I’ve been vaccinated can I travel? The short answer to this is that while there are a few countries slowly opening up those who have been vaccinated, largely and for the moment at least your travel options are still relatively slim.
To read the YPT guide to which countries are open to travel during coronavirus click here.
What are countries saying about vaccinated people?
Most countries have not set any clear policy when it comes to those who have been vaccinated, but why is this so? There are 3 main reason why vaccination is yet to truly affect travel options.
- Too few people have been vaccinated yet – If you have been vaccinated then you are extremely lucky, but you are also in the minority. The majority of the world have not, so the sheer numbers have meant very little change in he policies of most governments.
- Vaccinated people can still transmit the virus – It is the general theory that people who have been vaccinated can still pass on Covid-19. For countries with already stretched health services the benefits do not match he risks.
- Countries are concentrating on prevention rather than cure – Quite simply most countries have not even received a vaccine yet, so the onus is still on prevention rather than cure. It is that simple.
Which countries can I travel to if I have been vaccinated?
This is currently quite a small list, but one which will undoubtedly get bigger time goes on. Currently Romania and the Seychelles have confirmed that they will let in the vaccinated. There is talk from a number of other countries, such as Greece, Iceland and Israel, but to name a few. In some instances, such as Israel it will depend on just how quickly the local populations vaccinated. Israel have so far managed to do a quarter of the country.
Which countries can I travel to regardless?
A number of countries in Africa and Asia, particularly developing ones have pretty much carried on as normal during this time. Examples are Afghanistan, Kurdistan and South Sudan.
For a full list check out our covid-19 travel tracker.
Will I need a health book to travel?
The answer to this is probably yes. In 2019 there was a measles outbreak in the Pacific and to enter you needed to show a measles vaccination. It is likely that things will go a very similar direction, particularly as the world starts to get the vaccine.
An interesting case in point was SAGA, who recently said they would insist on vaccinations for anyone joining their cruises, or tours.
You can read about the Saga policy here.
When will the world get back to travel normal?
Even the most optimistic of us would say 6 months before things even begin to get slightly back to normal. The less optimistic of us would say the end of the year. Of course with new variants and vaccine supply issues no one quite knows.
What is fairly clear though is that things will not just get normal in a day. It will not be like flipping a light switch. What we will more than likely see is countries slowly opening and various travel corridors being opened. There are likely some countries, like North Korea, Turkmenistan and many parts of the Pacific who will be in no rush to open whilst there is still some perceived dangers.
Where can I get up to date travel information?
For the most up to date travel information check your own foreign office, or better still the foreign office of the government of the country you’d like to travel to. A good example is the UK Foreign Office who post regular travel advisories.
Can I get travel insurance during this time?
You can and you bloody well should, regardless of if you have received the vaccine. We personally work with and recommend World Nomads. They are the best priced and cover most places. You will though need to check yourself if they cover your destination. they do not for example cover North Korea.
For information on travel insurance for North Korea click here.
So, whilst things are changing (slowly), we are not even near the end of the race. At least though there is now at least some light at the end of the tunnel.
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