Gaining ground in the world: Which countries require a “health pass” for those vaccinated against COVID-19?

The “health pass”, in force for weeks in Austria, Denmark, a few days ago in France and soon in New York, which reserves access to certain public places to people vaccinated, cured or negative for coronavirus, is gaining ground.

The pioneers are Denmark, Hungary and Austria

In the spring, Hungary, Austria and Denmark were among the first European countries to implement health pass systems.

In Denmark, the pass is still mandatory to access various places, such as hairdressers or gyms.

Hungary, which quickly inoculated its population with Russian and Chinese vaccines, began issuing “immunity certificates” since March. Starting in May, these cards were used to reopen hotels, theaters, movie theaters, and inside restaurants.

These restrictions have since been lifted, but certificates are still required at health centers and for gatherings of more than 500 people.

In Austria, since the general reopening took place in mid-May, it was necessary to present a negative test, an antibody certificate or a vaccination test in hotels, restaurants, gyms, museums, concerts, hairdressers and sporting events. This rule remains in effect.

A European certificate for travel

The health pass in European format, with a flash code that allows checking if the carrier is vaccinated or has a recent negative test, came into effect on July 1 in the European Union.

It allows travelers to cross the borders of 33 countries on the Old Continent: the 27 Member States of the European Union and six other neighboring countries (Androrra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Switzerland). In any case, the rules vary according to the destination and the country of origin.

Limited use in Portugal and Ireland

In Portugal, a health pass is required to stay in a hotel or for group classes in gyms. It is also mandatory to access the interior rooms of the restaurants, but only on weekends and holidays.

In Ireland, the health pass is only necessary to access the interior rooms of restaurants and pubs.

Extensive use in France and Italy

In France, the health pass became mandatory on July 21 to enter cultural and leisure establishments (museums, cinemas, theme parks, festivals, fairs) that host more than 50 people.

As of Monday, it is extended (for those over 18 years old) to cafes, restaurants, airplanes, trains, buses for long trips and professional fairs. The pass also becomes mandatory for visitors or patients who do not go urgently to health establishments and nursing homes.

Italy is imposing a health pass from August 6 to enter movie theaters, museums and gyms, even to eat in the interior rooms of restaurants.

This “Green Pass” will be mandatory for passengers on domestic flights, long-distance trains and ferries from September 1, as well as for teachers, staff of schools and universities and university students.

Regional measures in Spain and Germany

In Germany and Spain, the regions have the competence to establish this type of measure.

In Spain, Galicia (north) introduced the health pass to access the interior of bars, restaurants and nightclubs in the most affected municipalities. Similar measures were blocked by the courts in the Canary Islands and Andalusia (south).

In Germany, depending on the federal states, a vaccination certificate or negative test may be required to access places such as hotels, gyms and cinemas.

Partially reinstated in Israel

Faced with the reappearance of contaminations, Israel partially reestablished the health pass in early August: only people fully vaccinated, cured of covid-19 or with a negative PCR test can enter a place that welcomes more than 100 people, in indoor or outdoor.

Soon in New York and Quebec

Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the United States, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday that the “Key to NYC” health pass will be launched on August 16, followed by a one-month transition period.

This will consist of a vaccination test for “employees and clients of covered restaurants, sports halls and theaters.” In this way, the city of New York will be the first of the great metropolises of the United States to create a health pass.

The prime minister of the Canadian province, François Legault announced on August 5 the imminent implementation of a vaccination passport. This document will provide access to “non-essential” activities such as “going to a restaurant”.