Society

JAL starts digital vaccine proof system

Nov 10 (NHK) - Japan Airlines has become the country's first carrier to introduce a digital system for passengers to prove they are vaccinated against COVID-19. The move comes after the United States began accepting fully inoculated visitors.

US entry restrictions were eased on Monday. Travelers to the country must now show, before boarding flights, proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days earlier. They must also provide documentation of testing negative for the virus from samples taken within three days before departure.

The new system, introduced on Tuesday, uses a smartphone app. JAL's US-bound passengers can now upload photos of their documents to the app before check-in.

Using AI, the app quickly judges whether the person meets entry requirements -- drastically speeding up the procedure.

Without the system, airline officials at check-in counters at Japanese airports must check four types of documents per visitor to the US.

Japan Airlines official Utsunomiya Saori said the company is working to come up with a simpler guide for the system, as overseas flights are expected to resume for more travelers and destinations.

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