Appy hols as NHS proof of vaccines lets us go abroad
HOLIDAYMAKERS who have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine will be able to prove their status using the NHS app, the health secretary has said.
Matt Hancock confirmed English travellers going abroad will be able to use their phones to show they are fully vaccinated when the ban on overseas leisure travel is lifted on Monday.
The app – used to book medical appointments and order repeat prescriptions – is different from the Covid19 app. Those without access to a smartphone can call the NHS helpline 119 from Monday and ask for a letter of proof to be posted to them.
‘The certification, being able to show that you’ve had a jab, is going to be necessary for people to be able to travel,’ Mr Hancock told Sky News.
‘So, we want to make sure people can get access to that proof, not least to show governments of other countries that you’ve had the jab if they require that in order to arrive.’
Mr Hancock said the use of so-called vaccine passports is ‘different to the question of whether we require people to be certified as Covid secure before doing things domestically’.
Meanwhile, Heathrow data showed 536,000 passengers passed through the airport in April – down 6.2million, or 92 per cent, on April 2019.
Chief executive John Holland-Kaye criticised the government’s decision to only put a handful of countries on its green travel list and said ministers ‘need to expand it massively in the next few weeks to include other lowrisk markets such as the US’.
He added the Border Force warning of longer delays on return from overseas ‘smacks of complacency’ as staffing should be increased at peak times.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps has said ministers will next review the green list – countries where no quarantine is required on return to the UK – on June 7 and again on June 28.
Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said several Greek islands could be added next month, with most of Europe in the green tier by the end of June.
But The Daily Telegraph warned an analysis showed only ‘a limited number of destinations’ such as the British Virgin Islands and some Caribbean countries are likely to be added on June 7. Spain, Italy and France may not be included until July or August.
ONE in three people is planning the holiday of a lifetime once restrictions are lifted – but many want reassurances before they travel, a study finds. Six in ten don’t feel confident about booking without peace of mind on accommodation, flights and travel insurance. ‘Many are looking to escape the routine of everyday life – but it’s clear there’s also a need for more reassurance,’ said Expedia, which is behind the poll of 2,000 adults.