EU to accept UK's NHS COVID pass

Good news for all who have to travel from the UK into Europe to ski this winter; the NHS COVID pass will be valid wherever the EU Digital Certificate is required.

Copied from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/mex_21_5645


EU Digital COVID Certificate: Commission adopts equivalence decisions for Armenia and the United Kingdom

Today, the European Commission adopted two new decisions certifying that COVID-19 certificates issued by Armenia and the United Kingdom are equivalent to the EU Digital COVID Certificate. As a result, the two countries will be connected to the EU's system and the COVID certificates they issue will be accepted in the EU under the same conditions as the EU Digital COVID Certificate.

At the same time, the two countries agreed to accept the EU Digital COVID Certificate for travel from the EU to their countries.

Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders wrote:"Safer travel is a reality thanks to the EU Digital COVID Certificate, which is now the leading global standard: 45 countries in four continents are connected to the system and more will follow in the coming weeks and months. We are open to other countries to join our system."

The two decisions adopted today will enter into force as of 29th October 2021.

More information on the EU Digital COVID Certificate can be found on the dedicated website

As far as I can tell Switzerland will require their own Pass starting last week. So far not required for skiing, but looks like will be required for restaurants. One can apply here https://covidcertificate-form.admin.ch/foreign

A word of caution for those of you who may have taken part in the vaccine trials:
The Novovax and Valneva vaccines which seem to have worked well but are not yet currently licienced in the UK don't yet seem to be acceptable for the UK (and presumably EU) vaccine certification requirements. I know we have been told we can re-vaccinate (with Pfizer) those whou took part in the Novovax trials so that they can obtain a vaccine passort. Seems a poor way to thank those who did the public spirited thing and took part in the trials!

As I understand it, the NHS pass will be accepted in Switzerland as well
https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1456242450557804544

The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has now updated their UK embassy Coronavirus webpage.

"As of 2 November 2021, the NHS vaccination certificate is recognised in Switzerland for domestic purposes. Holders of the NHS vaccination certificate should refresh their digital certificate or print a new certificate if generated before 2 November 2021. In case of two dose vaccines, only the certificate for the second dose will be recognised."
https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/united-kingdom/en/home/representations/embassy-in-london/coronavirus.html

Presumably the bars, restaurants etc. will have to update their COVID certificate checking app for it to be recognised.