What a new vaccine rollout means for your future travel plans
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Many of us have started to make plans to travel again as the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues. While the vaccine rollout is a major breakthrough, it’s in no way a golden ticket that will open the door to any destination.
Having to get a vaccine to travel to certain destinations is not a new development, many countries for decades have required travellers to get vaccinated to protect themselves from getting ill. There’s a long list of diseases that currently require a vaccine before traveling, these include, Malaria, Yellow Fever, and Typhoid, this is because no one wants to experience a disease outbreak in the middle of their holiday.
To top it off, travel requirements may even be imposed by travel suppliers such as airlines, hotels or cruise ships. You may need to show negative test results or proof of immunity through e-certificates or health/immunity passports, making traveling a little trickier than it was pre Coronavirus.
Some individuals will have already received the vaccine, while others may have to wait many months depending on where they live and their personal circumstances. While you wait, here are some tips to have in mind if you are planning to travel:
Tip 1: Vaccines and travel go way back: Many countries have required travelers to get vaccinated (Malaria, Typhoid, Yellow Fever anyone?). Check consulate, health and government authority websites of the countries you're intending to visit. Some countries require proof of vaccination for some conditions before you're allowed entry and COVID-19 will most likely be no different. Check out our travel alert updates for more info.
Tip 2: Travel will depend on each countries’ rules: Travel will continue to depend on the measures your country of residence or the country you’re traveling to have in place. Even if you get the vaccine, and have a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, some countries will not allow entry, especially if there’s an outbreak.
Tip 3: Research is king: Many countries will ask you to get a certain vaccine to get in, this will just be the start. Be ready to comply with a long list of requirements to be allowed into some countries. Do your research on where you’re traveling to as you may need to pay fees and provide a stack of documents letting you travel to your destination. For example, you may need to pay for medical expenses if you end up in hospital, among other requirements.
Tip 4: Quarantine is here to stay: Even if you’ve received a vaccine you may still need to quarantine as you’ll need to comply with any quarantine requirements set forth by the destinations you’re traveling to. Quarantine times may vary depending on the country you’re traveling to, from one to seven days to a 14-day quarantine. Remember, you’ll most likely have to pay for the costs on your own.
This is a brief summary only and does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Please carefully read your Product Disclosure Statement for a full description of cover.
If you wish to change or cancel your travel plans, please contact your travel services providers directly for assistance as they may offer you a refund, credit voucher or some other form of compensation. You can always reach out and contact us if you have any questions.
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Before your trip, check to see if there are current travel alerts for your destination – you can also check travel advice and restrictions for your destination(s) as these may impact cover, or your ability to travel.
Gaza−Israel conflict: For travellers in, or planning on travelling to, Israel or the Palestinian Territories, please see our travel alert with more information.