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COVID-STATUS certificates prove that you have received both your vaccines and can be essential if you want to spend a summer vacation.
They are easy to obtain – but don’t leave it at the last minute, as they can take a while to pass.
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As the British are finding out, traveling abroad is possible, but there is a set of requirements that make it tricky.
Covid status is one of them for most countries, proven either by a jab certificate or by a negative test.
It is also known as the “Covid Passport” – however, authorities do not call it that because it is not a free pass to travel around the world.
Learn more about a Covid Status Certificate here.
What is a Covid Status Certificate?
A Covid Status Certificate is either proof that you do not have Covid with a negative test, or full proof of vaccination.
A certificate called the NHS COVID Pass reveals whether you’ve been fully vaccinated in the most reliable way.
It’s a QR code – similar to the ones you use when entering a pub, bar or restaurant.
You can get one if you received a second dose of the vaccine at least two weeks ago, if you were vaccinated in England and if you are over 16 years old.
This shows that you have received your two coronavirus vaccines and therefore have the maximum protection against the virus.
This tells others – like officials in other countries – that you are unlikely to be a carrier of the virus and pose a threat to others.
Obtaining an NHS COVID Pass can take a few days or more. It is therefore essential to allow sufficient time.
Residents of Wales will soon be able to get vaccinated against Covid status through a website that is not yet available.
People living in Scotland can apply for a vaccination certificate on the NHS inform website.
Northern Ireland is still working on a certificate which should be available by July.
Travel checklist
Before you travel, the government says you must:
When will you need it?
At the moment, these certificates are not required in the UK to enter places such as pubs, theaters, cinemas or shops.
But if you’re part of a major event essay, you’ll need it.
The Events Research Program (ERP) is a science project to determine whether large crowds can safely come together for sports, concerts and more.
You may need a Covid Status Certification to enter another country, including Green List countries, with different rules everywhere.
For example, France is asking the British to have full proof of vaccination and proof of a negative Covid test, while Greece only needs the former.
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Check entry conditions for your destination country on GOV.UK overseas travel advice pages as well as the country’s own website.
There may also be other requirements, such as quarantine once you are there.
Some countries will not accept the NHS COVID Pass as proof of full vaccination. There is currently no universal “Covid passport”.
Check if the country you are traveling to accepts the QR code as proof of vaccination, and if not, what you need to enter.
How do I get a Covid Status Certificate?
A negative test
You will need a negative test to go on vacation. Even if the country you are heading to doesn’t require it, entering the UK does.
Polymerase chain reaction tests (PCR tests) are considered the “gold standard” for testing and are different from lateral flow tests available free of charge from the NHS.
You will need to pay for the PCR tests if you want to use them for travel with some places charging over £ 100.
You should not use the free NHS testing service to test yourself before a holiday as these tests are intended for people with symptoms of Covid. The government has requested that you organize a private test instead.
Learn more here for where to take a PCR test before you travel and before back to UK.
Usually a printed document or an email / text message with your result is sufficient to prove that you are negative at the airport.
A digital vaccination certificate
You can access your NHS COVID Pass through the free NHS app on your phone or tablet.
Download the app by typing ‘NHS’ in your iOS ‘App Store’ or Android ‘Play Store’ search bar and click Install.
The one to download is called ‘NHS’. Beware, there are other NHS apps that are meant for other services.
Details such as your email address and zip code will be required to obtain your certificate.
The certificate will have a barcode which can also be stored in your Google wallet.
You must be registered with a general practitioner in England to use the NHS app. However, you don’t need to contact your GP unless your certification doesn’t show up.
If this happens, you will need to ask your GP for your complete and detailed medical file.
A printed vaccination certificate
If you don’t want your certificate to be in digital format, you can also have it on paper.
To print it yourself, you’ll need to sign up for an NHS ID if you don’t already have one, which can take some time to process.
Once you have logged in, you can view your Covid status, then download and print it as a PDF document.
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The document will contain a barcode.
You can also apply for an NHS Covid Pass by letter on the NHS website or by calling 119.
It may take a few days for the certificate to reach you this way.
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