Facilitating the safe and efficient
resumption of international travel during the global
pandemic
International SOS, the International Chamber of Commerce, and
AOKpass Pte. Ltd. have announced the first use of ICC AOKpass to
provide a digitally verifiable COVID-19 health certificate for
entrance to Singapore. The ability to authenticate health records
at border points of entry will help to facilitate the safe and
efficient resumption of international travel during the global
pandemic.
On 21st December, a Singapore citizen returning from Japan on
Singapore Airlines flight SQ637 successfully used the ICC AOKpass
for the first time, to officially present a negative COVID-19
polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) digital test result for arrival
verification at Changi Airport’s immigration counters. This was the
first time an immigration authority has used a blockchain based,
digitally verifiable health certificate. Shinagawa East Medical
Centre, issued the digital certificate on ICC AOKpass, which was
scanned by Affinidi’s Universal Verifier solution at Changi
Airport. Following the successful pilot programme, all travellers,
starting with Malaysia and Indonesia will now be able to use ICC
AOKpass to digitally authenticate their COVID-19 test results, as
well as any other necessary health credentials during immigration
at Changi Airport.
Paper certificates have been used for border crossings
previously. The advent of digitally verifiable certifications
represents a quantum step forward in the security and safety of
international travellers. Digital verification of COVID-19 health
status has been difficult because of the need to incorporate
testing labs, airlines and immigration processes within a single
technology.
From 23 December, travellers from Malaysia and Indonesia will
have dedicated immigration lanes at Changi Airport, to digitally
verify their health credentials using the ICC AOKpass app. Before
departure to Singapore, passengers will need to check the Singapore
SafeTravel website for travel requirements, then book a
pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test at healthcare providers that issue
digital health credentials through secure mobile apps like the ICC
AOKpass.
These travellers will each receive their test result with a
unique QR code in their ICC AOKpass app, which authenticates and
securely stores their negative COVID-19 test results.
Upon arrival at Changi Airport, they can use the dedicated
immigration counters to swiftly verify their health credentials by
scanning the given QR code in their ICC AOKpass app. This
facilitates faster immigration checkpoint clearance for travellers,
enables more hassle-free travel, and reduces risks of crowds at the
airport. At the same time, authorities will be able to combat
incidents of COVID-19 test fraud and implement a global standard
for travelling, which will further enhance efforts to ensure the
safe resumption of global travel.
In the coming months, the pilot programme will progressively
roll out to other international travellers, allowing for a quicker,
hassle-free travel.
Ms Juliana Gim, Managing Director of International SOS
Singapore, shared, “Facilitating the 1st digital certificate
entry into Singapore is yet another important milestone in the
resumption of global travel during the COVID-19 outbreak. We began
pilot tests of the ICC AOKpass for Singapore-based employees of
International SOS in May 2020. We also worked with Singapore
company Energy Drilling Management in July 2020, to fast-track
their return to essential business travel and work over the past
few months. With the adoption of ICC AOKpass at Changi Airport,
alongside our global network of 90,000 providers, we strongly
believe such secure technology will be instrumental in establishing
a trusted and standardised global system to facilitate the return
to work and travel across all industries, with Singapore at the
forefront of these efforts.”
Dr Chester Drum, Co-founder of AOKpass, said, “As we look
towards the revival of widespread international travel and trade,
there is an urgent need for a common framework in certifying,
authenticating and securing the results of a COVID-19 test for air
transport stakeholders and local health authorities. In addition,
users must trust that their data privacy is managed well, with no
risk of personal data leaks. The use of blockchain technology is a
critical step in combating the challenges of forged tests and
medical records, while enabling quick and secure verification of
COVID-19 test results for travellers to have peace of mind
throughout their journey.”
ICC AOKpass is a health records authentication and presentation
technology launched by the International Chamber of Commerce
(“ICC”), International SOS and SGS Group, the world’s leading
inspection, verification, testing and certification company. It was
co-developed with Singapore-based start-up AOKpass Pte Ltd, and
enables governments and border authorities to reopen cross-border
travel efficiently and safely.
To address privacy concerns, data entered into ICC AOKpass
remains decentralized at all times and does not rely on centralised
data records or external systems. Hardcopy certificates issued by
medical professionals are digitised, authenticated and then made
available for efficient verification by employers, authorities or
any other third parties with no external transfer of personal
information.
Security, transparency and strict privacy preservation are
enabled using leading-edge blockchain technology co-developed by
start-up AOKpass. ICC AOKpass is built on the Ethereum public
blockchain network, ensuring complete user control over
peer-to-peer sharing of COVID-19 medical compliance and personal
health information.
In addition, all medical information and health certificates are
attested to by certified medical practitioners, preventing fraud,
reducing risks of in-flight infections, and rebuilding confidence
in international travel.
Recognising the need for a common framework for the resumption
of international travel and trade, ICC AOKpass is also adaptable to
the specific needs of different companies and countries – evolving
to align with ongoing development of COVID-19 serology testing
methods and global best practices. For example, the app is being
used to facilitate quarantine-free flights between New York City
and Rome, through close collaboration with Delta Airlines and
Alitalia. Since mid-December, all travellers have to present their
digitally authenticated COVID-19 test results to board
quarantine-free flights between Aeroporti di Roma and
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
ICC AOKpass will also eventually allow verification for other
immunisation and medical compliance records held by individuals,
charting the path towards a safer, quicker, and more secure
reopening of cross-border travel and trade.
For more information on ICC AOKpass, see www.AOKpass.com
Register your interest for an ICC AOKpass pilot:
contact@aokpass.com
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201223005428/en/
Gillian Pinto Black Dot for International SOS E:
gillian@blackdot.sg
Gina Peh Black Dot for International SOS E: gina@blackdot.sg