To not understand why there isn't more in the news about this (the difficulty of travelling with single jabbed teens)

[Bramshott]

I've been shocked that there has been so little in the press about the problems involved with travelling with 12-17 year olds who will either have had none or only one vaccine jab.

Found this in the Independent but very little coverage elsewhere:
inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/unvaccinated-uk-teenagers-face-hundreds-for-daily-covid-tests-ski-holidays-1206048

Like many, we were excited about the option to travel soon, if not at October half term (which seems to be being constantly reference by Grant bloody Shapps) then at least at Christmas. But the more I read about it, the more of a minefield it seems to be for DD2 who is 14 and has not yet had any vaccines. Hopefully she'll have had 1 by December, but that doesn't count as "vaccinated" in any other European country as far as I can see. And most are insisting on vaccinations as they're offering it to their own over-12s. Our first thought was Germany (for the Christmas markets) but she won't even be permitted to enter the country, now considering France, but the faff involved with topping up her Covid pass with a test every couple of days is putting me off.

But the headline are all about "travel is back on", referring specifically to the greater ease of returning to the UK, and glossing over the fact that it's actually quite hard to travel to anywhere else if you have children over 12 but under 18.

Grrr.

I do hope it works itself out. We've booked flights for a Feb 22 ski break with DS who will be 15 at the time. It's quite a small village and I'm not sure if they even have a pharmacy- probably do though as French people love pharmacies. If we have to go every other day for him to get a test then so be it, gawd knows what happens if he tests positive though .

@rookiemere

I do hope it works itself out. We've booked flights for a Feb 22 ski break with DS who will be 15 at the time. It's quite a small village and I'm not sure if they even have a pharmacy- probably do though as French people love pharmacies. If we have to go every other day for him to get a test then so be it, gawd knows what happens if he tests positive though .

That's the terror isn't it? Me and DD were in Rome waiting for her test result and went into a church which was on the same square. When she got the negative test the wee church went straight onto my top 10 attractions

Apparently Italy accept 1 dose of the vaccination for the Green Pass. However, the NHS Covid pass (in Wales) only generates the barcode if you've had 2 doses so I don't know how to prove that you've had 1 pass!

I've downloaded the Italian Green Pass app which works for me, double vaccinated but stuck with what to do with DS! We're over there at Christmas to visit family for first time in 2 years. Not a problem to get in to country and no quarantine but need the Green Pass for ski lifts and restaurants.

I haven't travelled but a friend going to Spain said it was not an issue for her 16 year old to travel but her 18 and 21 year olds had only had the one job and couldn't go.

@massistar

Apparently Italy accept 1 dose of the vaccination for the Green Pass. However, the NHS Covid pass (in Wales) only generates the barcode if you've had 2 doses so I don't know how to prove that you've had 1 pass!

I've downloaded the Italian Green Pass app which works for me, double vaccinated but stuck with what to do with DS! We're over there at Christmas to visit family for first time in 2 years. Not a problem to get in to country and no quarantine but need the Green Pass for ski lifts and restaurants.

Italy give the Green Pass to Italians 12 days after the first dose. It becomes null and void (for Italians) if they don't take up their appointment for the second dose. So, where that leaves British one dosers, I don't know. It's just a mess really c

I think you'll just have to keep testing @massistar, unless (fingers crossed) legislation changes.

Ah ok @Geamhradh . That makes more sense. Looks like lots of testing then as can't see Italy relaxing their hardline stance tbh.

So if you scan a NHS code with the italian c19 scanning app (which anyone can download) it doesn't recognise it....you get a big red cross and a "Certificazione non valida"...

if you click through the "Quali soni i motivi di non validita" you get a list of options on the italian gov website...one of which is:

"Quali altri Certificazioni extra-Ue vengono riconosciute come valide in Italia per spostamenti e attività?
Con l’ordinanza del 29 luglio 2021 del Ministero della salute: apre una nuova finestra, le certificazioni rilasciate dalle autorità sanitarie del Canada, Giappone, Israele, Regno Unito di Gran Bretagna e Irlanda del Nord (compresi Gibilterra, Isola di Man, Isole del Canale e basi britanniche nell'isola di Cipro ed esclusi i territori non appartenenti al continente europeo) e Stati Uniti d'America, sono riconosciute come equivalenti a quelle dell’Unione Europea emesse dopo la vaccinazione oppure un test negativo oppure la guarigione da COVID-19.

Le certificazioni possono essere esibite in formato digitale o cartaceo, nel rispetto dei requisiti della Circolare del 30 luglio 2021 del Ministero della salute: apre una nuova finestra per quanto riguarda vaccinazione e guarigione. Le Certificazioni permettono di accedere ad attività e servizi in Italia al pari della Certificazione verde COVID-19.

In caso di viaggio (ingresso o ritorno in Italia), l'utilizzo della Certificazione dipende dal Paese di provenienza o transito. Per approfondire consulta le pagine dedicate ai viaggiatori www.salute.gov.it/viaggiatori: apre una nuova finestra nel sito del ministero della salute."

Which translates as:

"What other non-EU certifications are recognized as valid in Italy for travel and activities? With the order of 29 July 2021 of the Ministry of Health: opens a new window, the certifications issued by the health authorities of Canada, Japan, Israel, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (including Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and British bases on the island of Cyprus and excluding territories not belonging to the European continent) and the United States of America, are recognized as equivalent to those of the European Union issued after vaccination or a negative test or recovery from COVID-19. The certifications can be shown in digital or paper format, in compliance with the requirements of the Circular of 30 July 2021 of the Ministry of Health: it opens a new window regarding vaccination and healing. The Certifications allow access to activities and services in Italy like the COVID-19 Green Certification. In case of travel (entry or return to Italy), the use of the Certification depends on the country of origin or transit. To learn more, consult the pages dedicated to travelers www.salute.gov.it/viaggiatori: opens a new window on the website of the Ministry of Health."

Otherwise even our NHS vaccine certificates won't be recognised...

@massistar which green pass app did you download?

GreenPass Italia.

@Bramshott - I've been shocked that there has been so little in the press about the problems involved with travelling with 12-17 year olds who will either have had none or only one vaccine jab.

Probably there is so much that is genuinely shocking and worrying currently. I get it's inconvenient but really Foreign travel isn't a necessity, it's a luxury. I'm far more shocked that so many elderly and patients in genuine need cannot see a GP. Or how people will heat their homes this winter. Or the GFA.

[quote luckylavender]@Bramshott - I've been shocked that there has been so little in the press about the problems involved with travelling with 12-17 year olds who will either have had none or only one vaccine jab.

Probably there is so much that is genuinely shocking and worrying currently. I get it's inconvenient but really Foreign travel isn't a necessity, it's a luxury. I'm far more shocked that so many elderly and patients in genuine need cannot see a GP. Or how people will heat their homes this winter. Or the GFA. [/quote]
I see where you’re coming from but not everyone travels for a holiday, and it will have a further big impact on the travel industry given it’s millions of families.

I don’t suppose companies specialising in school trips will be turning a profit any time soon.

@luckylavender maybe I phrased that badly! What I really meant was that I was shocked by the lack of coverage in the travel sections of the news, which are all full of "perfect family getaways" with no mention of this...

I'm with you, it's not really been covered in articles. Yes, a holiday may be a luxury but it's relevant if you have 12-15 year olds that you'd like to take away. 12-15s are in a no man's land where they can't get two vaccinations but many of the EU countries have quite onerous rules for non-vaccinated over 12s.

Hence why we've booked Switzerland rather than France as there isn't the testing for restaurants rule for over 12s (and I think under 16s don't need pre-departure tests with vaccinated adults although I'd have to double check that).

Pleased to see that there now seems to be a bit more coverage of this problem eg. inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/travel-rules-for-under-16s-explained-entry-requirements-vaccine-passports-and-covid-tests-for-uk-teens-1244725

The article is wrong. Whilst it is true that u12s can enter Germany with a fully vaccinated parent, they have to quarantine for 5 days on arrival which isn't exactly opening up travel for the u12s...

plk323 - just back from Switzerland. You don't have to be tested to enter if you're double-vacc'd, but every cafe, restaurant, bar, museum etc asks to scan COVID pass (NHS sometimes didn't work but if they could see evidence of double vacc, they let us in). No pass, no entry.

I don't know what the rules are for U16s - but adults definitely need the pass for entry atm.

I saw a couple of people mention teens traveling to the US. Be sure to check not just country entry, but state, county, and city regulations. Each can impose their own rules as long as they don’t conflict with the entity above them. Also venues can put in specific restrictions. For example in my city, no one can attend the main concert hall without being double-vaccinated and a negative test is not accepted as an alternative and there is no exemption for under 12s. In some cities, you have to be double-vaxed to eat in a restaurant. These requirements can also change at any time with very little notice, they just require the vote of the local city council.

People saying their teen hasn’t had one yet - you can book them on the national booking system. My daughter missed hers at school and I logged in and booked it and she had it last week. I’m hoping the Government will change their minds and offer a second so figured the sooner she had the first, the better.