Swiss cantons enter the new phase of a covid-19 pandemic. On Monday, the Alpine nation began issuing the first health certificates.
Switzerland’s Federal Council announced on Friday that from June 7th, people who have been fully vaccinated, recovered from coronavirus or recently tested negative, will receive their electronic health certs
“From this date, the system will be implemented gradually and it will be ready for use throughout Switzerland at the end of June 2021”, the government announced.
The health certificates will be available either on paper or in electronic form as a QR code. In both modifications, they will be accompanied by an official government electronic signature. The authorities added holders will also need to show their ID or passport when presenting the covid pass.
The digital system comprises in particular:
- a storage application (Covid Certificate) and
- a verification application (Covid Certificate Check).
Swisses able to download the health pass app for free
While the Alpine nation is backing to the new normal, both apps will be available for free in the Apple App Store or on Google Play, The Local Switzerland said.
The certification system takes into account data protection requirements, while personal data is not stored centrally by the federal administration. “Information that is necessary for signing the certificate will be deleted from the system as soon as the certificate is generated and transmitted. In addition, the government’s solution is compatible with the planned EU digital Covid certificate system and enables mutual recognition of certificates,” the government added.
Certainly, the covid certificates will be free and not compulsory. Holders of the passes will be entitled to certain privileges relating to travel, attending cultural events, and others perks that are still to be determined.
