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Covid restrictions abroad: updates & observations

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island

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So apparently in Portugal to get into hotels or restaurants you need an EU COVID vaccination pass or a negative COVID test. The NHS pass is not recognised. I don't really fancy two weeks of sticking sticks up my nose, so I might change my flights elsewhere.

Romania looks good - about 1 case per 100,000 people, still amber list so flights are quite cheap, entry is just the NHS vaccination proof and no PCR even though we are on the red list, and we can still have a decent wine, food and history holiday.
I have read stories about people who have scanned their NHS passes using the German Corona-Warn app and it reissues it signed by the German authorities, which is thereby accepted as an EU vaccine pass.

I have all the apps but I do not have my second vaccine until Sunday so haven’t been able to get it to work.
 
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Watershed

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I have read stories about people who have scanned their NHS passes using the German Corona-Warn app and it reissues it signed by the German authorities, which is thereby accepted as an EU vaccine pass.
I just tried that out - it works but the certificate still says you were jabbed by in the UK and that your certificate was issued by NHS Digital, if you open up all the details (and no doubt, that would 'flash up' on the screen of any official who checked).

Still, a very useful tip!
 

Cdd89

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Interesting. It wouldn't add the second dose until I re-generated the NHS certificate which is a bit crap but this will come in very useful for me next week..!
 

Watershed

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It was also happy to scan the QR code from the NHS Covid certificate I generated after my first jab. But it did say that I had only had one jab, so I imagine any system that scans the EU Covid pass QR code will check for things like that, and possibly including the location or issuer of the pass.
 

island

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There is a further app called Tousanticovid Vérif which is made available so that French venues can scan CovidPasses to see if they’re acceptable.

If anyone feels terminally bored…
 

Watershed

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There is a further app called Tousanticovid Vérif which is made available so that French venues can scan CovidPasses to see if they’re acceptable.

If anyone feels terminally bored…
It doesn't appear to recognise the QR code issued by the German app...
 
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kristiang85

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I have read stories about people who have scanned their NHS passes using the German Corona-Warn app and it reissues it signed by the German authorities, which is thereby accepted as an EU vaccine pass.

I have all the apps but I do not have my second vaccine until Sunday so haven’t been able to get it to work.

Well Portugal still has a lot of irritating restrictions and masking, so I've changed my flights for free to Romania this evening. Already got a route planned, a couple of weeks in the Transylvanian mountains sounds just the ticket (with a few good train rides as well).
 

johncrossley

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Now this has got to be a joke. Arrivals from France still have to quarantine even if you have been double jabbed, because of the *beta* variant. France was one of the easiest countries to get into (and has the benefit of not needing a plane to get there) and I was seriously thinking of a trip there. Now I'm glad I didn't get around to booking anything.


Fully vaccinated travellers returning to England from France will still have to quarantine for 10 days from Monday.
From 19 July, adults who have been jabbed in the UK arriving from other amber list countries will no longer need to isolate.
France will remain on the amber list.
But the government said the planned relaxation of rules would not apply there due to "persistent presence of cases" of the Beta variant, which was first identified in South Africa.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: "We have always been clear that we will not hesitate to take rapid action at our borders to stop the spread of Covid-19 and protect the gains made by our successful vaccination programme.
"With restrictions lifting on Monday across the country, we will do everything we can to ensure international travel is conducted as safely as possible, and protect our borders from the threat of variants."
 

brad465

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Now this has got to be a joke. Arrivals from France still have to quarantine even if you have been double jabbed, because of the *beta* variant. France was one of the easiest countries to get into (and has the benefit of not needing a plane to get there) and I was seriously thinking of a trip there. Now I'm glad I didn't get around to booking anything.

I reckon it's not a joke, but a dead cat story attempting to cover up for the increasing case load ahead of next week's planned relaxation.
 

Butts

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Forget going to France ...

Guernsey and Jersey are nearly there with the added benefits of little mask requirement and life almost back to normal. Entry requirements for vaccinated mainlanders are pretty lax or non-existent and no forms or tests to return to the mainland.

Plus Duty Free as well !!

For those of us fully vaccinated Ireland becomes an option from Monday as I understand it, without any need for testing or quarantine just a form before travel.
 
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LNW-GW Joint

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I've just seen a note to the effect that the quarantine restriction on returning from France does not apply to "Eurostar services which do not stop in France".
Except there aren't any.
Maybe they mean if you return from Amsterdam/Brussels via Lille and stay on board at Lille, you won't have to isolate.
 

Watershed

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I've just seen a note to the effect that the quarantine restriction on returning from France does not apply to "Eurostar services which do not stop in France".
Except there aren't any.
Maybe they mean if you return from Amsterdam/Brussels via Lille and stay on board at Lille, you won't have to isolate.
You're not counted as passing through a country if you do so whilst on a train which doesn't stop to take on passengers in the country, or if any passengers that are taken on are conveyed in a segregated portion/coach of the train.

As, presumably, Eurostar passengers boarding at Lille are mixed in with the existing passengers, anyone that takes a train that stops at Lille is deemed to have passed through France. Accordingly, the vaccination exemption from yellow list quarantine no longer applies to them.

I would be surprised if Eurostar didn't change their seat reservation system to allow for segregation of Lille and Brussels/Amsterdam passengers, so that the train remains equivalent to flying.
 

island

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You're not counted as passing through a country if you do so whilst on a train which doesn't stop to take on passengers in the country, or if any passengers that are taken on are conveyed in a segregated portion/coach of the train.

As, presumably, Eurostar passengers boarding at Lille are mixed in with the existing passengers, anyone that takes a train that stops at Lille is deemed to have passed through France. Accordingly, the vaccination exemption from yellow list quarantine no longer applies to them.

I would be surprised if Eurostar didn't change their seat reservation system to allow for segregation of Lille and Brussels/Amsterdam passengers, so that the train remains equivalent to flying.
I expect the same.
 

Jamiescott1

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Just completed my return to the uk form for tomorrow.
I'm fully vaccinated arriving from an Amber country but the form hasn't been updated yet to give me this option.
 

Paul Kelly

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I'm fully vaccinated arriving from an Amber country but the form hasn't been updated yet to give me this option.
It does; I filled it in yesterday and one of the pages has these details:
Depending on your age and vaccination status, you may be exempt from the requirement to self-isolate and take a Day 8 test upon your arrival in England from an amber country, provided you have not been to a red country in the 10 days prior to your arrival. If you are a participant in a formally approved COVID-19 vaccine trial you may also be entitled to this exemption.

Please check whether you meet the eligibility criteria for the exemption here.


The exemption will only apply if you provide acceptable proof that you meet the necessary requirements during travel. Acceptable proof (i.e. of vaccination status or your participation in a formally approved COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial) is listed here.


Please note that exemption from self-isolation and Day 8 testing only applies for the duration of your stay in England. If you travel onwards to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, or a Crown Dependency, different rules may apply. You can check the travel requirements for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

(Required)

Do you meet the eligibility criteria linked to above? (Required)

If you do not meet the criteria above (including if you have lost your proof of eligibility), please select 'No/Prefer not to say'.
If you prefer not to say, please select 'No/Prefer not to say'.
 

joncombe

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I just tried that out - it works but the certificate still says you were jabbed by in the UK and that your certificate was issued by NHS Digital, if you open up all the details (and no doubt, that would 'flash up' on the screen of any official who checked).

Still, a very useful tip!
I am interested in this. I have a (very expensive) holiday in Norway booked back in 2019, for summer 2020. Naturally I could not go in 2020. I was able to get the flight and hire car refunded. Unfortunately as I had booked a non-refundable hotel the hotel would not refund but did allow me to change the booking to 2021. At the time I thought that would be no issue. How naïve I was.

So roll on 2021 and I'm looking to see if it will be possible. I never re-booked flights or car hire for 2021 due to likely difficultly in getting the money back but both are still available and within budget so I need to make the decision whether to go this year or postpone, yet again, assuming the hotel will allow it again.

From what I can gather from the entry requirements of Norway (see https://www.fhi.no/en/op/novel-coro...neral-advice/entry-quarantine-travel-covid19/) they are allowing visitors from the UK, without the need for any quarantine, tests or registration if you can provide proof of vaccination. (Norway have classified countries as green, orange, red, dark red, purple and light grey!). The UK is classified as "dark red".

However the proof of vaccination is listed as

Currently, only presentation of a COVID-19 certificate (Norwegian, Danish, Swedish or EU digital COVID certificate) with a QR code which can be verified by the Norwegian authorities is considered to be a secure and verifiable way of proving vaccination or previous illness.

I've had both Covid vaccine doses more than 2 weeks ago. So I am wondering if this trick might allow entry? Has anyone tried this in Norway or other countries with similar rules?

(I'm aware because of UK rules I still need to takes a barrage of tests but again as I've had both vaccinations I believe it removes the need to isolate/qurantine here too).
 

scarby

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France has reimposed mask wearing outdoors in some areas. They really never learn, do they?
 

LNW-GW Joint

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Since July 19, you now don't need an "essential reason" to visit Ireland from the UK, and domestic tourism is allowed.
Double-jabbed passengers can avoid quarantine and testing in Ireland by using the EU vaccination certificate (the equivalent UK NHS certificate is also accepted), or by a negative prior PCR test.
Masks are still mandatory on public transport, with 2m social distancing.
On intercity services you have to book online with irishrail.ie to ensure the 75% capacity limit is not exceeded.
Normal rail services are operating, including to Belfast.
 

island

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Since July 19, you now don't need an "essential reason" to visit Ireland from the UK
You’ve not needed one in quite some time.
and domestic tourism is allowed.
It’s been allowed since May.
Double-jabbed passengers can avoid quarantine and testing in Ireland by using the EU vaccination certificate (the equivalent UK NHS certificate is also accepted)
correct
, or by a negative prior PCR test.
Wrong. Unvaccinated passengers arriving from Great Britain with a negative PCR test must self-isolate for 14 days with test to release on day 5.

Quarantine and test may also be avoided with a positive PCR test dated 15 to 180 days ago.
Masks are still mandatory on public transport, with 2m social distancing.
On intercity services you have to book online with irishrail.ie to ensure the 75% capacity limit is not exceeded.
Normal rail services are operating, including to Belfast.
 

scarby

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But also removed it at events and locations where a vaccine passport is required.
Does anyone on here understand how this works in practice for visitors? As a Swedish citizen, I have a EU Digital COVID Certificate, which was created as a PDF when I applied for it. It has a QR code on it. There is no app, I have only been able to save it on my laptop and sent it to my own e-mail so I can in theory present it from my mailbox. When abroad does one simply present the paper copy?
 

island

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Does anyone on here understand how this works in practice for visitors? As a Swedish citizen, I have a EU Digital COVID Certificate, which was created as a PDF when I applied for it. It has a QR code on it. There is no app, I have only been able to save it on my laptop and sent it to my own e-mail so I can in theory present it from my mailbox. When abroad does one simply present the paper copy?
It varies very widely depending on where you are, but most places should accept it and many will be able to scan the QR code.

You can also import the QR code into, for example, France’s TousAntiCovid or Germany’s Corona-Warn apps.

You should bear in mind that many non-app based certificates expire after a month and need reissuing.
 

scarby

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It varies very widely depending on where you are, but most places should accept it and many will be able to scan the QR code.

You can also import the QR code into, for example, France’s TousAntiCovid or Germany’s Corona-Warn apps.

You should bear in mind that many non-app based certificates expire after a month and need reissuing.
Thanks for this.
 

island

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You're not counted as passing through a country if you do so whilst on a train which doesn't stop to take on passengers in the country, or if any passengers that are taken on are conveyed in a segregated portion/coach of the train.

As, presumably, Eurostar passengers boarding at Lille are mixed in with the existing passengers, anyone that takes a train that stops at Lille is deemed to have passed through France. Accordingly, the vaccination exemption from yellow list quarantine no longer applies to them.

I would be surprised if Eurostar didn't change their seat reservation system to allow for segregation of Lille and Brussels/Amsterdam passengers, so that the train remains equivalent to flying.
As predicted, Eurostar is going ahead with this arrangement from this weekend. The layout means that there will no longer be access to food service for any passengers joining at Lille-Europe.
 

LAX54

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France has reimposed mask wearing outdoors in some areas. They really never learn, do they?
According to family over there, from August unless you have been jabbed, you will not be allowed to go to work (and she said school too !) and if you have to stay off work, you will not be paid either
 

island

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According to family over there, from August unless you have been jabbed, you will not be allowed to go to work (and she said school too !) and if you have to stay off work, you will not be paid either
You’ll be allowed to do the above with a negative test in the past 2 days but I expect that will get tiresome, and, from October when they stop free tests, expensive.
 

Yew

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According to family over there, from August unless you have been jabbed, you will not be allowed to go to work (and she said school too !) and if you have to stay off work, you will not be paid either
The French position on Vaccine Certification seems to have drawn criticism from everyone, Le Pen, to Melenchon.
 

johncrossley

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Where have people here gone (or are planning to go) for their tests? I'm interested in tests before arriving in the UK as well as tests two days after arrival.
 
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