New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, has announced the launch of Excelsior Pass, to accelerate the process of re-opening the city.
What exactly is the Excelsior Pass? Think of it as a Covid-19 digital passport that displays a QR code showing proof of being fully vaccinated, having a recent negative Covid-19 test, or both.
The pass will currently be used for Broadway theaters and productions, concert halls, sporting arenas, and other large group settings. The app will make the check-in process smoother for ushers, bouncers, and other ticket takers to accurately scan for entry.
Related: New York City Will Soon Re-Open Large Arenas For Events
Here’s everything you need to know about the Excelsior Pass
You can download the NYS Excelsior Pass app or use the website version: The app and website currently hold COVID-19 vaccinations, PCR and antigen test results and display the results as a QR code.
Multiple passes can also be accessed: For example, parents can hold on to their children’s passes. Vaccination passes are currently valid for 30 days at a time. You can re-add passes to the app at any time as they become eligible.
For registration, you will need to provide your name, date of birth, and zip code: The information provided will be used to make sure vaccination and testing records belong to the correct person and to prevent fraud. When the person scans their QR code at a venue, they will have to show matching identification and from there a green checkmark will appear.
Only available to residents of NYS who have received either the vaccination or test results in the state: If you are traveling to NYS or received your vaccine in a different state, you can still attend events. However, you will have to produce your vaccination card or mobile/print-out of negative test results.
Your QR code can be printed and brought to the venue if your smartphone is not yet capable to host the app: If your phone doesn’t have an app store or is not capable of hosting the app, you can use the website version and preprint your QR code to bring it to the venue.
Related: New York City Governor Says Live Events May Return Sooner Than Expected