At the round table EISS experts discussed the experience and prospects of using QR codes in Russia
Leading Russian experts during a round table organized by EISS (Expert Institute for Social Research “on the topic:” OR-codes: experience and prospects of application “discussed the international experience of using QR codes and vaccination passports: results, limitations, advantages and objections; Russian regional experience of using QR codes and much more.
Mikhail Mamonov, head of the political analysis practice at VTsIOM, presented the study “Covid Situation”, which reflects the general assessment of citizens of the situation with Covid and their attitude to vaccination. The expert noted that it is too early to talk about sociological data on the issue of QR codes, since there is no understanding in society of how the system will work. Today we can say that only 8-10 percent of citizens really care about the topic of qr codes, but interest in the issue is growing.
Meanwhile, most citizens would like to feel more secure. According to the study, 64 percent of Russians say they are afraid of contracting covid. Also, 35 percent of respondents said that they had already been vaccinated – this corresponds to the data announced by the operational headquarters, 31 percent say they are ready to get vaccinated in the near future.
The study also showed that most citizens are sure that vaccination is the right thing to do , it saves life and health – it helps to transfer covid easier (65 percent); reduces the likelihood of death from covid (61 percent). Also 64 percent expressed a negative attitude towards campaigning against the vaccine. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, these indicators are 3-4 percent higher on average.
Alexander Asafov, political scientist, political observer of the radio station “Moscow speaking”, noted that Russia is not the ancestor of the measure for introducing qr-codes, but adopts international experience. Earlier, in the world practice of combating covid, it was relevant to develop applications for tracking diagnosed patients with the virus and their contacts. However, the widespread use of tests changed the situation, replacing contact tracing with a system of QR codes to track the immune status. In the face of growing mortality from the virus, in world practice, this measure has become the same natural remedy as the use of masks.
A number of countries today use the so-called “covid passports”, which contain a QR code. For example, in the United States, in the states of California, Hawaii, New York and Virginia, all citizens over 12 years of age must have a Covid passport to visit public places (obtaining is possible only with confirmation of vaccination). In China, QR codes of various color rankings are common: a green code gives a person freedom of movement, yellow prescribes a week of self-isolation, and red prescribes quarantine for 14 or more days. France has a system of “sanitary passes”. In Israel, the system of “green passports” has been operating since February. In South Korea, the QR code system has been introduced since the first wave of the pandemic and is still in effect.
The expert recalled that this measure was often not introduced at the initiative of the authorities, citing the example of Moscow, when the QR-code system was introduced at the request of a business, which allows it to minimize losses in comparison with a lockdown. Thus, in Moscow, applying international experience, it became possible to avoid a second total lockdown, increase the level of vaccination, reduce the rate of infection and save the city's economy.
Commenting on the bills on the use of QR codes in public places and on some types of transport, Alexander Asafov noted that “the restrictive measure is not aimed at infringing on anyone’s rights; The measure limits those circumstances that lead to a decrease in living standards directly. ”
Ekaterina Sokolova, the moderator of the discussion, confirmed the speaker's words, saying that in the public space there is no talk about alternatives, for example, about a lockdown. “Therefore, the QR code is a great degree of freedom and a return to normal life without fear,” she said. In international practice, the very name “qr-code” exists only in the legislative field. The use of such names as “SafePass” (Cyprus), “Health Code” (China), “Freedom ID” (Lithuania) a priori lay in this measure the concepts of freedom, safety, health and self-preservation.
Daria Kislitsina, Head of the Department of Regional Programs of the Expert Institute for Social Research, provided data on monitoring coronavirus measures and methods of introducing QR codes in the regions. The speaker presented a variety of Russian experience collected from 77 regions. The most common areas for the implementation and implementation of qr-codes were named: catering, places and cultural organizations, theaters, philharmonic societies, museums, sports organizations, leisure and services. They are less commonly used in tourism, trade and transport.
According to Daria, the field of regional differences has its own characteristics. As a rule, common sense is at the forefront. For example, in order to relieve the system and crowded places, as well as to prepare the infrastructure for the possibility of safe and contactless interaction, depending on the flow of people, QR codes may or may not be used (Ivanovo region). The expert also added that in many regions the traffic light principle is effective, where restrictions are introduced depending on the situation in each municipality or district. Regional diversity gives you an opportunity to look at the mechanics and tools that will work.
In conclusion, the head of the Expert Council of the Expert Institute for Social Research, Gleb Kuznetsov, explained that the QR code itself is not a medical measure, it does not respond directly to a medical call. This is a way of monitoring epidemic indicators for the state and gaining confidence for a person who has this code, that around him, people also have this code. “It is also a measure of incentives to vaccinate, as a means to make life easier on the understanding that vaccination is voluntary, which means that theoretically it will be possible to live in society without a QR code, to live with less comfort, but it is possible. And now, to make life easier, to make measures and their removal transparent, to make it clear how and why this or that change in regulation occurs during a pandemic – this is the main task of the government in developing the bill, and the accepted explanations about its importance and necessity. This, in my opinion, should be treated like that. I consider it necessary to emphasize, both in words and in deeds, the personal interest of a citizen in obtaining a qr-code, that is, it is necessary to explain to people why it is meaningful, beneficial, convenient and good for them, “he said.
The speaker also added that in conditions when there is already a wide international experience in the introduction and application of these measures, Russia needs to integrate the most effective tools into its practice. In this sense, let Russia – a clear national regulation of the general framework, the use of “traffic light” principles in the name of achieving social stability and security.