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<p>I discuss a wide range of issues relating to the Coronavirus pandemic with both
Cabinet colleagues and Scottish Government Ministers on a regular basis.</p><p> </p><p>When
domestic certification was first identified as a potential strategy to support the
Covid-19 response, and in order to respond to other States' requirements for international
travel, there were a number of discussions, both at Ministerial and official level
with all of the devolved administrations to look at both the possibility of a UK-wide
certification solution, but also should this not be feasible to ensure technical interoperability
between individual certification solutions where necessary.</p><p> </p><p>As public
health is a devolved matter, the Scottish Government decided to develop its own vaccine
certification mobile app, and to require its use in certain settings within Scotland.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has promoted the Scottish Government's
app with governments internationally so that it is recognised at international borders.</p><p>
</p><p>The UK Government Secretary of State for Health and his officials in DHSC and
NHSx (which leads on digital health) continue to have weekly discussions with all
of the devolved administrations to ensure alignment and interoperability on all elements
of the Covid response.</p><p> </p><p>Should the UK Government decide to introduce
domestic certification, we will continue to work with the devolved administrations
to ensure interoperability, so that no citizen is impacted adversely when they travel
across the UK.</p><p> </p>
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