At least 25 countries across the globe have wholly or partially lifted restrictions on travelers who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said.
In its statement Wednesday, May 19, the IATA applauded the growing number of countries that have reopened their borders to vaccinated travelers in a process that's backed with data and evidence-driven decisions.
As per the latest data collected by the group, countries making special considerations for travelers with COVID-19 jab include Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lithuania, Maldives, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal (Madeira), Qatar, Romania, Samoa, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh emphasized the need for scientific evidence and data provided by experts to achieve the goal of the safe opening of borders to international travel.
"There is increasing scientific evidence that vaccination is not only protecting people but also dramatically reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission," Walsh said.
"This is bringing us closer to a world where vaccination and testing enables the freedom to travel without quarantine. countries have already taken an important step forward in re-opening their borders to vaccinated travelers. These are the best practice examples for others to quickly follow," he added.
Germany is among the latest countries to make quarantine alleviations for vaccinated travelers who are no longer subject to quarantine measures (except those from certain high-risk countries).
The German government's decision followed a review of scientific advice from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) which concluded that those who have been inoculated are "no longer significant in the spread of the disease and do not pose a major risk to the German population."
The implementation of this policy also aligns Germany with recommendations from both the European Commission and the European Parliament, based on similar scientific advice from the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC).
In its interim guidance on the benefits of full vaccination, the ECDC said that "the likelihood of an infected vaccinated person transmitting the disease is currently assessed to be very low to low."
Similar conclusions are being reached on the other side of the Atlantic. In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) has noted that "with a 90 percent effective vaccine, pre-travel testing, post-travel testing, and 7-day self-quarantine provide minimal additional benefit."
Citing reports from the US CDC, the IATA, which represents some 290 airlines or 82 percent of global air traffic, also noted that alleviations from COVID-19 restrictions are a "powerful motivator" for vaccination, particularly in communities where vaccine hesitancy is prevalent.
Recent IATA polling shows that 81 percent of international travelers are willing to get vaccinated to be able to travel, while 74 percent agreed that those vaccinated should be able to travel by air without restrictions.
"A gap is opening up between countries responding to scientific evidence, and those exhibiting a lack of preparation or excessive caution in reopening borders. Countries that seize the opportunity offered by the increasing numbers of vaccinated travelers can protect their populations and reap an economic reward," Walsh said.