Will we be able to travel this summer without being vaccinated?
The question runs through the minds of many French people as the vaccination campaign progresses slowly in France.
For now, no reason to worry: no country has made the vaccine a
sine qua non
for entering its territory.
And it will always be possible to board a train or a plane without justifying the doses received.
Read also: Summer holidays: should you book now or wait until the last minute?
If the debate is difficult for the general public to follow, it is above all because of the confusion between “
vaccination passport
” and “
health passport
”, also called “
health certificate
”.
The first would consist of proof of vaccination against Covid-19 conferring the right to access certain places or cross certain borders.
The second would be a digital medium that would gather and authenticate the health information of its carrier: PCR or antigen tests, history, but also vaccine or serological test.
"
With a unique medium that integrates health data, we will be able to know, by scanning a QR code, in which country we have the right to travel without restrictions"
, supports the president of Travel Companies, Jean-Pierre Mas.
Read also: Green passport, vaccination passport, health certificate ... A brief vocabulary for travelers in the time of Covid-19
The health passport, the future "
laissez-passer
" for tourists?
This is where the real benefit of the vaccine for travelers lies.
If the double dose should not be the
sine qua non
for entering most countries, especially in Europe, it would exempt from certain restrictions, including quarantine, mandatory or random screening on arrival ... the unvaccinated, who should also most often provide a negative PCR test.
The vaccine can even sometimes grant more freedom on the spot.
To hasten the introduction of proof of vaccination which would ease the restrictions, the European Commission presented its project for a "digital green certificate" for the member countries of the Union, which will be made available from 15 June.
Read also: Will book, not book: the waltz-hesitation of travelers as the summer holidays approach
The European Commissioner in charge of vaccines, Thierry Breton, specified the details on Sunday March 28.
Free and non-compulsory, this certificate could take the form of a QR code to be presented in paper or digital form during border controls in member countries, regardless of the means of transport used.
This document, which will show the date of vaccination as well as the name of the laboratory, will prove that a person has been vaccinated or is negative on the screening test.
Depending on the measures taken by each state, it would exempt the tourist from quarantine or screening test, or even allow him to go to certain public places such as theaters or restaurants.
Read also: Travel: after the frustration, the frenzy?
Reassure the unvaccinated
With the approach of an already crucial summer season, the destinations most dependent on tourism welcome the proposal of the European Commission.
This is the case of
Croatia
, which stresses, however, that we must be careful not to make it a discriminatory measure for the unvaccinated.
To date, tourists will be able to travel to Croatia this summer provided they can justify a negative PCR test of less than 48 hours or undergo this test on arrival.
The country has also simplified the procedures for obtaining a short-term residence permit for teleworkers.
Read also: Travel to Croatia: vaccines, PCR tests ... How the summer of 2021 is shaping up
Another stronghold of summer tourism,
Greece has
exempted travelers proving their Covid-19 vaccination from quarantine since March 1.
Rest assured: again, this measure will not prevent unvaccinated tourists from staying in Hellenic territory, which plans to reopen to tourists in mid-May.
Non-vaccinated persons will however have to pre-complete a form, present a negative PCR test upon boarding, and undergo a rapid test and 7-day administrative isolation upon arrival.
The isolation measures could be lightened or even eliminated this summer, depending on the progress of the national vaccination campaign.
Read also: Travel to Greece: vaccines, PCR tests ... How the summer of 2021 is shaping up
Summer wildcard destination,
Iceland
is more or less on the same line.
Entry conditions will depend on the country of origin, says the government website.
France being considered for the time being a country at risk, its nationals will have to be tested on arrival, be placed in quarantine for five days, then be tested again.
Classified as a green zone by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Iceland also inaugurated its vaccination passport on March 19.
A way to "
facilitate the movement of people between countries, so that individuals can present a vaccination certificate and thus be exempted from border restriction measures
", explained the Ministry of Health.
Read also: Covid-19: vaccinated tourists will travel to Iceland without restrictions
In
Denmark
and
Sweden
, the “corona passport” as it has been called reveals a much broader vision.
Issued to people who have received both injections, this digital certificate of immunity will allow the vaccinated to travel without restriction and to access restaurants or sporting events.
It should take effect in June, depending on the evolution of the health situation.
For unvaccinated people, it will be necessary to be content with outdoor activities and bike rides.
Read also: Sweden and Denmark will develop vaccine "passports"
Its population widely vaccinated, Seychelles is open to all tourists without distinction
Beyond the Old Continent, where vaccination campaigns are slipping, with the exception of the United Kingdom, other configurations are emerging.
Since March 25, all travelers, vaccinated or not, can stay in
Seychelles
on simple presentation of a negative test dating less than 72 hours before boarding.
And for good reason: the archipelago with 98,000 inhabitants is a pioneer in vaccination.
More than 102,000 doses have already been administered and 40% of its population is already fully vaccinated.
The collective immunity threshold, which specialists set at 70%, is on the way to being reached, with an emphasis placed on the vaccination of staff working in the tourism sector.
Read also: Without vaccine or quarantine, the Seychelles reopen to tourists
No more preconceived ideas and misunderstandings around the vaccine.
Despite a still uncertain health context, it is still possible to plan and dream of your summer vacation, in Europe or in the tropics.
The perfect opportunity to consume the assets of previous canceled trips, to be used before September.
