South Africa Announces 'Vaccine Passport' Plans, Eases Covid Curbs

After sluggish vaccine procurement and a delayed roll out, South Africa is now struggling with low take-up, particularly among men.

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday announced plans to introduce COVID-19 "vaccine passports" amid widespread scepticism of the jab, ahead of an easing of movement restrictions this week. After sluggish vaccine procurement and a delayed roll out, Africa's worst-hit country for Covid is now struggling with low take-up, particularly among men. In a televised address to the nation, Ramaphosa stressed that an immunised adult population was key to fully reopening the economy and avoiding a fourth infection wave. In two weeks, we will "be providing further information on an approach to 'vaccine passports', which can be used as evidence of vaccination for various purposes and events", he said without providing further details.