Last Tuesday, New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced a new pilot program that would require New Yorkers to show a COVID-19 passport prior to entering large venues.
Andrew Cuomo has introduced a brand new pilot program that would require New Yorkers and other attendees to show a COVID-19 passport prior to entering sporting arenas, theatres, or other businesses. The pass will be called an “Excelsior Pass,” and will be monitored via a secure technology that will determine if the individual is vaccinated or has had a recent COVID-19 test result.
The pass was tested during the New York Ranger’s regular-season game on Tuesday, March 2 at Madison Square Garden. The pass will work similarly to an airplane ticket or concert ticket where individuals will have the opportunity to print out their pass or save it to their iPhone “Wallets.” Each ticket will have a secure QR code, thus making the pass completely secure and private.
Madison Square Garden Entertinament had great feedback about the initial test, and praised Cuomo’s decision to implement the idea of a COVID-19 health passport. Both New York Knicks fans and Brooklyn Nets fans were able to enjoy an in-person sporting event for the first time in nearly a year. When asked about the implementation of New York’s new COVID-19 health passport, Cuomo expressed that,
“The Excelsior Pass will play a critical role in getting information to venues and sites in a secure and streamlined way, allowing us to fast-track the reopening of these businesses and getting us one step closer to reaching a new normal.”
New York is well on their way to returning to live events and it has been exciting to see the city overcome adversity during these difficult times.
Feature Photo – Business Wire
Source – New York Post
