Switzerland Working to Create a Standardised, Forgery-Proof and Internationally Recognized COVID-19 Travel Certificate

The Swiss authorities are working on the development of a standardised, counterfeit-proof and internationally recognised COVID certificate by the beginning of summer 2021 in a bid to revive travel to and from the country.

According to a press release issued by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, the country law on the pandemic (COVID-19 Act, Art 6a) clearly points out that COVID-19 travel certificates should be issued to all persons who have been vaccinated against the virus with one of the approved vaccines, as well as those who have recently recovered from the virus and those who test negative.

“The certificate should be issued at the place where the person has been tested or vaccinated. Data on vaccination, recovery and test status will be kept only at this place and by the person concerned,” the press release explains.

It further points out that the government wants these certificates to be designed in a way that only decentralised data storage is possible, which also meets data protection and security requirements, so it can thus be created in compliance with the EU’s Digital Green Certificate.

“The certificate will be issued both on smartphones and on paper,” the Office of Public Health notes.

Currently, the authorities are working on two technical solutions for the certificate, which were selected among about 50 proposals submitted, and the final decision on which will be taken by the middle of next month – May.

The first solution is from the Federal Office of Information Technology and Telecommunications (FOITT).  Whereas the second solution is from the service provider ELCA in collaboration with SICPA, a company in western Switzerland that is also a global leader in the field of material and digital security for public administrations and industry.

Regarding the issuance of the document, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health notes that the cantons, the Swiss Medical Association, Pharmasuisse, doctors, and pharmacies have all been involved in the project.

As a result, the first certificates are expected to be issued within the next weeks by organisations that the authorities will soon invite to join the project.

“Until the COVID certificate is available and valid, the proof of vaccination provided by the vaccination centres and proof of a negative test result or of having recovered from the disease will be valid in Switzerland,” the press release points out.

The Office of Public Health reiterates that the certificates must be forgery-proof, the authenticity and validity of which will only be possible to be verified at the place it is presented.

At the same time, the authorities intend to make the certificate as flexible as possible in order that when further details are made known on the EU’s digital green certificate, the Swiss certificates can be adjusted to meet the first.

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