As COVID-19 vaccine rates continue to rise and as the UAE’s mass testing strategy continues, Emirates in partnership with the Dubai Health Authority is set to launch digital verification of passengers’ medical records.
Over the weekend a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Emirates Chairman and Chief Executive His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Dubai Health Authority’s His Excellency Awadh Al Ketbi, Director General, in order to have records of those who have had the vaccine and COVID-19 tests when travelling.
Emirates Airline is one of the first in the world to implement such a system, which will launch immediately. According to Sheikh Ahmed, it’s a “natural step” in the right direction for the airline.
“Dubai is a leading global air transport hub, as well as one of the world’s most progressive cities in the area of e-government services,” he said. “It’s a natural step to combine our capabilities to implement digital verification of Covid-19 medical records, which will also enable contactless document verification at Dubai Airport.
Emirates and @DHA_Dubai will create seamless digital verification of COVID-19 medical records for travellers. https://t.co/AnXo0jDvq8 #FlySaferWithEmirates #FlyEmiratesFlyBetter @DXB pic.twitter.com/GGhiaPQkgK
— Emirates Airline (@emirates) February 25, 2021
“Dubai will continue to lead the way in implementing effective and balanced approaches to contagion control while facilitating travel and air transport which are crucial to communities and economies.”
This move comes after neighbouring GCC country Bahrain became one of the first countries to launch a digital COVID-19 vaccine passport in the world.
At present, there are four vaccines available in Bahrain – the same as the UAE – include Sinopharm, Pfizer-BioNTech, Astrazeneca and Sputnik V.
In a statement issued by the Gulf’s state’s media office, the use of a digital COVID-19 vaccine passport was announced.
Through this, authorities will be able to verify its validity by scanning a QR code linking to the national vaccine register. This initiative with aid various governments around the world in identifying the best possible method of how such certificates and passports can help revive economies again.
