New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has launched a new Covid-19 vaccine passport app, in an effort to reopen businesses, venues and events in the state. The app, called the Excelsior Pass, is free, and allows users to provide digital proof of a Covid-19 vaccination or negative test results.

Businesses and venues can then scan and validate the Pass, to ensure event-goers meet the requirements for entry. Like a mobile airline boarding pass, users can store Passes digitally on their smartphones, or print them out to present at the venue.

According to the official New York State website, users will be asked to present a photo ID, showing their name and date of birth, to verify that the Pass belongs to them.

Announcing the launch on his Instagram account, Cuomo described the Excelsior Pass as "a first of its kind tool to help New York fight COVID while opening our economy safely & responsibly." The app is available for both iPhone and Android users.

As of Sunday, March 28, 29.2% of New Yorkers have received at least one vaccine dose, and 16.3% have completed their vaccine series.

 

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