On March 7, 2021, Wang Yi, the Chinese state counselor announced that China would launch the Chinese version of “International Travel Health Certificate” for its citizens to facilitate their outbound travel. Then on the following day, it officially rolled out on the mini program of China’s mainstream social media WeChat. China’s bold move in launching such a document has drawn the world’s attention and provides possibility for global travel during the epidemic period. In view of this, it is expected that the outbound tourism will gradually revive.
 

It is a comprehensive certificate showing the holder’s information about the COVID-19 nucleic acid and serum antibody tests results, vaccine injection, and others. The health certificate contains an encrypted QR code for the relevant authorities in other countries to read and verify the holder’s information. Apart from the digital version, its paper version is available for travelers’ convenience.

Digital International Travel Health Certificate

Paper International Travel Health Certificate

 

QR Code

At present, there are two ways to get the Chinese version of “International Travel Health Certificate”:
1. Log in WeChat and scan the QR code launched by the authority to enter the mini program. Then click “查看及出示国际旅行健康证明” and follow the instructions given. Note that you need to have your travel documents like passports and ID cards authenticated if using this mini program for the first time.
2. Search “防疫健康码国际版” in the search box of WeChat, and find the entrance for the mini program. Then click “查看及出示国际旅行健康证明” and follow the instructions given.
 

Besides China, some other countries are also in the process of reviewing whether to introduce a kind of health certificates to facilitate domestic and international travel. The US, UK and European Union are among the countries which are considering issuing the “Covid Vaccine Passports” to those who have been vaccinated against Covid-19. What is more, Singapore Airlines declared on March 8, 2021 that they would introduce a digital pass. Passengers need to show the interface of an App which stores the holder’s health information before boarding.
 

Though China’s International Travel Health Certificate is currently only applicable to its citizens who want to go abroad, we can expect more than this. With more and more countries reach mutual agreements on the recognition of such documents and vaccination results, global travel is likely to resume gradually. In the longer term, countries may standardize the health certificate and recognize it as an international travel pass.