CLEAR Partners with OpenTable to Promote Use of Vaccine Passports at Restaurants

“It is important that the people and experiences which make up the lifeblood of our communities safely stay open for business.” – Caryn Seidman-Becker, CEO, CLEAR

CLEAR has partnered with OpenTable in an effort to facilitate the safe reopening of restaurants and other venues. OpenTable is best known for its reservation booking platform, which allows people to secure a spot on their favorite restaurant through an online app.

The problem, of course, is that people without a vaccine card still will not be able to enter establishments with a vaccine requirement, even if they have a reservation. That creates more logistical hassle and lost sales for the restaurant, and increases the frustration for diners who get turned away at the door.

The partnership with CLEAR is intended to address that problem. Participating restaurants will now be able to add a “CLEAR” banner to their OpenTable confirmation page to indicate that they require proof of vaccination. Patrons that click on that banner will be directed to an information page that shows them what credentials they will need to enter the restaurant, and tells them how to download and set up a digital vaccine card with CLEAR. They can then download the app in advance to minimize hassle when they arrive at the restaurant

The actual CLEAR app is free, and allows users to link their identity to their vaccination record on their mobile device. The app is compatible with hundreds of pharmacies and vaccine providers, including the states of New York and California and corporate providers like Walmart. The banner, meanwhile, will debut in September, and will be visible to those accessing OpenTable on Android or an iPhone.

“It is important that the people and experiences which make up the lifeblood of our communities safely stay open for business,” said CLEAR CEO Caryn Seidman-Becker.

“Our partnership with CLEAR furthers our commitment to help both restaurants and diners navigate dining out in the next chapter of the pandemic,” added OpenTable CEO Debby Soo. “This collaboration aims to streamline restaurant entry, saving time for both restaurant staff and diners and lets everyone focus on the meal – not the logistics.” 

CLEAR has spent the past several months pushing vaccine passports for businesses that want to reopen safely during the pandemic. The company’s Health Pass app has previously been used to screen guests at sporting events and Venetian convention centers in Las Vegas.

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August 24, 2021 – by Eric Weiss