The future of travel is vaccine certificates: These are the popular destinations and tourist attractions requiring proof of vaccination
Editor's Note
This week alone has brought efforts by various cities, attractions and businesses requiring proof of vaccination for attendance.
On Thursday, President Biden even suggested vaccination might be a prerequisite for international travel down the line.
"You're going to fly abroad ... you're going to have to have proof. You're not just going to be able to say, 'Yeah, I got tested,'" Biden told reporters during a media briefing on July 29 regarding COVID-19 and the delta variant.
Although many countries have implemented pre-travel testing and/or quarantine requirements for incoming visitors, the decision on vaccination thus far has been made by each individual country, including in the European Union, where decisions are generally made as a collective body. On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU had "kept its world and delivered" on its target to vaccinate at least 70% of adults in the EU with at least one dose.
"Today we have achieved this target," she said on July 27. "And 57% of adults already have the full protection of double vaccination."
The United States is not far behind, where the CDC reports that just over 69% of adults have been poked with one shot as of July 30, falling just short of Biden's initial goal to reach 70% vaccination by July 4. "My guess is: If we don't start to make more progress, a lot of businesses and a lot of enterprises are going to require proof for you to be able to participate," Biden said on July 29.
It seems a lag in vaccination rollout has led to efforts by several cities, destinations and companies to take matters into their own hands when it comes to requiring proof of vaccination.
Just this morning, the Broadway League announced that proof of vaccinations and masks will be required to attend all performances in New York City's Broadway through October. Various mayors have reimplemented mask measures, including in Florida, where masks will be once again required at Walt Disney World. The Walt Disney Company confirmed that it will also require all park employees to be fully vaccinated starting this fall, with "certain limited exceptions."
Read more: Broadway will require vaccination and masks to attend shows
Earlier this week, on July 26, various outlets reported that the San Francisco Bar Owner Alliance issued a statement recommending member bars require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test at the door due to the "recent uptick in cases of COVID-19 among our staff members."
Read more: CDC changes its mask recommendations for vaccinated people
"It will be the official position of the SF Bar Owner Alliance that any customer who wishes to remain inside our establishments show proof of vaccination or a 72-hour negative COVID-19 test," the statement said. "Guests without these verifications are welcome to sit outside in parklets or other spaces we offer."
In New York City and Washington, D.C., Danny Meyer, founder of Union Square Hospitality Group, told CNBC on July 29 that proof of vaccination will be required for all employees and indoor patrons at the group's full-service restaurants, including Maialino Mare and Anchovy Social in D.C. and Gramercy Tavern, the Modern and Union Square Cafe in New York. The policy, which goes into effect Sept. 7, will exclude popular burger joint Shake Shack for now.
Similar efforts have been made by governors to implement rules to apply to hotels, including in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
"Due to the rise in cases within the local population in main Quintana Roo cities, the government is strengthening the safety and prevention measures, which have been in place since the destinations' reopening last year," the Quintana Roo Tourism Board said via email.
The following guidelines have been in place and enforced since last 2020:
- Half capacity for restaurants outside hotels
- Closure of some of the main avenues in downtown Cancun from midnight to 5 a.m.
- Face masks are required in public spaces, along with social distancing
"Restaurants and bars not complying will face closures," the tourism board said. "They have been given fines but some restaurants and bars have still not complied."
Mazatlan Mayor Luis Guillermo Benítez Torres also introduced similar guidelines last week, applicable in hotels and public places, as noted by Forbes.
The government stated that in order for restaurants and bars to operate at a higher capacity, they would have to create a "safe health space;" that would mean vaccinating and testing all their employees, requiring guests to present proof of vaccination or antigen tests. This was a suggestion on how to create a safer environment, but it was never a state mandate or requirement. As of today, no restaurant, bar or hotel has announced implementing these measures.
When it comes to domestic employers, CNN reported that Google, Facebook, Netflix, Uber, Lyft and the Washington Post are among several companies that have implemented vaccine requirements for employees wishing to return to the office.
Read more: Masks to be required again at Walt Disney World and Disneyland as of July 30
Taking this all into consideration means that if you find yourself in one of these destinations, as a traveler or local alike, be prepared to be subjected to vaccination or testing requirements. Entry and exit requirements are rapidly changing, so be sure to double-check before you plan to go anywhere.
For domestic travel restrictions, the Biden administration will continue to use "science and public health" to guide their decisions.
"The administration understands the importance of international travel and is united in wanting to reopen the international travel in a safe and sustainable manner," White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a press briefing yesterday. At the time of publication, she reinforced to reporters that the White House will not be implementing a national vaccine mandate at this time.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.