World Vegan Travel is announcing a necessary change to our COVID-19 vaccination policy, which will be effective immediately for all trips departing after 1st January 2024. Our decision to discontinue this policy is not a reflection of downplaying the importance of vaccines and boosters or an indication that the pandemic is over. Instead, it acknowledges the practical challenges we face as a business in resuming our operations in the current environment.
Over the past six months, our team has traveled globally, meeting our travelers, suppliers, and guides. We have witnessed firsthand the joy and benefits travel is bringing to people’s lives once again. The changing protocols and requirements such as ArriveCAN, Thailand Pass, and Digital Passenger Declaration, coupled with the easing of border restrictions, have made it clear that vaccination against COVID-19 is a personal choice. The challenge of verifying and determining travelers’ vaccination status globally is one we must address.
We remain advocates of vaccines and recognize our moral obligation and duty of care to the communities we visit. Our commitment to implementing health, safety, hygiene, and sanitation protocols on our trips remains steadfast. We encourage travelers with symptoms to get tested, and anyone testing positive will be assisted in accessing medical care (if required) and required to leave the trip. Depending on the destination, isolation for a specific period may be mandatory before rejoining the group if local regulations allow.
We understand the pandemic’s ongoing effects globally, with the virus still circulating widely, and vaccination rates remain low, especially among vulnerable communities. The elimination of our vaccination policy does not diminish the role vaccines play in protecting people from severe COVID-19. Even before the introduction of our policy, most of our travelers were fully vaccinated. Therefore, we urge everyone to continue taking the necessary steps to protect themselves and others by maintaining up-to-date vaccinations and receiving boosters when available.
