Health Minister may make changes to international vaccine passports

Australians hoping to head to Europe may be able to access certain restaurants and other outlets far more easily with a simple change possibly on the cards.

Aussies travelling overseas – particularly Europe – may be able to breathe a sigh of relief, with possible changes to our international vaccine passport on the cards.

Currently, Australians travelling to parts of Europe need to verify their vaccination status with some authorities such as restaurants and museums, however, there’s been some instances where the government’s document is not recognised by service providers abroad.

Some travellers have hit roadblocks in Europe with the Covid-19 vaccination certificate not being recognised. Picture: Damian Shaw/NCA NewsWire

As a result, tourists have been met with disruptions to plans given their only document to prove their vaccination – being the Australian Covid-19 Digital Certificate – isn’t recognised, barring them from entry to such venues.

But according to The Sydney Morning Herald, Health Minister Mark Butler will meet with his G20 counterparts today to discuss possible ways to “reduce the impediments for travellers as they cross borders”.

According to the publication, G20 countries such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, the United States and the European Union, will work together on a pilot program which will essentially mean a process that recognises each country’s vaccine documentation will be implemented.

Australian Federation of Travel Agents chief executive Dean Long said if the world wants to get back to any form of ‘travel normal’, a universal vaccination certificate recognition needs to be put in place.

Some places, such as cafes and museums, haven’t been recognising Australia’s vaccine certificate.

“MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club all have internationally recognised payment systems and it doesn’t matter where you are, they all work the same,” he said.

“We need governments to get something like that around the world [for vaccination certificates].”

Many countries have already eased border entry rules for travellers who can prove they’re fully vaccinated. For this critical purpose, international vaccination certificates issued by countries around the world, including Australia’s International Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC), are widely accepted.

However, the issue appears to be problematic due to the format of the QR code adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. That QR code can be read by airlines and immigration authorities to prove you’ve been vaccinated, but many restaurants, bars, indoor entertainment venues, galleries, museums and other places in Europe also require proof of vaccination status, and the ICVC might not do that.