For a while now there has been talk of COVID-19 immunity passports. I first encountered this idea for putting fans who were immune in the stands for soccer games in Europe since the stadiums were open air. For a while now though it has only been a background idea or something I would read about saying we should give these a chance to start to open back up the world. Given the recent various strains of COVID that have appeared across the world though that idea I thought had died.

The International Air Transport Association though announced that trials of a health passport would begin most likely in February. On an app, on the traveler's smartphone, a block-chain-based passport would be stored stating the traveler's COVID-19 testing and vaccination status. This could be really crucial for blockchain development as it would supercharge countries using it. However, if countries reject the idea or usage of the health vaccine then it will not only stall the development of the health passport and international travel opening back up but the development and usage of blockchain by governments across the world. 

It will be an interesting thing to watch roll out and see the reception of it. If accepted then blockchain could really get a huge boost both publically but also in funding development of. A rejection would continue to give off the appearance of it being heavily tied to cryptocurrency and hurt its ability to shake that idea.