The Excelsior Pass app, a mobile application that cost $64 million and was utilized by Latest Yorkers to display proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test results through the pandemic, is about to be decommissioned in the approaching weeks, as announced by state officials.
While the app was initially launched in 2021 and utilized by 11.5 million people, it has been sparingly used over the past two years. Nevertheless, it has been costing the state a big sum of at the least $200,000 per thirty days to take care of, in response to the Times Union of Albany.
The Excelsior Pass app served as a digital artifact of the pandemic, allowing individuals to store their vaccination status against the coronavirus. It quickly determined whether someone was compliant with vaccine requirements for access to specific venues, including outdoor dining restaurants and entertainment establishments.
Former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and business leaders initially promoted the app as a “passport to normalcy” and a method to revive the state’s pandemic-impacted economy, noted the outlet.
Nevertheless, the high costs and technical issues related to the app have led to its discontinuation. The choice got here after a Times Union report in May make clear the unexpectedly large expenses of developing and running the appliance.
The involvement of consulting firms Deloitte and the Boston Consulting Group within the app’s development also raised concerns and is currently under investigation by the state Office of the Inspector General.
Hazel Crampton-Hays, a spokeswoman for Governor Kathy Hochul, stated that the demand for immediate access to vaccine records has waned, and as the general public health emergency has ended, the Excelsior Pass app might be discontinued. She added that the state will leverage the knowledge gained from this project to reinforce Latest Yorkers’ access to services and advantages through technology.
Although the app might be shut down on July 28, state officials assure the general public that the stored personal data will remain private and secure. While the Excelsior Pass app played a big role in facilitating activities like indoor dining, attending Broadway shows and sporting events during its launch, the decline in vaccination requirements and usage led to its diminishing relevance.
The app will remain on users’ phones in the interim, however the state will now not provide maintenance or support for any potential issues which will arise. The app’s closure reflects the changing landscape and priorities as Latest York moves forward from the pandemic and focuses on latest initiatives.
Published by Medicaldaily.com