We recently shared the news that Royal Caribbean will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for adults in order to board their cruise ships. With more industries looking to reopen and begin to approach a sense of “normalcy” in the coming months, requiring proof of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in order to welcome back customers is entering the national conversation more and more.
While individuals are given paper cards that contain their COVID-19 vaccination record, there is currently no standardized system in place that recognizes that someone is fully vaccinated. That could soon change, according to the Washington Post.
The Washington Post reports that the Biden administration, along with private companies, are working towards a “standard way of handling credentials” in order to allow Americans to “prove they have been vaccinated.” Updates on the efforts to introduce such a system could be expected in the coming days.
Earlier this month, COVID-19 task force leader Jeff Zients commented that any solution to requiring proof of vaccination “should be simple, free, open source, accessible to people both digitally and on paper, and designed from the start to protect people’s privacy”, according to the article. Digital privacy is among the main concerns when developing these passports, as well as health-care equity and the likelihood of forgeries.
Additional challenges for the administration include the sheer volume of passport systems currently in development. Most recently, the Biden administration has identified 17 individual passport initiatives in the works.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Washington Post reports that in its earliest developments, these passports are expected to be available at no cost through smartphone apps that would give the individual a scannable code, similar to an airline boarding pass. Printable versions would also be made available if the individual does not have a smartphone.
The United States is not the only nation working towards a standardized system of proving one has received the COVID-19 vaccine. The European Union is also aiming for the summer travel season as when their version of a digital passport system would be made available to residents.
What the Biden administration does not want from this system, according to The Washington Post, is “the perception of a government mandate to be vaccinated.” Rather, the passport system would be in place to be adopted by various private companies and entities, like cruise lines, airlines, and sports teams, to ensure what could be “a critical driver for restoring baseline population health and promoting safe return to social, commercial, and leisure activities.”
WESH reported that in response to these developments, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated that, “We are not supporting doing any vaccine passports in the state of Florida,” and that “It’s completely unacceptable for either the government or the private sector to impose upon you the requirement that you show proof of vaccine to just simply be able to participate in normal society.”
It should be either proof of vaccine or negative Covid PCR test within so many days of arrival/departure. That’s how they’re handling the reopening of many large venues. So, a passport isn’t required but it would make it easier than having to take and provide proof of negative test but ultimately, your choice.
It would give everyone around you at an event or park or game a feeling of confidence to know that you and your family are basically surrounded by people that have taken the step of being vaccinated, to help to protect everyone from something that has killed many people. I believe it is a giant step towards “normalcy”. If people choose not to get the vaccination for whatever reason, that’s completely fine. But the risk of them being in a tight space with those of us that did, isn’t a “normal life perk” they should choose to participate in either.
I am sad as I have been a long time cruiser. We will be using our $$ to vacation elsewhere. I hate seeing the US becoming so “socialistic”. I can’t believe you people are ok with telling us how to live our life.
This new administration will be the death of our freedoms!
Not taking the vaccine… I will travel and vacation elsewhere
Umm, the sheer act of requiring proof of vaccination is an invasion of privacy, so there is absolutely no way to require such a passport and protect privacy at the same time.
Additionally, it is illegal to make the vaccine mandatory for any purpose when they only have emergency authorization, they would need full authorization to be mandatory under any circumstances in the U.S.
They can’t ask you to do that in the first place. This is a HIPPA violation and they can’t ask you anything about your health. If you want to tell them about it that’s on you. I won’t be.
Support RCL 100% on being vaccinated. A lot has happened in the last year, things change, so will my family. Cannot wait to book next SAFE cruise.
I don’t understand how nobody seems to be concerned with the fact that this vaccine has only been approved by the FDA for emergency use. It has not been tested or studied long term and every single person that has been vaccinated has made themselves a test subject. If you are harmed by this vaccine you have no recourse. How these companies and schools can require an untested and unapproved vaccine just blows my mind. Where are the lawsuits and lawmakers fighting against this?
I will be taking my money elsewhere as we are not injecting something into our bodies that we know nothing about yet. Sucks as we were long time cruisers but no one will tell us what we need to put into our body to do the things we love.
I love to travel, but I’ll choose places that won’t require proof of vaccine. If I can’t cruise anymore, I’ll be sad, I’ve done 9 so far, but I’ll have to take my vacations somewhere else instead
I believe strongly that Cruise ships should make it mandatory to have the vaccine passport. Myself and my husband travel on Cruises frequently and would feel much safer,knowing everyone else has been vaccinated.
I think it’s a great idea. Our family, except the baby, will be vaccinated in time for our next vacation. We have to prove we’ve been vaccinated for other diseases to go to certain countries so not sure why anyone is surprised. I think we’ll find that people will be more inclined to be vaccinated if companies require it for traveling.
I completely agree with Deena. Vaccinations for travel to certain other countries has always been the norm, so I’m not sure why this shocks and bothers people. It’s a simple and safe way to protect yourself and others from a disease that affects everyone differently and in sometimes significant and deadly ways. Be kind and get vaccinated…for yourself and others.
What about the kids? They aren’t allowed to get the vaccine. Not many cruise lines would run without allowing kids.
Kids aren’t allowed to get the vaccine yet, but testing is underway so I anticipate their approval will be coming in the next few months.
I’m a loyal Diamond member with RCL. I think it’s fine to require the vaccine to fly, cruise etc. I would feel so much better knowing everyone on a cruise, flight etc. were vaccinated. Then we could lose the masks.
I’m not getting vaccinated so I will choose to spend my money elsewhere. If it means I never fly again, go on a cruise, attend a sporting event, so be it. Once their revenues tank, they will be changing their tune.
I have been a loyal Royal Caribbean customer for years. I will not be getting the vaccine and I was ready to book a cruise soon. I’ve taken my last cruise with them.