“We have long been advising against using covid vaccination passports for international travel due to non-equitable availability and need for robust evidence for prevention of virus transmission post-vaccination. We have issued the latest interim guidance to all member states," WHO chief scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan told Mint. “In the context of global travel, the WHO recommends that member states should not require proof of covid vaccination or recovery as a mandatory condition for entry to or exit from a country," it said. The apex global public health agency also recommended that national authorities may use other certificates of covid health status, some in digital format, as recommended by regional or global intergovernmental bodies. India has introduced a digital vaccination certificate, which is being linked to passports for travelling.

Source: Mint July 19, 2021 20:10 UTC