Borders are opening up to vaccinated individuals. Over a year after the pandemic upended the lives of students all over the world, vaccines are shining a glimmer of hope for international education this year. Now, many are hoping to resume their studies abroad after getting vaccinated.
Vaccine passports — which contain digital proof as to whether the bearer has been successfully tested and vaccinated — have been introduced in Europe, with other countries such as Canada set to follow suit. This will allow the movement of “safe” individuals across borders, thus restoring travel for study, business, and leisure.
While the UK, Australia, and Canada will cover vaccinations for international students, other countries are easing travel restrictions for vaccinated individuals in 2021. Here’s a look at the requirements in some of these countries.
Estonia
If you have been vaccinated in the past six months, you are welcome to enter Estonia. Since its cases are down to a low level, this Northern European nation is open to visitors; you no longer have to quarantine if you can produce a negative COVID-19 test from within the past week. Anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, but recovered in the past six months, may also enter.
France
Vaccinated visitors may cross the border into France — if they can produce a negative PCR test from within the last three days, or a negative antigenic test from within the last two days. Students and researchers are cleared for entry two weeks after the second shot of their double-shot vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca), four weeks after single-shot vaccines (Johnson & Johnson), or two weeks after the shot for vaccines in people with a history of Covid-19 (only 1 shot required). You must also sign a sworn declaration certifying that you are not displaying any symptoms and have not met anyone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
Students…