New York launches the first US “covid passport” to access events

New York, Mar 26 (EFE) .- New York launched the US “covid passport” on Friday with which state citizens can verify that they have received the vaccine or have obtained negative test results in order to access to large capacity establishments, such as stadiums or concert halls.

“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 be requested 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 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 designed on the company’s Digital Health Pass technology and allows the secure verification of health credentials, such as test results and vaccine records, without the need to share more medical and personal information, he said.

Moreover, 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 “. EFE

nqs / engine

– .