Could moving house ruin my holiday?

We have to fill in far fewer forms to go on holiday today than we did six months ago, with many countries having relaxed their Covid testing requirements. But there is one loophole that could throw your next holiday into disarray, particularly if you have just moved home: the NHS Covid Pass is deactivated for a short time when you register with a new doctor. But why? Here is everything you need to know about the anomaly, with tips on how to avoid it affecting your travels.

WHY HAS MY COVID PASS BEEN DEACTIVATED?

The Covid Pass is rendered inactive when you transfer your details from one GP surgery to another.

HOW LONG DOES IT USUALLY

TAKE TO REACTIVATE?

The NHS app says it can take up to 24 hours (although identification can be approved within an hour). An NHS Digital spokesman told The Telegraph: “Most identity checks are completed within a couple of hours. However, sometimes additional checks may be required or demand may mean that identity checks take a few days or more to be completed. People are encouraged to register ahead of booking international travel.”

ARE THERE ANY OTHER WAYS TO REACTIVATE THE COVID PASS? If your GP surgery is open, you can ask for your account details, the surgery’s ODS code (ie, organisation code or practice ID) and linkage key (pass phrase). Enter these details on the NHS app as an alternative to sending photographic identification and this will begin the process of reactivating your account.

WHY DOES THE NHS DISABLE YOUR COVID PASS WHEN YOU MOVE HOUSE?

A spokesman for NHS Digital confirmed that this will happen in some but not all cases. He said: “In most cases, this should not be an issue. For a small number of people who change GP practice, there may be a short delay in being able to see their NHS Covid Pass while the new GP practice validates their registration and updates access settings.”

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY COVID PASS DOESN’T REACTIVATE IN TIME

FOR ME TO BOARD MY FLIGHT? If you have previously downloaded your pass and it is still valid (it expires one month after download, to prevent fraud) then you will be able to use this PDF document as proof of vaccination. Failing that, your only option to guarantee boarding your flight (if applicable to your destination) would be to take a confirmatory Covid test within an appropriate time frame before travel. These rapid tests are typically available at airports, but come at a price.

DO ALL DESTINATIONS REQUIRE PROOF OF VACCINATION?

Many of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations, including Greece, Spain, France and the United States, require proof of vaccination. Failing that, many countries will accept proof of a negative Covid-19 test in lieu of a vaccine certificate. But there are many that have scrapped all Covid-19 requirements, including Denmark, Iceland and the Czech Republic.

On the move? The Covid Pass is rendered inactive when you register with a new GP – but there are ways to avoid being caught out