Excelsior Pass offers free, voluntary way to share COVID-19 vaccination or negative test status
On March 26, New York State launched Excelsior Pass – a free, voluntary platform developed in partnership with IBM, which utilizes proven, secure technology to confirm an individual’s recent negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test result or proof of vaccination to help fast-track the reopening of businesses and event venues in accordance with NYS Department of Health guidelines. Similar to a mobile airline boarding pass, individuals will be able to either print out their pass or store it on their smartphones using the Excelsior Pass Wallet app. Each pass will have a secure QR code, which participating businesses and venues can scan using a companion app to verify proof of COVID-19 negative test results or proof of vaccination. An individual’s data is kept secure and confidential at all times.
As part of this initial launch, participating New Yorkers may choose to use Excelsior Pass to verify their COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results as needed to gain entry to major stadiums and arenas, wedding receptions, or catered and other events above the social gathering limit. Interested New Yorkers can opt in to use Excelsior Pass and learn more at https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/excelsior-pass; interested businesses can opt in and learn more at https://forward.ny.gov/excelsior-pass-business.
New York State is the first state in the U.S. to formally launch this technology. Excelsior Pass is built on IBM’s Digital Health Pass solution and is designed to enable the secure verification of health credentials such as test results and vaccination records without the need to share underlying medical and personal information. The technology is flexible and built to scale, allowing other states to join and help foster a safer, trusted transition to a post-pandemic reality. The pass can also be printed and is complementary to other types of proof that patrons can use, reducing any barriers to usage.
A special emphasis has been placed on the protection of an individual’s privacy. Secure technologies, like blockchain and encryption, are woven throughout Excelsior Pass to help protect the data, making it verifiable and trusted. No private health data is stored or tracked within the apps. Excelsior Pass can be used to voluntarily show a QR code as proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test result via a digital smartphone wallet or printed credential without sharing underlying personal health details.
Multiple security systems are in place to ensure the integrity of personal health information. Excelsior Pass was designed with equity and equal access at the forefront. With multi-language access, a robust Help Desk, and multiple ways to use Excelsior Pass – whether you have a smartphone or not – New York is committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers can participate in the safe, convenient and responsible reopening of our economy.
Several labs, including UR Medicine Labs, have committed to rapid reporting of COVID test results to the State Department of Health’s Electronic Clinical Laboratory Reporting System (ECLRS), which will help ensure that Excelsior Pass users are able to receive their testing results in the required window of time before an event. The state will continue to work with other labs and rapid testing sites to expand the list of partners and expedite reporting.
Scott Wexler, Executive Director of the Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association, said, “The Excelsior Pass initiative an important step towards stabilizing the state’s hospitality industry. It will provide our patrons with a tool to help keep them safe while returning to arts, cultural, sports, and the other social activities that make New York a great place to live, work, and play.”
Provided information and photo
