New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, has announced the launch of the city’s blockchain-powered ‘Excelsior Pass’ COVID-19 vaccination passport. The Excelsior Pass is set to go live across the state from 2 April 2021.
Today we launched Excelsior Pass, a free platform for businesses & individuals that can be used to easily access secure proof of a recent negative COVID test or vaccination.
It's a first of its kind tool to help NY fight COVID while reopening our economy safely.
Learn More:
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 26, 2021
The Excelsior Pass is a free, voluntary platform built on IBM’s blockchain-based Digital Health Pass. Excelsior Pass is designed to enable the safe and secure verification of health credentials including COVID-19 test results and vaccination records, without revealing any underlying medical or personal information.
The passport will be “similar to a mobile boarding pass”. Individuals will be able to print out their pass, or store it on their mobile phones using the Excelsior Pass Wallet app. Each pass will have a unique, secure QR code that may be scanned to verify negative test results or proof of vaccination.
“As part of this initial launch, participating New Yorkers may choose to use Excelsior Pass to verify their COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results as needed to gain entry to major stadiums and arenas, wedding receptions, or catered and other events above the social gathering limit.” Said the governor’s office.
With more than 1/4 of its residents vaccinated, NY State announces the availability of its digital health pass designed in partnership with IBM. Learn more about the first-of-its-kind Excelsior Pass: https://t.co/iYgKqrYoFw by Steve LaFleche, GM, IBM Public and Federal Market pic.twitter.com/Tj3AnQXvkq
— IBM News (@IBMNews) March 26, 2021
New York will be the first state in the USA to introduce a COVID-19 passport. IBM’s General Manager, Steve LaFleche, believes that “the state is modeling for the rest of the country how new, technology-enabled approaches can help safely reinvigorate economies while also striving to protect public health.”
Feature image by Jernej Furman from flickr