WHAT IS THE COVID CERTIFICATE?
The COVID certificate is voluntary and free of charge. It was technically developed by the Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication FOITT on behalf of the FOPH. Switzerland’s COVID certificate will be compatible with the EU digital COVID certificate.
The COVID certificate is personalised and is valid for a limited period, which varies by certificate type. When your COVID certificate is checked, you may be asked to present photo identification (e.g. an identity card). Children and adolescents aged under 16 do not currently require a COVID certificate as they will not have access to vaccination in time.
How do I get a COVID certificate and how do you use it?
The COVID certificate is issued on request – either electronically as a PDF or in paper form – via the website of your cantonal authority, in medical practices, vaccination and test centres, hospitals, laboratories and pharmacies. When your certificate is checked, you may be asked to show photo ID. The COVID certificate contains a forgery-proof QR code which you can scan and upload to the “COVID Certificate” app. The COVID Certificate app is available to download free from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
=> Have you already been fully vaccinated before the end of June 2021?
You will find information on how to request a certificate on the website of the canton where the last dose of vaccine was administered.
=> Will you be fully vaccinated after the end of June 2021?
You will automatically get your COVID certificate digitally as a PDF or you can request a paper certificate at the vaccination location.
For more information on how to get your certificate press here
Content of the COVID certificate
The COVID certificate contains various personal information, including your last name, first name, date of birth and a certificate number. It also features the necessary information on the COVID-19 vaccination received (number of doses, details of the vaccine administered and vaccination date), on recovery or on the negative PCR or rapid antigen test.
The key element of the COVID certificate is the square, electronically readable QR code, which is made up of a number of dots. It contains all the personal details mentioned above, can be scanned like a barcode, and the necessary information can therefore be retrieved immediately. Thanks to the integrated electronic signature of the Swiss Confederation, the QR code is forgery-proof and its validity can be guaranteed.
EU digital COVID certificate
In Europe, a digital COVID certificate (the EU Digital COVID Certificate) is also being introduced in all EU and EFTA states. Switzerland’s COVID certificate will be compatible with the EU’s. The EU Digital COVID Certificate is intended to facilitate travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, and will be in use from 1 July 2021. Starting 1 July an initial six-week introductory phase is planned. States have until the end of this period to introduce the certificate. Individual states will decide how the certificate can be used. For this reason you should inform yourself about the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to.
Travelling with the COVID certificate: entering other countries
A COVID certificate that is valid in Switzerland provides no guarantee of entry to other countries. Every country defines its own entry requirements and has the authority to adapt them on an ongoing basis according to how the epidemiological situation is evolving.
This means that it is still possible that some countries may have more stringent entry regulations than Switzerland. You should therefore always check the entry requirements on the destination country’s official website before you travel.
Please check the FOPH website from time to time to make sure you don’t miss any new information on the COVID certificate.
For the full article from the Federal Office of Public Health press here
For the full article from Le News press here
