HCMC to trial 'green' passes for holders to avoid Covid restrictions

Green passes are expected to allow holders to undertake certain activities without normal coronavirus restrictions like domestic and international travel and participating in public events.

Lam Dinh Thang, director of the city Department of Information and Communication, said Monday the issuance would help the city monitor people's movements and activities based on safety criteria.

The passes would be issued based on vaccination status, antibody tests and other medical criteria, he said.

There are too many coronavirus control applications, making it inconvenient for both users and authorities, and the city plans to combine them all into a single app, he said.

The city has also asked the government to provide QR codes for vehicles used by pass holders, he said.

"Once approved by the government, Ho Chi Minh City will trial it in certain areas where the coronavirus risks have been mitigated and are slowly reopening, like Districts 7, Cu Chi and Can Gio," Thang said.

A mobile application shows a Covid-19 vaccination certificate where one has been fully vaccinated. Photo by VnExpress/Khuong Nha

A draft plan for Covid-19 prevention and economic revival envisages issuing the green passes to people who have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days earlier or had and recovered from the disease.

It will have a validity period of six months.

Ho Chi Minh City, epicenter of the fourth coronavirus wave, has so far had 303,475 cases.

It has mandated a series of social distancing orders, with the latest to extend until the end of September.

While control measures remain in place, the city is beginning to shift its coronavirus fighting strategy to slowly and gradually lifting restrictions starting with areas where it is relatively under control and transitioning to a "new normal."