Last update: March 15th, 2021.
The French government is conducting a month-long pilot programme of a vaccination certificate, announced on March 11th the country’s Minister Delegate for Transport, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari.
According to the local authority, this initiative “could offer a preview, or at least a large-scale test, of a future travel pass.” The trial was implemented together with Air France and will apply to passengers travelling to the French Caribbean territories of Martinique and Guadeloupe from France and vice versa.
The decision to create a coronavirus health certificate in France is considered a surprise by some European news media since Macron was one of the main EU leaders that were against the implementation of the upcoming Digital Green Pass to be launched by the European Commission.
The French COVID passport in detail
The trial scheme is in place since last March 11th and will last 4 weeks. Travellers who use the airports Paris-Charles de Gaulle (Paris, France), Pointe-à-Pitre Le Raizet (Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe) and Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport (Le Lamentin, Martinica) could be affected by the pilot programme, although participation is completely voluntary.
Air France is the one conducting the trial, while the French government has supported the initiative. In terms of the technology used during the programme, passengers have to present a digital health certificate via the ICC AOKpass app, which is a blockchain-based system backed by the International Chamber of Commerce.
By using this electronic platform, visitors are able to prove their eligibility to enter a territory. This can be done by showing either a PCR negative test result or a COVID-19 vaccination certificate issued by relevant authorities.
Just one day after the announcement made by Djebbari, on March 12th, France eased its travel restrictions to travellers from Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Singapore.
Health pass for public gathering in France
At the beginning of March, Prime Minister Jean Castex also mentioned the possibility of creating some sort of health pass to allow public gatherings in France.
The idea, which is still under discussion, could consist of a simple “track-and tracing system of QR codes” that can be scanned by bars and restaurant owners in order to safely reopen their doors. This health pass for local businesses and services is similar to the COVID green pass implemented by Israel.
If several countries set up systems such as the ones in Israel, the European Union, China or other relevant regions, it is likely international travellers will be able to move through green corridors in the coming months.