British holidaymakers could get Covid passports for travel to Europe by end of June Bedford News

British holidaymakers could visit European countries again by the end of June after the launch of Covid passports.

The UK government has confirmed its intention to introduce passports, also known as health certificates, to enable UK travelers to qualify to enter foreign countries.

Passports should include proof of a coronavirus vaccination or recent negative test, and will be made available “as soon as possible”.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is expected to hold talks with his G7 counterparts with the aim of establishing agreed standards by which international travel will be acceptable in the future, reports The Telegraph.

Many popular European holiday destinations have announced plans to reopen their borders in June, and if negotiations are successful, that could mean British holidaymakers may be able to visit destinations like France and Italy by the next. end of the month.

Many countries are expected to require international visitors to have been vaccinated against Covid-19, recently tested negative, or have natural immunity to coronavirus infection within at least six months, before they can enter.

Passports would be used to help create “travel lanes” that could be used by travelers to avoid testing and quarantine restrictions.

A source told the Telegraph: “G7 ministers will be looking at digital solutions to simplify and facilitate international travel and which would include vaccination passports.”

A government spokesperson added: “Unblocking international travel in a safe, secure and sustainable manner is vitally important, which is why we have engaged with governments on how best to achieve these common goals. “

Under current plans, the earliest date people living England, Scotland and Wales will be able to go on vacation abroad on May 17.

However, that will depend on various factors, including the number of Covid-19 cases across the country and the success of the coronavirus vaccine rollout.

North Ireland has yet to confirm vacation and travel plans.

The British government has said it will introduce coronavirus passports so that British holidaymakers meet the conditions to enter foreign countries, including proof of vaccination or a recent negative test.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport said: “We are working on a solution to allow residents to prove their Covid-19 status, including their vaccine status, to other countries on the go.

“We are working on it as a priority and intend to prepare the solution as quickly as possible.”

The Daily Telegraph reported that a government official told travel industry executives from the Tourism Industry Emergency Response Group: “We aim to give people the opportunity to prove their immunization status before restarting international travel where other countries demand it.

Passports would initially only be available to people traveling abroad, and a larger program for home use is unlikely to be ready next month, according to the newspaper.

Spain’s Tourism Minister Fernando Valdes said the country was “desperate to welcome” British visitors this summer.

Mr Valdes said that allowing holidaymakers to prove that they have been vaccinated or recently tested “will help us”, and insisted that Spain “is doing everything possible” to persuade the European Commission to conclude agreements. agreements to reopen travel between “third parties like the UK.” », As well as the EU Member States.

Malta, Portugal, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus are also among the hotpots keen to reopen to tourists, thanks to the success of the British vaccination program.

Diplomats from all 27 EU member states have debated making vaccination rates the main driver of reopening travel corridors in the coming month, with travelers being required to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination, or test negative , to get there.

However, Greece has said UK travelers will not need coronavirus passports and will simply be able to show their NHS vaccine card.