IT’S HERE: United States’ First “Vaccine Passport” Coming to New York in Less Than a Week
By Evan James
BigLeaguePolitics.com
The so-called “Excelsior Pass,” which provides proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results, is coming very soon to New York.
The Excelsior Pass Wallet app will “store Passes on a mobile device for easy access at any time,” according to the Pass website hosted on NY.gov. Printing a Pass is also an option.
A Friday news release explains that the Excelsior Pass will be similar to a mobile airline boarding pass.
“Each Pass will have a secure QR code, which participating businesses and venues can scan using a companion app to verify proof of COVID-19 negative test results or proof of vaccination. An individual’s data is kept secure and confidential at all times,” the news release says.
Venues like Madison Square Garden in New York City will begin using the app within the next couple or few days. Smaller “arts, entertainment, and event” venues will also start using it on Friday, April 2, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office.
The app will not display health information when scanned. It will only display a green checkmark if the person has received a vaccine or negative COVID test—or a red “x” if not. All health information will be encrypted with blockchain technology to ensure security.
This only represents the beginning. It would not come as shock if such “passports” became available in many other states and were implemented by numerous hospital networks, airlines, sports arenas and stadiums, and so on.
