Smart Health Card Accepted as Proof of Vaccination
The Aruban Government now accepts proof of vaccination for entry to Aruba, but only for fully vaccinated US travelers in possession of a “Smart Health Card”.
Yes, we’ve all heard the news, but the smart health card is new, and no one really knows about it.
It’s only available in a few US states, including but not limited to California & Louisiana.
Okay, so what is this smart health card?
It appears to be this new way to verify your vaccination status that can be easily verified by different organizations around the world, including Aruba’s airport.
This new card was developed between the Smart Health IT and Boston’s Children’s Hospital.
Smart Health IT is a project based at the Boston Children’s Hospital Computational Health Informatics Program, that develops open standards and technologies to connect people with their health data.
Aruba tourism authority partnered with this new program in order to slowly start the exemption process of testing for US travelers.
The health card has a 2D barcode that contains your vaccination information in a format that’s secure, portable, and easy for Aruba airport to verify your vaccination results.
Here’s how the smart health card looks like…
Who from the USA is actually eligible to be exempt from testing?
- Travelers who are fully vaccinated with an FDA or EMA authorized COVID-19 vaccine in the USA including (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson).
- 14 days must pass since receiving the vaccine.
- Must have a “Smart Health Card” vaccine record
- Use the Common Pass Digital Health App to qualify for Aruba’s online Embarkation/Disembarkation Card.
Unfortunately, the smart health card is not available yet in all US states, but there’s a chance that you might still get the card, even though it is not available in your region.
Some travelers on our private Facebook group have managed to get lucky and still got their hands on a Smart Health Card.
The smart health card is promoted to be found at:
- At the Pharmacy – Walmart & Sam’s Club (Not all states as of yet)
- Any healthcare provider in California & Louisiana
Here’s some tips to get your hands on one of those smart health cards:
Vaccine providers in the US are required to upload your vaccination information into the department of health/state files. Some US states are making use of this digital system to upload the CDC paper vaccination card, and can provide you with the Smart Health Card.
- You can try to get this health card by contacting clinical organizations, pharmacies and ask if it is possible to email your a paper copy of the smart health card.
- Ask your state registry what the possibilities are to getting your vaccination records uploaded into a smart health card, if you are fully vaccinated.
- Search for apps that support smart health cards, and link your CDC paper vaccine results to it.
If your state offers the smart health card, ask your vaccine provider to either:
- Hand you a paper copy at the time of your visit
- Email you a paper copy after your visit
- Download your digital version from a website or app hosted by the organization, and also copy and/or save it as a file.
How to Apply For The Smart Health Card – Click here to read the Smart Health Card’s official website to learn more about the Smart Health Card and frequently asked questions.
If you want to travel to Aruba without testing, you need to present your Smart Health Card before your flight departs as a part of the island’s online travel qualification process.
To do this you need to use the CommonPass health app to store the information of your smart health card.
Here’s the steps to follow:
- Use “2ARUBA” for CommonPass invitation code.
- Create a “Travel to Aruba” pass in the CommonPass app by scanning or uploading your Smart Health Card.
- CommonPass app will show you a QR ID Code which you can use to complete your Aruba online ED Card process to verify your proof of vaccination.
Done!
Travelers who are not exempt from testing need to provide a negative corona test result taken 72 hours before arrival in Aruba.
All other rules and measures are still in effect.
This new travel requirement is subject to change at any moment at the discretion of the Aruban Government.
Read more detailed instructions on how to integrate Smart Health Card and CommonPass app on Aruba’s tourism authority page.
New Entry Restrictions To Limit Importation of Delta Virus
Aruba issued a new travel restriction targeted at a list of 47 countries that are considered high risk in order to limit the importation of the more contagious delta corona variant.
The Aruban Government implemented a new change in the ministerial regulation that requires travelers visiting Aruba from high risk countries to perform a PCR Test 72 hours before arrival in Aruba – and wait for the negative test results in quarantine even though the traveler is fully vaccinated.
This new change goes into effect as of July 17, 2021.
Here’s a list of the countries that are considered high risk for the new delta virus variant:
- Seychelles
- Cyprus
- Fiji
- Mongolia
- Tunisia
- Namibia
- United Kingdom
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Kuwait
- Argentina
- Spain
- Botswana
- South America
- The Netherlands
- Oman
- Georgia
- Costa Rica
- Portugal
- Malaysia
- Panama
- Suriname
- Andorra
- Brazil
- Maldives
- Kyrgyzstan
- Iran
- Irak
- Luxembourg
- Libia
- Paraguay
- Greece
- Uruguay
- Russia
- Kazakhstan
- Malta
- United Arab Emirates
- Chile
- Saint Kitts & Nevis
- Monaco
- Indonesia
- Zimbabwe
- Guatemala
- Bahamas
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Ireland
- Denmark
The Aruban government and health officials are implementing this new travel measure because of the alarming rate of infections of delta virus around the world at the moment.
These new travel measures are subject to change at the discretion of the Government in Aruba.
Aruba Continues To See Rise in Tourism
Air seats in Aruba continue to rise as the island received 84.592 stay over visitors during the month of June 2021, which is a 20% increase compared to May 2021.
The amount of visitors entering Aruba during the month of July is expected to increase compared to June 2021, as the airport handles an average of 26 flights per day.
According to the CEO of Aruba’s Tourism Authority, the island’s recuperated 85% of its tourism industry compared to June 2019, before the pandemic hit.
Over 326.387 stay over visitors were welcomed in the first 6 months of 2021. This amount is 57% of tourism compared to the first half of 2019.
The booming tourism industry also skyrocketed the island’s hotel occupancy, which was at 70% for the month of June 2021 (16% less compared to the hotel occupancy in June 2019).
Tourism experts in Aruba are seeing a fast growth in the industry, and expect for Aruba to fully recuperate its tourism in the first quarter of 2022.
Do you already have your ticket book for Aruba?
50/50 Chance Carnival Will Continue in Aruba
The organization of Aruba’s Carnival , SMAC (Stichting Musica Aruba Carnival), announced this week on their Facebook page that Carnival will continue in Aruba.
According to the President of SMAC, carnival season will officially start as of November 11, 2021.
The first event for Carnival, Color Parade, will be held on November 12, 2021.
Members of SMAC have collectively agreed to:
- Start carnival as of November 11, 2021
- Carnival will be celebrated in January & February.
- First carnival event will be “Color Parade” – November 12, 2021.
The color parade that will be held in November is a fundraising parade to enlarge and beautify Aruba’s carnival in 2022.
It will be the 68th carnival celebration in Aruba next year.
Although SMAC announced that carnival will restart this year, this announcement is subject to change at the discretion of the organizers – due to the uncertainty of the current pandemic.
3 Course Lunch & Dinner Special at Café The Plaza
Café the Plaza offers a 3 course lunch and dinner special during the month of July 2021.
The special 3 course menu includes classic dishes and new inspirations.
Café the Plaza’s special costs $27.50 and let’s you…
Pick your appetizer:
- Octopus – Herb marinated, grilled octopus on honey lemon & cherry tomato salsa.
- Stuffed Mushrooms – Goat cheese & pesto stuffed mushrooms
- Shrimp & Chorizo Cocktail
- Mini Dutch Platter – With a honey mustard remoulade
Follow your dining experience with a main course:
- Chicken & Steak – Rosemary cajun, marinated chicken & filet mignon; grilled to perfection, served with spinach mashed potatoes and drizzled with marsala reduction.
- Caribbean Pork – Jerk marinated pork braised, served with vegetables, fried plantains and pineapple salsa.
- Seafood Casserole – Mixed local seafood infused in garlic creole sauce, served with polenta and plantain chips.
- Atlantic Spiced Wahoo – Baked wahoo with creamy coconut “Madame Jeanette” sauce; served with rice, vegetables and mango kuchela.
After the main course, try a delicious dessert.
- Chocolate Brulee
- Churros with dulce de leche
- Blueberry Cheesecake
The price for this 3 course menu is $27.50 per person.
Café The Plaza is located at Renaissance Marketplace in Oranjestad..
This lunch and dinner Special is only available between 12.00 PM – 10.00 PM.
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