World Tourism Day: Countries that allow vaccinated and non-vaccinated tourists
Planning a trip outside of South Africa? These are the countries that will need you to be vaccinated and those that still accept non-vaccinated tourists.
27 September marks World Tourism Day.
The day has been commemorated since 1980. Its purpose is to promote tourism within the different countries of the world.
The past two years have been hard on the tourism industry. This is because many countries banned tourism to curb the spread of COVID-19.
But with more people getting vaccinated, many countries have eased tourism restrictions.
Vaccination has been proven to help reduce a person's risk of contracting and spreading the coronavirus. It also helps reduce a person’s chances of dying from the virus.
READ: 'Travel at your own risk' - Naledi Pandor on international travels
Currently, many countries require people to produce proof that they have been vaccinated before allowing them to enter the country.
The National News reports that the following countries have banned tourists who are not fully vaccinated - Switzerland, Iceland, Saudi Arabia, St Kitts and Nevis, Malta, Canada, Germany, and Mauritius.
However, there are still some countries that allow visitors that have not yet been vaccinated, but these countries have strict COVID-19 restrictions.
Some of the restrictions include:
- Providing a negative PCR test issued within 48 hours of arrival.
- Quarantine for seven, ten or fourteen days.
- A negative COVID-19 antigen test.
- Second additional PCR or rapid antigen tests every seven days.
READ: Planning on travelling this holiday? Here are some travel tips
Let’s look at countries where you can visit without being fully vaccinated.
According to Afar.com, the following countries - Mexico, Costa Rica, Kenya, Tanzania, allow Americans to enter regardless of vaccination status, if they can produce a negative COVID-19 test result
According to Independent.co.uk, you can travel to the following countries even if you are not vaccinated, Spain, Madeira, Croatia, Greece, Cyprus, and Slovenia.
Iol reports that you can visit the following countries even when not fully vaccinated: North Macedonia, Egypt, The Maldives, Zanzibar, Botswana, and Namibia.
Disclaimer: ECR supports and encourages the public to vaccinate to help curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Image courtesy of iStock/ @ake1150sb