According to Dr. Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a need for vaccine passport will be mandatory to prove that the traveler has had the COVID-19 vaccine before any travel. During an interview with Newsweek, Dr. Fauci said that the scenario was “quite possible.”
Dr. Fauci also clarified that we shouldn’t take getting vaccinated as hint to live as normal like we did before COVID-19 as we don’t know the efficiency of the vaccines. There is a possibility that those who have been vaccinated can still be carriers and still can pass the virus on to others. So public health measures like wearing masks should not be eliminated.
Many airlines like Australia’s national carrier Qantas has already announced that they will require international flyers to be vaccinated. It’s possible that airlines may not allow unvaccinated passengers onboard.
Similarly, cruise ships are likely to implement the same rule. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO Frank Del Rio already told Travel Weekly, “It will certainly be a requirement for the crew, but it’s too early to tell whether we have the legal standing to mandate that you take a vaccine to come onboard – lawyers are looking at it as we speak. We have to build confidence in our customers and among ourselves that it is safe to cruise.”
Very timely announcement.. Let’s hope for better days ahead.. Amen..