A UK-based COVID-19 digital passport, developed by tech companies Mvine and iProov, is moving into a live testing phase .

The passport, backed by Innovate UK, enables a person’s test result or vaccination status to be registered and proved without disclosing their identity, and without the need for extensive new infrastructure.

The tech will be tested by directors of public health within the NHS, with Mvine and iProov aiming to complete two trials by 31 March.

The digital passport can be plugged into the NHS’ existing infrastructure, which means it can meet the specific needs of local directors of public health and any overarching national requirements.

With the new tech, areas in different tiers or levels of vaccination rollout can set appropriate policies.

The passport has been developed with a total £75,000 investment from Innovate UK, following a call for ideas in April.

“Without the need for an extensive new infrastructure, the Directors of Public Health will learn how our innovation is used to promote public health and protect citizen privacy,” said Frank Joshi, director at Mvine. “Unlike some other digital solutions for Covid-19, this technology reduces the burden on frontline services and cost-effectively assures a secure and safe way to enable the return to work, return to school and return to the kind of life that people want to lead.”

Andrew Bud, chief executive at iProov, said: “Ensuring consumer trust, security and privacy is essential to the success of projects in this space. iProov enables all three. Our Genuine Presence Assurance technology secures the link between the citizen and Mvine’s test status solution in this project, which we think can make an important contribution to forming the national response to the COVID-19 crisis.”

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