France has launched a COVID health pass to allow travel to and from its overseas territories, and eventually to other EU nations. It will allow vaccinated residents, those who test negative or those who have recovered from COVID-19 to travel.
The pass, which is similar to the vaccine passports discussed by many nations, is a part of the new “booklet” functionality on the nation’s COVID app, TousAntiCOVID. Inside the “booklet” individuals can store vaccination certificates, test results, or record recovery from COVID-19.
Cédric O, France’s Secretary of State for Digital, informed reporters that, “France is the first nation within the EU to make this functionality available to its citizens.”
Testing facilities, such as labs and pharmacies, will send COVID results to a system managed by the French health insurance system. They will “sign” it to guarantee its authenticity and it can then added to the app “booklet”
Similarly, when someone has received a vaccination dose a certificate will be issued and made available to be added to the app.
The TousAntiCOVID app has been downloaded by nearly 15 million individuals since its launch in June 2020. Those who do not have it will be able to print QR codes of their certificates.
Cédric O added that the system presents, “Two benefits; the forgery-proof nature of the test and its speed of reading” to enable border crossings.
Brussels is working on a European Green Certificate to facilitate “safe and free movement” across the 27 member states bloc. It’s currently on track to be released in June, internal market Commissioner Thierry Breton informed French television on Sunday.
