COVID passes for bars & restaurants: How do they work?

Last update: August 23rd, 2021.

COVID passports are no longer being exclusively used for travel. They have been implemented for access to recreational spaces worldwide.

These regulations are spreading rapidly, and face just as much opposition as support.

Many countries are requiring COVID certificates for entry to indoor spaces, like bars and restaurants, but not for essential services.

This is in an attempt to raise vaccination rates. The number of newly vaccinated people seems to be declining in many countries.

It is important to keep up the vaccination rate to guarantee a safe and stable return to normality.

Keep reading to learn about some of the countries currently implementing COVID passports for entrance to bars and restaurants.

France

France was one of the first countries to make use of the EU Digital COVID Certificate and has mandated the Passe Sanitaire since August.

The Passe Sanitaire is required for both indoor and outdoor dining and it has also been in use in public spaces like museums, gyms, and pools.

Customers found at a bar or restaurant without a valid pass will get a fine of 135 euros. If this same offense is committed 3 times within 30 days, the fine goes up to 3750 euros.

Bars and restaurants risk temporary closure if passes are not checked correctly. If three offenses are detected within 45 days, owners could face steep fines of up to 9000 euros and even a year in prison.

Italy

Since the 6th of August, Italy has mandated a “Green Pass” for restaurants, bars, cinemas, gyms, and theaters.

The pass shows a QR code that is scanned to allow entry into closed venues and law-breakers face fines of up to €1000.

Health minister Roberto Speranza celebrated the initiative, explaining that it encouraged Italians to get vaccinated.

“The numbers are encouraging, with 70 million doses administered,” he announced.

Ireland

Ireland opened pubs and restaurants in late July. Proof of vaccination, recovery, or negative test results are required for patrons to gain entry.

Outdoor seating remains open to all but indoor areas are strictly reserved for immunized individuals.

Verification happens through the EU Digital COVID Certificate. The Northern Ireland vaccination card is also accepted.

Bars can choose to keep their indoor areas closed if they do not want to participate in the scheme.

Austria

Austria introduced their vaccine pass mandate on August 15th. It has different requirements for restaurants and bars.

Restaurants will allow entry with any of the three EU Digital COVID Certificates (vaccination, negative testing and recovery) but bars and nightclubs will not accept proof of recovery.

People are also only considered vaccinated after receiving both shots (or one in the case of J&J) and after 21 days have passed since their last vaccination.

Other countries in Europe

Many countries in Europe have recently made vaccine passports mandatory for indoor hospitality, to try and curb the spread of the Delta variant. This includes:

Travelers are encouraged to stay informed of current restrictions in their country of destination.

USA

Fourteen US states have banned vaccine passports, but some have already mandated them.

San Francisco is currently the only major US city to make vaccine cards mandatory for bars and restaurants. For indoor venues of over 1000 people, vaccine cards are required across California.

Others are using the SMART Health Card, created by private tech and healthcare companies and already put to use in New York, California, and Louisiana.

Businesses can use the system at their own discretion. But many restaurants and bars are beginning to require it, as COVID-19 cases surge across the US.