Firms start work on 'freedom passports': Documents would allow people who have tested negative for Covid-19 to enter pubs, schools and workplaces
The contracts envisage a system under which people are assigned a QR code on their smartphones linking to a digital passport that includes a photo of them.
After a Covid test, this would be updated at the test centre and when people want to enter a venue they could present their QR code as proof of their negative status.
After scanning in the code, the venue could refuse entry to those without a recent negative result.
The Department of Health source said the scheme was 'exploratory work' and the system was not being introduced imminently. 'It is about looking at ways we could use this in future,' the source added. 'It is looking at whether it would be possible.
'There are no plans to introduce immunity passports.'
Ministers have previously ruled out introducing passports for those who have had a vaccine. This had led to fears that those who declined to have the jab would be discriminated against.
The proposal for the 'negative Covid-19 test certification' system was revealed on the Government's contracts checker.
It shows a £42,000 contract was signed with Netcompany UK for a 'Covid-19 Certification/Passport MVP' in November.
The contract is described as being to 'develop a negative Covid-19 test certification minimum viable product' – a simple version of the app to prove it would be feasible to go forward with.
A similar contract – worth £34,000 – was awarded to the Hub Company. Under its scheme, individuals would sign up to an app giving them a personal QR code.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9077385/Firms-start-work-freedom-passports.html
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