The National COVID-19 digital platform is called BVIDigiCert and it was launched by the Ministry of Health and Social Development in conjunction with the Department of Information Technology.

People who are partially or fully vaccinated for COVID-19 can access the website at www.bvivaccinate.vg.

According to the Acting Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Ronald Georges, the main aim of the digital platform is to provide residents of the British Virgin Islands with a digital COVID-19 vaccine certificate which they can access at any time and any place. He said this would reduce the likelihood of fraud and impersonation.

Dr Georges also said the platform is linked to an official government server and is accessible and verifiable by using a scanned barcode or QR code.

“Starting today, persons requiring vaccination authorisation letters for travel can use the website to submit their applications. The applicant will have to ensure that they have their passport and vaccination card handy to complete the registration form,” the Acting CMO said on Monday.

Dr Georges further said: “We wanted to streamline the process and make it easier for persons who need authorisation letters. To access the system, persons will have to create a user account and answer vital questions to complete the process.”

The digital service is free and the certificates generated will be valid for six months. The certificates can be renewed by using the same process used to sign up.