Traveling abroad becomes less complicated for travelers who are vaccinated.
A growing list of countries reduces or eliminates the requirements for quarantine and Covid-19 testing for those who have been fully vaccinated, while the restrictions apply to those who have not yet.
Where vaccines facilitate travel restrictions
Barbados announced this week that the requirement for quarantine for vaccinated travelers will be reduced to zero to two days, during which they can move around in their hotels. However, unvaccinated visitors should stay in their hotel rooms until they pass a Covid test on the fifth day and wait a few more days for results.
The new protocols begin on May 8th.
Children have yet to be vaccinated, making family travel plans difficult this year, but Barbados is not letting them go. Children under the age of 18 traveling with vaccinated parents are subject to the same rules as vaccinated travelers, according to the website of Barbados’ Tourism Marketing.
Mixed groups of vaccinated and non-vaccinated travelers are not so happy. Vaccines traveling with unvaccinated companions who ‘prefer not to be divorced’ are subject to the heavier requirements imposed on the oninoculants.
Barbados’ relaxed policy toward vaccinated travelers begins on May 8.
Atlantide Photo Travel | Corbis Documentary | Getty Images
With its new restricted restrictions, Barbados joins Estonia, Guatemala and Slovenia to create different entry requirements for vaccinated and non-vaccinated travelers. Most require vaccinations to be completed within two weeks of arrival, and some only accept vaccinations manufactured by the US or by Europe.
Here’s how different countries approach the gorge:
· Croatia: Vaccinated travelers only need to show vaccination certificates to enter, but non-vaccinated travelers need to test negative for Covid-19 (or proof of recovery) and possibly isolate themselves while waiting for the test results.
· Iceland: Let vaccinated (and previously infected) travelers, regardless of their background, enter if they test negative with their arrival. Many unsuspecting European travelers – as well as residents of Australia, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand – can enter by testing twice negatively and quarantining for five to six days. It is forbidden to enter for all other travelers who have not been vaccinated, including Americans and Canadians.
· Belize: Vaccinated travelers do not need any tests to enter, but non-vaccinated travelers (including children 5 years and older) must be negative before or after landing. Those who test positive must be quarantined for at least 14 days at the expense of the traveler.
· Georgia: Claimed travelers from all countries can enter by air, while inexperienced travelers must come from certain countries and test negative before and after their arrival.
Will more sites use vaccination-based policies?
Yes, said Gloria Guevara, President of the London World Travel & Tourism Council.
“As the explosion of vaccines continues,” more and more countries will no doubt follow suit, “she said.
The U.S. state of Hawaii is currently working to get vaccinated visitors circumvented test and quarantine requirements, according to local media. Lt. Governor Josh Green has indicated that children will still have to test negative to enter, but children of vaccinated parents could be exempted from testing if Hawaii reaches herd immunity, as reported by the Honolulu Star Advertiser.
Complaints about fairness are ridiculous in my opinion.
Harry Nelson
Founder of Nelson Hardiman
Phuket, Thailand and Greece have indicated that less restrictive vaccination is based on protocols.
Such a policy makes “perfect sense,” said Harry Nelson, founder of health care law firm Nelson Hardiman, in Los Angeles.
“My expectation is that this will eventually be the rule in the vast majority of countries and that we will see at some point in the future that some countries will move to a vaccination requirement,” he said.
Is this policy fair?
No, Nelson said, “but the complaints about fairness are ridiculous to me.”
He quoted long-standing precedents for countries that provide evidence of vaccinations for visitors, especially with severe fever. He said the constant threat of Covid-19 variants “makes it quite reasonable for countries to set vaccination requirements”.
“Fair is a concept that is irrelevant when it comes to controlling a highly contagious virus that is transmitted around the world,” he said.
Regarding the initiative-based plans of Hawaii, Lieutenant General Green told the local television station KHON in Honolulu: “We do not discriminate against anyone. If they do not want to be vaccinated and they want to travel, they can only [a] test, no problem. ‘
“Every country has the right to implement its public health policy at its discretion,” said attorney Harry Nelson.
LEREXIS | Moment | Getty Images
According to Guevara, the World Council for Tourism and Tourism opposes vaccinating vaccines, but the organization supports the introduction of a short-term health pass such as the European Commission’s digital certificate to further enable safe international travel.
“We should not discriminate against those who want to travel but have not been vaccinated,” she said. “We know that it will take a considerable amount of time to vaccinate the world population, especially in less advanced countries or in different age groups.”
The travel security firm International SOS is working with the International Chamber of Commerce to set standards for the digital AOC passport, said Dr Robert Quigley, global medical director at International SOS.
He said digital passport programs for vaccines “are not discriminatory, but vice versa to help the travel industry get back on track and to ensure the health and safety of citizens and travelers.”
Nelson said ‘the politics’ associated with fairness arguments and opposition to graft gates is an obstacle.
“We need to acknowledge and deal with the practical reality we live in at this time,” he said.