The Excelsior Pass is a free and voluntary digital application developed with IBM that will verify whether a user is fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or has recently tested negative for the disease.

New York is the first state in the United States to formally implement a digital passport for Covid-19, and it can be expanded to other states for seamless integration. The launch comes after two successful pilot demos and a beta test that included thousands of New Yorkers.

How the Excelsior Pass works:

The app is available for iPhone and Android users and works as a digital aircraft boarding pass. People receive a digital pass with a secure QR code, which they can print or store on their smartphones using the Excelsior Pass Wallet app.

Participating companies can use a companion app to scan the customer's QR code and verify their Covid status, keeping data safe and confidential. The QR code only informs the venue if a pass is valid or invalid.

Where to use the Excelsior Pass:

Catering events, recitals, restaurants, stadiums, and arts and entertainment venues must have guests tested negative or vaccinated as a condition for reopening in accordance with New York State guidelines.

The inquiry of "public health or the economy" has always been a false choice: the answer must be both; New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. "As more New Yorkers get vaccinated each day and as key public health metrics continue to consistently hit their lowest rates in months, the Excelsior Pass is the next step in our thoughtful, science-based reopening."

The platform seeks to accelerate the reopening of sports stadiums, music venues, restaurants, and other businesses with capacity limitations due to the coronavirus, to bring us one step closer to reaching a new normal.

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