Vaccine certificates to be available in early July

Thursday 17 June 2021

People in Guernsey who have been fully vaccinated should receive their certificates for travel early next month.

Deputy Peter Ferbrache announced the current plans during an update from the Civil Contingencies Authority in yesterday's States' debate.

From the 1 July, people who have been fully vaccinated will enjoy unrestricted travel within the Common Travel Area, while those who have not will have to adhere to continued travel restrictions.

“The vaccination certificate will closely align in format, content, and security features, with the UK and other Crown Dependencies," said the CCA Chairman. 

Pictured: “We believe the document accords with international standards,” said Deputy Ferbrache.

"The printed copies will be posted to all Bailiwick residents who have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccination using the address held on the database.

"The certificates will be available from early July. However, if anybody requires proof of their vaccination status earlier, it will be possible for them to apply for their certificate sooner."

Deputy Ferbrache outlined several security features included within the vaccination certificate.

“The certificates will have a range of security features embedded in them, including, holographs, microtext, a unique ISO country code, and visible and invisible water-marking, It will be similar to bank notes, to avoid forgery,” he said.

The vaccine certificates will be required for anyone travelling into the Bailiwick from the CTA  from 1 July if they wish to bypass self-isolation requirements. However, people have been reminded that other jurisdictions will have their own individual requirements. 

“People should look at the travel policy in the destinations they are aiming to travel to and through,” said Deputy Ferbrache.

Pictured: The vaccine certificates will be supplied to everyone within the Bailiwick, including residents of Sark and Alderney.

The issue of unvaccinated children was raised during the announcement, following vague allusions to their status during the last CCA media briefing.

“The World Health Organisation’s advice is that a child’s vaccination status should be the same as their parents,” said Deputy Ferbrache, who has not yet provided full confirmation that the same stance will be adopted locally. 

The certificate will be available as both a digital and printed copy, with the digital version accessible through the travel tracker app.

Deputy Yvonne Burford asked for assurance that vaccine certificates won’t eventually be required for everyday life and services, something which Deputy Ferbrache side-stepped.

“I can’t give that absolute assurance; it will depend on what happens. However, these vaccination certificates are being issued so people can travel,” he said.

He said the CCA continues to look into potential exemption certificates for people who haven’t had their vaccine for various medical and personal reasons.