The ongoing debate surrounding vaccine passports really is a moot point. The decision has already been made. You will be required to show you’ve been vaccinated before crossing borders, boarding ships or planes and entering public venues like hotels and museums. At least for the near future.
Every day, proof of that comes across my desk in the form of headlines:
• Israel introduces “green pass” vaccine passports;
• Seychelles opens doors to travellers with vaccine passports;
• Airline watchdog IATA urges carriers to adopt vaccine passports;
• Cruise ships require vaccine passports for all crew and passengers;
• British authorities want vaccine passports for all public venues.
Just recently, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker told an interviewer that the only way the airline industry can restore confidence in the flying public is to introduce vaccine passports. And Forbes magazine reports Australia’s Qantas Airways will soon require passengers be fully vaccinated before boarding their planes.
Airline giants Singapore, Qatar, JAL and Emirates are all working closely with IATA (International Air Transport Association) on a “Travel Pass” app (an electronic vaccine passport) that could be launched as early as this fall.
Even the United States, which at first flatly rejected the idea of a vaccine passport, is now reportedly working with companies to develop a “national immunity passport” for the purpose of injecting confidence in the general population. New York State already has introduced  the “Excelsior Pass” that people must show as proof of vaccination before getting into public events at places like Madison Square Garden.
My only question is, what’s all the fuss about?
Vaccine passports, in one form or another, have been around for decades.
When I travelled to Brazil a few years ago, I was required to show proof that I had been administered a malaria shot before I was allowed entry. Many countries demand that all international arrivals have been vaccinated against meningitis, polio, yellow fever and so on.
So why not ask for proof that you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19?
Whether you call it a certificate or passport, proof of vaccination is the only way to restore confidence in travellers. And goodness knows, the travel industry needs a shot in the arm right now.
We’ve been fooled into thinking things are returning to normal because Americans are crowding planes again. However, the rest of the world remains hunkered down. Proof of that comes in data recently released by IATA, which shows that international air traffic remains 88.7 per cent below pre-pandemic levels and revenue is down 74.4 per cent.
Please reassure me that the person sitting next to me on a plane or in line waiting to enter a museum has been vaccinated like me. It’s the only way I’ll be able to travel confidently again.
I know all the arguments against vaccine passports — the ethical issues and how they could discriminate against poorer nations — but they’re our only ticket to travel freedom.
Millions of people worldwide who count on travel to make a living are suffering. Many of them live in poorer nations. Herd immunity could take years to achieve. They don’t have time to wait.
The EU will soon announce it will require proof of vaccination before you can enter any of its member nations. The U.K. is on the same track. Sweden and Denmark are cooperating on digital vaccine passes. Canada will have no choice but to adopt similar vaccine passport policies if we want to be part of global travel.
Vaccine passes are the only cure we have right now for the ailing travel industry, which has suffered more than any other during this pandemic period.
Can’t wait to get my vaccine passport!