BUSINESS NEWS
An internationally recognised medical credential could speed the airport process for passengers
Tourism experts call for a Covid-19 travel credential
Travel platforms and health platforms ‘would need integrating’. Ian Taylor reports
The former head of UK border control has called for the creation of a Covid-19 travel health credential to speed entry for travellers who agree to share their medical history. Tony Smith, chairman of the
International Border Management and Technologies Association and managing director of border security consultancy Fortinus Global, said: “This is a watershed moment for border agencies. “Health is the overriding concern. Border agents are not experts in the
32 4 JUNE 2020
medical field, so there is a need for some sort of travel health credential.” Smith, former director general of the UK Border Force, told a Global Travel & Tourism Resilience Council virtual summit: “If we can get the [credential] criteria right, we can clear a significantly greater number of travellers by segmenting people on flights who meet the criteria.” He criticised governments for
“a piecemeal approach to the Covid epidemic” and called for “more collaboration with the travel industry,
airports and airlines.” Smith said: “We need advice from health authorities that is viable to move travellers between countries. We desperately need a set of standards.” He acknowledged adding medical
data to that already demanded from passengers would be challenging. Smith told the summit: “This
is enormously difficult. Different countries have a different view.
Continued on page 30
travelweekly.co.uk
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