As coronavirus vaccines roll out, is it time to think about holiday travel yet?

Name: SCMP Explains: What's the difference between the major Covid-19 vaccines?
Uploaded: 2021-01-16T00:00:10.000Z
Duration: 9 min 50 s
Description: SCMP Explains: What's the difference between the major Covid-19 vaccines?

Here’s what you’ll need to know about travel safety, whether you’ve already got your shot or are looking for normalcy somewhere on the horizon

Doctors urge caution as vaccines are not 100 per cent effective and little is known about the ability to transmit Covid-19 even after immunisation

Reading Time:4 minutes

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Travellers claim their baggage at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Michigan, US. Photo: Reuters

Bloomberg

Published: 8:00am, 16 Jan 2021Updated: 8:00am, 16 Jan 2021

Vaccines are rolling out, slowly but surely, across the world. Does that mean it’s time to think about travelling yet?

The tourism industry would like to say yes. According to the most recent data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, published in early November, the restrictions on travel caused by the coronavirus pandemic were projected to take U$4.7 trillion out of global gross domestic product in 2020 alone.

But medical professionals still urge caution – a message that will remain imperative, even after individuals have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Among their warnings: Vaccines are not 100 per cent effective; it takes weeks to build up immunity (after the second shot), little is known about the ability to transmit Covid-19, even after immunisation; and herd immunity will be a long way off. Their consensus is that risks will remain, but freedom of movement can safely increase – allowing for at least certain types of trips – among individuals with protection against the virus.

Yes, you will still need to wear a mask.

09:50

SCMP Explains: What's the difference between the major Covid-19 vaccines?

Here’s what else you’ll need to know about travel safety in the months ahead, whether you’ve already got your shot or are looking for normalcy somewhere on the horizon.