As Covid-19 inoculation rates pick up, pressure is growing on governments to reach consensus on how to safely resume cross-border journeys, for example with vaccine passports. It is important they do if global economic recovery is to gather momentum. Some have gone their own way about freeing up travel, such as “travel bubbles” or relaxed precautions with safe destinations, while many are yet to show any sense of urgency about the necessary protocols. The result is a lot of confusion where clarity is paramount. The International Air Transport Association has talked about a system for travellers to check vaccination rules in different countries and upload their records for compliance. A Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman has clarified relaxed entry rules for foreigners inoculated with Sinovac jabs, saying this does not affect existing policy for others and that necessary quarantine and observation will continue for all inbound travellers. Meanwhile, Europeans will probably need a Covid-19 vaccine certificate before travelling across the continent this summer. European Union leaders have backed the introduction of a digital certificate, while some countries are also working on vaccine passports. As a result of this fragmented approach, it remains to be seen whether the world can expect a global Covid-19 passport travel system. The reality is that the coronavirus is unlikely to be brought under control in developing countries for a long time. It makes sense, rather than closing borders and slowing recovery, for governments to work with the travel industry on ways to make travel safe. Vaccination is effective against older virus strains, but variants remain a worry. Travel bubbles between low-risk countries could be an incentive for others to redouble efforts to suppress the virus. The Hong Kong government has relaunched efforts to establish quarantine-free travel bubbles with 10 countries, and the travel industry has called for reciprocal recognition of different vaccinations. These are sensible steps. The World Health Organization and international travel groups may have pivotal roles to play in reaching a viable travel mechanism, rather than countries or groups going it alone. The need for multiple vaccinations to visit different places is to be avoided.