Summer holidays are a must for many people but there’s still plenty of confusion over which countries you can visit and whether a vaccine passport will be required.
Holidays are currently banned across the UK with people from England banned from travelling abroad for non-essential reasons until at least May 17.
On this date, if the coronavirus infection rate continues to drop, the country will move into step three of its lockdown exit plan.
Many countries rely on tourism to help their economy but opening their borders will increase the risk of transmitting Covid-19.
That’s led to calls for a vaccine passport to be introduced to help countries keep track of who has or hasn’t had the jab when welcoming new arrivals.
With so many people hoping to book holidays this summer, Metro.co.uk takes a look at the best options available.
What is a Covid vaccine passport and where can you travel to if you have one?
Currently, those receiving a vaccine in the UK are being given a vaccination card and the details are added to their medical records.
But to make travel easier, a passport feature could be added to the existing NHS app to allow people to use their phone to prove they have been vaccinated or had a recent negative test.
The European Union recently announced plans for a coronavirus vaccine passport scheme – and said it could be opened up to non-EU countries including Britain.
The vaccine passport scheme could be in place as early as June and the idea would be to unlock the continent’s beaches and resorts in time for a busy summer season.
It is thought the plan could allow non-vaccinated tourists to travel, provided they can show proof of a negative test.
Greece
Greece is aiming to reopen its borders to vaccinated Brits by mid-May.
The country’s tourism minister Haris Theoharis says Greece hopes to welcome foreign tourists from May 14, depending on the status of the coronavirus pandemic.
‘Regarding 2021, in Greece we are more than optimistic,’ he said.
‘We are ready to share the experience of liberation from the unpleasant memories of the pandemic with each and every one of our guests.’
He explained that holidaymakers will be required to have been vaccinated, had a recent negative Covid-19 test or have coronavirus antibodies.
For Britons to enter Greece this summer, they will need either a certificate showing they have been vaccinated, proof that they have antibodies against the virus or a test to show they are negative.
Spain
Spain could be ready to start rolling out coronavirus vaccine ‘passports’ by the end of May, paving the way to welcome back holidaymakers.
Minister of tourism, María Reyes Maroto, recently said the country ‘could be in a position to start implementing the digital passport in May’.
The country’s foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez previously said: ‘Vaccine passports will make it easier to return to mobility – but it needs to be coordinated.
‘What we have in mind is that obviously people with vaccine certificates are in the lower-risk, versus other people who may be on the higher risk and would have to go through the ordinary procedures of PCR tests and the rest.
‘But of course there could be some sort of fast-track for people who have gotten their vaccine and can prove it with vaccine certification, that would have it easier, to move around… because they would be in the lower-risk category.’
Cyprus
Cyprus has announced it will open its doors to Brits who have had both vaccination jabs from May 1.
However, keep in mind, the date Cyprus has set is still more than two weeks before the earliest people in England will be able to go on holidays abroad.
The country’s deputy tourism minister Savvas Perdios said they would allow Brits who had been given vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency the right to enter without the need for a negative test or to quarantine.
Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines have been approved for use by the EMA.
Tourists would be required to have had their second dose at the latest seven days before travel, the minister added.
It is not yet known how vaccine status would be proved.
Maldives
If you’re looking for somewhere more exotic then going further afield could prove to be a safer, but pricier, option this summer.
Unlike many countries in Europe, the Maldives has not been added to the UK’s red-list and is unlikely to be given the low number of cases on the Caribbean island.
British visitors currently have to present a negative PCR test taken within 96 hours of departure.
Cruises
The cruising industry was one of the worst travel industries to be hit during the coronavirus pandemic and will likely take longer than others to return to normal.
Horror stories of people being trapped onboard for weeks will put many off booking another this summer – but some companies will be offering alternatives.
P&O Cruises and Princess have announced they are scrapping overseas itineraries until late summer but round-Britain cruises will be taking place instead.
Cruise company Saga, which specialises in holidays for the over-50s, confirmed in January they would only allow passengers on their cruises or travel packages who had been fully vaccinated.
UK staycations
The quickest way to get away for a break will be to explore the UK if Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown goes to plan.
People in England will be permitted to stay in self-contained accommodation across the UK from April 12.
People can stay away from home with other members of their household, or bubble, in self-contained accommodation, such as a holiday cottage.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet announced their travel rules, including whether people living in other parts of the UK will be allowed to visit.
Check out some of the best staycation spots in the UK here.
Remember, there is a risk attached to booking any non-essential travel at present due to the ever-changing rules.
Before booking, check the terms and conditions regarding cancellations while also ensuring you take out relevant insurance to cover your holiday.
MORE : Summer holidays in Spain from May under plans for vaccine passport
MORE : Greece tells Brits to book holidays as tourist islands prioritised for vaccines
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source https://metro.co.uk/2021/03/10/2021-summer-holidays-where-can-you-travel-if-you-have-a-covid-vaccine-14219271/
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