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Germany launches new digital Covid health pass

The Local Germany
The Local Germany - [email protected]
Germany launches new digital Covid health pass
Spahn holds up the 'Cov Pass" at a press conference in Berlin on Thursday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Michael Kappeler

The new digital Covid vaccination certificate is being rolled out in Germany in stages, announced Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) in Berlin on Thursday.

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After a trial phase, vaccination centres, doctors’ practices and pharmacies will gradually begin issuing a certificate with a QR code which can be scanned into an app, said Spahn at a press conference. "But not everyone will be connected today or tomorrow." 

The goal, he said, is for the vaccine certificate and the CovPass app to be available to anyone interested by the end of June. 

READ ALSO: UPDATE: What is Germany’s new digital vaccine and health pass - and when can I get it?

Several states have already started to send people a QR code by post once they receive a vaccine in a vaccine centre. The code can then be scanned with a smartphone.

The digital proof is a voluntary offer alongside other proof of inoculation, such as the yellow paper vaccination booklet, which remains valid. 

Germany is taking part in an EU-wide project, led by a German team, to roll out the pass.

READ ALSO: Meet the German team developing the EU’s first ‘vaccine passport’

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While the digital certificate is often dubbed the “Impfpass” (vaccination passport) in Germany, the smartphone app will not only show proof of inoculations, but also negative tests and if someone has recovered from the virus.

As The Local reported, users will also be able to upload their certificate onto the existing Corona Warning app. 

People will be able to use it as proof when needed to access public life - for example, sitting inside of a restaurant or going to a gym - and it is hoped that it will facilitate travel in the EU during the summer holiday season.

Covid situation good in Germany

Spahn spoke of an encouraging development with regard to the infection situation. Figures have dropped significantly, intensive care units are seeing less patients, and the vaccination figures continued to rise at a good rate. This makes it possible to strive for more freedom and normality again.

At the same time, it is important to safeguard what has been achieved, to further reduce the numbers and give new mutations of the coronavirus less of a chance to spread. 

In the UK, for example, where the vaccination rate is even higher than in Germany, it is possible to see how mutations can lead to high levels of new infections.

The latest figures show 46.5 percent of the population has received at least one vaccine dose, and 22.8 percent are fully vaccinated against Covid.

On Thursday the number of cases per 100,000 residents in seven days stood at 19.3. The previous day it had been at 20.8, and a week ago it was 34.1.

READ ALSO: Reader question: Where can I get Germany's 'yellow vaccination booklet' and do I need it?

 

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