What are vaccine passports and will I need one to go on holiday this summer?
VACCINE passports could be introduced to reopen travel for British holidaymakers, proving they have had both Covid jabs. Here is everything to know about vaccine passports and whether they will be needed to go on holiday – as well as which countries will accept them. What is a vaccine passport? A vaccine passport would be […]
VACCINE passports could be introduced to reopen travel for British holidaymakers, proving they have had both Covid jabs.
Here is everything to know about vaccine passports and whether they will be needed to go on holiday – as well as which countries will accept them.
What is a vaccine passport?
A vaccine passport would be an app or document proving the passenger has received a coronavirus vaccine.
They could also hold information regarding negative Covid tests or proof of antibodies.
This would allow travellers to access their testing or vaccine information with a smart phone which would then display a QR code which local authorities in your destination of choice would scan on your arrival.
The EU is set to agree to a Covid passport scheme that will allow jabbed Brits and those with antibodies to travel.
The bloc will publish details of its “digital green pass” in order for people to go on holiday in time for summer, it’s been reported.
Will I need one for my holiday?
This is yet to be officially confirmed – but Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said ministers are “discussing the best way to proceed” with jabs certificates.
Matt Hancock previously revealed ministers are working with other countries around the world on common certificates in a bid to reopen international travel.
He told Sky News: “There are some countries around the world that are considering bringing in rules saying you can only travel if you’ve been vaccinated.
“These aren’t in place yet, but there are countries that are actively floating this idea and proposing it.
“In that case it will be important for people from the UK to be able to show whether or not they’ve been vaccinated in order to travel.
“So we’re working with countries around the world on the basis for this and how that vaccine certification can happen in a way that can be assured.”
Which countries are considering them?
Spain’s Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto has said that the country could start using the vaccine passport in May.
The Balearic Islands, which include the Brit-popular holiday destinations of Majorca and Ibiza, have already said they want to be first to welcome foreign tourists back with vaccine passports.
While travellers without the vaccine passport will still be allowed entry, they may be forced to quarantine or have negative coronavirus tests.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated Greece will not establish vaccination as a mandatory requirement for travel, but “those who have been vaccinated should be free to move”.
He explained on television: “A vaccine certificate would allow you to enter Greece without being forced to provide a negative test and without any quarantine restrictions and we do intend to go down that path.
“For those who have not been vaccinated the most likely scenario is that we will request some sort of negative test, we want to make it as easy as possible for them to travel to Greece.”
Under plans being drawn up by Greek officials jabbed up Brits will be allowed to use a “green” lane, rather than a lengthy queue where border officials check for negative covid tests.
Cyprus will also allow fully-vaccinated Brits back from May 1.
Portugal also hopes to welcome Brits without travel restrictions or vaccine passports this summer.
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Both British Airways and Ryanair are introducing Covid apps to show vaccinations and negative Covid tests.
British pilot union BALPA supports them, with Brian Strutton, BALPA General Secretary, saying, “People are desperate to get travelling again, and if a vaccine passport is what is needed, then we fully support it.
“What would be better still is a globally-recognised vaccine passport.”
Countries such as Turkey and Bulgaria have said they won’t require vaccine passports from travellers.