australia had offered companies the chance to make their case for the contract to provide vaccination passports for international travel as part of a home-quarantine scheme to be trialled.
Senator Payne said at the time that it was a work in progress with international regulators and airline groups looking at similar options.
“Australia wants to make sure we’re fully engaged in that process,” She said.
Around the same time, Qatar Airways announced that it would be expanded its IATA Travel Pass trial for its ‘Digital Passport’ Mobile App, enabling travellers to Doha to share their Qatar issued vaccination certificate via their mobile with the airline and authorities in what the airline is saying is a more safe, seamless and secure way.
The trial is being rolled out in phases starting this month initially with cabin crew returning to Doha travelling from Kuwait, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Sydney.
Cabin crew will be able to upload their Qatar issued COVID-19 vaccination credentials along with their COVID-19 test results to the IATA Travel Pass Mobile App and verify they are eligible to travel.
On arrival in Doha, the crew will then be able to safely and securely share their vaccination certificate and proceed through immigration at the airport.
So what exactly is the IATA Travel Pass?
It’s an app that allows customers will be able to create a digital health wallet linked to their e-passport. Once travellers have been tested and/or vaccinated, labs will securely send data to the individual’s app.
The app then checks requirements for travel against the data and customers who meet those travel requirements will be given the green tick to travel.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker said: “Despite the significant challenges the pandemic has caused international aviation, our industry has continued to be a leader in adopting new technologies and innovations to ensure a safe, secure and seamless travel experience for our passengers.”
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General said: “Qatar Airways and the Qatari Government are showing leadership by becoming the first to trial the verification of passengers’ vaccine credentials through IATA Travel Pass. Certificates of COVID-19 vaccination or testing status will be key to restoring people’s freedom to travel.”
“Trials by Qatar Airways and some 70 other airlines have demonstrated that IATA Travel Pass can efficiently manage test results. This important new trial focusing on vaccination status will build even more confidence in IATA Travel Pass as a complete solution for travellers, governments and airlines.”