Will I need vaccine to be able to go abroad?
Mass vaccination against coronavirus is underway in the UK, raising hopes of going on holiday later in 2021 without the need for travel corridors or quarantine. But before that can happen, several questions need to be examined...
Will airlines require vaccination to fly?
Some are likely to, yes. Qantas has already said it will make this mandatory, but some short-haul European carriers say they are unlikely to introduce similar mea ures.
What if I can’t have the vaccine?
If there’s a medical reason and you have evidence of this from your doctor, you may still be allowed into the country. For yellow fever, for example, GPs can issue an exemption form that’s usually acc ted.
Vaccines and travel insurance
No travel insurance policy covers disinclination to travel, so if vaccines become mandatory at your destination, you won’t be able to claim back the costs of cancelling your holiday if you decide not to go.
What about cruises?
Saga is the first large holiday company to announce it will require all customers on holidays and cruises to have been vaccinated. Passengers will also need to take a Covid test at the departure terminal.
Border checks?
Some countries already refuse entry to people who can’t prove they’ve been vaccinated for yellow fever, for example, so we could see similar restrictions for Covid jabs.