Japan to start issuing vaccine passports in July

Japan plans to start accepting applications for so-called vaccine passports from mid-July at the earliest as more activities open up to vaccinated individuals around the world, according to government sources.
The government is asking other countries to exempt travelers carrying the digital health certificates officially certifying vaccination status from quarantine or to shorten the quarantine period, the sources said Wednesday.
An elderly person undergoes procedures after getting a COVID-19 vaccine shot at a mass vaccination center in Osaka on June 14, 2021. Two state-run mass vaccination centers in Tokyo and Osaka began administering vaccines to elderly people from around Japan the same day, expanding the target areas from seven prefectures in the Tokyo and Osaka areas, as part of efforts to accelerate Japan's inoculation drive. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Business circles in Japan have been calling for the introduction of vaccine passports as economic activities reopen, hoping to revive travel.
The European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are also introducing vaccination certificates for their member states' international travelers.
The certificate, to be issued by municipalities using the central government's vaccination records, will note a holder's name, birthdate, passport number, the date of vaccination, and the manufacturer of the vaccine in Japanese and English.
Applicants will be asked to fill out documents at local governments until an electronic format is developed. The certificate will be issued free of charge.
The government will update the vaccinations data system to record it not only in Japanese but in English before certificate applications start, the sources said.
For inbound travelers, Japan currently allows entry only to nationals and resident foreigners as well as foreigners with “special exceptional circumstances.”
They must submit negative results for coronavirus tests taken within 72 hours prior to their flight departure and observe a 14-day quarantine period after entering Japan.
The vaccination rollout in Japan was launched in February starting with health care workers and expanded to those aged 65 or older from April. Inoculations for people under 65 have recently started in some municipalities and companies.
The inoculation rate in the country remains low compared to other advanced countries.
Title: Japan to start issuing vaccine passports in July
Sourced From: english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/06/6ee63ec9e545-japan-to-start-accepting-requests-for-vaccine-passport-in-mid-july.html
Published Date: 06/17/21