- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 2022
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This is not practical, given the nature of the camino - walking on the streets and public pathways of Spain.Perhaps you would need a permit and a certain number could be issued each day.
Sorry, it was only an idea.This is not practical, given the nature of the camino - walking on the streets and public pathways of Spain.
It works better in wilderness areas, or areas that are contained somehow.Sorry, it was only an idea.
All very good ideas. You’re basically suggesting an almost quarantine world. Which may be what is necessary if anybody wants to do anything like this and preserve safety. But I don’t think you would get a lot of takers under those conditions. And since you wouldn’t get a lot of takers, I don’t think the albergues would be open anyway.Who knows if any kind of pilgrimage will be possible in the next few months. But at some stage - long before everyone can get vaccinated - the camino will open with a range of new restrictions, tools, and ways of operating. My guess is that these might include the following:
One model would be Korea's approach to arrivals from overseas
1. Coronavirus test on arrival
2. 14 day quarantine period at a hotel at the traveler's expense
3. Requirement
Who knows if any kind of pilgrimage will be possible in the next few months. But at some stage - long before everyone can get vaccinated - the camino will open with a range of new restrictions, tools, and ways of operating. My guess is that these might include the following:
One model would be Korea's approach to arrivals from overseas
1. Coronavirus test on arrival
2. 14 day quarantine period at a hotel at the traveler's expense
3. Requirement to install an app that monitors location (and requires twice daily input of health data)
4. Free to travel after quarantine completed but cell phone location is monitored
Another possible tool would be documentation for people who can prove that they have recovered from a coronavirus infection (making them a lower risk - we assume - for reinfection).
Other restrictions would likely be introduced to reinforce social distancing - e.g. albergues would be required to increase space between pilgrims. They might have to set aside unoccupied bunks between occupied bunks etc. This reduces their capacity in ways that might make it untenable.
Potential "no go" areas. Pilgrims might be required to detour around cities that are dealing with sudden outbreaks. Guardia Civil would pick up pilgrims who are heading toward those areas.
Insurance requirements - Non-EU pilgrims might be required to take out an insurance policy to cover medical costs, since it's likely that some pilgrims will end up requiring extended hospital treatment. Even EU pilgrims might have to sign up to some kind of additional insurance if the rules about EHIC privileges are changed.
Religious services suspended. A pilgrimage without pilgrim masses?
Greater vigilance and enforcement of hygiene in albergues. More frequent and thorough cleaning of albergues. Requirement to wear masks indoors. etc.
to install an app that monitors location (and requires twice daily input of health data)
4. Free to travel after quarantine completed but cell phone location is monitored
A very good read, Rebekah. and very depressing. There aren’t very many good ideas on how to solve the economic problems caused by this. Not ideas that also preserve safety, anyway, At least that I have seen. But I have faith in human ingenuity. There’s billions of good minds on this planet. Maybe one of them, or some of them, will come up with ideas that none of the rest of us thought of. I think that’s our only hope for this to be over soon.A Change is Gonna Come
old-school pilgrim hospitality The cries reach the heavens: We've had enough. Time to get back to life! I wanna walk my camino! ...moratinoslife.blogspot.com
I just wrote a blog on this... not quite so technical and detailed, but the whole sweeping Possible of it.
Brilliant if discomfiting article. Thank you for sharingI just wrote a blog on this... not quite so technical and detailed, but the whole sweeping Possible of it.
I believe that we're going to experience at least a couple of years of transition from the time the blunt, national, lockdowns end to the time when vaccination is widely available in high income countries, and carefree travel starts to pick up again. The profile of the pilgrim population in Spain during this liminal period will be more Spanish, more affluent, older, and more adventurous. (Of course, I don't mean that everyone is going to be affluent - a hardcore of penniless pilgrims will also be on the way. But the "average' is going to move in the directions that I described above).You’re basically suggesting an almost quarantine world. Which may be what is necessary if anybody wants to do anything like this and preserve safety. But I don’t think you would get a lot of takers under those conditions. And since you wouldn’t get a lot of takers, I don’t think the albergues would be open anyway.
I think what you describe is probably right under the current circumstances. A vaccine in a couple years is optimistic. I think that’s just what the government and media are saying so people don’t despair.Brilliant if discomfiting article. Thank you for sharing
I believe that we're going to experience at least a couple of years of transition from the time the blunt, national, lockdowns end to the time when vaccination is widely available in high income countries, and carefree travel starts to pick up again. The profile of the pilgrim population in Spain during this liminal period will be more Spanish, more affluent, older, and more adventurous. (Of course, I don't mean that everyone is going to be affluent - a hardcore of penniless pilgrims will also be on the way. But the "average' is going to move in the directions that I described above).
Albergues and other businesses on the popular routes (e.g. CF) whose business models depend on the 2019 pilgrim population will adjust or disappear. The camino itself, however, was there long before those businesses.
For many, if not most, it's not a serious disease. We need to find out why some become gravely ill, while others are infected without symptoms.But what I think might have a chance is that there’s just better treatments for Covid 19. Something that will take the edge off, and make it a less serious disease. I
Thanks Molly! It may be workable with a few small additions. The current pilgrim credentials could be made mandatory, that is - no pilgrim passport, no accommodation and no food or drink anywhere in Spain, policed by the local vendors. Then limit the number of pilgrim passports issued each year.Sorry, it was only an idea.
"14 day quarantine period at a hotel at the traveler's expense " -
It is difficult to find more than 20 days to travel for some travelers. Therefore, such
actions will be unpopular.
Hijack! There is a very interesting article about Typhoid Mary on the BBC’s website. She remained a carrier her whole life and spread that disease everywhere she went, but never got sick herself.For many, if not most, it's not a serious disease. We need to find out why some get very ill, while others are infected without symptoms.
I do hope you're right about therapies.But what I think might have a chance is that there’s just better treatments for Covid 19. Something that will take the edge off, and make it a less serious disease. I haven’t read anything reliable about good therapy’s, but I think that pretty much every doctor and biomedical researcher on the planet are thinking about this right now. Hoping.
One thought is just to reduce the number of pilgrims. Perhaps you would need a permit and a certain number could be issued each day.
This is not practical, given the nature of the camino - walking on the streets and public pathways of Spain.
Yes, it seems to me like things could be somewhat as it was, if all a pilgrim had to do was prove immunity, via vaccine, or reliable antibody test, or whatever.My prayers are for an effective vaccine.
Having yet to do my first Camino Frances, (would be walking it now) I hold the spirit of it close to my heart and have now let go of the “when” and focusing on staying healthy in hopes that one day my dream will come true. I don’t think your post was silly. You’re just expressing your hopes and wishes.Well, I think that none of these ideas will work. They won’t work because very few people will want to do them. No one is going to volunteer for a quarantine. Vendors aren’t going to refuse to serve someone because they don’t have a Camino Visa. And even if you had some sort of visa, many people wouldn’t bother. Will you have police roadblocks? It costs a lot of money to have extra policeman patrolling.
A Camino visa Would have to be based on housing. If you didn’t have one you couldn’t stay in the hotels. Dormitory style housing will not exist under the current conditions. But you can‘t just limit this to pilgrims, you have to do this for every tourist. What’s the difference if you limit people in northern Spain, but you let people go to the beaches and hotels in southern Spain? You might try to substitute campsites for the Albergue’s, but you actually need a lot of land and development to do this. You have to have plumbing in a large campsite.
You could try to do all these things, but most people simply will not come. For those who do, you might get a quieter Camino, but the businesses and families who survive off the Camino won’t be able to anymore. That’s actually the point of keeping the Camino healthy from Spains point of view.
In retrospect, this was a silly post. Only time will solve this problem. The Camino will reopen when tourism feels safe again. I myself am thinking that I need to start forgetting about the Camino for now.
The only certainty is, that things will be very different....such a sense of loss for how things were on the camino.A Change is Gonna Come
old-school pilgrim hospitality The cries reach the heavens: We've had enough. Time to get back to life! I wanna walk my camino! ...moratinoslife.blogspot.com
I just wrote a blog on this... not quite so technical and detailed, but the whole sweeping Possible of it.
A Change is Gonna Come
old-school pilgrim hospitality The cries reach the heavens: We've had enough. Time to get back to life! I wanna walk my camino! ...moratinoslife.blogspot.com
I just wrote a blog on this... not quite so technical and detailed, but the whole sweeping Possible of it.
That thread was one of building a fantasy Albergue, which no one really expects to be built. I think that most pilgrims who regularly stay in albergues aren't looking for pilgrim only hotels, and are quite happy with the current albergues.The picture quickly came clear. Pilgrims don't want albergues any more. They want pilgrim-only hotels.
By all means. Therese - I sincerely WISH TO GOD ALMIGHTY that you are correct!!! It just that, that sentence from Rebekah's blog hit a bit of a nerve... I, sort of, 'know the type' and I just could see it...very clear...That thread was one of building a fantasy Albergue, which no one really expects to be built. I think that most pilgrims who regularly stay in albergues aren't looking for pilgrim only hotels, and are quite happy with the current albergues.
I hate to sound like a butt-head but IMHO "falling into a fashion" has never proved to be "good" for anything that did so.The Camino may fall out of fashion for a few years, or many years.
It's happened before.
Why sad? Just an opinion. This multiple Camino pilgrim wants albergues, and prefers albergues and always will. Just about every other pilgrim I befriended on the multiple Caminos I walked wanted albergues and I am sure they are the norm.The picture quickly came clear. Pilgrims don't want albergues any more. They want pilgrim-only hotels.
That just made me incredibly sad
Kia Kaha (stay strong) Rebekah, and thank you for all your dedication to the Camino.xoAs I sit with this over time, I talk with pilgrims and hospitaleros and Camino jefes, I see a real-shaking out going on, economically and spiritually.
There's going to be a whole lot less infrastructure for a while. A lot of places are not going to survive the crisis. The Spanish tourism industry and the Camino jefes will struggle to find the new rhythm, creating instability. Tourists hate places that are not sure and cut & dried. They will stop coming.
Pilgrims will come, or come back again, and find the camino is not what they expected. Things will be more expensive. The trail will be more rugged and challenging, with longer walks between stops and fewer options once they arrive. There may well be more religion going on. There will be fewer pilgrims, and fewer places desigened only for them, and fewer services built around their needs.
The Camino may fall out of fashion for a few years, or many years.
It's happened before.
I hope I am wrong. I love this Camino. I intend to live the rest of my life here.
But I won't miss a lot of what it's become in the last decade or so.
As I sit with this over time, I talk with pilgrims and hospitaleros and Camino jefes, I see a real-shaking out going on, economically and spiritually.
...
I don't mean to be critical of all of our efforts and thoughts and plans for future caminos. I am right in there with everyone else. I have to cancel my upcoming August camino and have distracted myself for hours during quarantine, planning the camino I will replace it with. Should I walk the Via de la Plata or should I combine the Vasco, Frances and Invierno? I am meticulously planning out my stages on each alternative in reliance on all the guides and posts of the past even though I know that many albergues, bars and stores will not reopen. I know I will return, but in my heart of hearts I know it will be to a profoundly different place and experience. I will need to walk further, pay more, carry a bigger pack with things like a sleeping pad, sleeping bag and increased food supplies .There's going to be a whole lot less infrastructure for a while. A lot of places are not going to survive the crisis. The Spanish tourism industry and the Camino jefes will struggle to find the new rhythm, creating instability. Tourists hate places that are not sure and cut & dried. They will stop coming.
Pilgrims will come, or come back again, and find the camino is not what they expected. Things will be more expensive. The trail will be more rugged and challenging, with longer walks between stops and fewer options once they arrive. There may well be more religion going on. There will be fewer pilgrims, and fewer places desigened only for them, and fewer services built around their needs.
The Camino may fall out of fashion for a few years, or many years.
It's happened before.
think we will all have to be ready to walk a more difficult and risky camino.
I do .... for me. But I think of many people who may not be able to do that more risky Camino.... It’s such a conundrum.But in your heart, don’t you actually like this thought?
And also for many countries would also require more quarantine on the return journey thus adding an additional month to a 4-5 week Camino.."14 day quarantine period at a hotel at the traveler's expense " -
It is difficult to find more than 20 days to travel for some travelers. Therefore, such
actions will be unpopular.
Who knows if any kind of pilgrimage will be possible in the next few months. But at some stage - long before everyone can get vaccinated - the camino will open with a range of new restrictions, tools, and ways of operating. My guess is that these might include the following:
One model would be Korea's approach to arrivals from overseas
1. Coronavirus test on arrival
2. 14 day quarantine period at a hotel at the traveler's expense
3. Requirement to install an app that monitors location (and requires twice daily input of health data)
4. Free to travel after quarantine completed but cell phone location is monitored
Another possible tool would be documentation for people who can prove that they have recovered from a coronavirus infection (making them a lower risk - we assume - for reinfection).
Other restrictions would likely be introduced to reinforce social distancing - e.g. albergues would be required to increase space between pilgrims. They might have to set aside unoccupied bunks between occupied bunks etc. This reduces their capacity in ways that might make it untenable.
Potential "no go" areas. Pilgrims might be required to detour around cities that are dealing with sudden outbreaks. Guardia Civil would pick up pilgrims who are heading toward those areas.
Insurance requirements - Non-EU pilgrims might be required to take out an insurance policy to cover medical costs, since it's likely that some pilgrims will end up requiring extended hospital treatment. Even EU pilgrims might have to sign up to some kind of additional insurance if the rules about EHIC privileges are changed.
Religious services suspended. A pilgrimage without pilgrim masses?
Greater vigilance and enforcement of hygiene in albergues. More frequent and thorough cleaning of albergues. Requirement to wear masks indoors. etc.
Who knows if any kind of pilgrimage will be possible in the next few months. But at some stage - long before everyone can get vaccinated - the camino will open with a range of new restrictions, tools, and ways of operating. My guess is that these might include the following:
One model would be Korea's approach to arrivals from overseas
1. Coronavirus test on arrival
2. 14 day quarantine period at a hotel at the traveler's expense
3. Requirement to install an app that monitors location (and requires twice daily input of health data)
4. Free to travel after quarantine completed but cell phone location is monitored
Another possible tool would be documentation for people who can prove that they have recovered from a coronavirus infection (making them a lower risk - we assume - for reinfection).
Other restrictions would likely be introduced to reinforce social distancing - e.g. albergues would be required to increase space between pilgrims. They might have to set aside unoccupied bunks between occupied bunks etc. This reduces their capacity in ways that might make it untenable.
Potential "no go" areas. Pilgrims might be required to detour around cities that are dealing with sudden outbreaks. Guardia Civil would pick up pilgrims who are heading toward those areas.
Insurance requirements - Non-EU pilgrims might be required to take out an insurance policy to cover medical costs, since it's likely that some pilgrims will end up requiring extended hospital treatment. Even EU pilgrims might have to sign up to some kind of additional insurance if the rules about EHIC privileges are changed.
Religious services suspended. A pilgrimage without pilgrim masses?
Greater vigilance and enforcement of hygiene in albergues. More frequent and thorough cleaning of albergues. Requirement to wear masks indoors. etc.
I think really there are very different kind of caminos. Part of my first camino was the the Camino de Invierno. I think that the few pilgrims that did the Camino de Invierno in e. g. 2018 can walk the Camino de Invierno more or less immediately after the travel restriction will disappear. And there will be not that much change on such a lonely camino......I want to think I'll be able to walk again, but in my heart of hearts I know it will be years before safe travel for this kind of trek will exist. ...
I think that things will go back to the way they were, more or less, when we have a widely distributed vaccine or therapeutic treatments that reduce the morbidity and mortality rate of COVID-19. I expect that we will go through a period of transition to get to that state and that some of the measures that I listed will be implemented (some already are being implemented in some countries).No offense, but this new Camino sounds miserable. One of the biggest joys of the Camino is the sense of freedom. In my opinion, most of these things won’t happen. Things will go back to the way they were. Memories are short.
I think that things will go back to the way they were, more or less, when we have a widely distributed vaccine or therapeutic treatments that reduce the morbidity and mortality rate of COVID-19. I expect that we will go through a period of transition to get to that state and that some of the measures that I listed will be implemented (some already are being implemented in some countries).
I agree that the camino won't be as fun or as free with measures that prevent a recurrence of what we are going through at the moment. But memories are not so short that Spain would allow another uncontrolled outbreak of COVID-19 in the next couple of years.
I agree that the mortality rate is indeed fairly low with this virus. The problem seems to be that it is very infectious and some people become gravely ill, while others have little to no symptoms. We need to know why this is. It's easy to say that vulnerable people should be protected, but we don't know exactly why some people are more vulnerable than others.My experience with covid-19 has been much less severe than you hear on the news. I contracted it along with 5 other people in my office around March 13th. At least 5 people in our families caught it, as well. For all but one of us, the experience was nothing more than flu-like symptoms, and mild flu at that. For one man who was older, with cancer and heart conditions, he contracted penumonia. But he, too, has recovered. My belief (for what it’s worthis that the mortality rate will end up being much lower than was originally thought, so I predict the Camino will be back up running in near-original form by next summer. Of course, this wouldn’t help us now. I was scheduled to do my final leg of Leon to Santiago in late June my wife, and despite all my wishful thinking, I don’t see that happening
It would be lovely if you're correct, but I'm not so optimistic.My belief (for what it’s worthis that the mortality rate will end up being much lower than was originally thought, so I predict the Camino will be back up running in near-original form by next summer.
And with only 15% of the population infected they had to turn ice rinks into morgues.It would be lovely if you're correct, but I'm not so optimistic.
The most optimistic model that I have seen along these lines (in the sense of there being far more mild and asymptomatic cases than we currently realize) estimates that 15% of Spain's population have been infected already. I think that's a huge over-estimate, but even if it's true, that would mean that it will take three to four waves like this one for Spain to reach a meaningful "herd immunity," (assuming that people who recover get lasting immunity). I don't think that people in Spain would willingly allow three more waves of this magnitude, with all of the strain that it puts on the health system in addition to the mortality.
Fingers crossed that you're right and it all turns out to be less serious. We will know when there are large scale antibody tests of the population.
Well, I think it's much less than 15%, but we won't know until we know.And with only 15% of the population infected they had to turn ice rinks into morgues.
One of the big dangers of this virus is those with mild or no symptoms out there spreading the infection.
My experience with covid-19 has been much less severe than you hear on the news. I contracted it along with 5 other people in my office around March 13th.
I always loved albergues and sharing the experience with pilgrims. Would i, in future use an albergue that hasn't adapted. No.
The other aspect is monitoring pilgrims. It would be a big job. Without practical consequences for undisciplined or careless pilgrims. I would be willing to take on those 4 steps, but how many others?All very good ideas. You’re basically suggesting an almost quarantine world. Which may be what is necessary if anybody wants to do anything like this and preserve safety. But I don’t think you would get a lot of takers under those conditions. And since you wouldn’t get a lot of takers, I don’t think the albergues would be open anyway.
And I wasn’t really thinking that this would happen in the next couple months. I changed my original post to reflect that.
Bathrooms, showers, bunk rooms, kitchens, registration desk … I cannot see how it could possibly be done.
Unless it were one pilgrim a night and the whole refugio completely disinfected before the next pilgrim arrives the next day ....
.........… if Camino does ever open again I predict fewer numbers and many backpacking tents.
Judging by what I read on various Camino groups on Facebook, this is not necessarily more true of "one and done" Camino walkers than repeat walkers. And I wouldn't say that all of those walking multiple Caminos are doing it for the spiritual or spiritual aspects. I walk for the simple joy of it - not for religion or spiritual reasons.This will no doubt make some forum members shudder and perhaps go into a catatonic state, but these one time dare I say casual walkers, see walking the Camino as an interesting way to spend a holiday. It has no spiritual, religious etc aspect to it.
I certainly think that now is the time for everyone associated with any Camino to start planning. Costs will rise as less people will be allowed. Gone will be the big dormitories, replaced possibly with individual cells for sleeping. Hygiene will need to be improved dramatically. Possibly even camping in the grounds might be encouraged. In Portugal near the surf beaches the campsites offer small plastic pods for individual surfers, that can literally be powerwashed. They simply have a sleeping platform and a small storeage area.As I thought experiment, I’m wondering how the Camino (let’s say the Camino Francés) could be redesigned to make it possible for people to safely walk it in the world that’s going to start appearing in the next few months.
Or for next year or even farther into the future if the situation continues for years as I think it might. A world which I imagine will have less restrictions than we have now, but still some.
How do we make it safe for pilgrims, and residents, and business owners of the areas the Camino passes through?
I had a few ideas but I don’t want to lead this thread anywhere…
I certainly think that now is the time for everyone associated with any Camino to start planning. Costs will rise as less people will be allowed. Gone will be the big dormitories, replaced possibly with individual cells for sleeping. Hygiene will need to be improved dramatically. Possibly even camping in the grounds might be encouraged. In Portugal near the surf beaches the campsites offer small plastic pods for individual surfers, that can literally be powerwashed. They simply have a sleeping platform and a small storeage area.
Group meals will be a thing of the past. Individual small, well seperated tables will possibly become the norm. The new regulations in Portugal for when the restaurants reopen as late as next year are quite strict with a massively reduced seating capacity and huge testing and hygiene implications.
Maybe all albergues will be forced to test pilgrims on arrival for the virus.
The Camino will return I am sure, but not as we know it and not anytime soon. Possibly, like our borders, the Camino will reopen to people living in Europe, a long time before the rest of the world.
While i am sorry for your current loss, I still think that things will change dramatically, now is the time to plan for your future. What if any are the guidelines from the government. How are you and all the other albergues going to adapt. Who knows. I certainly do not have the answers. But tomorrow will certainly be very different.Individual sleeping cells? Individual small, well separated tables?
If months of being closed doesn't do the businesses under, these steps would. Just imagine the investment!
I am a new albergue owner and although the current situation is much better than most (2 rooms of 2, one of 4, one of 6 and one of 9) the mere thought of needing to construct something of the such is quite disheartening. I certainly hope that we don't reach that point.
While i am sorry for your current loss, I still think that things will change dramatically, now is the time to plan for your future. What if any are the guidelines from the government. How are you and all the other albergues going to adapt. Who knows. I certainly do not have the answers. But tomorrow will certainly be very different.
Well, while this version of Coronavirus may pass into history, similar contagious virus will continue to be with us. (And absent a multilateral response, will wreak havoc again). It does seem that we forget these things. None of us remember, nor could we, the Spanish Flu, which was more deadly in the second wave.A very good read, Rebekah. and very depressing. There aren’t very many good ideas on how to solve the economic problems caused by this. Not ideas that also preserve safety, anyway, At least that I have seen. But I have faith in human ingenuity. There’s billions of good minds on this planet. Maybe one of them, or some of them, will come up with ideas that none of the rest of us thought of. I think that’s our only hope for this to be over soon.
One thing I do suspect is that in 20 years, this will just be history. A bad time that not many people even remember very well. The destruction and tragedy that this is causing will not affect the world that much at all in the long run. Like grandparents remembering the depression. It’s funny how all that works.
Have you seen the recent beach pictures?No offense to anyone, but some really unrealistic theories or expectations of what will happen to the Camino. Maybe a bit of denial in the possibility of it just plain shutting down for several years. Shutting down the same as so many other popular activities from Disney parks to sporting events, casinos to popular beaches.
I am not religious.
But even if the first Camino is just a walk, then Camino becomes your religion. And every Camino walk is a spiritual update.
Have you seen the recent beach pictures?
When currently visiting certain foreign countries, one must show that one has received certain inoculations to prevent endemic, contagious diseases.
I don’t know if this card was a condition for entering the countries we went to, in Asia, but everybody had one. I will say it offered no protection against worms or dysentery, but it’s a good basic start.Years ago (58!!), when my father took our family overseas through his job at USAID, we had to get all sorts of vaccinations and inoculations which were noted on a yellow health card. You could simply revive this system with a new vaccination and make it mandatory. Just a thought
Yes. In fact the system is still in place - In the last few years I've made a couple of trips with a yellow certificate to show that I have been vaccinated against yellow fever. It's a condition of entry for some countries. (When I was a kid, I carried a similar booklet with stamps for yellow fever, smallpox and cholera. I guess that the immunity from those vaccinations will have gone by now, but I still have the old certificate).Years ago (58!!), when my father took our family overseas through his job at USAID, we had to get all sorts of vaccinations and inoculations which were noted on a yellow health card. You could simply revive this system with a new vaccination and make it mandatory. Just a thought
I've read one account of a border control post [not in SA] where people who fail to provide yellow fever certificates are taken to an adjoining medical center. A fee for on-the-spot vaccination is levied. A certificate is issued. The traveler is then free to pass. But what about the vaccination? Oh. We're all out of that medicine. Don't worry. You will be fine.On my first entry by land into South Africa, an immigration officer demanded to see my yellow fever certificate. In this instance he was just being a jerk as I had not travelled in any yellow fever countries in the preceding 6 months, but I had been the year before.
The current yellow fever certificates could be forged with a photocopier. I guess if it became apparent that there was a widespread problem with forgeries, you'd need to rethink that.Presumably finding a vaccine won’t stop the search for a better vaccine, at least until a proven one is securely available. The borders could reopen for those with a vaccine record. But the world would have to agree on what that looks like, to protect against forgeries.
The yellow fever vaccination is one that is required for entry into many countries IF you have traveled recently from certain areas where yellow fever exists. This requirement seems active, for example, in travel from Brazil to neighbouring countries. For a conference I recently attended, this requirement was well publicized. The specific requirements are available on the internet. Exceptions are made for various conditions including being pregnant and being over a certain age e.g. 70.What are the requirements in some of the other nations represented on the Forum?
Yes. China also requires proof of vaccination if you have recently been in regions with endemic yellow fever. Some countries in Asia and Africa require proof of vaccination for all arriving travelers:The yellow fever vaccination is one that is required for entry into many countries IF you have traveled recently from certain areas where yellow fever exists. This requirement seems active, for example, in travel from Brazil to neighbouring countries.
With the people who poop on the side of the Camino and don't clean up after themselves, I'm amazed that there hasn't been some kind of gentle, pilgrim-related disease already.
I don't mind the frequent cleaning of albergues! But as far as tracking me, that would require a cell phone, which I don't have, and if I did, I wouldn't keep it turned on. I suppose they could refuse to admit pilgrims who don't have smart phones....Who knows if any kind of pilgrimage will be possible in the next few months. But at some stage - long before everyone can get vaccinated - the camino will open with a range of new restrictions, tools, and ways of operating. My guess is that these might include the following:
One model would be Korea's approach to arrivals from overseas
1. Coronavirus test on arrival
2. 14 day quarantine period at a hotel at the traveler's expense
3. Requirement to install an app that monitors location (and requires twice daily input of health data)
4. Free to travel after quarantine completed but cell phone location is monitored
Another possible tool would be documentation for people who can prove that they have recovered from a coronavirus infection (making them a lower risk - we assume - for reinfection).
Other restrictions would likely be introduced to reinforce social distancing - e.g. albergues would be required to increase space between pilgrims. They might have to set aside unoccupied bunks between occupied bunks etc. This reduces their capacity in ways that might make it untenable.
Potential "no go" areas. Pilgrims might be required to detour around cities that are dealing with sudden outbreaks. Guardia Civil would pick up pilgrims who are heading toward those areas.
Insurance requirements - Non-EU pilgrims might be required to take out an insurance policy to cover medical costs, since it's likely that some pilgrims will end up requiring extended hospital treatment. Even EU pilgrims might have to sign up to some kind of additional insurance if the rules about EHIC privileges are changed.
Religious services suspended. A pilgrimage without pilgrim masses?
Greater vigilance and enforcement of hygiene in albergues. More frequent and thorough cleaning of albergues. Requirement to wear masks indoors. etc.
That whole scenario mentioned would and could never happen, simply because few if any people are willing or able to follow rules and regulations like that. I mean c'mon...track my whereabouts? Two weeks in quarantine before I even start walking? LOL.I don't mind the frequent cleaning of albergues! But as far as tracking me, that would require a cell phone, which I don't have, and if I did, I wouldn't keep it turned on. I suppose they could refuse to admit pilgrims who don't have smart phones....
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