Denmark plans COVID vaccination passport

Denmark said on Wednesday it will develop a digital coronavirus passport that would allow foreign travel and for restrictions to be eased.

The document, developed in conjunction with businesses, would show whether citizens have been vaccinated for the coronavirus or not, potentially affording them special travel privileges. It could also allow citizens to visit restaurants, conferences, music festivals and sports events.

From the end of February, people should be able to check their immunization status on a website, while the digital passport and an app will probably take another three to four months.

“It is absolutely crucial for us to be able to restart Danish society and that companies can get back on track. Many Danish companies are global companies,” said Morten Bodskov, the country’s acting finance minister.

“This is light at the end of the tunnel for very many companies,” said Brian Mikkelsen, the head of the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

Denmark is currently under a lockdown, with nonessential retail closed, and bars and restaurants limited to takeaway.

The prospect of special privileges for vaccinated people - as well as efforts to develop a unified system for certifying vaccination - has stirred vigorous debate in the European Union.

The European Commission has been looking at proposals for vaccination certificates, but has said that, for now, such certificates would only be used for medical purposes.

Estonia has already announced that it will drop quarantine requirements for people who can prove they have been vaccinated with a certificate.