Traveling to Europe is not what it once was. There are hoops to jump through, testing requirements, and now the all-important vaccination card for covid-19 vaccination. Having just had a long lengthy discussion about how this works, I thought it might be a good topic for today’s blog. Vaccination cards and traveling currently: 101.
EUROPE VACCINE PASSPORTS
In Europe, they have a digital version of the vaccination cards. A vaccine passport refers generally to an app. This app hosts the covid-19 vaccine information digitally. In Europe, when you are vaccinated, the information is linked and you have a “barcode” to show your vaccination status while traveling or cruising.
USA VACCINATION CARDS
In the USA, we have CDC vaccination cards or CDC cards. These are not the same as the passports. They do not create an app or a barcode to show proof of vaccination. Luckily most all the countries in Europe will accept our CDC cards for proof of vaccination. You must be at least 14 days past the second jab to be considered fully vaccinated.
EU AND UK ENTRY RULES
In the EU and the UK most of the restaurants and the museums, and indoor activities, are requiring a vaccination card or passport. If you do not have the vaccination, you will need to test nearly every day and have proof of a negative covid-19 test every 48 hours to enter restaurants or museums. These tests are of course not free as well, and you will be responsible for the charges.
ENTERING THE USA
Lastly, the law is still in effect that you must provide a negative covid-19 test to return to the USA. The charges for this test are also the responsibility of the person and not free of charge. Which of course will lead to the topic of travel insurance. What if you test positive on the return test to come home? Then you must quarantine in your hotel room until you can produce a negative covid-19 test.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
And here is where travel insurance and more specifically bed rest on your policy will help you in the case above if you test positive. If you have adequate travel insurance (and the bed rest option), this will cover the hotel charges and/or food while you are quarantined in another country (with limits of course).
NOT FOR THE FAINT AT HEART
So, while there are a lot of new rules and regulations about traveling abroad right now (not to bring in the new CDC warnings against it), you most certainly can visit Europe and the UK now. Italy, France, Ireland, United Kingdom, Spain and more, have all opened their arms to US travelers. But it is not for the faint of heart. There will likely be airline delays, more time in security and check-in lines to check all the necessary paperwork, forms to fill out for each country, testing and vaccine passports. But the upside of course (if you are vaccinated) will be the joy of visiting these countries again and with a lot fewer people than normal. This is certainly not for everyone yet, and it’s definitely advised not to travel if you are not vaccinated, but it’s food for thought!
Interested in testing the waters of international travel now? Contact me here to discuss the options and planning of your trip.
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