Societies everywhere are struggling for getting people to receive vaccines. Incentives are coming to place in order to let those who help themselves and others, work with liberty and have leisure thanks to responsibility.
Green passports for those who are already inoculated are part of these days' debate around the world: Israel is leading the global race, but China, Europe, and the USA are also moving ahead with their economies. In Latin America, Chile has adopted a similar measure to this, and since May, 26th, the Chilean "Blue" Passport will start its operation.
Green Passports Over the World and Blue Passport in Chile
Economics comprises not only Macro but especially Microeconomics. Incentives and games are part of the last. Green passports should be understood as an incentive for inhabitants to enter the game of inoculation. Positive externalities obtained from massive (more than 70%) vaccination are not related to health only, but economics mainly.
The social influence and political power of physicians increased highly during last year due to the introduction of quarantines as an epidemiological measure. Many societies have developed different incentives. In the USA, for example, an app (IT application) is incentivizing through the facilitated access to matching and dates for those already vaccinated.
Australia urged to accelerate this process by offering Cash Incentives to boost COVID vaccination rates, while the European Union is allowing a Green Visa for those vaccinated, especially with their own trademarks or their economic allies' vaccines, SINOVAC not being yet part of that game.
The Chilean "Blue" Case, as a Route Map for other Developing Economies
In the case of Chile, the country will start tomorrow its re-opening. Some facts should be considered in case any country or person wants to go the Chilean way:
As of May 24, the Ministry of Health has confirmed 1,335,261 cases of COVID-19 in Chile.
Chile is under a daily nationwide curfew from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am.
Chile remains under a State of Emergency through June 2021.
Across Chile, inhabitants who are less than 30 years are getting vaccinated already.
Still, health and safety measures are currently in place, including restrictions on movement and gatherings in groups, under a "step-by-step" plan that may become stricter with little notice, depending on statistics.
Citizens exercise caution by maintaining social distancing practices, without big troubles following quarantine and sanitary procedures as directed by the Chilean government (including curfew). Infractions and penalties help there, as infractions are subject to fines and potential arrest.
COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Economics in Chile
PCR and/or antigen tests are available for local and foreign inhabitants in Chile. Tests results are reliably available within 72 hours.
Local and global citizens who visit Chile can obtain a COVID-19 test in any public hospital or in private clinics. A doctor’s note is not required to request a test. The cost of the test is approximately CLP $25,000 (US$40 approximately).
Yesterday, after the information of the facilities brought to work and move after having two doses (and after 14 days of the second dose, for obtaining the Blue Pass: "Pase de Movilidad") inoculation increased highly, reaching a record not seen since the beginning of March.
Foreigners are responsible for paying for their own tests, whether it be through direct payment to the medical facility, or through insurance. Any person can request to receive test results by email. A physical copy of the test results may also be obtained.
The government of Chile continues approving in a completely agnostic way, several international COVID-19 vaccines for their extensive and organized use throughout the country.
Vaccines are available in the health private sector of Chile for foreign citizens and residents. To date, Chile has received shipments of both the Sinovac and Pfizer vaccines
Foreign citizens are not permitted to enter these days. Only Chilean citizens and foreign residents of Chile may enter the country. In addition, a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) are required for entry: the test must be taken within 72 hours of boarding the final flight to Chile (the 72-hour time period begins from the time the test is administered, not from the time that results are returned): only PCR tests for COVID-19 are acceptable for entry into Chile (“rapid” or “antigen only” tests are not accepted). Health screening procedures are in place at airports and other ports of entry.
Until now and since its' beginning on April 5th, Chilean citizens and residents of Chile are required to request a permit from the Police (Carabineros) "Comisaría Virtual" in order to depart Chile. The government of Chile has informed that such permits will be granted only in exceptional circumstances. Non-resident foreigners continue to be allowed to depart Chile. Non-resident foreigners will not be allowed to enter Chile, but will be allowed to depart. The borders will remain closed until June 15.
For now, all passengers (including Chileans and residents) must complete an obligatory 10-day quarantine upon arrival in Chile. The first 5 days of quarantine will be conducted at a “transit hotel” designated by the Chilean Ministry of Health. During this 5-day period, all passengers will be required to take a second PCR test. If the test returns negative, passengers will be allowed to spend the second 5-day period of quarantine in their residence or a hotel of their choice. Passengers who test positive will be taken to a “sanitary residence” to complete their quarantine there. Passengers are responsible for the cost of the initial five-day stay in the “transit hotel”.
Any visitor must complete an online form with the Ministry of Health and may receive additional emails from Chilean health authorities requesting daily reporting of location over a period of 14 days post-arrival in Chile.
Once airports get opened, it is expected that Chilean and foreign travelers (of all ages) will have to present the three documents that today all travelers require when boarding a plane:
A completed “Affidavit of Travelers” electronic form (available at https://www.c19.cl/ and also known as a Sanitary Passport) prepared less than 48 hours before boarding;
Proof of a negative result from a PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours prior to boarding their final flight to Chile; and
Proof of a health insurance policy that provides coverage for COVID-19 and related health issues during the traveler’s stay in Chile. The health insurance must cover charges associated with COVID-19 during the traveler’s stay, with a coverage of USD $ 30,000 (minimum). All documents must be presented before boarding the flight to Chile.
Foreign residents of Chile and holders of diplomatic/official passports are exempt from the health insurance requirements. Other citizens should contact the "Policía de Investigaciones" (PDI) for information regarding the extension of tourist or resident visas
Easing Movement Restrictions:
The Mobility Pass, which will come into force this Wednesday, May 26, certifies that people have completed their vaccination process against COVID-19 and allows them to travel in communes that are in Quarantine or Transition so they can make interregional trips between communes that are at less in Step 2 (out of 5 in the "step-by-step" plan). Level 5 is total freedom.
Meanwhile, a curfew is in place. Today, for those who do not have the Mobility Pass, there is a daily curfew from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am, nationwide.
Without the new Mobility Pass, restrictions on intercity (or interstate) travel will apply. In places where sanitary cordons are in place, travelers may be subject to temperature screenings and sanitary control. Travel to (or from) "comunas" in quarantine requires a permit obtained from the Chilean police, as stated before.
Without the Blue Pass (Mobility Pass), travel between regions is allowed only to and from districts in Step 3 (Preparation) or above. Travelers, exercise practitioners, and citizens, in general, are required to carry a passport: "sanitary" (if tourist), "permit" (if resident), and "mobility" (if fully inoculated).
Without the "mobility" passport, residents in "comunas" that are in "Paso" 2 are allowed two "permits" (permiso de desplazamiento) a week, but only one permit may be used on the weekend or holidays. With the "mobility" (blue) passport, those comunas in "Paso" 1 (those most affected) will not be able to use green mobility passes for entry or exit.
The idea of getting inhabitants vaccinated is an effort to reach the levels of Israel, Europe, and other zones, like China or USA, where freedom and easiness is arriving after getting near to the level of 70% or 80% of the population vaccinated.
Freedom is given, in Chile, meanwhile, for individuals in comunas in Paso 1. They are allowed outside, without permits or passes, for exercise without a permit from 6:00 am to 9:00 am, seven days a week.
Some regions of Chile have additional travel restrictions. Individuals traveling to the Magallanes Region must also have a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to travel. Individuals traveling to the Aysén Region must have a negative PCR test taken 96 hours prior to travel. Information on additional travel requirements inside of Chile can be found here (Spanish) and here (English).
Reopening the Economy:
Foreign visitors are not allowed now to enter, and those living here require to quarantine. The Blue "Mobility" Pass that will start tomorrow is just a small step for allowing local mobility for those already vaccinated.
It does not serve for foreign travel, nor for enterprises for calling workers to labor, neither for increasing the number of people who can enter in a business that is regulated under "paso a paso" plan.
Comunas at Paso 1 (Quarantine) are subject to 24-hour quarantine.
Comunas at Paso 2 (Transition) are subject to 24-hour quarantine only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
Comunas at Paso 3 (Preparation) are not subject to quarantine.
Pasos 4 and 5 have further reductions on the imposed limitations and prohibitions of activities.
Commercial flights are operating but only for citizens and residents. Public transportation is operating (tube and buses). Face masks are required on all public transportation, and obeying signage regarding social distancing.
Inoculation Economics is starting to get played as a game.
Lots of debates are emerging among doctors, economists, politicians, journalists, technicians, and leaders.
Freedom and responsibility is on the table: command and control is starting to get abandoned in Chile while its micro-economy recovers freedom and the rhythm of the macro-economy gets reinforced via freedom and mobility, liberty and responsibility.
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