Vaccine passport

[Lottie4]

It won't be popular with some, but the Guardian are reporting the Greek minister has said his government is in ‘preliminary discussions’ with UK over restriction free travel to Greece for those that are vaccinated.

Moving forward to next year, I guess it'll make travel a lot easier for those countries who've vaccinated and adopting this if other countries go down this route, as it'll save the need for PCR tests.

Sounds sensible to me. I expect their tourist industry has been wrecked. The sooner they get people back safely the better.

I think it's the right decision.

I do wonder what they will do about children though.

No holidays for families/kids before 2022? Looking likely a vaccine approved for children will be available then

Children are currently exempt from covid testing on flights to certain destinations while adults are tested. I assume that it will be similar for the vaccine if they go for this. If they stop families traveling that's the bulk of the summer holidays.

@starfish88

Children are currently exempt from covid testing on flights to certain destinations while adults are tested. I assume that it will be similar for the vaccine if they go for this. If they stop families traveling that's the bulk of the summer holidays.

Surely what’s going to stop families travelling is the massive amount of under 40s that won’t have been vaccinated?

Vaccine passports make me uncomfortable, I’ve given up everything (work in hospitality) for the greater good, then I’ll continue to be locked up in my house for it while people wave about their passports living life (probably while I serve them)

I really hope this won’t happen. I’m in favour of vaccine passports but for the next couple of years they need to co-exist alongside good old fashioned negative PCR tests.

There are people who can’t have the vaccine for health reasons, there are countries who haven’t even started their programmes yet. It would be extremely unfair to say only those vaccinated - who will happen to be from first world countries - can enter a specific country. It will widen the gap between rich and poor, once again. Vaccine means you’re exempt from presenting a negative Covid test? Go ahead. But leave options open for those who don’t live in a rich enough country to have access to the jab.

Some of those vaccinated might have only received the first does which means they’d still have a 30% chance of catching Covid when abroad. That’s also another thing to consider for both the tourist and touristic destination.

I’d imagine it’ll be passport or test. The tests obviously come at a cost so that’ll incentivise vax amongst young where the numbers might drop due to “I can’t be bothered”

They’re being very cautious re vax rollout progress. It’s v likely that all eligible adults will be vax before July so yes I think foreign travel and vax passports will be in existence by July/Aug. U.K. will say it’s for other countries which require them as won’t be want to be seen to be mandating.

I think the expectation is that people need both doses before they are allowed a vaccine passport.

I don’t think negative pcr tests are a viable alternative for families booking expensive holidays. Risking it all on tests that could be positive 24 hours before departure. And then risking not being able to get back into the uk. Finding somewhere in your holiday destination that will do the tests. And the cost of tests for all the family, twice. It sounds horrendous.

The data is coming out re mRNA that one dose is far more protective than originally thought. I think personally they’ll allow one dose this summer although obviously you always need the booster for longevity.

@Lemons1571but the pcr tests before departure/on arrival has been standard for most places since last Autumn. It’s already in place.

If you look on line at Boots chemists they’re rolling this pcr holiday testing out to most stores. Autumn you had to travel to London/Bristol or other large Cities but Boots are obviously expecting it to be the norm. They e mail your results to country of destination in many cases to avoid fraudulent tests. Great system in my opinion. There’s a lab near Heathrow offers same.

I reckon travel insurance companies will require proof of covid jab, or a statement we got it, and then denial to pay out if we get covid & can't produce the proof of jab.

So indirect coercion for all abroad travellers who care about having insurance, anyway.