A vaccination passport, the future "pass" for tourism?
The idea is gaining ground in a world still locked in by travel restrictions.
Without delay, the Seychelles introduced it in mid-January.
A first.
In Europe, Greece is pushing ahead to save its summer season.
The idea?
Establish a document of recognized validity, proving that a person is vaccinated against Covid-19.
Depending on the measures decided by each country, this probably digital certificate would exempt the tourist from quarantine or screening test on arrival.
Even would allow him to go to certain public places or restaurants.
Many countries seem ready to introduce a vaccine passport by next summer, when the majority of the populations of some countries have, according to projections, received their doses.
The subject divides, France or Germany deeming the debate premature.
Read also: Covid-19 and travel: reservations for the February holidays, restrictions, compelling reasons ... the latest information
Which countries are in favor of the vaccination passport and what do they offer?
Since January 14, the Seychelles, where tourism accounts for 65% of the GDP, provide the first concrete example of a "passport" which alleviates the stay of the vaccinated tourist.
To date, a traveler from a limited number of countries - including France - can enjoy the white sand beaches of the Indian Ocean archipelago, provided they produce negative results from a test performed. less than 72 hours before their arrival.
However, having received the two doses of vaccine for at least fourteen days before boarding and providing
“proof”
allows him to avoid the 10-day “quarantine” at the hotel, specifies France Diplomatie.
The measure remains in effect until March.
In Europe,
Greece
hit a wedge on January 12.
Its Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, proposed to the Commission that any vaccinated person travel without restrictions within the Union.
Like the Seychelles, the Hellenic Republic would accept unvaccinated tourists on its territory.
But subject them to PCR tests or checks on arrival beforehand.
Without waiting, Greece has already concluded a "tourist agreement" on February 8 with Israel, a country which has the largest number of vaccinated people in the world as a proportion of its population.
Citizens who have received both doses will be able to travel without restrictions between the two states, which are also in talks with Cyprus.
The Mediterranean island has already announced that it will exempt travelers proving their anti-Covid vaccination from quarantine from March 1.
Read also: Tourism: Greece bets on the vaccine to save its summer
The list grows every week or so.
The
Georgia
just indicated it will host unrestricted travelers who received both doses in the month of February.
Without excluding there either the others, who will discover the beauties of the Caucasus on a double condition: to present a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours, and to carry out a new test three days after their arrival.
The
Iceland
announced similar measures to May 1st.
Read also: Covid-19: vaccinated tourists will travel to Iceland without restrictions
The prospect of removing barriers to tourism also appeals to Spain, Italy, Malta and Portugal.
For Jean-Pierre Pinheiro, director of the Portuguese tourist office in France (Visit Portugal) and president of the Association of National Foreign Tourist Offices in France (Adonet), the measure would be "
a lesser evil in view of the evolution health measures in Europe since the arrival of variants, such as quarantines and confinements ”.
But the debate already goes beyond simple access to a country and the possibility of moving around there.
The
Denmark
and
Sweden
are developing a "passport corona" with a much broader vision to regain some semblance of normalcy.
This digital certificate of immunity, which would be available by June, would allow the vaccinated to travel without restriction, of course, but also to access restaurants or sporting events.
Read also: Sweden and Denmark will develop vaccine "passports"
Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and France are much more reserved.
The debate is
"premature"
, slice Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne in the columns of
Figaro
.
The Secretary of State for Tourism summarizes the government position.
“
Making the right to travel conditional on vaccination raises a number of ethical questions [and] would discriminate against unvaccinated people.
"
To read also: Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne: "The debate on the vaccine passport for travel is premature"
The idea of the vaccine "laissez-passer" dividing within the European Union, the discussions underway between the 27 have refocused on common standards for mutual recognition of vaccine certificates.
But there is no set position at this point on what rights they might open.
Starting with that of traveling, which would be more the prerogative of States.
Read also: A European "vaccine passport"?
What you need to know about this proposal soon to be debated in Brussels
What is the difference between the vaccination passport and the health passport?
If the debate is complicated for the general public, it is also because it is necessary to distinguish the
“vaccine passport”
from a tool with similar semantics: the
“digital health passport”
, also called
“health certificate”.
The two subjects can come together in the long term, since the vaccination certificate against Covid-19 can be part of a larger medium: a digital health record accompanying and facilitating any travel, leisure or professional.
Companies in the sector are already giving it discharge.
“
With a unique medium that integrates health data
(PCR or antigen tests, history, vaccines, etc.), by scanning a QR code very easily, we will be able to know in which country we have the right to travel.
The criteria will not be harmonized, so we have to harmonize the support! ”
, supports the President of Travel Companies, Jean-Pierre Mas.
Read also: Covid-19: these companies which are already developing the vaccine passport of tomorrow
Airlines, stricken by the crisis, are taking the front line to digitize all travel documents, including PCR tests or the vaccine for the Covid part.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which brings together 290 airlines, is promising the launch of a Travel Pass by the end of March.
This secure database would allow airlines to verify whether the passenger meets the final destination's test or vaccination requirements.
Partner laboratories can send vaccination results and certifications directly to a mobile app, reducing the risk of fraud that needs to be considered, as the fake PCR scandal has shown.
Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines will be the first to use the Travel Pass.