It’s beginning to feel a lot like…summer!
With sunshine and very little snow we are able to start dreaming again of the higher mountain trails and the news coming in about Covid-19 “Passports” seems to offer a way of travel for people this summer.
Here are the most up-to-date facts regarding using some form of new documentation to be able to travel this summer.
Covid Passports – What are they?
It is important to stress here that nothing is yet in place in Switzerland, Europe and the UK. The plans detailed below are all in the making and have not yet been finalised. However, looking at countries such as Denmark who currently have a phone app which shows their status according to the criteria below helps shape our idea of what a Covid-19 Immunity Document will look like.
Essentially countries are drawing up plans to produce a temporary document for people who meet one of three criteria:
• People who have been vaccinated
• People who have recently tested negative for coronavirus
• People who have natural immunity after contracting Covid-19 in the last 90 days
What do Covid Passports mean for travel?
Covid-19 certification – such as proof of a negative test - is already part of international travel. Therefore, essentially the “passports” are aimed at offering a systematic way of checking the above criteria, to allow for easier travel for people who should not pose a risk of becoming ill from Covid-19 whilst travelling or do not have Coronavirus at the time of travel.
Across the World
Europe
European officials have announced plans for an EU-wide "Green Digital Certificate". This would allow anyone vaccinated against Covid, or who has tested negative, or recently recovered from the virus, to travel within the region. Officials hope thecertificate will be in place before the summer.
Switzerland
As early as March, the Swiss authorities promised to put in place a coronavirus immunity passport "by the summer".
Patrick Mathys, Head of the International Cooperation Section at the Federal Office of Public Health, told the press that an internationally coordinated vaccine certificate would be available in the coming months. The the plan is likely to allow those who have been vaccinated, as well as people who have tested negative and who have recently had the disease, to travel more easily.
United Kingdom
In England, The government is now looking at how people could more easily show their Covid status, as "a temporary measure" and a "Covid status certification" scheme is being developed. It would record whether people had been vaccinated, recently tested negative, or had already had and recovered from Covid-19.
It is hoped this will make it easier to allow international travel and the UK government is working with colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to agree a "consistent approach".
America
The US has said it did not and would not support a federal "system that requires Americans to carry a credential". Which means no “passports” are being planned.
However, all American adults became eligible for a Covid vaccine on the 19th April and they are among the top 10 countries in the world for having vaccinated their population. Therefore, travelling from America to countries with Covid passport provisions, should not be a problem.
Travel Stories
Are you planning on travelling this summer? We would be really interested if you would share your plans with us on our Facebook page, so that we can all see what is happening across the world.
If you have any questions regarding trekking with us this summer, do not hesitate to get in touch.