Jim Byers' Travel Blog: Qantas to Require COVID-19 Vaccinations For International Travellers

Jim Byers’ Travel Blog: Qantas to Require COVID-19 Vaccinations For International Travellers

November 24, 2020 Jim Byers

A COVID-19 vaccine is widely held up as something that will help boost travel. It might even prove essential.

CNN today reports that Australia’s national carrier Qantas will require international travellers to prove they’ve been vaccinated against the coronavirus before they step on a plane.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said the move will be a “necessity” once vaccines are widely available. He also said the airline is looking to change its terms and conditions for flying to “ask people to have a vaccination before they get on the aircraft.”

Asked for comment, Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said the airline is “very pleased to see various vaccines moving toward approval as it will offer customers and employees additional measures for added assurance and safety when travelling or working.”

“At this time, however, it is premature to comment as it will be largely up to governments to make decisions on vaccination protocols and requirements,” he said.

In a related move, Bloomberg reports that the International Air Transport Association is “working on a mobile app that will help travellers demonstrate their coronavirus-free status, joining a push to introduce so-called Covid passports to speed up the revival of international travel.“

Bloomberg says the Travel Pass will “display test results together with proof of inoculation, as well as listing national entry rules and details on the nearest labs, according to the International Air Transport Association. The app will also link to an electronic copy of the holder’s passport to prove their identity.”

British Airways will begin a test program this year, and the app is expected to be ready for Apple devices early in 2021, and then be available for Android devices in April. Bloomberg said travellers also be able to share their health status with customs or border officers and present a QR code for scanning.

Moves like these could create a two-tier class of traveller, with those able to get an early vaccine being able to travel sooner than others. But the programs also would seemingly protect people’s health around the world and rebuild confidence in international travel, which is necessary to rebuild the tourism and travel industries. It’s hard to argue with either of those goals.

Click here to check the Bloomberg story on MSN.com.