Many venues and countries will demand to see Covid passports before letting you in, so showing proof you are immune will be increasingly vital.
Yesterday health secretary Sajid Javid said high-risk crowded venues would be “encouraged” to use Covid passports at just a few days’ notice.
This is despite government guidance last week making clear ’Covid status certification’ would not be a legal requirement.
That means nightclubs, gigs, sports and even some crowded city centre pubs will be “encouraged” to ask all punters to show they’ve had either the vaccine, a negative rapid test or a past Covid infection to get in.
Having a Covid passport also means you will soon be able to travel to many countries without having to quarantine.
Also fully vaccinated people can now visit amber list countries without having to quarantine - but only if they have a Covid passport.
Travel Insurance Explained head of travel insurance Fiona Macrae said: "14 days must have passed since the second Covid-19 vaccine was received to be classed as ‘fully’ vaccinated and passengers can prove their Covid-19 vaccine status by showing their vaccination records via the NHS Covid Pass."
Other ways include having had a negative PCR test or rapid lateral flow test within the past 48 hours.
There are scammers out there trying to get you to pay for a Covid passport. Never do this, as it shouldn't cost you a penny.
Security software company Egress chief executive Tony Pepper said: "Hackers are once again targeting people with highly sophisticated malicious emails aimed at stealing personal data, including payment details, under the guise of an NHS application for a digital vaccine passport."
How to get a Covid passport
The most useful way to get one is to download the NHS App, so your vaccine passport, or 'NHS Covid Pass', is always with you.
To do this, download the app, then register. Start by selecting 'continue with GP login'.
This will match you with your NHS record. You will need your NHS number or name, your date of birth and your postcode, as well as an email address and phone number.
If you don't know your NHS number, you can still use the app, it just needs to check who you are by checking your details.
Then you will see an option called 'get your NHS Covid Pass'.
Click on that, and you will be asked to let the app access your information.
Currently you can use the Pass to travel, or access events as part of a trial being run by the government.
To travel, click the link and you will be given a Pass on the app, which is a QR code as well as the details of your two Covid vaccinations. You can download a PDF copy of this, or get it emailed to you.
To go to events the process of getting a pass is different.
One way is to do a self-administered Covid test within 48 hours of going to an event, then register a negative result via the app. If you get a test done at a centre by someone else, this is done for you.
Other ways are to have had your second jab at least two weeks beforehand, prove natural immunity or be exempt.
Digital passports last for 28 days if you are double-jabbed, but this automatically renews. It lasts 48 hours after a negative PCR or lateral flow test, and for 180 days after a positive PCR test.
One you have registered the app, you can use your face or fingerprint to log in rather than a password if you want.
You can also get a paper passport two weeks after having your second dose of the vaccine. You should get it within five working days.
You can do this by visiting this NHS website or calling 119.
But do not call 119 if you are travelling in more than four weeks time.
What a vaccine passport lets you do
The main use of the passport at the moment is to let you travel to countries on the 'amber list' without quarantining.
These include France, Greece, Germany and Italy.
But it could be much more useful in the future.
A scheme to show your vaccination status before entering pubs and restaurants is set to be re-examined.
Earlier plans for this were shelved after the government switched its focus away from hospitality venues and more towards travel and large events.
It’s important to remain hyper-vigilant when it comes to emails, SMS and voice calls from unknown senders, and always question why they might need your information. If you’ve received an email asking you to apply or pay for a vaccine passport, we would advise you to reach out to Action Fraud. Additionally, when it comes to suspicious emails, our advice would always be to hover over any links before clicking, and to double check the email domain of the sender, especially if the email is requesting your personal information. If you're in any doubt, contact the sender organisation through another channel or speak to Action Fraud.”
