During this week, the corona certificate can be used in municipalities with high levels of infection.
The certificate is green if you have been vaccinated against coronary heart disease, have been covid-19 infected or have tested negative.
In a report published in May, it was revealed that there are a number of ethical issues associated with the use of corona certificates.
When the report was submitted, few had access to the vaccine. The situation is different now. Nevertheless, one of the authors of the report believes that parts of it are still relevant.
– Life becomes more difficult for the unvaccinated when you introduce documentation requirements to gain access to benefits in society and have their rights respected, says Bjørn M. Hofmann to TV 2.
Hofmann is a professor of medical ethics at NTNU in Gjøvik and at the University of Oslo.
– THE ROAD TO FREEDOM: Vaccination allows society to stay open. Unvaccinated people must be tested to get a green corona certificate, which will soon be introduced in Tromsø, among other places. Photo: Darko Vojinovic / AP / NTB
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Exclusive to some
He says that the corona certificate is probably not perceived as as exclusive now as earlier this year, since the supply of corona vaccines is now large.
Nevertheless, it can be experienced as exclusive for some groups in society.
– It can be more difficult for people to choose not to get vaccinated. Introducing a corona’s certificate to get people vaccinated does not make much sense, as there are better ways to achieve it. In addition, it can be more difficult for people who can not or should not be vaccinated for health reasons, says Hofmann.
People who have not been vaccinated can be tested for a green corona passport, and the test capacity in Norwegian municipalities is good.
As the availability of vaccines and tests is good, it is easier for most people to get access to a green corona certificate.
– VACCINATION BEFORE INFECTION: Earlier this year, there was a topic that young people might want to get infected to become immune. Professor Bjørn M. Hofmann believes that young people now choose the vaccine before infection. Photo: UiO
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But the fact that unvaccinated people have to be tested regularly in order to gain access to, for example, restaurants, cinemas and theaters, can be stressful.
– In addition, the focus on the certificates can be stigmatizing. Some may have to refrain from meeting others to protect themselves, even though they could have obtained a certificate by testing themselves. The question is whether the certificate and vaccine can be an additional burden on top of the fear of becoming infected. Although these are hardly good arguments against a certificate, we must take vulnerable groups into account when we introduce it, says Hofmann.
– It can also be a challenge to have control over when the test expires and when you have to test again, Hofmann continues.
A society for all?
Municipalities that have introduced measures may introduce the use of a corona certificate. At present, municipalities cannot introduce the use of a corona certificate without measures.
According to FHI, the introduction of a corona certificate can lead to more people getting vaccinated, even if that is not the goal of the measure.
Professor Hofmann says that the ethical dilemma that applies both now and when the report was published is that a certificate regulates access to rights to which one is otherwise entitled. Introducing a corona certificate may mean that not everyone can participate in society on the same basis.
– All citizens should have access to the same basic rights, such as freedom of movement, but with a corona certificate, a document is introduced to gain access to these rights.
It can be well-founded in crisis situations, but if it is continued or used in ordinary situations, it can lead to an unjustified regulation and reduction in citizens’ fundamental rights, he says.
He points out that it is therefore important that such exceptional measures are not continued, but are terminated when the exceptional conditions cease.
– Illegal consideration
Doctor and professor of health law Aslak Syse at the University of Oslo also points out that the opportunity to test oneself is a way that does not restrict freedom of movement in a discriminatory way.
– When the Ministry of Health and Care Services prepares a regulation, it will have to respect the Constitution’s prohibition of unjustified discrimination, be as unobtrusive as possible and mainly emphasize voluntariness as required by law on the use of corona passports, Syse tells TV 2.
– RESPECT THE LAW: Law professor Aslak Syse says that a corona certificate must be as unobtrusive as possible for people. Photo: UiO
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Syse says that restrictions have been placed on the purposes for which the corona certificate can be used.
The fact that the Tromsø mayor has said that a corona certificate will increase the vaccination rate is not in line with what is stated in the proposal for temporary amendments to the Infection Control Act, says Syse.
The proposal states that the corona certificate «should not contribute to pressure to be vaccinated».
– It is obvious to interpret this so that to introduce a corona certificate to incentivize people to get vaccinated, then it is an illegal consideration and an invalid regulation. But it did not sound like that at the press conference this Friday, Syse says.
– It will be an important question whether the passport will have a restrictive effect on people who should not be vaccinated or for acceptable reasons do not want to be vaccinated, he also says.
Local corona passes can put into use during this week. Tromsø municipality hopes to be able to introduce the use of the passport no earlier than Friday.
This is how the corona certificate should work locally
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