Because the Covid app does not permit children to record their vaccination status, families who plan to travel overseas this Christmas will face difficulties.
The NHS app does not allow children younger than 16 years old to obtain a Covid Pass. This would enable them to verify that they have been vaccinated and/or tested positive.
Italy and France, for example, require all adults and children older than 12 years to show proof of vaccination or a negative test for Covid-19 to be allowed to use their indoor and outdoor venues.
Parents may be required to pay extra to ensure their kids are tested throughout the trip.
Italy launched ‘green passes’ earlier in the year. They are available to anyone who has shown evidence of vaccinations or negative testing to allow them to enter various places.
Individuals must show proof that they have had at least one dose of vaccine in the past nine months. They also need to prove that they have recovered from COVID-19 within the last six month or are negative for the disease in 48 hours.
Because the Covid app does not permit children to record their vaccination status, families who plan to travel abroad for Christmas this year face problems (file photo)
Children under 16 cannot register for their Covid-19 or vaccination status on the NHS app
The NHS app is not available to children younger than 16 in the UK, as only adults over 16 can use it.
If parents want their kids to see venues, they will need to pay recorded lateral flow test every 2 days.
The idea of testing can lead to complications. Children who have recovered from Covid may not pass a lateral flow exam.
According to Government guidance, fragments of an inactive virus may be persistently detected even after the person has died.
Therefore, even though a child has tested negative before a planned trip to another country, they still need to be tested regularly to gain access to venues. They may also risk being denied entry to certain countries if they are not infected with Covid.
France requires that all adults over 12 years old and their children provide evidence of proof they have been vaccinated against Covid in order to be allowed to enter certain places.
If a child is to be allowed to enter the vast majority of French hotels, he or she must have a written test.
Stephen Smith, his family from Chelmsford are planning to go to Italy with his wife and daughter, but they have questions after his daughter recently contracted the virus.
This is the latest problem with the app. The app was not able to allow people over 60 years old to register for their booster jab. Some countries may require this.
The i was informed by him that he believes the system is unfair. He added: “Because she’s still recovering from Covid, and it would take place within 90 days.” [of her testing positive]According to my understanding, there is a greater risk of false positives during this period.
According to the NHS, this age limit aligns with wider NHS services that generally consider people aged 16 or older to be mature enough to take decisions related to healthcare.
However, it does not take into account the inability of children younger than 16 to use internationally accepted means to establish their Covid status.
Paul Charles, the chief executive officer of the PC Agency (a travel consulting company), told The Times that the government’s digital app needs to be updated urgently to allow children to show proof of vaccination abroad. This is because more immigration officials and restaurants will require digital proof to access the PC Agency’s international website.
“Vaccines must mean normality and not less freedoms overseas. To allow families to plan Christmas vacations and to book them, the government must immediately fix this app.
Concerns were raised earlier in the month over the impossibility of the app to record booster jabs.
Certain countries set expiry dates on vaccinations. This means boosters may be needed to travel to certain destinations and access specific types of facilities.
Austria, Israel, and other countries have established time limitations on vaccinations. Proof of boosters may be required to travel to Europe.
In France, for example, people over 65 years old will need to get a booster shot if they want to go to restaurants, museums, and other hospitality establishments.
Like under 16s you must have proof that you are able to travel to most of the venues.
China, Vietnam, Croatia, and Vietnam have also established expiry dates.