Digital health passport also arrives in Italy, Alitalia joins AOKpass

The Covid-19 has meant major upheavals in the lives of everyone in Italy and around the world. The vaccination process represents the first real step toward a "return to normalcy," but to assume a total absence of aftershocks is optimistic, to say the least.

Travel lovers may find themselves facing the addition of a new document to the list of those required to board an airplane, and more. The possibility is that of a health passport. A digital solution under consideration by a variety of airlines and airports. An easy way to be able to ascertain whether or not a passenger presents the minimum requirements needed to start.

What is a health passport and what is it for

It could be said, in short, that a digital health passport offers a clear and quick view of the passenger's health status. Within this personal database would be reported the result of the swab taken within two days of departure, as well as any vaccination that has taken place. The latter element is obviously not mandatory at present. However, it is easy to predict how in the coming months it could become so.

Nothing has been decided on this issue, and until the European and global vaccination process enters its intensive phase, nothing can be done. There are four projects being analyzed, but no state has yet made an official decision as to which line to take.

It is, however, possible to provide some initial information. Every system to date in development is based on a similar process. After downloading the relevant app, you will have to proceed with entering your data for registration. A bridge will be created with the health facility at which the swab was taken. This means that the data can be sent digitally. Once at the airport, it will be possible to show both the boarding pass and the app screen from your smartphone.

What is the CommonPass app

Progress has already been made on the health passport trial, which looks set to become a reality. One of the projects goes by the name of CommonPass. In the coming months we may hear it mentioned more and more often. Commons Project Foundation and World Economic Forum have been in charge of development.

In some cases, tests have already been carried out on international routes so as to assess feasibility and, at the same time, correct any errors. The Airport Council International has decided to join the project, this highlights how likely it is to be implemented in practice. This is an association representing about 2,000 airports worldwide. Several companies are interested and already active. Here are the first ones:

• United Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• JetBlue
• Lufthansa
• Swiss International Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic

What is the Travel Pass app

Travel Pass is the app approved by the health verification system of Iata, which is the most important international airline association. The idea is to propose to the public a system that is valid for all countries. Succeeding in such a feat is the most important step. Making life easier for passengers in this transition process would be crucial.

Within the system, it will be possible to locate the list of accredited laboratories, so as not to run into any problems at onboarding. Once the procedure is completed, a QR code. A quick and easy pass to board safely and without having to carry unnecessary paperwork. An important aspect is also the presence of each country's access requirements, which are constantly being updated. There is no shortage of companies interested in this app, such as Singapore Airlines.

What is the Digital Health Pass app

Such apps will be essential in everyday life, not just in travel. While vaccinating remains a choice, not an obligation, for now, it is possible that travel and activities will be subject to special restrictions in the coming months. Only the vaccinated will be able to enjoy certain concessions until the Covid-19 emergency is over.

For this reason Ibm developed Digital Health Pass, also designed for companies that organize sporting events, concerts and more. All ready on your smartphone, national and international pass.

What is the AOKpass app

Also the International Chamber of Commerce Has developed an app. It is. AOKpass. A faithful, digital copy of the subject's medical record is uploaded inside. This will be usable only by the intestate, who will be able to show some sensitive data during boarding and in other useful circumstances.

And just today, January 5, Alitalia and AdR announced that they are joining this project.

Starting today, the new trial allowing the passengers heading to New York on Alitalia flights Covid Tested to present at boarding a digital certificate of negativity of the Covid-19 rapid antigen test, performed at the airport, via the AOKpass app, thus saving additional time in travel procedures.

 

How it works is simple: once they download the AOKpass app to their mobile device and take the test at Fiumicino airport, travelers will receive the result with a QR code that authenticates and securely stores the negative result on their smartphone. When boarding the flight to New York, then, passengers can use their digital health credentials by having the boarding attendant scan the QR code directly.

The digitization of this process, thanks in part to the collaboration of the Ministry of Health's Usmaf physicians, represents a further step in the implementation of new protocols for safe access to the airplane, a path begun last September, in collaboration also with the Lazio Region, with Alitalia's Covid Tested Rome-Milan flights and continued in December with the opening of "quarantine free" flights from the US.

As an alternative to the fiduciary quarantine system, which is difficult to monitor and penalizes healthy people, passengers will increasingly take rapid or molecular tests preparatory to boarding especially for long-haul destinations in the coming months. As immunization progresses, there may also soon be an opportunity to show the vaccination certificate in order to board safely and without incurring the restrictions. The digitization of these processes is being initiated today with the use of AOKpass and will proceed shortly along with a further enrichment of the offer of health services and digital TravelPasses that can be used at Rome Fiumicino in active coordination with the relevant Authorities.

The "Leonardo da Vinci" is considered among the safest airports in the world so much so that it has been rated by Skytrax as having the maximum of 5 stars on anti-Covid health protocols, Health Accreditation from Aci and being chosen for the third year in a row by Aci Europe as the best airport in Europe specifically for its virus containment measures.

"This new experimentation confirms ADR's willingness to continue the path undertaken and based on a maximum security airport and oriented to the definition of new safe and innovative travel protocols," said ADR CEO Marco Troncone. "Now our hope, on which we are strongly committed, is that the Covid Tested travel procedures started at Fiumicino with the order of the Ministers of Health, Transport and Foreign Affairs of November 23, will be extended to other Italian countries and airports because we are convinced that this is the only way to ensure the best safety of passengers and allow a resumption of air traffic and international connectivity, which is essential for our country."

"With the introduction of this digital process, Alitalia reaffirms its commitment to offering flights to and from Italy in total safety. We were the first airline to introduce Covid Tested flights, with the Rome-Milan route first and then Rome-New York," said Giancarlo Zeni, general manager of Alitalia. "We hope that this initiative will also help restore travelers' confidence, reminding them that air travel remains the safest means of transportation, even in this time of pandemic. Our instrumentation and the filters we use inside the aircraft make the air quality comparable to that of an operating room."

• covid tested
• immunity passport