Summer 2021 When will the season begin

When will the season begin? How will this summer work? Are two of the questions on most people’s minds at the moment..

Procedures that have been in place since last year and is likely to continue for this summer too. The PLF (Passenger Information Forms) , the information each passenger has to provide regarding where they have travelled from and where they will be staying while in Greece. Each passenger is given their personal QR code.

This system worked well and has encouraged the government to think of a similar system for a vaccination passport.

Greek Tourism Minister Haris Theoharis has reported that negative PCR tests 72 hours prior to arrival and testing on arrival in Greece are also being discussed as ways to open the tourism season.

The borders are likely to stay closed for a few weeks still. But the Digital Green Certificate, or vaccination passport are the way forward to open travel this summer. The passport will confirm vaccination date and people will be able to upload it to their phones with their personal QR code, to avoid forgey.

The system has been eagerly anticipated in Europe’s prime tourism destination, among them Portugal, Spain and Greece, Where the last year has left a large hole in the market.

Serveal countries including Serbia and Israel are already actively using the passports. Agreements have been made by Greece for the safe arrival of their citizens.

But how fair will this be?

European countries have voted on the use of the passport. Although some fear its use will make it unfair for some counties and age groups.

Recently Brexited UK will not be part of the program. However the success of their vaccination program will hopefully help strike other deals with European countries for travel deals.

If approved the EU’s Digital Green Certificate will be valid across EU member states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. It is passed it will be introduced from June.

Israel , are already using the vaccination passport successfully to open restaurants, bars, venues and clubs.

Airlines too are signing up to the digital pass. Created by IATA it will allow passengers to upload negative Covid tests certification to allow smooth passage through airports.

Health expert Mcintosh adds that there will be winners and losers, and there are no guarantees. “The right not to be exposed to the deadly disease outweighs the rights of the unvaccinated. Maybe that will change if the vaccination becomes something more ordinary like seasonal flu, although no vaccine is 100% effective.”

Source CNN travel news