Do you need a Covid-19 vaccine booster to travel?

As of Monday, 88 million Americans had received a booster shot, or 41.5% of the nation’s fully vaccinated population, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The boosters are the latest X-factor for travelers, who have had to negotiate flight delays, closed borders and other issues over the past two years as the world adjusts to a deadly virus. Whether it’s getting on a plane or trying to enter places like restaurants and museums, travelers should expect entry rules to continue moving in foreseeable future, says Myron S. Cohen, director of the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“We build an airplane while we fly,” says Dr. Cohen. “Different countries are going to do different things. If I felt I had to travel, I would do my best to get as many doses of the vaccine as possible. »

On boosters, travelers should expect increased requirements to be the norm in 2022, says Marc Casto, president of travel agency Flight Center Travel Group.

“Those who aren’t will likely be subject to quarantine as well as more rigid and frequent testing,” he says. He says his customers in the Americas have been more likely to book trips to destinations where a higher percentage of the population is vaccinated and fortified.

The American Society of Travel Advisors is seeing people who would otherwise travel internationally change their plans in large numbers and choose to travel within the continental United States instead due to looming recall requirements, said general manager Zane Kerby.

“Requiring reminders adds to the hassle factor, and people are just tired of the paperwork. They are tired of waiting. They get tired of not knowing if they’re actually going on a trip until 12 to 24 hours before the trip,” says Kerby.

For those still looking to travel, here are some popular destinations with recall requirements:

The Netherlands

• From February 1, the Netherlands will require people entering “very high risk” countries to self-quarantine for 10 days if they have not received their booster within the last 270 days.

• Travelers who received their reminder at least a week ago are exempt from this mandatory quarantine period from February 2, according to Department of Health press officer Thomas Breedveld.

• Visitors traveling to the country from outside the EU must also present themselves with a negative Covid-19 test, whether boosted or not.

Spain

• US travelers will need to show proof of a recall to enter from February 1 if it has been 270 days or more since their last shot.

• Those who do not meet the conditions will not be able to enter the country for non-essential purposes, according to the country’s tourism website.

France

• Although France does not require proof of vaccination to enter the country, travelers aged 18 and over must show proof of booster via a valid vaccination pass if more than seven months have passed since their last dose to enter places such as museums, theaters and cafes, according to the country’s tourism page.

Austria

• Travelers who have received a reminder can currently enter Austria without any additional entry requirements.

Israel

• Travelers must have received their last dose of the vaccine within 180 days, according to the country’s tourism page. If six months have passed since their last dose, they need a booster shot at least 14 days before entry.

• Visitors must also take a PCR test 72 hours before their flight, or a rapid test within 24 hours before the flight.

Singapore

• From February 14, Singapore will only consider people 18 and older fully vaccinated if they received their last dose of the vaccine within the last 270 days, according to the country’s health ministry.

• The rule will apply to visitors aged 12 and over from March 14.

Vietnam

• To enter the country, visitors must show proof of full vaccination, with the last dose at least 14 days and no more than a year before the date of entry, according to Vietnam’s tourism page.

• Travelers must also present a negative test performed within 72 hours of boarding.

Hawaii

• Maui County recently changed its definition of “fully vaccinated” to include a booster shot, according to a news release. The rules apply to anyone who wants to dine indoors or exercise in a gym.

• Hawaii has not yet reached a conclusion on statewide rules.

Cruise lines

Several cruise lines will also soon require customers to show proof of a recall to board.

• Viking will ask customers to show proof of a booster dose (if eligible) from February 1st.

• The new Lindblad Expeditions recall policy takes effect for trips beginning March 1. All guests 12 and older who completed their primary vaccination series more than five months ago must show proof of a booster before embarking, the company said in a written statement.

• Starting March 1, Azamara Cruises will require guests to be fully vaccinated and boosted, for those who are eligible, at least 14 days prior to travel, the company said in a written statement.

• Carnival and Royal Caribbean recommend passengers receive booster shots, but currently do not require them.

Write to Rachel Wolfe at [email protected]