Lorraine Simpson: Get vaccinated and you may be able to skip tricky entry rules to these 12 countries

The future of travel will be all about vaccinations – certainly in the short term.

For some countries including USA, international travel is ready for take-off. However, this is not the case yet for Canada, but hopefully it will be soon.

At least a dozen countries just announced that they are making travel easier for people who have already been vaccinated and we may be next.

So, for those who are already vaccinated where can you go and what do you need to know? 

Iceland is the first country to open up for US and UK vaccinated travellers

In mid March, Iceland opened up to fully vaccinated travellers from the US and the UK. When you fly, keep in mind that you will need proof of vaccination with a vaccination card. The card will allow travellers to skip the COVID-19 testing and quarantine measures. Health officials and travel experts still recommend getting tested before arriving in Iceland and to also get tested when you are back home. Yes, it’s always good to be on the safe side – and our smart efforts will help get travel moving again. Also, Iceland requires that your vaccine must be certified for use by the European Medicines Agency (Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer).

Visit Poland and avoid mandatory quarantine

Poland has its doors wide open for visitors who are citizens, residents, essential workers, students, and EU residents and citizens. Even better, if you are vaccinated, then you don’t have to worry about the 10-day quarantine. If you are not vaccinated, then don’t sweat it too much – all you need to provide is a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours to avoid quarantine rules.

The Seychelles Islands opened up to travelers in January

The Seychelles islands made history in January: they were the first destination to welcome vaccinated travellers. Again, you will need proof of vaccination, and every traveller is still required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival (both vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers will not need to quarantine).

Get vaccinated, travel the world

There are scores of countries that are not promoting tourism, but you can visit them so long as you are vaccinated and carry a proof-of-vaccination card. If you are vaccinated, then you don’t need to worry about being quarantined.

Here is a list of places to go:

• Slovenia: Vaccinated visitors are not required to quarantine. They are also allowing visitors from the US without proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, but keep in mind there is very little open, including hotels; in fact, the country is still in shutdown mode.
• Guatemala: Vaccinated travellers are allowed entry, or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of travel.
• Ecuador: Vaccinated travellers do not need to quarantine or take any tests before arriving (you will need your vaccine certificate and will be required to pass a symptom screening test at the airport).
• Belize: Travelers who have been fully vaccinated two weeks before visit will be allowed entry and will not be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
• Estonia: A country open to travellers from the Schengen area, EU, and European Economic Area, and six other countries around the world (not including the United States).
• Georgia: Open to vaccinated visitors from any country in the world.
• Greece: Open for business and to travellers who are vaccinated.
• Cyprus: Planning to soon accept tourists who are vaccinated and who will be allowed to skip the mandatory quarantine and testing rules.
• Hawaii – USA: Soon to implement vaccine passport program in and out of the island, with waiving entry requirements.

Why you need to use a travel agent

As the vaccination rollout is now happening in phases, many of us are now looking at booking trips here at home and abroad.

I want to highlight a few important points. Ontario is pretty much shutdown for the next four weeks, so follow the rules: the number of COVID-19 cases are rising and so are hospitalizations. Also, post lockdown travel at home is being strongly encouraged to help keep people safer and to help our national and provincial economies. Additionally, if you are thinking of making any travel plans at home or abroad, then work with a travel agent as they are in the know when it comes to travel restrictions and they can help you in the event rules change locally and internationally.

Like millions of others, I am excited to get traveling again. I will be making plans to first travel here in Canada and enjoy what our great country has to offer, and I also look forward to jet-setting across the pond to off-the-beaten-path and tropical destinations.

We will get through this everyone! It’s obvious now that vaccination passports will get travel moving again and I plan on getting vaccinated to see the world and my family in the UK.

It’s been a long ride, one that will soon be over.