Inside Story

Is a COVID-19 health pass a good idea?

People in France and Italy have protested against so-called COVID-19 health passes.

Governments around the world are stepping up their efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

But the spread of the more contagious variants is posing a new challenge – and some countries are turning to technology for a possible solution.

France and Italy are introducing so-called health passes, which are digital or paper certificates that show if someone has received at least one jab, has tested negative or has recently recovered from COVID-19.

Although a majority say they support the system, thousands have rejected it, saying it is an infringement of their basic rights.

So, should people worry?

Presenter: Sami Zeidan

Guests:

Brendan Gutenschwager – Independent reporter covering the health pass protests across Europe

Oksana Pyzik – Lead at the global citizenship programme on outbreaks of infectious diseases at University College London

Gabriel Scally – Visiting professor of public health at the University of Bristol and a Member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies