New rules: international travelers need to get boosted
This isn’t just my opinion. It’s the reality of international travel right now, as rules keep shifting in popular European destinations.
In February, a patchwork of requirements rolled out across the EU nations, so it’s just easier to get your shots and get boosted *if you want to take advantage of record low airfares this spring and travel internationally.
With little warning, France, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, and other countries all announced changes to vaccination requirements for American tourists.
It’s complicated, and the rules will definitely change again.
Here’s the breakdown as of February:
If you received your second dose of a vaccine more than nine months ago, you cannot freely move between countries in the European Union. A booster shot will allow for much easier travel.
Spain
If you’re going for non-essential reasons (like tourism) you’ll have to prove your second dose was within the last nine months… OR…. prove you’ve been boosted. You’ll still need to apply for a QR code for easy entry into public places.
Italy
Travelers need to prove their vaccination was six months ago or less. Otherwise, a booster will grant you more access to more places. This rule could tighten further to a complete third-dose requirement in the weeks to come.
France
Adults have to be boosted if it’s been more than seven months since your second dose. You still have to apply for a QR code, called a “passe sanitaire.”
Netherlands
Amsterdam was off-limits for American tourists until this week. As of Wednesday, if you show proof of a booster, the 10-day mandatory quarantine does not apply to you. This is a huge shift after many months of tight restrictions in the Netherlands.
Switzerland
Only fully-vaccinated Americans are welcome. At this point, the government isn’t clear on what “fully-vaccinated” means. It seems to be: if your second dose was more than nine months ago, you’ll need a booster. The lack of clarity is further evidence that getting boosted will just make it all easier.
Austria
If you show proof of a booster, there’s no need to test or quarantine.
Israel
If you were vaccinated more than six months ago, you’ll need a booster shot two weeks before you arrive. Only fully-vaccinated Americans are welcome in Israel.
Cruises
Viking and other cruise lines will also require proof of a booster starting this week before you’re allowed to sail.
Testing
You’ll still have to get tested before returning to the USA, and I’ve found some cities are more equipped than others. Strasbourg, France, was the best I’ve been to during the pandemic. They setup wooden huts outside pharmacies, and delivered results within 15 minutes. I got tested right after recording my “Now Boarding” segment:
Again, these are all new rules out at the start of February. Knowing how quickly the requirements can change, you’re taking a risk traveling internationally *without a booster shot.
I keep getting emails from people who *don’t want to get vaccinated… but *do want to travel to Europe because prices may never be this affordable again. You shouldn’t. It’s that simple.
You could be denied entry into a country, or forced to quarantine. Unvaccinated tourists are likely to be prevented from entering museums, hotels, restaurants, and other public places, and from using public transportation.
The hassle of traveling unvaccinated is too much.
As of the first week of February, around 40% of Americans have boosters.
The bottom line is: if you’re comfortable traveling internationally during the pandemic, you should get vaccinated… *and boosted… *and keep paying attention to the rules as they change ahead of your trip!
By the way: the cover photo on this blog, and the one below, are from a recent trip to Girona, Spain. A season of “Game of Thrones” was filmed here! I’ll have another blog post about that coming soon!
