With growing progress of coronavirus vaccination efforts around the world, some travellers may be looking forward to their inoculation in hopes of travelling again. Amidst growing arguments against vaccine passports, some nations have begun allowing vaccinated travellers to enjoy long waited quarantine free travel.
Some European nations and tropical islands are among the destinations welcoming vaccinated travellers even though health experts remain uncertain about coronavirus vaccines’ ability to prevent transmission of the virus.
Most vaccines “have not proven that they curtail transmission, so the vaccinated persons may still get mild or asymptomatic versions of the disease and they may then be able to transmit it,” said Carlos Acuna-Villaorduna, an infectious-disease physician at Boston Medical Center, US. “Due to the fact that it is still in doubt, researches are in progress by versus expert groups.”
The risk associated with allowing vaccinated travellers, for now, is that they might carry a contagious load of the virus without being sick and infect unvaccinated people in the destination they are visiting. Perhaps for that reason, some nations allowing vaccinated visitors may demand coronavirus tests before arrival.
Here are some destinations that have announced that they will allow vaccinated travellers to enter, and what the terms and conditions of entry are.
Cyprus
Back in December, Cyprus became the first destination to announce plans to allow travelers who’ve been fully vaccinated to enter without having to go into quarantine.
In addition, visitors who provide proof that they’ve received both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine will be allowed to visit without providing a negative PCR test result on arrival.
Currently travelers who are permitted to visit Cyprus have the option to either provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before travel, or undergo a test on arrival.
They must then go into quarantine for two weeks in government-assigned accommodation. The isolation period can be shortened slightly if travelers undergo a molecular test on their tenth day of quarantine at their own expense and receive a negative result.
The Seychelles
In January, the Seychelles joined the increasing number of destinations to drop quarantine requirements for travelers who’ve been vaccinated against Covid-19.
The islands of the Seychelles now allow “all visitors from any part of the world who have been vaccinated” to enter without quarantining. The Seychelles’ list of permitted countries for incoming travel no longer applies to those who are fully vaccinated at least two weeks before their arrival.
Vaccinated visitors will still be required to supply a negative coronavirus test result in the form of a PCR test taken less than 72 hours before travel. Those vaccinated, tested visitors are “allowed free movement throughout their stay in Seychelles,” the islands’ tourism board said in a statement.
The 115-island nation is aiming to become the first nation to vaccinate its entire population after receiving a donation of 50,000 doses from the United Arab Emirates government.
President Wavel Ramkalawan hopes over 70% will be vaccinated by mid-March. Restrictions will be further relaxed if this target is reached, meaning those permitted to enter the Seychelles will only have to submit proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel.
Georgia
The non-EU nation of Georgia reopened this month to travellers who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. It will not require testing or prevent those from high-risk nations from entering.
“Citizens of all countries, travelling by air from any country may enter Georgia if they present the document confirming the full course (two doses) of any Covid-19 vaccination at the border checkpoints of Georgia,” the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Non-vaccinated travelers must present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of travel and are also required to take a second test “at their own expense” on day three of their stay.
Those who’ve traveled to the United Kingdom within 14 days of their visit must undergo a 12-day mandatory quarantine upon entry.
Estonia
The government of Estonia recently announced it will now allow individuals from lower-risk countries who have recovered from the coronavirus or have received an approved coronavirus vaccine, both in the last six months, to visit without quarantining. Proof of previously testing positive for the coronavirus or a vaccination certificate in English, Russian or Estonian will be accepted for entry.
Estonia currently has a 10-day mandatory quarantine in place for arrivals, with exceptions for European countries deemed low risk, such as Bulgaria, Iceland and Norway, as well as evidence of a negative PCR test taken within three days of arriving. Those arriving from the UK are also required to present a negative PCR test taken no earlier than 72 hours before arrival.
Romania
Romania lifted quarantine requirements for vaccinated travellers on January 18, according to UK officials. Travellers from permitted countries such as England will be allowed entry without testing or quarantine after 10 days from their final dose of the vaccine.
“The vaccination proof, including the date when the second dose was administered, should be made through the document issued by the health unit that administered it, whether that be in Romania or abroad,” the CNSU said in a statement.
At present, travelers arriving from countries on Romania’s “yellow list,” which is made up of destinations of high epidemiological risk, are required to quarantine for 14 days.
Those who submit a PCR taken no fewer than 72 hours before entry must quarantine for 10 days.
Iceland
Beginning in May, travellers from low-risk countries in Europe may enter Iceland without restrictions if they are fully vaccinated.
Travellers “who are in possession of valid documentation that proves prior infection or vaccination against Covid-19” can skip Iceland’s screening and quarantine measures, the country’s government says. The country also notes that its “unique geographical position” may contribute to “measures at the border [that] will most likely be stricter than those prescribed by the EU”.
Poland
The government of Poland allows travellers from European Union nations to enter with proof of vaccination.
“Persons who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 are exempted from the obligatory quarantine (on the basis of a certificate confirming vaccination against Covid-19),” Poland’s entry rules state. The permissions for vaccinated travellers have been in place since December 28.
Those who provide a negative SARS‑CoV‑2 test on arrival are also exempt as long as there’s no more than 48 hours between the time they receive their test result and the time they cross the border.
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