Family holiday warning as kids who had Covid without PCR test face being banned from bars and restaurants abroad

FAMILIES going on holiday with their kids face problems in Europe due to rules regarding the vaccine pass.

Currently, countries including France and Italy require anyone over the age of 12 to be fully vaccinated or have proof of recovery from the virus.

Families are facing problems with providing evidence that their kids had Covid to be allowed to travel

With many kids still to receive both of their jabs, many will instead have to rely on having evidence of recovering from Covid to be able to use the vaccine pass which is needed to enter bars and restaurants.

However, kids will have had to prove they have Covid using a PCR test – with lateral flows not allowed, the Telegraph reported.

Many Brits have been using the free lateral flow tests to confirm infection, after the UK scrapped the need to take a follow up PCR test earlier this month.

Some families have already been forced to cancel their half-term holidays as they are unable to prove their kids had the virus with a PCR test.

Earlier this month, Dad-of-two Andy O'Brien had to cancel his ski holiday to France over the February half term break due to the strict rules.

His 14-year-old daughter's first Covid jab was pushed back to January 6 after she tested positive for Covid in October.

Despite her having both a previous infection and a jab – meaning she was considered fully jabbed under French guidelines – Andy was forced to call off the trip.

He was left “pulling his hair out” trying to prove her jab status and her previous infection.

Andy added: “Every angle I've tried to take, [they] have said you can't have a certificate for one vaccine or you can't have a QR code because you're not deemed as fully vaccinated.”

However, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed yesterday that 12- to-15-year-olds will be able to download the digital proof of vaccination.

As it stands, children aged 12 to 16 who have two doses of the jab cannot use the NHS app – meaning they cannot get the Covid-19 pass for travel digitally.

Parents instead have to call up the NHS 119 helpline or go online to request an under-16 NHS Covid Pass letter for kids to enter countries including Spain, Italy and France without any quarantine or self-testing rules on landing.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed: “From 3rd February, the Government will ensure that all children aged 12 and over will also be able to get a digital NHS Covid Pass for international travel to support our efforts to open up travel.

“The digital NHS Covid Pass will provide a record of Covid-19 vaccinations received and will show evidence of having recovered from Covid-19 up to 180 days following a positive NHS PCR test.”

And from February 11, all Covid tests will be scrapped for vaccinated UK arrivals, who will only need to fill in a Passenger Locator Form.

New rules being introduced next month will let kids download proof of their vaccine