From Monday 17 May, the NHS app will be used to show a persons vaccination status if they have had both doses of the vaccination. The NHS app is separate from the NHS Covid-19 app which is used by contact tracing. The government is advising people to register for the app at-least two weeks before attempting to travel.
Many people won’t have access to a smartphone and a paper letter can be requested, at least five days after a second dose and can take five days to arrive. To request the paper version it will be necessary to call 119 and a letter will be sent out.
“There are not many countries that currently accept proof of vaccination,” the government advice warns.
“So for the time being, most people will still need to follow other rules when travelling abroad – like getting a negative pre-departure test.”
The government has announced 12 countries people in England can travel to, without having to quarantine when they return.
But not all of these destinations allow UK tourists. The UK travel list is to be reviewed every three weeks and can change at short notice.
A spokesperson from the International Air Transport Association said ‘We're keen to go further and faster now that the Secretary of State has confirmed that travellers will have access to their covid vaccination status by 17 May," a spokesperson added. "Globally there are now 20+ countries that are either easing testing or quarantine requirements for vaccinated passengers so the UK needs to move quickly if it does not want to fall behind globally in supporting its citizens' ability to freely travel.’
Photo by Kit Suman on Unsplash
