Until now, it was the key to crossing most borders without too many constraints. The vaccination certificate, issued after completing a complete vaccination schedule, may no longer be sufficient to travel to Europe or elsewhere in the world. While travel conditions are already tightening for the unvaccinated, authorities in some countries are starting to tighten the screws also for vaccinated travelers. Blame it on a health situation degraded by a fifth wave and the appearance of the new Omicron variant. As recall campaigns for the Covid-19 vaccine become widespread, more countries may only accept tourists who have received their third dose. Overview of the measures that already apply for vaccinated tourists.
Read alsoTravel and Covid-19: the Omicron variant causes a new wave of restrictions
Vaccination certificates deactivated for lack of reminder
Until now, the question of the validity period of vaccination certificates had not arisen.
The European Commission has just proposed to cap it at nine months from January 10, 2022 throughout the European Union.
"
This period takes into account the recommendations of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on the administration of booster doses from six months, allowing an additional period of three months so that [...] the citizens can have access to the booster doses
”, specifies the Commission on its site.
Some European countries have already taken the lead.
From December 6,
Austria
and
Italy
will limit the validity of vaccination certificates to 270 days (or nine months), as
Croatia
has already done
since this summer.
People who, for example, received their second dose on May 15, 2021 will no longer be recognized as vaccinated from February 15, 2022 by the authorities of these countries.
A vaccination booster is necessary before this deadline in order to extend the validity of his health pass and to be able to cross their borders.
Read also Travel to Italy and Covid-19: super health pass, vaccine, restrictions ... What you need to know to go there this winter
In
Israel
, a country which reopened to tourists on November 1 and where consideration is given to administering a fourth dose, foreign travelers must present a vaccination certificate dated within 180 days (or six months) to enter on the territory. "
You must be vaccinated with two doses within six months maximum before the trip or have received a third dose
" to be able to travel to Israel, recalls the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the France Diplomatie website.
In
France
, a booster dose will also be required to extend the validity of his vaccination certificate.
From January 15 (date reduced to December 15 for those over 65), the health pass will no longer work if you have not received your booster dose within a maximum of seven months after the second injection (or a Covid-19 infection).
Consequence: no longer possible to take the plane or a long-distance train and once there, to go to the restaurant or the museum.
Read alsoCovid-19: where can we travel?
Our map of open countries and restrictions for French tourists
An additional test in the UK or Portugal
Another constraint that had often disappeared and which now weighs on vaccinated travelers: the obligation to carry out a screening test to cross certain borders. Many countries (Mauritius, United States, Canada, etc.) already impose this additional formality, but this was not the case in Europe until now. As of Tuesday, November 30, all vaccinated travelers to the
United Kingdom
must undergo a PCR test within two days of arrival and self-isolate pending results. The test must be booked and paid for before entering the territory. Antigenic tests are no longer accepted.
This obligation will also apply for trips to
Portugal
from Wednesday 1 December.
All vaccinated travelers must have, in addition to their vaccination certificate, a negative test (PCR less than 72 hours or antigens less than 48 hours).
These two documents must be presented to airline staff upon boarding.
Refusing to submit to a test can lead to a fine of € 300 to € 2,000.
