International travel may be off the menu for most of us during Englands third lockdown, but there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

For those lucky enough to have received an approved coronavirus vaccine, some tourism-hungry countries have announced that their borders will be flung wide to the immunised traveller.

The airline industry is getting in on the action too, and is pushing for the World Health Organization (WHO) to confirm that its safe for people to fly without quarantining if theyve had a Covid-19 vaccine. Getting the go-ahead from the WHO is a key step towards developing a global digital travel pass to enable safe international travel, according to the International Air Transport Association (Iata).

Vaccine or no, Britons are currently still banned from all leisure travel, whether domestic or international, while the UK struggles to reduce transmissions of Covid-19.

But once restrictions are lifted, here are the destinations welcoming vaccinated holidaymakers.

The Seychelles

The country will be welcoming fully vaccinated visitors from anywhere in the world with immediate effect, although they must still also present a negative Covid PCR test result taken with 72 hours of travel.

INDY/GO Weekly NewsletterTIME TO TRAVEL!

INDY/GO Weekly NewsletterTIME TO TRAVEL!

There will be no need for quarantine for vaccinated travellers up until now, visitors had to self-isolate at their hotel for 10 days on arrival.

To be considered as vaccinated, visitors must have received both doses of any of the four main vaccines Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Janssen and waited two weeks after the second dose for the inoculation to take effect.

As proof, visitors will need to submit an authentic certificate from their national health authority.

Romania

Romania has announced that travellers who have received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine will not need to quarantine on arrival, effective immediately.

In a document issued earlier this month, the countrys National Committee for Emergency Situations (CNSU) announced that people coming from countries or areas of high epidemiological risk, or who have come into direct contact with someone whos tested positive for Covid, are exempt from quarantine measures if they are fully vaccinated.

That means theyve had two doses of the vaccine, and at least 10 days have passed since the second dose was administered before arrival into Romania.

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Incoming visitors will need to show proof of this through a document issued by the health unit which administered it, from Romania or from abroad. Theres no indication which of the vaccines will be acceptable.

The CNSU said that its made the decision based on the fact that theres been a downward trend in infections in Romania and that theres a need to create the necessary socio-economic conditions to benefit the national economy.

The changes will apply to visitors from the UK, who have up to now been required to quarantine 14 days as well as show evidence of a negative Covid test (either PCR or antigen test accepted) taken within 48 hours of travel.

Iceland

According to the Icelandic authorities, all those who present a valid international vaccination certificate for full vaccination with an approved vaccine against Covid-19 are exempt from the testing and quarantine requirements put in place for all other arrivals.

However, Iceland has stressed that having a vaccination doesnt override the current travel restrictions only individuals who are already authorised to travel to Iceland may enter the country. Icelands borders are only open to residents and citizens of EEA countries and Switzerland. Since the end of the Brexit transition period, the UK is considered a third country and therefore citizens cannot travel to Iceland whether vaccinated or not unless they have a valid exemption, such as having Icelandic family member.

Cyprus

In December, Cyprus became the first European Union Member State to announce it was planning to abolish entry requirements like testing and quarantine for travellers who get vaccinated against Covid-19.

However, the government plan is not set to come into force until March, when vaccinated travellers will not need to meet other Covid-related entry rules as part of a bid to restart tourism.

Cyprus Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos revealed the plan in the Cyprus Mail.

The amended action plan is expected to further boost the interest of airline companies to carry out additional flights to Cyprus, improve connectivity and increase passenger traffic, he said.

Those who have not been vaccinated must continue to meet testing and quarantine requirements to enter Cyprus.

Link:

Vaccination havens: the countries welcoming immunised travellers - The Independent