Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a “global mechanism” that would use QR codes to open up international travel.
This QR code system involves a standard process and mutual recognition of health certificates; it will also include nucleic acid test results.
“We need to further harmonise policies and standards and establish ‘fast tracks’ to facilitate the orderly flow of people,” he said.
The codes will be used to help establish a traveller’s health status.
“We hope more countries will join this mechanism,” he added.
“QR codes are bar codes that can be read by mobile phones. Under the scheme China has employed since February, users are issued a traffic-light style health code, with a green code allowing someone to travel freely, and an orange or red code indicating that they need to quarantine for up to two weeks.”, reports BBC.
Jiping’s proposal has evoked mixed response from most of the participating countries, especially with organisations raising concern over privacy features and data safety of a standard QR code across nations.