Should Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Be Required to Travel?

With the COVID-19 vaccine campaigns progressing in Canada and the United States, and the summer holiday season upon us, many Canadians and Americans are wondering when they will be able to travel and whether they will need to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination to do so.

Temperatures have reached record highs in Canada this week (especially in Lytton, B.C., where thermometers hit 49.6 degrees, the hottest temperature ever recorded in Canada!).

Despite the blistering heat, it’s the time of year when Canadians and Americans are thinking about or already planning to take a summer vacation. Much to the chagrin of some, the borders between Canada and the United States are still closed and will be until at least July 21, 2021. With the Canadian government continuing to “strongly advise” against non-essential international travel, the future remains uncertain.1

SHOULD PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION BE REQUIRED TO TRAVEL?

Over the past few months, there has been debate over whether showing proof of vaccination, perhaps in the form of a “vaccine passport”, is justified, and in addition, whether governments will mandate it. In our North American Tracker survey conducted in early May, 61% of Canadians and 41% of Americans agreed their government should implement a vaccine passport.

61% of Canadians and 41% of Americans agreed their government should implement a vaccine passport.

It will be interesting to monitor whether support for a “vaccine passport” type document increases or decreases as restrictions lift.

In late May 2021, before the vacation season began in earnest, our North American Tracker asked Canadians and Americans whether they think people should need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to participate in certain activities.

When it comes to travel-related activities like flying on a plane and staying in a hotel, over half of Canadians and Americans would support showing proof of vaccination (support is lower among Americans).

  • 82% of Canadians and 65% of Americans support requiring people to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to travel by airplane.
  • 68% of Canadians and 58% of Americans support requiring people to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to stay in a hotel.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination

Canadians aged 55+ are more likely than those aged 54 or younger to support requiring people to show proof of vaccination in both these situations, as are Quebecers, compared to residents of all other provinces.

LEO WANTS TO HELP YOU TAKE YOUR NEXT GLAMPING VACATION!

Glamping, or camping with some of the comforts of home close at hand (like a super comfy bed for example) is a great way to take your next vacation if the thought of “roughing it” in the wilderness without electricity or running water has you feeling much more anxious than excited.

Woman glamping

In July, LEO is running an exciting Instagram contest…you could win a $1,000 Glamping Hub gift card! Glamping Hub is an online accommodation booking platform where you can book unique glamping vacations. To learn how to participate in this contest, click here!

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL TO FIRST, WHEN YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY?

TELL US IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!

Sources
1CTV News: Canada lifting restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers in early July

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