Launching the Commons Project App to Soon Ease International Travel

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As the world grapples with safe travel methods, more countries are opening their borders to allow the much-needed revival of their tourism industries. With the proposed relaxation of travel restriction, the safety of travellers becomes essential. There has been an expansion of rules and precautionary measures with regards to travel during the on-going pandemic. These range from mandatory quarantines to covid-19 test results sharing. The Commons Project-in collaboration with The World Economic Forum- is developing an app for travellers to check international travel restrictions and rules- all in one place. The app will also help travellers share the needed documents for commencing international travel. This app is set to launch in a total of 52 countries around the world.

How Does the App Work?

The Commons Project is a non-profit organisation, which will help travellers share their test results on a platform called CommonPass. CommonPass will analyze the results in accordance with the given country’s health requirements. Other health declarations and vaccination records can also be stored on the platform for future use. The app has guaranteed the security of such private and sensitive data by asserting that it does not condone third party sharing. The user’s data is promised to be secured on the said individual’s phone. Dr. Bradley Perkins, Chief Medical Officer of The Commons Project was quoted highlighting the importance of the app. He said, “Without the ability to trust Covid-19 tests – and eventually vaccine records – across international borders, many countries will feel compelled to retain full travel bans and mandatory quarantines for as long as the pandemic persists.” In such a scenario this app becomes important to ease the process of international travel.

Trial Runs of the App

Trail runs of the app have already commenced in different countries across the world. The app was tested on a United Airlines flight from London to Newark, New Jersey. It has also been tested on a Cathy Pacific flight from Hong Kong to Singapore. With the onset of the annual holiday season in November and subsequently December, both The Commons Project and The World Economic Forum plan on introducing and testing the app on more flights across the world. This new normal of international travel can be made a little easier with such apps in place.