Covid ‘passports’ which would allow Brits testing negative to go to pubs, schools and work are now in development, according to a new report.
Firms have been handed contracts by to government to begin exploratory work on the proposals - though Ministers insist they have no plans to introduce such a 'passport.'
The system being developed would allow users to present a QR code to prove they have tested negative.
The 'digital passport' would be updated by a health centre following a negative test, and could be checked when a user scans the app at a workplace or venue.
A Department of Health and Social Care source told the Daily Mail the scheme was 'exploratory work' and no decision had been made to introduce anything 'imminently'.
“It is about looking at ways we could use this in future,” the government source told the Daily Mail. “It is looking at whether it would be possible.
“There are no plans to introduce immunity passports.”
The app would link to a 'digital passport' - including a photo of the person, along with their Covid test status.
The agreed contracts are understood to only refer to Covid test passports.
The Department of Health and Social Care said it was “continually exploring ways in which we can return to normality”, including through technology.
A spokesman said: “We have no plans to introduce immunity passports following this vaccination programme.”
Ministers previously ruled out introducing passports for those who have had a vaccine.
Critics have argued it could cause an 'apartheid' system between people who have been vaccinated and those who haven't.
According to the Mail, two contracts have been issued to develop a 'negative Covid-19 test certification system'.
One, for £42,000 was awarded to Netcompany UK in November, to develop a "minimum viable product" - a sample version of the app.
A further contract worth £34,000 was awarded to The Hub Company to develop an app to assign people a personal QR code.
