Africa Morocco In August 2021, Morocco established a nightly
curfew between 23:00 and 04:30, exempting those fully vaccinated. The curfew was lifted in November 2021.
Asia Azerbaijan Beginning on 1 September 2021, Azerbaijan required proof of vaccination for people over 18 to enter virtually all public spaces, and a national mandate of 1 October required vaccination of all state-regulated workers.
China In February 2020, China started to use digital "health codes", available on a variety of platforms including
WeChat and
Alipay with scannable QR barcodes displaying a "traffic light" system of colours to enter public transport, shops, restaurants and malls. It was used 40 billion times between February and March. In March 2021, the
government of China rolled out the world's first COVID-19 vaccine passport system through a partnership with
Alipay and
WeChat. The system provides a health certificate that includes an individual's vaccine status and the results of COVID-19 testing. As of March 2021, the app was optional and its use was restricted to
Chinese citizens.
Iran According to Minister of health and education requires passport number, Iranian national ID card code for issuing vaccine digital foreign travel card.
Israel Israel was one of the first countries to issue what is known as a
Green Pass in February 2021. The pass was discontinued on 1 June 2021, In October 2021, all existing
Green Passes were voided if the most recent shot was administered more than 6 months ago. A new pass would be issued upon proof of a third (booster) dose or a recovery within the past 6 months. A temporary
Green Pass could also be obtained with a negative viral test, but must be paid for by the individual unless ineligible for vaccination. Starting 1 March 2022, most COVID-19 regulations were relaxed, and a
Green Pass is now only required to enter old age homes.
Japan On 19 July 2021, Japan began accepting applications for its COVID-19 vaccination passport program. When issued, the passports will be in paper form in both Japanese and English, showing the holder's date(s) of inoculation and the vaccine type, and are available free of charge. As of 20 December 2021, entry restrictions were relaxed for Japan vaccine passport holders in 76 countries.
Saudi Arabia Residents attending restaurants, cafes and public spaces like malls, shopping centres and markets must be fully vaccinated. The country uses the Tawakkalna app which includes information for health appointments, vaccination status and alerts users to COVID-19 exposure for
contact tracing purposes.
Singapore Since 10 August 2021, all residents dining out must be fully vaccinated by showing proof of vaccination using the TraceTogether or HealthHub app, or use the TraceTogether token. Proof of vaccination has been progressively implemented in almost all public venues since 13 October 2021, starting with shopping malls, retail shops, entertainment venues except bars, nightclubs and karaoke parlours, attractions, cruises and eateries. It has since been expanded to include large events, public libraries, selected events at community buildings and will be expanded to tertiary institutions, places of lodging, small events and workplaces from January 2022.
South Korea On 1 November 2021, a vaccine passport system went into effect in
South Korea as part of a "
living with COVID-19" strategy, requiring vaccination of all residents wishing to access high-risk areas such as bars, restaurants, gyms and saunas must be vaccinated.
Taiwan On 25 October 2021, the Taiwanese government announced that the digital COVID certificate system in the country had been completed. In December 2021, the system was also recognised by the EU as an equivalent of the EU Digital Covid Certificate. On 20 January 2022, Taiwan officially released the certificate and implemented rules that it be required before entering bars or karaoke alike.
Europe European Union The
European Union offers an EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC), also known as the Green Pass, a digitally-signed proof of vaccination, proof of a recent recovery, or a recent negative test, for use when travelling within the
Schengen area with fewer restrictions.
Bulgaria On 19 October 2021, the caretaker Minister of Health of Bulgaria, Stoycho Katsarov, introduced the
Green Certificate (
Bulgarian: Зелен Сертификат). Since 21 October 2021, all visitors to cinemas, theaters, concerts, museums, galleries, supermarkets over 300 square meters, fitness centers, gyms, restaurants and entertainment centers in
Bulgaria have to prove that they are vaccinated, have a valid negative test from last 72 hours or have been ill recently. The restrictions ended on 10 March 2022.
Denmark Denmark introduced a
Coronapas on 21 April 2021. Those unvaccinated with a recently negative test of 72 hours or previous infection of COVID-19 of up to 12 weeks prior were included in the pass system. Due to the high uptake of vaccines, Denmark retired their system on 10 September 2021.
France France issued a
Health Pass (or
Pass Sanitaire in French) on 9 August 2021, for use in non-essential settings for those 18 and older. To obtain the pass people must be fully vaccinated or undertake a test within 72 hours of attending a non-essential space or have recovered recently from an infection of the virus. The initial announcement of the pass system is believed to have encouraged an additional one million people to sign up for vaccination the day following the announcement, Starting 1 October 2021, those age 12 and older will require a
Pass Sanitaire to enter public sites like restaurants, cinemas, and sporting events.
Germany In Germany, proof of COVID vaccinations or recent recovery, is typically entered in the
International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (), similar to how other vaccinations for other diseases are recorded. The entry in this booklet can be used to acquire an
EU Digital COVID Certificate, in accordance with EU Directive 2021/953, effective 1 July 2021.
Hungary Outside of the application of the EUDCC, Hungary recognises
Kazakh and Indian vaccine passports.
Ireland In July 2021,
Ireland introduced a vaccine certificate program (
EU Digital COVID Certificate) which allowed vaccinated individuals to attend cafes, bars and restaurants. Due to one of the highest uptakes of COVID-19 vaccines in the world, the Republic of Ireland (but not Northern Ireland) had plans to retire their vaccine passport program on 22 October 2021 however this was postponed due to increased COVID-19 cases and hospital numbers. On 22 January 2022, the Republic of Ireland's vaccine passport programme was retired, except for international travel.
Italy In August 2021 the Italian government extended the requirement of the
EU Digital COVID Certificate, also known as a Green Pass, to the participation in sports events and music festivals, but also to access to indoor places like bars, restaurants and gyms, as well as to long-distance public transportation. On 15 October 2021, Italy became the first country in the world to require its entire workforce, public and private, to have a government-issued health pass.
Sweden On 1 December 2021 the Swedish government introduced vaccine passports for indoor events with more than 100 people. Indoor events with more than 100 participants who do not use vaccination certificates must follow specific guidelines to avoid spreading the disease.
Ukraine In
Ukraine, citizens with at least one dose of a vaccine are allowed to attend certain high-risk indoor settings which would normally be closed or heavily restricted in hot spots.
United Kingdom Proof of vaccination programs exist in the
Home Nations of the United Kingdom, with England and Wales referring to them as "NHS COVID Pass", Scotland as "
NHS Scotland Covid Status", and Northern Ireland as "COVIDCert NI". By December 2021, all four nations had mandated proof of vaccination or a recent negative test in specific settings. The exact rules vary by nation, but they primarily applied to venues such as cinemas, nightclubs, and venues hosting large organized events (including but not limited to concerts and sporting events). Prime Minister Boris Johnson subsequently stated that England would focus on a strategy of
contact tracing, rapid testing, and the rollout of vaccine boosters, and only included mandatory proof of vaccination in a package of "plan B" measures (including a reintroduction of mask mandates) in the event of another surge of COVID-19 cases. The spread of
Omicron variant in England would lead to the implementation of "plan B", resulting in proof of vaccination for nightclubs and large events becoming mandatory beginning 15 December. These restrictions ended on 27 January 2022.
North Macedonia Residents wishing to attend events, bars, restaurants, and other dining establishments must present proof of vaccination.
North America Canada The implementation of digital
proof of vaccination in Canada has largely been conducted at the provincial and territorial level, with the federal government specifying the
SMART Health Card document and QR code standard designed to be suitable for international travel. As of November 2021, all ten provinces in Canada, and two of the three territories, had implemented or announced plans to implement a provincially-regulated vaccine passport. Travellers by land (via the United States border) are required to be fully vaccinated to enter Canada and must provide a negative test 72-hours before land crossing. An exception was made for essential workers, until January 15, 2022, when essential workers (mainly
truckers) were required to be fully vaccinated to re-enter the country. In late-January 2022, a
convoy to and demonstration in the federal capital of
Ottawa—supported primarily by far-right activists and groups—was held to protest this change.
Alberta Alberta implemented the
Restrictions Exemption Program (REP) from 20 September 2021 to 8 February 2022, after re-establishing a state of emergency on 15 September 2021. The government described the program as an opt-in system, allowing establishments to operate with fewer restrictions. Visitors at these establishments were required to present a proof of vaccination or a recent negative test. If a facility does not participate, or is prohibited from participating, it was required to comply with all public health orders, such as reduced capacity and/or being prohibited from offering indoor dining. Due to Omicron variant, even establishments participating in REP became subject to restrictions in December 2021, including restrictions on the capacity of large venues (50%), and restaurants subject to limits on table sizes, a prohibition on entertainment, and operating hours. The city of
Calgary passed a municipal bylaw on 23 September 2021 to mandate participation in REP by all industries that are eligible to do so. The bylaw ceased on 9 February 2022 due to the lifting of the REP by the provincial government. The city considered reimplementing the mandate at the municipal level (as have
several U.S. cities) but such a proposal was rejected by the city council committee.
Manitoba Manitoba was the first province to introduce a passport system in Canada on 17 July 2021. The passport requirement was removed for movie theatres, museums and galleries on 7 August 2021, only to be reinstated on 3 September 2021, upon Manitoba expanding its passport system. The province utilized physical
Immunization Cards which faced supply shortages in production.
Quebec Quebec was the second province to implement a
vaccine passport system on 1 September 2021, using QR codes.
Northwest Territories The
Northwest Territories will implement an opt-in
vaccine passport system on 22 October 2021 using original vaccination receipts.
Other provinces •
British Columbia has created a
Proof of vaccination system which utilises a QR code. The system initially relied on paper receipts of the
BC vaccine receipt and gradually migrated to a digital system. The QR code can also be physically printed out. •
New Brunswick requires a
Proof of Vaccination system using original immunisation records. •
Newfoundland and Labrador has plans to release a QR code based system for their vaccine passport. •
Nova Scotia has a
Proof of Full Vaccination Policy using original government issued proof of vaccination. •
Ontario introduced a vaccine passport system on 22 September 2021. The system initially relied on original vaccine paper receipts, but gradually began switching over to verifiable QR codes along with the introduction of the "Verify Ontario" mobile app on 22 October 2021. As of 4 January 2022, only vaccine receipts with verifiable QR codes and the "Verify Ontario" mobile app will be accepted at venues where proof of vaccine is required. •
Prince Edward Island uses the
PEI Vax Pass Program using original government issued vaccination information. •
Saskatchewan has a
Proof of vaccination mandate, effective from 1 October 2021 to 13 February 2022. •
Yukon territory will implement a passport system on 30 November 2021 to access non-essential indoor facilities.
United States Although the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issues a
COVID-19 vaccine card that may be accepted as proof of vaccination (but is vulnerable to forgery and counterfeiting, and thus not a
verifiable proof of vaccination), Since then, criticism and conspiracy theories surrounding the vaccines in general, and in turn vaccine mandates, largely came from the
political right; for example,
U.S. representative for
Georgia's 14th congressional district Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican, asserted that requesting the disclosure of one's vaccine status was a violation of
data privacy rules for the health care industry, even though said rules only apply to entities such as health insurers. The state governments of California, Hawaii, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina, Delaware, and Virginia have each rolled out mechanisms where residents can choose to receive proof of COVID-19 vaccination in the form of a scannable QR code by linking to records within each state's immunization registry. Illinois has a Vax Verify website, where residents can download proof of COVID-19 vaccination for businesses that require it. In New Jersey, residents can obtain a digital COVID-19 vaccination record through its mobile app Docket; Governor
Phil Murphy specifically avoided using the term "vaccine passport" to describe the service. Each state credential has varying degrees of interoperability with other state and foreign governments; some states have closed systems, with QR codes that are only usable within the issuing state, and others have broad interoperability, with New York offering both types of credentials for its residents. Arizona, Maryland, Mississippi, North Dakota, Washington, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia have contracted with the organization MyIR that interfaces with governmental vaccination records to produce a PDF proof of vaccination, but has also moved toward scannable QR codes. Health departments in Indiana, Colorado, and Georgia can provide proof of vaccination in PDF form but not via a QR code. At least 20 states have prohibited public agencies from issuing or requiring a vaccine passport, while Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Montana, and Texas also made it illegal for any private entity to request proof of vaccination as a condition of service, under the assertion that they
discriminate against those who have made a
personal choice to not receive the vaccine.
Los Angeles County Los Angeles County began a proof of vaccination system for indoor bars, restaurants, venues and nightclubs on 7 October 2021.
New York City New York City began its
Excelsior Pass or
Key to NYC vaccine passport system for dining, fitness, events and indoor entertainment on 13 September 2021.
New Orleans New Orleans began to require proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter indoor bars, restaurants, events, fitness, and sporting events on 16 August 2021.
South America Brazil In December 2020, the
Brazilian Senate approved a document giving digital proof of all vaccinations – not just those in respect of COVID-19. However, the urgency for creating such a digital proof of vaccination came from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chile In May 2021, then Health Ministry Subsecretary,
Paula Daza, mandated the "mobility pass" (
pase de movilidad) in gyms, restaurants and swimming pools. This document was given to people with two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, later it was upscaled to three doses and later on in the same year four doses were required, being one of the most drastic vaccines passports in the world. Chile is the only country in the world with entry procedures such as requiring homologation of vaccines to travel to.
Oceania New Zealand On 17 November 2021, the
New Zealand Government launched a vaccine certificate called
My Vaccine Pass for individuals who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The vaccine pass is required to enter hospitality venues, community, sport and faith-based gatherings as defined by the
COVID-19 Protection Framework. They came into force on 29 November 2021. On 23 November, the New Zealand Government launched the
NZ Pass Verifier to scan the passes. On April 5, 2022, vaccine passes will no longer be required for most venues. On June 1, 2022, all vaccine passes will become invalid, and will no longer be required for any venue. == Arguments and controversy ==