Helsinki to pilot COVID-19 passport in cultural, hospitality sectors

The City of Helsinki will introduce COVID-19 passport on trial basis on Monday, said the city in a press release.

The aim is to make the COVID-19 passport available in limited and non-statutory sectors, such as culture, events and restaurants.

The passport will be developed in partnership with the government and businesses and will draw on solutions from other EU countries.

“The COVID-19 passport will allow for less severe restrictions, and its introduction would make it possible not only to make it easier for businesses to operate, but also to reduce unemployment among young people, for example. Due to the urgency and importance of the issue, we are actively seeking solutions for the implementation of the COVID-19 passport in Helsinki. We are piloting the operating model on a fast schedule and the first small-scale experiment will be carried out next week in cooperation with the event and restaurant sectors”, said Mayor of Helsinki Juhana Vartiainen.

The aim of the planned COVID-19 passport is to reduce the incidence of coronavirus infections associated with the physical gatherings of people and to promote the secure opening of society.

The COVID-19 passport would also allow existing restrictions to be eased or new, stricter restrictions to be avoided. With a COVID-19 passport, a person could verify their own reduced risk of contracting a coronavirus infection.

A passport would mean reliable proof of recovery from COVID-19, a recent negative test result or a series of COVID-19 vaccinations. Instead of a detailed certificate, the person inspecting the COVID-19 passport would only see information about the reduced risk of infection.

The COVID-19 passport is promoted by a working group under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, which will assess the conditions and needs for legislation on the COVID-19 passport and implement a possible government proposal for legislation on the COVID-19 passport. Helsinki has been invited to participate in the working group.

An invitational guest event will be held in Helsinki on Monday, where one possible use of the COVID-19 passport will be tested. The voluntary experiment complies with all applicable COVID-19 restrictions and utilizes a self-printed EU COVID-19 certificate from the My Kanta service or an associated QR code.