According to this article from KQED, California residents can now get their vaccine cards digitally. This new system debuts after a number of pandemic-related restrictions were lifted throughout the state.

Although many have debated on the topic, the state has avoided classifying the digital vaccine cards as vaccine passports. Rather, the digital cards are completely voluntary– a way to help the public transition back to a less restricted lifestyle.

The article continues stating that around 24 states have banned state-required vaccine passports; others have taken things a step further, refusing to allow businesses to require vaccinations.

It remains unknown how travel will be affected by the pandemic—whether “vaccine passports” will be needed to travel to other countries. But one thing is for certain, the continual drop in cases and rise of vaccinations allowing for some much-needed hope and reassurance to spread throughout the public.