Vaccine Vacations
The dynamic of travelling for business or leisure has changed because of the current covid-19 circumstances and many people are thinking about the future of travel.
According to The Washington Post, some countries are already requiring vaccines to visit. Speaking with friends from different corners of the globe, I gathered their points of view.
Hailing from the beautiful island of Barbados, Kemar Grant, 28, a hospitality associate based in Bridgetown articulated, “I would take the vaccine if I have to as it’s a good idea and I seriously miss travelling. Therefore, I would take it to travel. If I could go anywhere tomorrow, my destination would be New York.” Having received 100,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, of which 10,000 doses were shared with neighbouring islands as of Friday 05 March, The Nation published that almost 50,000 vaccinations were administered out of a population of approximately 285,000 people. Let’s all seek and save.
Venturing down south to colourful Colombia, Felipe Casallas, 29, a business manager based in Bogotá commented, “I do think that we need to take the vaccine to make sure that we are going to be safe and for the other people around us to be safe. It’s important to not believe in conspiracy theories floating around the internet misinforming people. It’s a good idea to take the vaccine and I wouldn’t mind to take it to travel. However, it depends on the context and country that you’re living in. For instance, if you’re in a country with a big population but a limited amount of vaccines, then it wouldn’t make sense. Then if you’re in a country where the vaccine is widely accessible, it would make more sense versus in a country where less than 1% of the population has been vaccinated. If I could go anywhere, I would visit San Francisco as I’ve never been there and would love to see what it’s like.” Recently, Reuters stated that Colombia approved the emergency use of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.
Cruising the Caribbean Sea to the US, Brian Szlenk, 26, a freelance writer based in New York disclosed, “It’s complicated to take the vaccine but necessary for the world to get back to normal. However, I think it’s simply not tested enough to make me feel 100% calm, especially because it’s an emergency authorization. I think it’s strange when a business mandates that you have to do something, it’s somewhat invasive when asking for health or medical information. Still it’s important to make sure people are not scared to travel anymore. That being said, I would take the vaccine to be able to travel especially to see my girlfriend and family in Poland. It would be good to see them. It’s hard enough being at a distance as well as with the pandemic. For a tourist destination, I would go to Switzerland, back to the mountains to see those views.” As per the CDC, various percentages of the vaccine have been administered throughout the 50 states in the US.
Across the pond to the United Kingdom, Colin Russell, 47, a DJ based in Thatcham, Berkshire expressed, “It’s important to take the vaccine in order for life to return back to normal. Yes I would take the vaccine to enable me to travel. It’s a very good idea. If I could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow it would be Barbados.” The NHS continues to update all UK citizens about the coronavirus as well as eligibility, safety and effectiveness regarding taking the vaccine.
In the Nordic region, Sweden, Michael Archer, 60, painter and designer based in Stockholm indicated, “I think the covid-19 vaccine is a choice. I must decline, not on the agenda. If a vaccine is needed to travel, I would reject unless it’s compulsory. Then I would make a decision. Nothing must stagnate my movement in life. The vaccine was developed too fast. It could be hazardous and alter your health. If I could travel anywhere right now, it would be a tour of the Caribbean islands or an African safari, lodge and Savannah tour.”
Passing through Europe and the Mediterranean Sea to Sudan, Tyrone Bovell-Leacock, 60, UN Security Advisor mentioned, “I definitely will take the vaccine. I believe that there some benefits in taking it although I also believe that all the benefits might not be related to medical. Yes, I would take the vaccine to travel. I think it’s a good idea because from the information received the vaccine prevents the person taking it from getting sick to the stage where hospitalization is required. With that in mind and the condition of the medical facilities here in Sudan, I think it will be wise to take the vaccine. If I could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, I would travel to The Maldives for a nice relaxing break.” Since Wednesday 03 March, the United Nations led vaccine initiative COVAX allowed for 800,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to be delivered to Sudan.
Venturing across the Red Sea and Arabian Sea towards the Sea of Japan, Ayaka Matsushita, 30, freelance writer based in Tokyo noted, “I would like to get a vaccine. I don't want to bother my family, friends and acquaintances with the spread. I also want to reduce the risk of alleviating my symptoms but I’m concerned about side effects. I would get vaccinated to continue to travelling. Travel enriches your life. However, I would like to travel around the world when the covid-19 infection is not as widespread. It’s a difficult right now. If anything though, I would visit Tibet.” The covid-19 cases in Japan continue to fluctuate but are decreasing daily as seen from Nippon News.
Taking the Pacific path by the Soloman Sea, Coral Sea and Tasman Sea to New Zealand, Tom Smith, 30, music and sound company director based in Auckland said, “I think taking the vaccine is the only option really even though I'm not in the at risk category I think I would be doing a disservice to the people that are too sick to be able to take it. If I can help them by taking it then I will. I would take it travel as it’s a good idea, if it’s safe of course. I’d probably next travel back to the UK and visit my friends and family or to Thailand to visit my partners family.” The Guardian informed that there haven’t been any new covid-19 cases lately.
Things are evolving daily during the pandemic. The Independent outlined how the European Commission is planning to propose a “digital green pass” to facilitate travel this summer. Meanwhile, The New York Times recognised that vaccine passports could potentially be a geopolitical issue for travel. Although the vaccines bring a sense of hope, there’s also uncertainty regarding global progress. This all gets you thinking what would be your motivation and if you would take the vaccine to be able to travel…