Question NW1430 to the Minister of Health
05 May 2022 - NW1430
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
What (a)(i) is the reason that the Republic has not allowed for foreign verification of vaccine passports into certain countries and (ii) consequences will this have for South Africans entering into those countries and (b) by what date will foreign verification of vaccine passports be available from a global point of view?
Reply:
a) (i) Countries generally do not provide mechanisms for verification of vaccinations in other countries (other than their trading blocs as in the EU). It is not possible for South Africa to verify vaccination certificates from other countries in South Africa. The QR codes from most countries are also not readable outside of their own countries. This is for security reasons and to prevent fraud. As a way to accept other country vaccination certificates the Department of International Relations and Cooperation has taken responsibility for the negotiations of reciprocity for the acceptance of Vaccination Certificates through the individual country embassies. This will provide for the acceptance of the South African Vaccination Certificates by foreign countries and in return the acceptance of vaccination certificates from foreign countries within South Africa.
(ii) Where individuals are experiencing challenges with regards to entering another country, and the SA COVID 19 Vaccination Certificates are questioned, this is being handled through the embassies on a case-by-case basis.
(b) The are no common international standards for the COVID 19 Vaccination Certificate development or its technology use cases. This is an ever-evolving environment within different countries or regions’ specific policies. Within the above scenario a specific date cannot be confirmed.
END.