U.K. TO PUSH FOR STANDARD ON ‘VACCINE PASSPORTS’
British PM notes ‘complex’ ethical issues in doing so
Britain plans to use its presidency of the Group of Seven economic powers to push for an internationally recognized system of vaccine passports that could allow world travel to resume, though Prime Minister Boris Johnson acknowledged Tuesday that the idea raises “complex” ethical issues.
The British government previously said it was not considering issuing vaccine passports to people who had been inoculated. But it has now set up a review into “COVID status certification” that will examine ways people can prove they don’t have the coronavirus, either through vaccination or by showing a negative test result.
The government said it would “look to introduce a system to allow vaccinated individuals to travel more freely internationally.” It added it would work with other countries through the World Health Organization, the G-7 — whose presidency the U.K. holds this year — and other bodies on “a clear international framework with standards that provide consistency for passengers and industry alike.”
“Introducing such a system also needs to be fair and not unduly disadvantage people who have yet to be offered — or gain access to — a vaccine,” the government said in a document outlining its plans to lift Britain’s pandemic restrictions. “That being the case, the government does not expect this solution to be available quickly, and restrictions like those in place across the world are likely to continue for the near future.”
The British government is also looking at how such proof might be used by employers, venue owners or organizers of large events. One option under consideration is using the National Health Service contacttracing app, which millions of people in Britain have on their phones, to display COVID-19 test results.
Johnson said Tuesday that “there are deep and complex issues that we need to explore” before making a decision.
“We can’t be discriminatory against people who for whatever reason can’t have the vaccine,” he said.
Johnson’s proposal comes as Britons rushed to book overseas vacations after Johnson on Monday unveiled plans to slowly ease a national lockdown, boosting optimism that travel restrictions will be removed in time for the summer holiday season.
TUI, the U.K.’s largest tour operator said bookings increased six-fold on Monday, the company’s busiest day in more than a month. Discount airline easyJet said demand for flights more than tripled, and package holiday company Thomas Cook said traffic on its website increased 75 percent.
International travel has nearly ground to a halt globally, so the increases are a sign of hope for the beleaguered industry.