I won't be traveling right now, but I've been looking at places I could travel if I wanted. I had seriously considered a few destinations, but the thought of spending 4+ hours on an airplane didn't sound appealing to me. I know a lot of people are hoping to get out of the house and just get away, so let's look at where we can go instead of looking at all the places we can't.
Many destinations aren't open to us: The 27 countries in the European Union being the biggest, then the UK, Canada, Mexico, and the few states that require a 2-week quarantine when visiting. Here are the ones* that are open or will be open soon:
Antigua and Barbuda
Travelers will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 7 days of your travel date.
Aruba
Travelers will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 72 hours of your travel date, or those from select states can choose to take the test upon arrival at their own expense.
Bahamas
Bermuda
Travelers will need to provide two negative COVID-19 tests; one within 5 days of travel and one upon arrival.
Croatia
Though they are officially part of the EU, Croatia has decided to open it's borders to US citizens as well. Visitors must present proof of negative COVID-19 testing, proof of accommodation - you must book ahead - and also have a return tickets. If you are going for a family event - a wedding, funeral, or graduation - they must have an invitation, death certificate copy or an announcement.
Jamaica
Tourists will be subject to temperature checks and health screenings upon arrival. COVID-19 tests will only be administered on a volunteer basis for those that show symptoms or have elevated temperature and may be subject to quarantine.
Mexico
If you're thinking of a road trip, you won't be able to do so until July 21, as land borders are closed for the time being. States within Mexico all have individual open dates though, so check before planning your trip, as some are not open at all for non-essential travel.
St. Barts
Travelers will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 72 hours of your travel date. If you plan to stay longer than 7 days, you will need to be tested again on the 7th day.
St. Lucia
Travelers will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 48 hours of your travel date. They will also need to be temperature-screened upon arrival. Phase 2 is slated to begin on August 1.
Serbia
At this time, Serbia has no COVID restrictions or quarantine terms in place.
Tanzania
While Tanzania has dropped all COVID restrictions, visitors will be screened at the airport and those with fever will be moved to secondary screening. They also advise against US travelers. Visitors will need to fill out a Health Surveillance Form to be turned in to Port Authority upon arrival.
Turkey
Turkey also has no restrictions in place. Travelers will be subject to airport screening, but there is literally no information about Covid or Coronavirus on the GoTurkey website. They do have something called the Safe Tourism Certification Program, but there is not one mention of the pandemic or the virus.
United Arab Emirates
Travelers will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 96 hours of your travel date. If not, you will be tested upon arrival and will have to isolate until the results come back. Travelers must also have health insurance covering COVID-19 or sign a declaration agreeing to cover the costs of treatment and isolation.
Destinations open at a later date:
July 12
Barbados will be opening this weekend, though it doesn't look like Americans can get a commercial flight there until July 25th with JetBlue. Travelers will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 72 hours of your travel date. If not, you will have to take one upon arrival at your expense.
July 15
French Polynesia
Travelers will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 72 hours of your travel date. Travelers who tested positive for the virus more than three weeks before their trip will have to show an “immunity certificate” as their proof.
Maldives
From the Ministry of Tourism report: "According to the guidelines, tourists are not required to pay an additional fee, produce a certificate or
test result indicative of negative status for COVID-19 prior to entry into Maldives. Tourists who are visiting Maldives during phase 1 of opening shall book their entire stay in one
registered establishment."
St. Maarten
Travelers will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 72 hours of your travel date. They will also need to be temperature-screened upon arrival. Those exhibiting fever or other symptoms will be administered a rapid test on-site, at the traveler's expense.
July 22
Turks and Caicos
Travelers will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 5 days of your travel date.
August 15
Belize
Travelers will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 72 hours of your travel date, need to book an approved accommodation, and register on the Belize Health app.
Other things you should know
Beyond knowing if you can travel to certain destinations and when you need to get a virus test, make sure you also do your research for places you plan to visit:
- Do you need to wear a mask inside, outside, on the beach?
- Do you need travel insurance? Can you get insurance that covers COVID?
- Is there a curfew in place?
- Are some cities better than others?
- How do the case numbers compare to where you live now? How are they handling the cases they have?
- Are the activities you want to do open?
- Are there other restrictions in place that will make your trip unenjoyable?
- Will you be able to use public transportation?
- What hotels and other accommodations are open for your travel dates?
If you don't already have an up-to-date passport, you might have trouble getting one during all this. There's a huge backlog right now, meaning you're going to be far down on the list. If you're dead set on flying to an international destination, here are some tips to renew or apply for a new passport.
If you aren't sure if you should travel, then that might give you the answer you need. If not, Fodor's has a great article about travel during Coronavirus.
Make sure to do all your research before booking a trip anywhere. Ask yourself if the benefits outweigh the risks involved. You'll have to fly both ways to visit, which means sitting in close proximity to a potentially infected person (or persons) for hours at a time, and then again anywhere you go that's inside.
Are you looking forward to a trip this summer? If not an international one, perhaps a road trip is more your speed, and don't forget your Coronavirus safety kit.
*All information current at time of posting. These countries can change their requirements at any time.
*All information current at time of posting. These countries can change their requirements at any time.
No comments:
Post a Comment