Government proposal on the COVID-19 vaccination passport to be submitted to Parliament in mid-September

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health together with the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the Ministry of Justice has prepared a government proposal on the nationwide use of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, or the so-called COVID-19 vaccination passport. The proposal is to be submitted to Parliament in mid-September. 

The Ministerial working group on social and health policy discussed the introduction of the COVID-19 passport on 9 September 2021.

Alternative approach to restrictions: customers may be required to present a COVID-19 passport

COVID-19 vaccination passport refers to the EU Digital COVID Certificate, which is now available in My Kanta Pages (COVID-19 vaccination certificate, a certificate of a negative COVID-19 test result, or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19). In other words, no separate passport is being prepared. 

The introduction of the COVID-19 passport would mean that customers might be required to present the EU Digital COVID Certificate available in My Kanta to gain entry to various events. 

As an alternative to restrictions, businesses subject to restrictions could require their customers to present a COVID-19 passport to enter their premises. Businesses would be free to choose whether they require their customers to present a COVID-19 passport or not. The passport would serve as an alternative in situations where the premises or the event in question was subject to restrictions.

A mobile application to scan the COVID-19 passport 

Event organisers requiring customers to show a passport could use a COVID-19 vaccination passport scanner application on a mobile device to scan the passport. The application scans the QR code on the certificate, and shows whether it is approved or rejected. The passport scanner application would be available from the app store. 

The COVID-19 passport scanner is a new application that does not collect or store data shown on certificates, nor does it show any personal health data. If after scanning the application approves the passport, the person’s name and date of birth will appear on the screen, but their personal identity code will not be displayed. If the passport is rejected, no name, date of birth or personal identity code will appear on the screen.

Inquiries

Kirsi Ruuhonen, Senior Government Adviser, [email protected] (Government proposal and legislation)
Jenny Suominen, Special Adviser, [email protected] (general questions)