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President Cyril Ramaphosa recently addressed the nation, touching on the prospect of a ‘vaccine passport’ that has since perked up the attention of South Africans.

Also read: Ramaphosa announces a return to lockdown level 2

On Saturday, September 18, around 600 Cape Town residents took to the Sea Point promenade to express their right to freedom – freedom to choose whether or not they will be vaccinated, that is.

Also read: Anti-vaxx Cape Town residents take to Sea Point promenade to protest

Part of the protest, which has since been deemed illegal, touched on the notion of ‘medical apartheid’ which is feared by many to be the prospective result of introducing a vaccine passport.

Also read: Anti-vaxx or right to freedom of choice? Sea Point protest deemed illegal

South Africa is set to follow other countries around the world with the introduction of such passports that will be capable of denying those, who have not had their jabs, certain freedoms.

Other international locations have arranged to have this scheme put in place, with varying levels of intensity, reports The Wall.FYI.

Here’s how vaccine passports work in different international locations, as per the BBC:

Italy

Italy has linked vaccine passports to jobs. From October 15, employees, state and private, now have to provide a recent negative coronavirus test, proof of recovery from infection, or proof of vaccination if they want to work.

Those who do not comply cannot be dismissed, but can be suspended without pay.

Also read: UCT aiming to implement mandatory vaccination policy for staff and students

England

  • Nightclubs don’t have to ask for proof of vaccination.
  • Full vaccination will become a condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather by the end of September.
  • People would show proof of vaccination by using the NHS COVID Pass app in England.
  • The NHS COVID Pass allows fully vaccinated adults to avoid quarantine, but they will have to self-isolate on arrival in the UK from France.

Scotland and Wales

  • Vaccines passports are needed for entry into nightclubs and big events from October 2021.
  • Proof of vaccination will be required for events of 10 000 people, non-seated events of 500 people indoors or 4 000 outdoors.

Australia

  • Australians have a digital vaccine certificate on their phones.
  • Physical vaccine passports and QR codes linked to their passports can be used for international travelling.
  • People vaccinated can encourage more to do so.

The country’s Tourism Minister, Dan Tehan, said the vaccine passport could give people the right to travel across borders when there are lockdowns or if parts of the state are in lockdown because of an outbreak.

France

  • A health pass allows people access to restaurants, bars, planes and trains.
  • Venues accommodating 50 people require proof of vaccination of a negative COVID test.
  • The pass will be mandatory for adults and includes children over the age of 12 from September 30.
  • People need proof of vaccination if they want to access museums, restaurants and domestic transport.
  • To get a pass, people will need proof that they are fully vaccinated, recently tested negative or recently recovered from the virus.

Israel

  • Israel introduced a vaccine pass to show proof of people being vaccinated or recently had the virus.
  • In Israel, you need a green pass if you are over the age of 12, fully vaccinated or recovered for COVID-19 or present a negative test result to attend large events and enter certain public spaces.
  • The country also plans to encourage booster vaccines by keeping these secondary jabs on record.

China

  • China introduced a QR code system, categorising people into colours.
  • Green means you are allowed to move around without restrictions, yellow means you may be asked to stay home for seven days.
  • You need to present your QR code in public spaces to gain entry
  • China launched a digital health certificate showing vaccine status and test results
  • Chinese citizens can use the certificate as a vaccine passport in other countries in future.
  • It is not yet clear which countries China is in discussion with to recognise its certificate.

Also read:

Anti-vaxxers picket outside Groote Schuur Hospital

Picture: Cape {town} Etc gallery

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