The UK finally recognizes Covid vaccine certificates issued in Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras, or Panama. This recognition goes into effect from November 1, 2021. Salvadoran, Guatemalan, and Nicaraguan vaccines remain unrecognized for the time being.
Well, we asked the question yesterday, and today it’s been (partially) answered. At long last, the UK will recognize the Covid vaccine certifications of four Central American countries.
Today the UK took all seven remaining countries off the Red List, including Panama. We wrote about this yesterday, so won’t repeat it all here. Needless to say, it’s great news. But we also asked about the UK recognizing vaccine certificates from Central America.
That was our burning question.
As the UK looks like finally scrapping its red list, will it also recognize Central America’s vaccine programs? https://t.co/KCZ0RwYD3y
— CentralAmericaLiving (@VidaAmerica) October 27, 2021
After all, it’s one thing to allow easy travel between the UK and Central America again.
It’s quite another to deny travel to anyone vaccinated in Central America. It made travel easy for British citizens and residents traveling to the region on vacation or business, which is all well and good. But it made it difficult and expensive for the thousands of expats and Central Americans wanting to travel the other way.
Now, though, we’re delighted to see that the UK will recognize vaccine certificates issued in four Central American countries.
From November 1, if you received your vaccine in Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras, or Panama, you’re good to go. You don’t need to quarantine upon arrival in the UK, or go through an extensive and expensive testing program.
Anyone arriving in the UK from these countries before November 1 will still need to quarantine.
For the time being, those vaccinated in El Salvador, Guatemala, or Nicaragua continue to be considered unvaccinated as far as entering the UK goes.
We’ll you updated on this story until the UK recognizes all vaccines issued in Central America.
TRAVEL UPDATE:
From 4am Monday 1 November, the 7 remaining countries will be removed from the red list:Dominican Republic
Panama
Colombia
Venezuela
Peru
Ecuador
HaitiClick below to find out more 👇
— FCDO Travel Advice (@FCDOtravelGovUK) October 28, 2021
James Dyde is the editor of centralamerica.com. He lives in Escazu, Costa Rica.
