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Updated:'Covid certificates': Norway's plan for its vaccine passport

Frazer Norwell
Frazer Norwell - [email protected]
Updated:'Covid certificates': Norway's plan for its vaccine passport
Norway's preliminary version of the Corona certificate. Photo by Erik Odiin on Unsplash

Norway will use "Covid-19 certificates", or vaccine passports to ease restrictions for those that have been vaccinated, the Prime Minister announced on Wednesday. Here are the details.

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How will it be used?

PM Erna Solberg revealed that the certificates will be used to exempt people from infection control measures domestically and make travel to and from other countries easier. The government has also submitted a proposal to parliament to amend the Infection Control Act to allow the introduction of a full corona certificate in relation to easing measures. 

READ MORE: When will I be able to travel to and from Norway again

While the government has not decided on the exact details on how the pass will be implemented, Solberg said that they would also use the certificates to accelerate the country’s four-step plan for reopening.

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“We want to make a certificate that can securely document who you are, whether you have been vaccinated, recently had a negative test or had coronavirus. We can use that to open up society more and earlier,” the prime minister said.

The government also plans to introduce a scheme whereby corona certificates will be used at the entrance to large events such as concerts and festivals. 

The government is also looking into how mass testing can be used to prevent coronavirus outbreaks at large events.

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READ MORE: Norway to trial live concerts with mass Covid testing  

Covid certificates could soon be used for those returning to Norway from a trip abroad, According to Health Minsiter Bent Høie. 

"When we have received new professional advice, we will consider removing entry quarantine completely for those protected with a vaccine or have immunity," he said. 

The vaccine passes will also be used to allow Norwegians to book domestic tours and cruises.  

When will it be ready?

A preliminary version of the Covid-19 certificate is already ready. You will be able to see your own status for vaccination and test results on helsenorge.no and website is available in English. You will need a form of level 4 security electronic ID, such as BANKID or Commfides to log in and access the certificate.

What the preliminary Covid-19 certificate looks like. It is available in English or Norwegian. Source: helsenorge.no

The first version will not count as proof of immunity according to the prime minister.

“The first version does not provide verifiable proof. It is therefore vulnerable to cheating. Therefore, there will not be an extensive use of this version,” Solberg said.

Norway is hoping to launch it's Covid-19 certificate in the second half of June, before the EU launches it's vaccine passport.

The full version will then show vaccination status, negative test results and immunity following Covid-19.

Solberg is hoping to have a version of the certificate easily accessible as a QR code. The vaccine is being designed within the EU's vaccine passport framework and Norway has been invited to participate in the scheme. 

Prime Minister Erna Solberg has said that the country could allow cross-border travel for vaccinated travellers before the EU's vaccine passport is ready.

READ MORE: Can I travel to Norway if I've been vaccinated 

“If Norway has a certificate in place before that, we will consider opening travel to and from the EU before the European certificate is in place,” Solberg said. 

 

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