Cape Town – South Africa has, on Friday, October 8, officially launched its first phase of the digital Covid-19 vaccine certificate, which features a scannable QR code.
This comes a few days after the health department launched the system online without public or media announcement.
According to EWN, Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the certificate was developed in collaboration with the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
“It is a first phase because it is ready for use, but there’s going to be a lot more improvements going forward in the next two months to improve, especially on the safety and security of the certificate but it is ready for use,” the report quoted Phaahla as saying.
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He said the certificate will enable vaccinated people to access opportunities that service providers would be making available.
“Amongst others, we expect the sports and recreation to open up more for vaccinated people, shops to provide discounts and others to give prizes. I’ve already seen one of the banks advertising some prizes for people when they get vaccinated,” he said.
A report by Business Insider said that part of the next phase included the launch of a mobile application which will allow people to access their digital certificates.
“It also includes the release of a dedicated QR scanner, which will be used to verify a person’s vaccination status for access control purposes,” the report said.
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President Cyril Ramaphosa recently said, in a televised address, that the country would soon have standardised proof of vaccination to facilitate travel, access to establishments and other activities.
He said this as he moved South Africa to lockdown level 1.
Ramaphosa made an announcement, at the time, that the department of health would soon be rolling out a vaccination certificate, which will provide a secure and verifiable proof of vaccination.
“It can be used to facilitate travel, access to establishments and gatherings and other forms of activity that require proof of vaccination status.
“Our approach is informed by World Health Organisation guidelines and is in line with international best practice.
“Streamlining and standardising proof of vaccination will also go a long way towards getting a number of international travel restrictions both from and into our country eased,” Ramaphosa said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
