Ever since the first confirmed case of the Omicron variant arrived in T&T last week, there have been claims by some people on social media, and the Opposition, that the Government’s TTravel Pass System website portal is flawed.
According to reports, the person, who tested positive for the variant, tricked the online TTravel Pass system by uploading an image of a positive PCR test, despite her test yielding a negative result.
And in the end, she was granted certification to enter Trinidad.
In light of the criticisms of the system, Guardian Media, in the public’s interest, observed someone attempting to obtain a TTravel Pass certificate using incorrect information.
When one launches the TTravel pass website, they are immediately prompted to provide an email address.
When submitted, the portal sends a confirmation code for the applicant to enter to start the application process.
The first two sections of the application process ask for straightforward information–personal and flight information.
The portal requires the applicant to provide information such as their name, age, passport information, city of departure, flight number and expected arrival date.
Once entered, the applicant proceeds to the third section—the health info section.
This section has been the subject of criticism, with claims that critical information to be provided—like proof of vaccination (if applicable) and proof of a negative PCR test result—are not immediately verified, in turn, possibly allowing people to cheat the system.
Guardian Media can confirm that the documents are not verified by the portal.
Instead of copies of a vaccination card or proof of a negative PCR test, random pictures were uploaded instead.
This did not stop or affect the application.
After entering more information, such as the date of vaccination and type of vaccinations, as well as the date of the PCR test, the application was allowed to proceed to the next step.
The fourth step required information about where an applicant intends to stay in Trinidad and Tobago.
Once entered, the portal confirmed that, despite the bogus documents, the applicant was granted permission to enter Trinidad and Tobago.
The top of the certificate said fully vaccinated– approved.
The bottom of the certificate, however, made it clear that the certification did not guarantee entrance into T&T.
The documents, requested by the portal, have to be presented at the port of departure and port of entry.
It said, “Please note that you are required to provide evidence of: Negative PCR tests no older than three days, Being fully vaccinated in accordance with WHO standards using WHO approved vaccines; and Fully paid for state supervised quarantine at an approved hotel facility where applicable.”
According to IT expert, and principal consultant of Privacy Advisory Services, Rishi Maharaj, there may be a flaw in the process because there’s no authentication or verification of the information provided by an applicant.
He said the process seems to be a two-factor process that seeks to grant permission, as quickly as possible, to people seeking to enter T&T.
He said its creators likely wanted to avoid a verification process that could lead to backlogs and take days to process.
“I won’t say it’s a perfect system, but I guess it’s a system developed to be able to allow for what they wanted...I guess they may have erred on the assumption that most people would be honest but you know, human beings are always fallible in trying to find some sort of way to beat the system,” Maharaj said.
“They are also hoping that by being liable to a fine of around $350,000 that, that, in itself, would be enough to prevent someone from wanting to cheat the system.”
Earlier this week, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds said the government would be examining the system for flaws and would correct any flaws in the near future.
On Tuesday, Opposition MP Saddam Hosein questioned the process, suggesting that it was partly responsible for the first reported case of Omicron variant entering T&T.
