I'm panicking about the Covid paperwork

[cheryl.UK]

Hi all,

I'm asking for help because I'm going round in circles with the Virgin chat .

1 We have the NHS apps on our phones that show our vaccination records. Is that all we need or do we need some sort of printout

2 I am completely lost about the US Passenger Disclosure. Virgin have sent us a link to a document but once I've filled it in, what do I do with it? Am I supposed to send it somewhere? Do I just take a paper copy with me? The virgin chat just keeps telling me where to find it and when to fill it in but then nothing,

We set off on Thursday and due to my mum dying just a couple of weeks ago, I'm so unprepared.

Please help guys.

 

[Plague]

Sorry for your loss.

I always print off everything I can, regardless, if only because 'devices' can stop being useful at no notice. But also because it's much simpler to hand airport staff a few bits of A4 paper than trying to show, perhaps multiple, screens on your small phone screen that you'd rather not let go of.

 

[Ruttangel]

We also fly on Thursday using Delta who are a partner of Virgin.
we had to upload covid passes to ‘My Booking’ part of the website, it did say that if you have any issues uploading then take everything to the airport,

I have contact tracing form, attestation of covid form, pdf of NHS covid pass and usual Advanced passenger info like passport and address when staying
also done Esta of course..

 

[cheryl.UK]

What's a contact tracing form? I don't seem to have one of those.

 

[Ruttangel]

What's a contact tracing form? I don't seem to have one of those.

Might be specific to Delta, was just an online I had to complete. I hope everything goes well for you and you have a good trip.

 

[ScotScroogeMcDuck]

Sorry for your loss.

We flew last month with Virgin. From your questions:
1) Yes, NHS app on your phone is fine. We got printouts from the NHS website just because the apps sometimes played up for us.

2) When you 'submit' the passenger disclose / declaration form on the Virgin site nothing else is needed.

At check-in they asked for the the NHS app proof and that was all. At US customers they didn't ask for anything other than passports. Even our ESTA printouts weren't asked for at any point in the journey.

 

[cheryl.UK]

Thank you so. much all for your help. I did as suggested and printed out everything and it all went really smoothly. We are sitting in the departure lounge now and I'm feeling smug that I know all the right people to ask.

 

[jackieleanne]

Have a lovely trip, I'm glad all went smoothly.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your mum.

 

[nursejackie]

Might be specific to Delta, was just an online I had to complete. I hope everything goes well for you and you have a good trip.

I flew with Aer Lingus from Manchester last week and had to complete the contact tracing form online too.

 

[General Panic]

3 of us flying Virgin in 2 weeks and none of us are taking mobiles with us. I was intending to print out our latest covid vacs from the NHS Scotland app. Will the print out be acceptable on its own with out having the app to show?
Am I right in thinking I should leave the print out to do until X number of days prior to flying?

Getting a little worried the flight date approaches that I’m maybe doing something wrong

 

[Plague]

Will the print out be acceptable on its own with out having the app to show?

Yes, as long as the barcode is clear - that's what is scanned if they need to check validity for some reason. (That code will be what the system reads when you upload these to Verifly or the airline before travel.)

Am I right in thinking I should leave the print out to do until X number of days prior to flying?

I only have access to the English version but if Scotland is similar them each time you access the pass it regenerates and gets a valid till date about 6 months away. I'd be surprised if you can't print it off two weeks ahead without a problem but just check the valid date covers your trip.

 

[Wembleygal]

Having travelled several times in the past year, just make sure you print everything. Even if you upload, they will sometimes ask to see your paperwork on the other end.

 

[disneyholic family]

we dutifully filled out everything...
no one ever asked for it

 

[chrish2]

Yes, as long as the barcode is clear - that's what is scanned if they need to check validity for some reason. (That code will be what the system reads when you upload these to Verifly or the airline before travel.)

The 2D barcode (QR code) is cryptographically signed by the issuing authority (e.g. NHS). If you tamper with details the signature wont match and will be flagged as invalid.

A belts and braces approach is to
a) install the app so you can get it if connected to data/wifi
b) print the pdf the app can generate (or request one via phone) so you have a non-digital copy
c) install the Google/iOS Wallet versions of EACH dose so you have a quick digital access in the event you can't use (a) at the time of needing and for some reason something is up with (b)

It should be noted only last week did the app go down https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62599489