Government plans for ‘Freedom Passport’ app cause alarm
The company behind an NHS-assured app to show the user has received the Covid vaccine says the Government is wrong to consider launching an app to show that the user is Covid-free.
Hillary Cannon, Director of Innovation at myGP, said proposals for a ‘Freedom Passport’ could cause more harm than good.
According to a report on the Mail Online website, the Government has commissioned two companies to develop apps that would allow users to develop a QR code to their mobile phones to show they have tested negative for Covid-19.
The codes could be presented to allow them to enter pubs, places of work and other venues, it said.
But Hillary said the approach was ‘short-sighted and potentially high-risk’.
"The fact that a negative virus test result only means the person is at low risk of having COVID-19 at that moment means this new app innovation could encourage more people who may have, or could easily contract, the virus to move about and mix, which will impede the UK’s ability to contain and control the virus," said Hillary.
"The suggested Freedom Passport innovation also encourages more virus testing, which comes at a cost to the NHS and the taxpayer. In addition, it will further discourage the 31% of people who are already considering declining the Covid-19 vaccine, which goes against the NHS’s attempts to get the virus under control.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025