State leaders today unveiled the Hawaii SMART Health Card.
The card will enable individuals who received COVID-19 vaccinations in Hawaii to create a state-issued digital health card that may be used to confirm their vaccination status to businesses and venues that require it.
The program is voluntary and begins Friday.
Individuals who received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of Johnson & Johnson, followed by a 14-day waiting period, are eligible for the digital card.
The Hawaii SMART Health Card gives individuals the option of presenting their vaccination status through a digital device such as a cellphone rather than a physical CDC vaccination card or other document.
Vaccination information provided by individuals obtaining the card will be automatically verified against the state vaccination database.
“Participation in the SMART Health Card program is purely voluntary, but it aims to make it easier and more convenient for patrons to present proof of vaccination at restaurants, gyms, other businesses and establishments that require it,” Gov. David Ige said today in a news release. “The digital Health Card supports counties that require proof of vaccination at certain businesses and venues. It’s another step toward protecting the health and safety of our residents and visitors, while also balancing the need to support local businesses and Hawaii’s economy.”
Doug Murdock, chief information officer, Office of Enterprise Technology Services, said in the same news release that such health cards are growing as the standard to show proof of vaccination across the country.
“Hawaii joins states such as New York, California and Louisiana, in implementing an application that allows people to share their vaccine status to businesses and venues in a safe and secure way,” he said.
The Hawaii SMART Health Card QR code cannot be used for travel to the state.
Travelers arriving in Hawaii are required to use the travel exemption/exception feature on the Safe Travels Hawaii digital platform to receive a travel entry QR code.
The health card feature can be found on the Safe Travels site at travel.hawaii.gov.
See Thursday’s Tribune-Herald for more.