Teenager travelling to Cyprus 16 days after positive PCR

[freckles20]

My 15 year old is booked to go to Cyprus with us. He is isn't yet jabbed (waiting for school jabs).

He has to have negative PCR 48 hours before flying, and then another negative PCR at the airport in Cyprus when we arrive. The first PCR will be 15 days after testing positive.

Obviously we are cutting it fine, and we are worried he will still test positive on the PCR.

A few people have told me that they think there is such a thing as a certificate showing that you've had Covid recently, but have completed your isolation and aren't infectious.

Does anyone know anything about this?

[WorriedGiraffe]

The information is all on the gov website. I’m rubbish at doing links though sorry.

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cyprus/entry-requirements

[flippyfloppy]

My 13 year old daughter was still showing positive on a PCR 4 weeks after Covid. We had to cancel holiday 48 hours before departure as we couldn't see any alternative with such short notice. I have heard people mention recovery certificates, I know one was automatically put on my Covid pass after I tested positive but it's so tricky for the U16 teens. I've been told you can ring (119?) to request one. I guess it depends if Cyprus accept them though? Fingers crossed the PCR will be clear but I know the uncertainty makes for such a stressful time , hope you get sorted!

[MrsWooster]

Has dc got the NHS app-not the covid Nhs app, but the proper one? It has a button to download the covid pass with details of vaccination, which dc won’t have, but it also shows a “recovered from covid 19” barcode (I had covid at the end of Aug) which may well be useful if shown when taking the PCR or alongside a residual+Ve result as a pass in its own right?

[freckles20]

Thank you all for your help, it is much appreciated. I've done some digging, googling and phoned 119. So I've got a bit more information. I'll share it incase it helps anyone.

Your own DC can now be added to your own Covid pass on the NHS app. This has to be done by your GP, and I think it relies on them having access to a certain type of patient system.

DC's record on their parent's app will show details of their positive test, plus a recovery certificate after their isolation period is over.

So far so good.

Then it falls apart because some countries (including Cyprus) will only accept an EU Covid recovery certificate. England has not yet become part of the scheme and so English people cannot get an EU Covid Recovery Certificate, and our own version isn't accepted.

It is frustrating and baffling. We knew we were taking a risk when we booked the trip but bureaucracy and our Government's lack of joined up thinking seems to be the main problem.

[CharlotteRose90]

So I work for an airline and your information is correct. He needs a pcr to travel and unfortunately after a positive test you aren’t meant to test for 90 days. Most countries do not except a recovery certificate. Cyprus do but like you said an EU one only and we aren’t in the EU . You need to rebook for a later date or next year. It’s a pain but it’s the safe option to stop it spreading.

[freckles20]

@CharlotteRose90 thank you for clarifying the situation. I just wanted to point out though, that he will have long completed his isolation period and so if he were to travel he would not be at any more risk of causing spread than anyone else- most likely less TBH. I'm not trying to allow him to travel when he shouldn't- it's just England hasn't got it's act together to allow us to get an EU Covid recovery pass. They have said they are 'working in it'.

Given that 1 in 20 school age kids currently have Covid, we may see a lot of similar issues if they want to travel abroad within a few months of recovery.

[loopsngeorge]

Freckles thank you so much for the info about the covid vaccine certificate for teenagers. We are going to Italy and had just assumed DD would have the nhs vaccine pass like us, sounds like it's more complicated...

[freckles20]

@loopsngeorge I'm glad it was helpful. I should say that I think it depends on the teenager's age. I have the impression that older teens can have their own Covid passport.

The link to the info about getting your own child on your Covid App pass (called a linked profile) is here www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/nhs-app-help-and-support/linked-profiles-in-the-nhs-app/.

Good luck!!

[heldinadream]

it's just England hasn't got it's act together to allow us to get an EU Covid recovery pass. They have said they are 'working in it'.
What they mean is they're bullshitting. We're not in the EU, why would the EU let us blag our way into yet another thing we opted to leave?
I'm sorry you're in this position OP. But this looks like straight up Brexit to me.
I really hope you get your holiday.

[texarkana]

The NHS covid pass is for 16+ at the moment. I also read in a couple places that we are indeed on the verge of joining the EU scheme, thank goodness. But not sure if it will be in time for Half term .
@freckles20 I do agree you are cutting it fine and it must be very frustrating for you.
It’s impossible to predict what will happen as it’s not like you could do a test run.