OpenTable is partnering with Clear, a company that uses biometrics to confirm identity, to offer diners a way to show proof of vaccination at a restaurant using Clear’s digital vaccine card.
Once a reservation is made on the OpenTable app at a restaurant that has vaccine requirements, users will find a Clear banner on the reservation confirmation page. By clicking the banner, the user will be linked directly to an information page, where they can find all the details they need, plus instructions on how to create a Clear digital vaccine card. The Clear app securely connects a person’s verified identity to their proof of vaccination from hundreds of vaccine providers and national pharmacies, including Walmart, Atlantic Health System, the state of California, and New York.
"Our partnership with Clear furthers our commitment to help both restaurants and diners navigate dining out in the next chapter of the pandemic," said Debby Soo, CEO, OpenTable, in a statement. "For the last 18 months, we've focused all of our energy on building innovative features that make it easier to ‘dine on, safely.’ 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."
This integration, expected to launch in September on OpenTable's iPhone and Android apps, comes on the heels of a number of new safety features that OpenTable has launched to support restaurants and diners. In addition to the new “verified for entry" tag, restaurants can now list "proof of vaccination" as a safety precaution on their restaurant profile pages and communicate directly with diners about changing restrictions and special requests through direct messaging.
"Now more than ever, it is important that the people and experiences which make up the lifeblood of our communities safely stay open for business," said Caryn Seidman-Becker, CEO, Clear, in a statement. "We are proud to work with OpenTable to make it easy and safe for diners and restaurants to come back together during this time."
Related: OpenTable Helps Diners Navigate Vaccination Requirements; Danny Meyer Talks NYC Vaccination Requirement.