COVID-19 vaccination passports to potentially be in place for UK residents by June

A meeting of G7 members has been called by UK Transport Secretary Grant Sharps for the next summit in Cornwall, England on June 11-13 to create a vaccination passport system allowing free entry into countries for those that are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Sharps reportedly wants to create international standards for these passports that would allow green-listed countries the ability to accept a digital vaccination proof, a negative test result, or immunity at entry into the country.

Bilateral "travel corridors" would be set up for travelers to use these passports as early as June 28 to get around restrictions requiring testing and quarantines. One of the first candidates being looked at is the United States, in which one-tenth of the UK's air traffic comes from.

Countries including Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Spain, and Portugal have indicated that they would accept vaccinated UK citizens to visit once the current ban on foreign travel ends on May 17.

Paper or digital certificates proving vaccination are being planned by the Department for Transport for travelers by May 17, with a green list of countries is expected to be released the week before.

Ministries will review countries and restrictions on June 28, with the potential for green countries to have PCR tests and amber countries have quarantine restrictions removed for those vaccinated.

The European Commission and the Department of Homeland Security are reportedly in talks over setting up a system of mutual recognition of vacciantion passports.