Health pass app has momentary failure

The QR code system for health that is widely used in China as a pass for people traveling during the pandemic, experienced a brief breakdown Wednesday morning in Hangzhou, the first working day after the May Day holiday, which ended on Tuesday.

The problem with the app resulted in congestion in the passenger flow at subway and bus stations during the morning rush in the city. The app resumed normal operation around 8:30 am.

A staff member at Alipay, which developed the app and operates the system, said a recent technical upgrade of the system may have caused the breakdown.

A green health code on a mobile phone is required for each passenger, signifying good health, before being allowed to move freely in the city.