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From the Guardian 2 hrs ago
Nearly two months after making an application to the European commission, UK officials said they believed Brussels would “shortly” recognise the NHS certificate as equivalent to the EU’s own digital pass.
Sources in Brussels suggested that agreement could be expected by the end of the month, with “significant progress” having been made in recent weeks on the technical tie-up of the systems.
The decision would ensure that all 27 member states and 16 non-EU countries automatically allow entry to visitors from England and Wales carrying the NHS Covid pass, which contains a QR code.
The app would also be recognised by hospitality premises in countries where proof of vaccination is necessary for entry to bars, restaurants and cultural events.
The lack of “equivalence” status has been a thorn in the side of British tourists seeking to visit a range of European destinations and for those people who were vaccinated in the UK but who live abroad.
The problem has become particularly acute as an increasing number of EU governments have introduced a need for a Covid pass to attend events or be admitted to places of hospitality.
As of 25 September, people vaccinated in the UK but visiting or living in the Netherlands, for example, face having to show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken in the previous 24 hours in order to enter a restaurant, bar, museum, cultural event or sports stadium.
In Switzerland, expats spoke of being unable to attend sporting facilities, including gyms, due to the NHS Covid pass being regarded as invalid.
The NHS Covid pass has been accepted unilaterally by 19 EU countries, including France, as proof of vaccination at the border but even in some of these countries recognition was not always automatic for those seeking to go to a bar or restaurant.
Last Updated: 15:49 Tuesday, 21 September 2021
2h ago
EU set to recognise NHS Covid pass
The EU is expected to accept the NHS Covid pass as proof of vaccination across the union within days, as the Netherlands warned British tourists that they will otherwise need to take a daily test to visit Dutch bars, restaurants and museums.Nearly two months after making an application to the European commission, UK officials said they believed Brussels would “shortly” recognise the NHS certificate as equivalent to the EU’s own digital pass.
Sources in Brussels suggested that agreement could be expected by the end of the month, with “significant progress” having been made in recent weeks on the technical tie-up of the systems.
The decision would ensure that all 27 member states and 16 non-EU countries automatically allow entry to visitors from England and Wales carrying the NHS Covid pass, which contains a QR code.
The app would also be recognised by hospitality premises in countries where proof of vaccination is necessary for entry to bars, restaurants and cultural events.
The lack of “equivalence” status has been a thorn in the side of British tourists seeking to visit a range of European destinations and for those people who were vaccinated in the UK but who live abroad.
The problem has become particularly acute as an increasing number of EU governments have introduced a need for a Covid pass to attend events or be admitted to places of hospitality.
As of 25 September, people vaccinated in the UK but visiting or living in the Netherlands, for example, face having to show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken in the previous 24 hours in order to enter a restaurant, bar, museum, cultural event or sports stadium.
In Switzerland, expats spoke of being unable to attend sporting facilities, including gyms, due to the NHS Covid pass being regarded as invalid.
The NHS Covid pass has been accepted unilaterally by 19 EU countries, including France, as proof of vaccination at the border but even in some of these countries recognition was not always automatic for those seeking to go to a bar or restaurant.
Last Updated: 15:49 Tuesday, 21 September 2021
2h ago
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