Proving you’ve had the COVID jab could be as simple as tapping your smartphone, under plans being finalised by the Australian federal government.
Digital “proof of vaccination” certificates will be stored and displayed on phone apps as part of the federal government’s plans for the national coronavirus vaccine rollout.
The Express Plus Medicare app and MyGov accounts will both store digital proof-of-vaccination certificates, while those who require a hard copy will be able to access a printout from vaccine providers and Services Australia offices.
Cabinet approval for the scheme is due in the next two weeks, The Sun-Herald and The Age reported on Sunday.
Overseas Travel
The government’s vaccine certificate plan has opened up the possibility of international travel, with it “highly likely” they’ll be required.
It’s “highly likely” the government’s vaccination certificates will be required for international travel, Federal Minister for Government Services, Stuart Robert, told reporters earlier.
“There is still a range of decisions for governments to make, it’s highly likely that a certificate will be required for international visitors to Australia and we will continue to work with our international counterparts on our framework for vaccination certificates,” Mr Robert said.
“Australians can have assurance the certificate they will have will be robust, it will be anchored to them, so they will know it’s their certificate, and it will be widely accepted.”
‘no jab, no beer’ policy
Hotels, bars and pubs should be able to refuse entrance and employment to people who haven’t got the jab, the report by the South Australia Centre for Economic Studies said.
‘Hoteliers in future [could be able] to restrict entry by unvaccinated clients and not to have to employ unvaccinated staff,’ said University of Adelaide Associate Professor and author of the report Michael O’Neil.