New York launches the first US "Covid passport" to access events

The application will show if the person has been vaccinated or if they have a negative test.

Picture by ElCaribe

New York launched the US "covid passport" this Friday with which state citizens can verify that they have received the vaccine or have obtained negative test results in order to access large-capacity establishments, such as stadiums or halls. concert.

"Excelsior Pass", which has passed several tests in recent weeks, is a free and voluntary platform developed by the state together with the IBM technology company, which uses "blockchain" to protect the data of its users and that allows them to print their identification or store it in a mobile app.

As reported by Governor Andrew Cuomo in a statement, New York is the first US state to formally debut this type of technology after "two successful pilot demonstrations" and a beta version with "thousands of people" who gave their opinion about the interface and results.

The identification, similar to an airplane boarding pass and displaying a QR code, was tested for the first time during the basketball game played by the Brooklyn Nets on February 27 at the Barclays Center and can now request its use both people like businesses.

"Large venues have already announced that they will start using the technology in the coming weeks, including Madison Square Garden in New York City starting next week and the Times Union Center in Albany. Starting April 2, Excelsior Pass will be expanded to smaller arts, entertainment, and event venues, "explained Cuomo.

The Democratic politician considered that New Yorkers have "demonstrated that they can follow the recommendations of the health authorities to defeat covid-19" and described the pass as a "new tool to combat the virus while allowing more sectors of the economy to reopen Safely".

The Excelsior Pass is built on IBM's Digital Health Pass technology and enables secure verification of health credentials, such as test results and vaccine records, without the need to share more personal and medical information, he said.

On the other hand, its technology is "flexible and scalable", which would allow other states to "come together and help create a safe and reliable transition to a post-pandemic reality", and also offers the option to print the pass to "reduce obstacles. of use ".

What will this represent for the country and the rest of the world?

I believe that this application will be the first step so that the vaccine will eventually be mandatory so that we can travel or attend certain places. Although many people disagree, it will be a good way to make sure that people are healthy when they go to a place.

Also, this would be a big opportunity for public places to have 100% of their capacity again. With an application that shows that you are not infected, it will not be necessary to carry as much protocol in certain places, for example in restaurants.

What do you think of this new application?

Follow me to see more articles like this.

...

Follow