Covid-19 testing future of travel, not the vaccine

“WTTC has long been calling for an internationally-recognised rapid and cost-effective testing regime at departure points worldwide. This would avoid exporting the virus and aid the restoration of international travel,” said Gloria Guevara, WTTC President and CEO. “WTTC wholeheartedly supports the testing on departure of all travellers to ensure passengers can prove they are Covid-19 free and thus avoid the spread.

Common sense to allow free movement with testing

Guevara added: “It will take a significant amount of time to vaccinate the global population, particularly those in less advanced countries, or in different age groups, therefore we should not discriminate against those who wish to travel but have not been vaccinated. Only a tiny percentage of people around the world have so far received the vaccine, whereas there are vast numbers who have not, but who could be tested, show a negative result, and travel safely.

“The common-sense approach is to allow the free movement of people who can prove a negative test result, rather than reserve travelling or jobs for a small minority who have been vaccinated. Furthermore, the most vulnerable groups should be prioritised, a blanket vaccination requirement would simply discriminate against non-vulnerable groups, such as Generation X, Z and Millennials, who should be able to travel with proof of a negative Covid test.”

UK introduces stricter testing rules

In the UK, all those due to arrive in the UK after 4am on Friday 15 January will have to provide evidence of a pre-travel negative Covid test taken up to 72 hours prior to departure.

Robert Courts, MP, commented: “As a result of increasing instances of Covid-19 around the world, including the emergence of new variants, we are now taking additional steps to add a further layer of protection to safeguard public health. This will be an additional requirement that applies to all passengers, including those travelling from a travel corridor country, other than those on a very short list of exemptions. This extra layer of protection is in addition to existing self-isolation requirements.”

However, the Covid-19 vaccines still spark the most hope in holidaymakers in the UK.