(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Dawson Thompson

COVID travel

Local travel agents welcome vaccine passports

Aug 12, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Recently, the federal government said fully vaccinated Canadians will soon be able to get a government document that will certify their COVID-19 vaccine history for the purpose of international travel.

The owner of Lobstick Travel in Prince Albert, Mike Bayda said the blue print is in front of the government as yellow fever certificates have been used by travelers going to and from countries where that illness is common.

“The yellow fever shot has been standardized by the World Health Association. Everyone gets the same card,” Bayda said. “If you lose the card anywhere in the world, it can be replaced at any airport in the world. That is the approach they need to take with the vaccine cards.

“They really need to copy what is already out there, but they can’t seem to get the world to agree. The government has to start somewhere but I think the approach is wrong.”

He said the card likely won’t make travelers feel better. What will make them feel better is seeing higher vaccination rates in other countries.

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“Having a piece of paper from Sask. Health or the Canadian government that said you have been vaccinated twice really has nothing to do to effect risk while travelling,” Bayda said. “We can have a 100 per cent vaccination rate in Canada, but what about where you’re going to? That’s what matters. Not what is going on in Canada.”

Phyllis Johnson of Prince Albert, who works in the travel industry and was speaking from a personal perspective, said having the card will be a positive thing and a peace of mind for travelers.

“I do think they are a good idea,” Johnson said. “I think it gives everybody a peace of mind knowing we are all double vaccinated.”

For those who may be worried about providing documentation while travelling, she brought up the point of providing other documentation such as visa applications, picture ID, and medical documents.

“I think we need to have it government regulated, so it is the same across the board, the same internationally,” Johnson explained.

She also added that many people in the travel industry area asking for documentation for safety.

“A lot of the crew lines are asking for documentation for being vaccinated,” Johnson said. “It’s becoming more evident to produce one when you travel.”

Canada’s border reopened to fully-vaccinated Americans on Monday. The plan is to allow fully-vaccinated foreign travelers into the country next month. The border has been closed to most foreign travellers and non-permanent residents since March 2020.

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Dawson.thompson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @dawsonthompson8