QR Code Updates: Press Conference

Another Tuesday, another COVID Updates Press Conference that we were able to attend. We broadcasted live a few minutes, and now we are summarizing all the details in this article. Recap of the previously shared changes Commercial

October 26, 2021

5:00 pm

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Another Tuesday, another COVID Updates Press Conference that we were able to attend. We broadcasted live a few minutes, and now we are summarizing all the details in this article.

Recap of the previously shared changes

Commercial establishments may choose a 100% capacity mode with the vaccination certificate as mandatory, or choose a 50% capacity mode without requesting a complete vaccination scheme. This will be in force from December 1 to January 7. As of January 8, 2022, commercial establishments will only admit people with a verifiable full vaccination schedule.

100% capacity fully vaccinated

Hotels, restaurants, bars, casinos, shops, museums, art and dance academies, gyms, spas and adventure tourism may operate at 100% capacity if all their clientele over 12 years of age that have the complete vaccination scheme. The above must be verified through the QR code OR the printed vaccination certificate.

50% capacity unvaccinated

If unvaccinated or incomplete people are admitted, the capacity must be adjusted to 50%. The hotels will have to limit the use of common spaces to the same 50% (the occupancy of the rooms will not vary).

All establishments must have a visible identification on the outside that shows the mode of operation of the commercial establishment.

As of January 8, 2022, all the aforementioned commercial establishments must only admit people with a verifiable full vaccination scheme, in order to continue with the economic reactivation and strengthening health security.

QR Code Press Conference Updates

How to request your QR Code

Vaccinated in the country with cédula: access the website 8 business days after your second dose.

Option 1: PIN code (if it was not sent to your email, use the lost PIN tab).

Option 2: Vaccination Information (you will have to complete your vaccination dates, and the dates will be confirmed using the information from EDUS).

Vaccinated in Costa Rica using DIMEX or Passport: email notificacionescovid@misalud.go.cr, attach ID and Vaccine Card.

Vaccinated abroad: email notificacionescovid@misalud.go.cr with this form; attach affidavit, ID, and Vaccine Card.

What if you do not have internet available?

Eventually you will be able to go to your local EBAIS or CAJA (CCSS) office, and they will help you print your code (the date for this will be announced). The government is trying to add the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE) offices, Municipalities, Public Libraries and others involved as well; so that there are more options for everyone without access to the internet to be able to request it.

Tourism

The government is currently updating the Health Pass so that the QR Code can be generated there as well. Remember that unvaccinated or partially vaccinated adults need insurance, the QR Code is necessary to enter the non-essential businesses where it would be requested.

How is the QR Code going to be checked?

The government is finishing an app, that does not use the internet, for businesses to read its visitors’ QR Codes. The code of such app will be open to the public, in case anyone wants to check what the app does.

Finally, it was explained that the QR Code follows European Union guidelines, and that the information won’t be stored anywhere. The QR Code complies with the law 8968 of data protection.

Questions that we asked:

Can tourists with a medical exemption access the places where the QR is mandatory?

The minister of Communication stated that regardless of nationality, if someone has a medical exemption, they are a special case.

We assumed that means that they will be able to access the places where the QR is mandatory, since it was said “it is a special case”.

Should people use the QR Code when booking Airbnb?

The minister of Communication stated that people will need the QR Code to enter the already established places, it does not apply for supermarkets, “pulperías” (grocery stores), drug stores, nor hospitals or any other essential business. The QR Code does not apply either if the tourist or foreign person is here to visit their own home.

We are still unsure if Airbnb is or not part of the mandatory QR Code-places, the answers were vague, but we are still working on getting confirmed and official information. We appreciate your patience during this process where the entire country is trying to get answers.

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2 COMMENTS

Dave Burdan October 27, 2021

IF these apps don’t access the internet, how will they ever get their database of QR codes which will be updating constantly.

- Brandon November 1, 2021
  
  The app does not need to verify against a database. It only reads the content of the QR code. Your personal and medical data is stored in the generated QR. To generate the QR code though, a connection to the database is needed.
  
  The QR code could be falsified to contain any data you want, but for that you’d need a set of digital signatures that are only know by the government. In some instances these signatures have leaked to the public (like in Italy), making the QR code effectively useless as anyone with the signatures can generate a QR code.
  
  Sad it has to come to this.
  
  Hope this make it more clear.