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The “Green Passport”, which was launched in full at the beginning of this week, is enjoying high access rates. So far, a total of around 900,000 certificates have been called up via the health portal gesundheit.gv.at, of which 330,000 and 410,000 calls respectively were made in the last two days, demonstrating the high level of interest in the portal, which can be accessed online. A total of 11.05 million test vaccination or recovery certificates with EU-compliant QR codes have been generated to date.
Test results still available via link or printout
Of these 11.05 million, about 7.6 million certificates have been retrieved so far (including numerous multiple retrievals), according to the Ministry of Health. The vast majority of the retrievals (6.4 million times) were for test results, many of which were requested multiple times. As in the past, no login to the health portal will be necessary in the future: Once the Corona test has been completed, the results will continue to be sent directly via a link (SMS or e-mail) or printed out directly on site.
Of the 11.05 million certificates with QR codes ever created, 6.9 million were for vaccination certificates (first and second pricks are counted separately). About 300,000 certificates concerned recoveries and 3.85 million the test proof, it said on Tuesday on APA inquiry from the Ministry of Health. A breakdown of the approximately 900,000 certificates retrieved so far via gesundheit.gv.at by type (vaccinated, recovered, tested) is not available. On Monday in particular, there were many accesses, which in some cases led to waiting times for queries. Since Sunday, in addition to retrieving test certificates and proof of recovery, proof of vaccination can also be retrieved via the portal.
Certificates are considered an “entry ticket” domestically
The certificates (“vaccinated,” “tested,” or “recovered” – the “3G”) are valid as an “entry ticket” into many areas domestically, as they have been in the past – both in digital form and in paper format. Proof that there is no or only a slight risk of infection is still required to visit numerous establishments, such as restaurants and hotels, or when visiting leisure facilities or service providers close to the body. A photo ID must be carried at all times.
In Austria, proof of “3G” is still possible in the forms that have been valid up to now, so you don’t necessarily need online access to the Green Pass, nor is the printed QR code a prerequisite. Thus, in the domestic market, the presentation of the vaccination passport in paper form or a vaccination card, the presentation of a segregation certificate (is not older than 180 days) and the carrying of a test certificate in paper form – or the proof of neutralizing antibodies (not older than 90 days) is still valid.
“Green passport” valid from July 1 when crossing the border in the EU
Internationally, however, proof of the “green passport” including QR code plays an important role: from July 1, this will be recognized when crossing borders in the EU, EEA states and Switzerland. However, there are no EU-wide regulations regarding access to various establishments such as hotels, restaurants, bars, etc. All information on the Green Passport is available online at https://www.gruenerpass.gv.at, on the website www.gesundheit.gv.at or on the AGES hotline 0800 555 621. Information on travel in times of pandemic can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at http://go.apa.at/TvWWNedJ as well as the online offer of the EU at https://reopen.europa.eu/de.
To obtain the “Green Passport” including QR code in electronic form, one can log on to the website gesundheit.gv.at using a cell phone signature or citizen card (for information, see: https://www.buergerkarte.at). The personal certificates are offered for download as simple PDF files. The documents can be saved (e.g., on a smartphone) or printed out. There is no cell phone app or program for the desktop: in fact, the Ministry of Health warns against the installation of any “Green Pass” apps, as these are attempts at fraud; specifically, the Ministry refers to a fraud app with the title “Corona Green Pass Austria”.
The PDF document available via gesundheit.gv.at is provided with the QR code mentioned above. This can be read out from the document (electronically stored, e.g. on a cell phone, or printed out) by an inspecting authority. Of course, the control does not necessarily have to be performed via the QR code: Just as well, the same PDF document can simply be presented; both a printout or the PDF document saved on the cell phone can also be used for this purpose. In any case, it is advisable to obtain a certificate including the QR code when crossing the border.
Green passport also available by other means
Those who do not have digital access via citizen card or cell phone signature or do not want to use this option can also obtain the “Green Passport” via other means. A test certificate (incl. QR code) can be retrieved after the test, as before, via a personalized direct link. Alternatively, the test certificate can also be printed out free of charge directly at the test center – and if necessary also at the ELGA ombudsman offices or via most municipalities and district administrative authorities, where a printout of a recovery certificate can also be obtained. Self-tests, however, do not find their way into the “Green Passport”, but they are still valid as “entry tests” in the country.
For those who have recovered, such a certificate including QR code will only be included in the “Green Passport” if the person concerned has had a positive PCR test in the past six months – and this has been recorded in the Epidemiological Reporting System (EMS).
The vaccination certificate with QR code can also be printed out via some municipalities, district administrative authorities, at the ELGA ombudsman offices or, in the future, at the customer service points of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund. In addition, it will be possible to have the vaccination certificate printed out in pharmacies, at established doctors, this possibility is to start in the course of the week. Those who have been vaccinated for the first time must be careful: Because these get in the “green passport” only this first vaccination noted – and this loses its validity after three months – an EU-wide solution is being worked on.
Fully immunized persons receive vaccination certificates by mail
If all this is too complicated for you and you have enough patience, you can simply wait: All persons who have been fully immunized by the end of June will receive their vaccination certificate by mail in the next few weeks.
— sources: APA and vienna.at/picture: screenshot: kurier.at
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