COVID- 19: Not out of the woods yet

Many people are now of the opinion that the world is at last emerging from the dark days of the COVID- 19 pandemic. This has resulted in the easing of travel restrictions for those who wish to travel abroad whether on business or for pleasure. However, despite this, travellers must ensure that they fully comply with the entry requirements of those countries that they wish to visit.

Most travellers are aware of the need to obtain visas in advance before travelling to some countries. However, most countries also now demand that visitors comply with additional requirements relating to COVID- 19. And these may vary from one country to another! For example, people wishing to travel to some countries in SADC must undergo a PCR COVID- 19 test within 72 hours of departure. And a rapid test is not acceptable.

If you wish to travel to Europe, North America and other countries, a PCR test, although mandatory, may not be sufficient. This is because these countries also demand proof that you have been fully vaccinated before you travel.

That means two doses for most vaccines except Janssen ( Johnson and Johnson). Let us take the UK as an example. Even if you have been fully vaccinated in the eyes of the Botswana Ministry of Health and show your vaccination certificate on entry, you may not be according to the UK authorities! Why is this? It’s all to do with the vaccine that you received in Botswana.

Vaccines that have been approved by the world Health Organisation ( WHO) include AstraZeneca, Moderna, Janssen, Pfizer- BioNTech, Convidecia, Covaxin, Sputnik V and the Chinese vaccines - Sinovac and Sinopharm. And yet the UK only recognises four of these vaccines – the first four on the list. So, if you have been vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine, you have not been fully vaccinated even if the vaccine has been WHO approved. And a vaccination certificate must show the following information: your forename and surname, date of birth, vaccine brand and manufacturer, date of vaccination for every dose and country of vaccination and/ or certificate issuer. Your final vaccination should be given at least 14 days before departure. The vaccination date is day 0 and day 1 is the following day. And you will have to wait until the day after day 14 before you are able to travel.

Let us say that you have been fully vaccinated according to the UK authorities. Before travel, you must book and pay for a COVID- 19 test which is to be taken before the end of day 2 in the UK ( date of arrival in the UK is day 0). However, you do not need to be tested for COVID- 19 before departure. You may choose either a lateral flow test or a PCV test. Also, you must complete a passenger locator form in the 48 hours before you arrive in the UK. On this form, you will need to show your passport details, travel details including dates and times, the address in the UK where you will be staying, and to state if you have been vaccinated and where.

If you have not been fully vaccinated then the procedure on entry is more complicated and costly. Firstly, you must undergo a COVID- 19 test in the three days before you travel to the UK, fill in the passenger locator form and book and pay for day 2 and 8 COVID- 19 PCR tests. But that is not all. On arrival you will have to quarantine for ten full days ( day 1 is the day after arrival); if you do not have a place to do this, then you will have to stay at a government designated hotel at your expense. And if you test positive on day 2 or 8, then you will have to selfisolate for ten full days ( the day you take the test is day 0). Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to a fine of up to £ 10 000 or a prison sentence of up to ten years.

You have been warned!

But there is good news if you intend to visit the USA! Besides the four vaccines approved for entry into the UK, those who have been vaccinated with Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines will also be considered as having been fully vaccinated!

If you wish to visit France and have been fully vaccinated, then you also need to show proof of vaccination. And also, you will need to complete a sworn statement certifying that you are not suffering from COVID- 19 symptoms and have not been in contact with confirmed positive COVID- 19 cases within the previous fortnight.

Some countries may also impose a complete travel ban for citizens of certain countries, especially those where infection rates are high or where dangerous variants of COVID- 19 have been identified. And some countries may still wholly, or partly, suspend international passenger flights, and land crossings may also be closed. And whilst some countries may allow entry of citizens and permanent residents, foreigners may not be allowed entry.

So, check before departure since requirements may change at short notice depending on whether there has been an increase or decrease in COVOD- 19 infections in the countries that you wish to visit. For example, if there is a surge in infections in the country that you wish to visit in the months before you travel, you may find that that country may decide to impose more restrictions or demands on travellers.

But above all, get fully vaccinated and take the booster jab! It will save you a lot of hassles and, after all, the shots are free.

Grahame McLeod