FCM's health passport could make for faster immigration checks

FCM Travel Solutions has launched a Digital Health Credential Programme, bringing together technologies to enable business travellers a safer, seamless and quicker journey back on the road.

First is a partnership with Fullerton Health, which gives FCM customers access to affordable rates for Covid PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and serology tests.

“The FCM-Fullerton Health partnership brings together an alignment of both company’s goals and allows us to exemplify the commitment in putting our customers at the heart of all we do,” said Bertrand Saillet, managing director for FCM Travel Solutions in Asia.

This commitment refers to the goal towards a safer, resilient and sustainable travel future for FCM's customers, simplifying "the travel journey for customers who can use FCM as a one-stop shop to not only make flight and accommodation bookings for their trips but also PCR and serology tests.”

On that note, the travel management company (TCM) has also partnered with a third-party technology provider to develop a FCM Travel Portal. Expected to launch this month, the portal will incorporate a Digital Health Wallet, displaying test certificates and vaccination results.

This Digital Health Wallet will act as a consolidated traveller profile system, getting FCM customers registered for the issuance of digital health certificates, and access to the list of accredited healthcare institutions that can do so. With specific Covid vaccines recently approved by various countries, travellers who choose to be vaccinated will also be able to include their vaccine status in the portal.

Just like IATA's Travel Pass due to launch Q1 2021, the common goal is to build trust in ensuring authentic Covid-19 test results, which would in turn allow travellers to enter destinations with faster immigration clearances.

In a time where multiple governments are still wavering on border reopening, an ongoing debate on what and how the best vaccination policy for travellers might be, this programme is part of FCM's duty of care commitment to instil confidence back into the Covid-battered business events industry.

Dr Walter Lim, Deputy Managing Director (Singapore), Fullerton Health said the company "seeks to play its part at supporting the reopening of economy and at the same time facilitating safe travel in our region and beyond. We are privileged to have a leading travel management partner in FCM who is adopting a holistic approach to support business travellers’ needs in this new travel environment".

Bertrand added, “It is extremely important to partner with key private and public institutions to form an ecosystem that works together to operationalise cross-border travel. Many players in the travel industry from tourism organisations and airlines, to hotels and TMCs have embarked on digital health credential projects and the reality is that many challenges lie ahead of us. The solution may not be straightforward and would probably require many more months of discussion and tests, however the process is an essential part of this transition into developing a safe and responsible cross-border travel system that works.”