Californians vaccinated against COVID-19 will soon be able to carry a digital version of their vaccine cards.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Monday the state expects to unveil the process later this week.
"It’s not a passport," Gov. Newsom said, responding to a question at a press conference at the San Francisco Ferry Building. "It’s not a requirement. It’s just the ability now to have an electronic version of that paper (card), and so you’ll hear more about that in the next couple days."
Six Californians could use their electronic cards as winners in the state’s new vaccination incentive program.
Newsom announced six "California dream vacation" travel packages, including trips to San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles, as an inducement for unvaccinated Californians. Winners will be drawn on July 1.
The six travel packages are in addition to the 10 vaccinated people who will be chosen at random on Tuesday, the same day the state lifts the vast majority of its COVID-19 restrictions, to receive $1.5 million each.
"We encourage folks that are on the fence," Newsom said. "Tomorrow, you have an equal chance with those others to receive a call from the Department of Public Health and receive $1.5 million."
The governor said the state's incentive program is working, with vaccinations up 14% over the past two weeks. Meanwhile, California is also preparing to welcome tourists back to the Golden State.
Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California, said the pandemic hit the state's hospitality industry 10 times harder than the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"And now, nearly 20,000 businesses across the state are gonna cross that threshold into post-pandemic operations this week," Beteta said. She added it could take another four years for the state’s travel and tourism industry to regain the $145 billion it earned in 2019.
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