Digital versions of COVID vaccination cards now accepted

Digital versions of COVID-19 vaccination cards are expected to be accepted in December as part of the country’s new emergency COVID-19 measures.

This was disclosed in the new measures which were published in the Official Gazette on Tuesday. While measures for the previous months since March 2020, were under the direction of the president, for December, the power to enact the regulations was turned over to the country’s Central Board of Health.

The most notable addition to the new COVID-19 measures is the proof of vaccination regulation which now states that where vaccination is a requirement, the proof of same may also be in digital form or any other form that is identifiable and includes the official stamp of the applicable country. The inclusion of the requirement for stamps to be affixed to vaccine cards can be seen as a measure to prevent persons from uttering forged cards.

According to the new measures, the country’s 12:00am to 4:00am curfew will remain and as such persons are still prohibited from attending private parties, bars and clubs. As sporting events were previously given approval by the Minister of Health, these events will now have to be approved by the Board of Health.

The regulations according to the Gazette order were made by Chairman of the Board of Health, Dr Narine Singh who is also Chief Medical Officer and were approved by President Irfaan Ali.