Vaccine passports could ‘exclude’ some travellers from certain holidays warns expert
Grant Shapps outlines the 'way forward' for vaccine passports
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Travel is set to resume from the UK as of May 17, with Britons able to access their vaccination evidence via an NHS app. This vaccine passport-style app will be requested for entry to a number of countries, including most of the European Union which have already set out plans to welcome back some inoculated travellers in the future.
However, while the news of the vaccine has already boosted consumer confidence, one travel expert has warned it could lead to “exclusion” for some if the roll-out fails to maintain its fast pace.
Rob Gower, founder of luxury holiday specialist Dragonfly Traveller, explained how some destinations could remain off the cards for unvaccinated travellers if jabs do not become more widely “available” to younger holidaymakers.
“I think something like vaccine passports or similar will be useful in the medium term but until vaccinations become available to all age ranges and are more globally attainable for all destinations and countries, I think the shorter-term focus will still be more on testing as well as or with proof of vaccination where possible,” he explained.
“In the longer term once the vaccines become available to everyone of all ages that are required to be vaccinated for international travel, then some kind of ‘heath document’ including vaccination could be introduced.
“This could future proof travel for all necessary requirements to travel to specific destinations.”
At present, only those over 40 are currently able to access the vaccine in the UK, meanwhile under 18s are currently not being considered for inoculation at all.
However, it isn’t just in the UK where a vaccine needs to be widely accessible.
“The only way vaccine passports in the medium term could be a hindrance or cause problems is if vaccines do not become widely available to everyone in all destinations,” continued Mr Gower.
“This would need to include all age ranges that are deemed to be required to have the vaccine.
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“For example, would children, teenagers or 20-year-olds need to be required to have had both vaccines to allow them to travel internationally and have a vaccine passport or app?”
In agreement with Mr Gower, Axel Hefer, CEO of trivago, shared concerns over the global disparity of vaccine rollouts.
“Vaccine passports are not a perfect solution because their implementation is largely a political matter,” he said.
“Although it’s true that they may make travel easier by eliminating quarantine and testing requirements, the vaccine is being distributed at different paces in different countries.
“This also creates inequities as not everyone will opt to take the vaccine.”Implementing new criteria and technology for travel during the pandemic makes sense, but the disparity in vaccine access, distribution and choice significantly complicates things.”
Already Israel has become one of the first nations to be utilising its own vaccine passport-style app internally, however, more countries are working to create their own in a bid to resume international flights.
However, highlighted some concerns over the use of an app in the UK.
“I believe the NHS app has had limited success so unless the vaccine app is more robust then, it will have limited take-up and success,” he said.
Despite this, if things do move ahead as planned, Mr Gower has high hopes for the future.
“I think if the vaccine app becomes widely available and the vaccine itself becomes also widely available then this should only assist the holiday experience and make it smoother with less hassle for international travel,” he said.
“I think the vaccine rollout has boosted confidence for the potential for people to travel abroad soon.”
He added: “The demand is definitely there for international foreign travel.
“A number of people have decided that any international travel in 2021 for a holiday is not on their list of priorities and are settling to book a 2022 holiday so they have something to look forward to.
“On the other side, there are a number of people who definitely want to travel as soon as they can and to where ever they are allowed to travel to.
“While holiday hungry Britons may be eagerly searching for their next getaway, it could be a long road ahead until things return to “normal”.
“There is no quick ultimate fix to opening up international travel. It will have to happen in stages as the whole world catches up with ensuring the vaccine is widely available to everyone in all destinations and the majority of people are actually vaccinated,” said Mr Gower.
“Until we get to this point, there will have to be a combination of vaccine and testing until such time as we get to the stage where the Covid vaccine is just another vaccine people are expected to have annually or whatever the frequency will be.”
I do think summer holidays abroad for July and August will be available for those who want them.
“The choice may be more limited as to where you can go but for those really desperate to get away, there will be options there.”
“I think something like vaccine passports or similar will be useful in the medium term but until vaccinations become available to all age ranges and are more globally attainable for all destinations and countries, I think the shorter-term focus will still be more on testing as well as or with proof of vaccination where possible,” he explained.
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