The coronavirus pandemic affected the travel sector across the globe as the demand went down drastically due to safety issues. A number of borders of a number of countries continue to remain closed again due to safety reasons, even at a time when the nations are trying to recover from the infection. As the airlines across the globe are trying to get back to work, the United Airlines is all set to test its digital health pass that will be a part of a global pilot program.
The new program has been designed specifically to allow a safe opening of international borders and allow a boost in global travel. The World Economic Forum and Swiss based foundation known as The Commons Project have started the CommonPass system which is a non-profit initiative. Under the program the passengers on the United Airline flight travelling from London Heathrow to Newark Liberty International in New Jersey on October 21, 2020 will be taking a COVID-19 test up to 72 hours before their scheduled travel time and the results of their tests from a certified laboratory will be entered on the CommonPass app that are installed on their phones.
The app will also be used to fulfill any other additional screening measures, like the need of an health declaration that might be needed by the destination country. The application on the user’s phone also helps to generate a quick response code that can be scanned by the border officials and the airline staff members.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be looking over the trials in Newark. The officials will be waiting for the passengers as they deboard the plane. If the new system turns out successful and if things go as planned, then a number of countries would be able to safely open their respective borders that have been shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Photo Credits: Pixabay
