When can we travel again?

When Can I Travel Again?

Many of us have holidays booked, or are looking forward to a summer break, but when will coronavirus travel restrictions be lifted?

Is International Travel Still Banned and When Will it Resume?

For many, the idea of going abroad is still unfathomable—like we’re suggesting we all go into space. (Actually, space sounds less threatening.) The COVID-19 pandemic continues and a vaccine is still in the works—but as we’ve noted in the past few weeks, after months of global lockdown to flatten the curve and the development of rapid coronavirus testing, several U.S. states and ever more countries have begun to reopen. As we tiptoe back outside, masks firmly on, we may start asking: What’s open? What’s safe? When will international travel be allowed? Will I be able to board a plane this year, or use my passport? Signs are pointing to yes, if we do so responsibly and don’t face setbacks.
A few things to note about international travel during the COVID-19 crisis:

• Borders across Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, and some Pacific island nations have begun to reopen to nonessential travel, which roughly equates to leisure travel: sightseeing, recreation, entertainment. Restrictions apply nearly everywhere still, and many countries across Africa and South America are in lockdown. This handy, regularly updated IATA map shows the range of restrictions globally.
• As of June 19, the following countries said they are welcoming U.S. leisure travelers right now:
  • Antigua, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. Aruba, the Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos will follow in July.
  • Read more for the full update on reopenings across the Caribbean.
    
• Even if you want to travel, the CDC and U.S. Department of State Global Level 4 travel advisory remains in place, and has been that way since March 31. It’s not mandatory—think of it as a serious recommendation. “The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.” The recommendation also extends to U.S. citizens who live abroad. The advisory continues: “If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite time frame.”
  
• U.S. border closures remain in place with Europe, Mexico, and Canada.
  
• American citizens, lawful permanent residents, and their families returning to the U.S. from “high-risk areas”  (currently China, Iran, the European Schengen area, the U.K., the Republic of Ireland, and Brazil) will be redirected to one of 15 approved airports,according to a March proclamation from the U.S. government. These travelers should expect "enhanced airport screening," according to the U.S. State Department.
  
• Most outbound travelers from the United States face health screenings on arrival in international countries and the possibility of a 14-day quarantine, whether they are symptomatic or not. This is widely thought to be a short-term strategy until immunity passports or immunity certificates become widespread. (Read more about immunity passports.)
• As countries reopen, many are implementing “travel bubbles” or “travel corridors”—essentially, this agreement between cooperating countries allows for citizens to travel freely between specified nations, in the hopes of kick-starting tourism and helping economies rebound. Already, the prime ministers of New Zealand and Australia have said they will enact an agreement when the countries loosen their restrictions, and as of May 15, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia have begun operating theirs. (Read more about travel bubbles.)
  

So how realistic is it to leave the United States? Will all trips have to be at least 14 days, or is there the possibility you can take a weekend break this summer, or visit your family over the holidays? It depends on the country—so let’s dig into the rules.

Canada and Mexico

As of March 21, all nonessential travel between Canada, the United States, and Mexico has been prohibited. Border closures were extended to July 21 for both U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico. In Canada and Mexico, as in the United States, individual states and provinces have the autonomy to decide their own reopening timeline.

Canada

Canada has shut its borders, but there are a number of exemptions including Canadian citizens, permanent residents, people registered under Canada's Indian Act, and approved workers and family members.
"Nonessential travel will be curtailed at land ports of entry, but travel deemed 'essential' will still be permitted and includes work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services and supply chains, health, immediate medical care, and safety and security. Trade will also continue," reports USA Today.
The Canadian government’s COVID-19 response page is updated with the latest information.

Mexico

The Mexican state of Quintana Roo, home to popular vacation spots like Cancun, Tulum, and Riviera Maya, reopened to tourists in June, with hotels getting a green light to start accepting reservations (after complying with new health and safety standards) and regularly scheduled flights resuming at Cancun International Airport. One report says U.S. travelers have checked into Quintana Roo hotels, despite borders remaining shut to nonessential travel.
Technically, air travel has been allowed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, along with train and sea travel; driving across the border, commuter rail, and ferry travel have been prohibited. Flights have still been arriving in Quintana Roo (albeit on a limited schedule and some nearly empty).
Upon arrival in Mexico, travelers face health screenings like temperature checks—Cancun’s airport has thermographic cameras that register travelers with fevers, the CPTQ director explained—and the possibility of being asked to return home or quarantine in Mexico if they are symptomatic.
Los Cabos announced a five-phase reopening plan that began June 1 with “limited travel activity” and the implementation of new health and safety standards. If COVID-19 cases remain low, Los Cabos will move to phase two—reopening the international terminal and resuming international visits—in July, with the hopes of reclaiming some of the estimated 1 million tourists it expects to be down in 2020. The tourism board also confirmed in a statement acquired by AFAR that “62 percent of the hotel inventory will resume operations while internationally airlines like Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, and Delta have already announced the return to the destination.”
The website for the U.S. embassy and consulates in Mexico are regularly updated with entry and exit information, and any other travel requirements.

The Caribbean

In the Caribbean region, the number of reported COVID cases has been relatively low: The Dominican Republic has been on the higher end with 25,608 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 647 confirmed deaths to date, but in some countries like Aruba, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands, the number of reported cases was in the tens or low hundreds. Still, the concern is more about stopping community transmission and that includes from inbound travelers. Seaports and airports have been closed across the Caribbean since March and will resume on a country-by-country basis.
Per a separate Miami Herald article, a few Caribbean countries—Haiti, the Bahamas, and Antigua and Barbuda among them—plan to require visitors and returning nationals to show “virus-free” COVID-19 certificates and/or go through rapid testing for the novel coronavirus at airports once borders reopen.
Read the latest on Caribbean reopenings.

Aruba

Aruba’s government will reopen its borders to United States visitors on July 10. Tentative dates for airlines to resume service to Aruba are listed on airportaruba.com. Upon arrival at the airport in Aruba, travelers can expect to undergo new screening measures including temperature checks. Mandatory travel requirements will soon be available on Aruba.com.

Bahamas

Flights are still operating in and out of Nassau and some of the Family Islands, though the number of flights has been cut. Cat Island, Long Island, Abaco and Andros resumed commercial activity on May 18. All international travel will resume on July 1 with Phase 2: Hotels and vacation rentals including Airbnb and HomeAway will be allowed to open. (Baha Mar, Atlantis, and the Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort will all be open on July 1.) Taxis and buses will be operational by this point, too, but passengers will be limited and required to wear face masks. Restaurants will also be open, but buffets will be discontinued and staff must wear face masks and gloves.
Stay informed by visiting the country's COVID-19 dashboard.

Cayman Islands

Earlier in May, the government in the Cayman Islands discussed reopening its borders on September 1, but Premier Alden McLaughlin now says that date is unlikely, local news source Cayman Compass reported.

Dominican Republic

Flights to and from the Dominican Republic are available on United and JetBlue, but the country remains under a state of emergency and lockdown until July 1.

Puerto Rico

“As part of the island’s responsible four-phased reopening plan, Puerto Rico announced it will formally reopen for in-bound tourism on July 15. However, beaches have reopened with sunbathing and other recreational activities now permitted limiting group gathering to only those within the same household,” according to Discover Puerto Rico. All flights are being diverted through San Juan Airport (SJU) where passengers can receive a brief verbal screening or temperature check by thermographic cameras. “Arriving passengers may be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days, regardless of symptoms.”
Check the tourism website for the latest travel advisories.

Jamaica

Starting June 15, Jamaica reopened its borders to international tourists once again. American Airlines flights from Miami and Charlotte to Jamaica have resumed, as well as United flights from Newark, Delta flights from Atlanta, and Air Canada flights from Toronto.

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Upon arrival, international tourists will be subjected to health screenings, including temperature checks and symptoms observation. However, COVID-19 tests will only be administered voluntarily to visitors with elevated temperatures or showing other symptoms. Those who are deemed high risk enough to warrant a test at the airport will be asked to self-quarantine at their hotel until the results are available.

St. Bart’s

Starting June 22, St. Bart’s is reopening its airport and welcoming travelers from all countries if they’re able to produce negative COVID-19 test results obtained 72 hours prior to arrival. If you aren’t able to get tested prior to departure, you’ll have to agree to be tested upon arrival and quarantine at your hotel or vacation rental until the test results are received (typically within 24 hours). If test results come back negative, travelers will not have to quarantine any longer.
Those who plan on staying in St. Bart’s for longer than seven nights will need to be retested on the seventh day of their trip. If at any point positive test results are received, travelers will be asked to quarantine for 14 nights or until they test negative. Children under the age of 10 won’t need to be tested.

St. Lucia

Starting on June 4, the country began a phased approach to reopening tourism and started welcoming flights into Hewanorra International Airport from the United States only. However, American Airlines won’t resume its service from the United States to St. Lucia until July.
In order to protect locals and visitors during Phase 1, the government requires all visitors to present certified proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of boarding their flights and undergo temperature checks upon arrival.

Turks and Caicos

Turks and Caicos plans to open its borders and welcome  international visitors starting July 22, with flight service returning to Providenciales International Airport from the United States, Canada, and Europe on that date.

Central and South America

Here's a look at what some of the restrictions around the region:

Argentina

At the end of April, Argentina announced it was banning all internal and international commercial flights until September, in response to the pandemic, reports CNBC. In addition, a national quarantine that began on March 20 has been extended until June 28, according to the U.S. embassy in Argentina. As a result, borders remain closed to international visitors.

Brazil

On May 22, Brazil extended its ban on foreigners arriving in the country by land, air, and sea through June 21. As of May 24, the U.S. government had banned flights from Brazil, reports the New York Times.

Colombia

The Colombian government has banned all international travel in and out of the country.
Check the country's embassy page for up-to-date information.

Costa Rica

Until June 24, Costa Rica has restricted land, sea, and air arrivals to Costa Rican citizens and residents. (Foreign diplomats and air travel crew are also exempt.)
Check the country's embassy page for up-to-date information.

Guatemala

Until June 5, Guatemala is under a "state of calamity," and non-essential travel to the country is prohibited.
Check the country's embassy page for up-to-date information.

Peru

Peru's national state of emergency and quarantine measures have been extended through June 30.
Check the country's embassy page for up-to-date information.

Europe

On May 8, the European Commission recommended another 30-day extension of the ban on nonessential travel into the European Union, which would leave it in place until June 15, 2020, reports AFAR’s Michelle Baran. This travel restriction covers what is referred to as the “EU+” area: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. (Long-term EU residents, diplomats, and some health-care and transport workers are exempt from the ban.)
On June 10, the EU proposed member states reopen their external borders on July 1, according to France 24. Here’s the latest:

France

The country’s parliament voted to extend the state of emergency until July 24. It requires incoming visitors to self-isolate for two weeks after arrival.
Any updates are posted on Atout France, the website for the country’s tourism development agency.

Germany

Germany will lift its border controls within Europe on June 15, and citizens driving through from Switzerland, France, Austria, and Denmark will no longer be stopped. A ban on "non-essential" travel from 160 non-EU countries has been extended through August 31, reports DW News.
Germany’s tourism website has a thorough guide on current restrictions by country and individual travel regions.

Greece

Greece’s borders remain closed to travelers from non-EU countries, but tourism officials have stated that they’d like to welcome tourists back by July. Beaches have begun to open with strict access rules; restaurants, bars, and cafes will follow on May 25; and year-round hotels can start opening as early as June 1.
Detailed information about Greece’s reopening plan is available on the country’s tourism website, Visit Greece. Read AFAR’s story on Greece’s reopening strategy.

Iceland

The country opened June 15 to travelers from around the world, reports AFAR's Sara Button. Travelers will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival at Keflavík International Airport, and if the test is negative, they will be free to enter without a quarantine. Travelers can also bring a certificate from their doctor declaring a clean bill of health, to be approved by health officials. There is some confusion, of course: "We do not yet know whether U.S. citizens will be permitted entry after June 15 or how the COVID-19 testing upon arrival will work. U.S. citizens may also be required to self-quarantine upon their return to the U.S. from Iceland"—and the ban on travel to Europe's Schengen area, which includes Iceland, remains in effect through July 1, per the U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik. 
Iceland has a designated website for tourism and COVID-19; it is maintained by the Directorate of Health and the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management. Read AFAR's story on Iceland's reopening strategy.

Italy

The Italian government has announced that it will begin to allow travel within, and in and out of the country by EU citizens, as early as June 3. These travelers will not need to self-quarantine for two weeks; these new regulations don’t apply to residents of the United States. According to the government decree, these new rules only apply to people arriving from member countries of the European Union, countries within the Schengen Zone, as well as the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, and the microstates and principalities of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican.
Get the latest information from Italia, the country’s tourism branch. Read AFAR’s story on Italy’s reopening strategy.

Portugal

At the end of May, Portugal's tourism officials told media that the country was "open for business" and that beaches would reopen on June 6. This doesn't exactly include travelers from the U.S.: According to tourism officials, only Portuguese or dual citizens and residents and family members can enter "until reciprocal entry rights are granted for U.S. arrivals by visitors traveling from the Schengen area. It is hoped that this will be in place by July 1."
Stay informed by checking the current regulations on Visit Portugal's website. Read AFAR's story on Portugal's reopening strategy.

Spain

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On May 23, Spain's prime minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the country’s international borders will reopen to nonessential travel in July. No other details were provided about who will be allowed in and what safety precautions will be taken to ensure the safety of visitors and locals, reports AFAR's Lyndsey Matthews.
Spain’s official tourism website has the latest practical information on traveling to the country.

United Kingdom

As of June 8, "anyone who arrives in the United Kingdom is now required to self-isolate for 14 days, or for the duration of their stay, whichever is shorter," reports AFAR's Michelle Baran. Both international visitors and British nationals returning home from abroad will have to provide U.K. border control with their contact details, including their phone number, and the address of their U.K. accommodation where they will self-isolate for two weeks. Travelers arriving from within the U.K., Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man are exempt. If you do not self-isolate or provide accurate contact details, you can be fined up to £3,200 (about $4,070).
Get the latest on travel to the U.K. on Visit Britain’s website. 
The policies around border control are changing quickly, but the latest updates are available under the European Commission’s page on migration and home affairs.

Africa

Africa counts 54 countries in its “group,” according to the United Nations. Most countries in the world’s second largest (and second most populous) continent have slashed the number of international flights, and others—like Namibia—have cracked down even harder. Here’s a look at what they’re currently allowing:

Kenya

On March 25, Kenya suspended all international flights in and out of the country. Anyone arriving in Kenya must quarantine for 14 days at a government-designated facility at their own expense.
Read more about Kenya’s rules on the U.S. embassy’s site.

Morocco

The government’s “Health State of Emergency” is in effect until July 10, and all commercial flights to and from the country are suspended indefinitely.
The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Morocco regularly posts updates on its website.

Namibia

Namibia has begun relaxing some of its guidelines as part of its “stage two” phase of COVID-19 response, which will be in effect until June 1. The country’s borders remain closed to non-Namibians during this time.
The Namibian President’s Facebook page has the most up-to-date information on when travelers might be allowed back.

Rwanda

Rwanda remains open for tourism but has adopted its policies to be more flexible for cancellations. A March brief from Visit Rwanda also mentions that “increased surveillance measures at all points of entry using high-tech equipment and medics to screen and check travel histories of all visitors, have intensified.”
Get the latest information on COVID-19 in Rwanda at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre site.

South Africa

On March 15, South Africa’s government declared a state of disaster and placed a ban on travelers from the United States, United Kingdom, China, Italy, Germany, South Korea, Iran, and Spain, reports Bloomberg. Travelers who have also visited any of the high-risk countries recently may also be denied, and those from countries like Portugal, Hong Kong, and Singapore will have to undergo screening. A tourism lobbying group is working with the governrment to reopen to travelers bhy September 2020. Read the full story.
Check the official page for the U.S. embassy and consulates in South Africa for updates.

Asia

The largest continent in the world—by both area and population—Asia lays claim to around 50 of the world’s countries. (The specific number varies, based on what you count as a territory and whether or not the Pacific region is included.) Rules and regulations around who can enter these countries vary greatly, but here are the most visited countries in the region, and what they’re allowing:

China

In late March, China closed its borders indefinitely to foreigners—even those with residency in China. Diplomats are an exception, and new visas will only otherwise be considered “for necessary economic, trade, scientific or technological activities or out of emergency humanitarian needs,” according to a release from China’s foreign ministry. Officials note the ban is “temporary,” and the release mentions the following: “The above-mentioned measures will be calibrated in light of the evolving situation and announced accordingly.”

India

In a May 5 brief from India’s Bureau of Immigration, the government notes that “all incoming passenger traffic” is prohibited. Also outlined: “All scheduled international commercial passenger services shall remain closed till prohibition on international travel of passengers from/to India is lifted by the Government of India.”

Indonesia

Vacation destinations such as Bali, Yogyakarta on Java, as well as Batam and Bintan in the Riau Islands may reopen to international visitors in October, according to a statement by the secretary of Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. The secretary also noted that a Cleanliness, Health, and Safety program, or CHS, will be tested in Bali before rolling out nationwide. CHS will involve “the verification, audit, and certification of attractions, hotels, and establishments by relevant organizations.”

Japan

Since April, Japan has banned foreign travelers originating from (or who have visited) more than 75 specific countries and regions—the United States included. The country has said the measures will remain in place “for the time being, unless there are exceptional circumstances.”
The Japan National Tourism Organization has a comprehensive guide to who is allowed in the country and when.  

Singapore

On March 25, Singapore’s government issued a statement, announcing that “all short-term visitors will not be allowed to enter or transit through Singapore.”
The Singapore Tourism Board has a handy guide to the latest updates for tourists.

South Korea

As of April 1, anyone entering South Korea must self-quarantine for 14 days, according to the South Korean government. Asymptomatic entrants from abroad will also be tested, depending on how long they’ll be in the country and where they’re traveling from.
Visit Korea, the country’s tourism board, has a flowchart for travelers arriving into the country—and what they can expect.

Vietnam

As of April 23, domestic flights, public transportation, and restaurants are back in service in Vietnam—a sign that international travel isn’t too far behind. According to Skift, the country is discussing “travel bubbles” with China and South Korea and then plans to gradually open up slowly to other countries in the region, like Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Taiwan. For the time being, though, entry into the country is restricted to Vietnamese nationals, foreigners on diplomatic or official business, and highly skilled workers.
Vietnam’s tourism website has up-to-date guidelines on visiting the country.

Australia and New Zealand

New Zealand has been an early success story, nearly eliminating coronavirus in the country of 5 million; much credit goes to a strict lockdown enacted by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s government in late March, when only 100 people had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, reports the Associated Press. 
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also been praised for his handling of the coronavirus response. Here's what tourism and travel restrictions look like in the two countries:

New Zealand

The country has moved to phase 2 of its reopening with shops, cafés, offices, and parks opening—though the borders remain closed to all international travelers. A possible trans-Tasman travel bubble has been considered with Australia, though “we will not have open borders for the rest of the world for a long time to come,” Ardern said.
Check out the government's "key updates" page on COVID-19 for more information about travel to New Zealand.

Australia

At present, only Australian residents, citizens, and family members are allowed to travel to the country.
More information about travel to Australia can be found on the country's tourism website.

Flights are currently dirt-cheap for 2021
The longer the current world situation continues, the more travel plans are being disrupted, cancelled or postponed. One upshot of this is that airlines and travel agents are offering plenty of incentives for you to think far, far ahead.
EasyJet, for example, has already starting selling flights for spring and early summer 2021 for destinations all around Europe – and they start at only £14.99 each way. Destinations from the UK include Ibiza, Valencia, Corfu, Mykonos, Lisbon and Nice.
As lockdown restrictions are eased around the world (and airlines deal with serious cashflow issues in the short term), it’s likely companies will launch other tempting deals in a bid to lure wary-yet-wanderlustful travellers. Such sales will be limited and won’t last long – so pounce fast. (But do make sure you’re happy with the airline’s cancellation and change policies before booking.)

The bad news

Everything is uncertain – and your options will likely be limited
Okay, here goes: we still don’t know when full international travel will actually be possible. For the moment, the UK, US and Australian governments are still advising against all ‘non-essential’ overseas travel. And politicians from several countries have suggested that there might be very little overseas travel possible for the rest of 2020. South Africa says it may not welcome tourists again until February 2021.
Plus, once your country’s travel restrictions are loosened, it’s all but certain the frequency of international trains and flights available will be reduced, and so too the range of destinations you can visit. There’s no guarantee you’ll be able to visit your country of choice straight away, and you may have very little choice at all on where to travel.
Things will keep changing
Most nations have put in place some combination of flight bans, restrictions for people of certain nationalities and mandatory quarantines for new arrivals. Countries will lift these restrictions and reopen borders at different times, depending on the status of outbreaks around the world. This may change overnight, so you’ll have to keep on top of your government’s up-to-date travel advice before choosing your getaway. Last-minute booking could well become the norm.
You might be quarantined on return (and arrival)
The UK and Australia (among many other countries) currently have a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all inbound travellers – including British and Australian citizens coming home. The US may well introduce a similar rule. Should they continue, these measures will make the idea of a quick holiday abroad much less appealing. Would a week on the beach be worth having to spend two weeks in isolation on your return? Probably not.
Oh, and that’s not including any quarantine that your destination of choice might be placing on inbound travellers. Depending on your destination, you might have to spend 14 days confined in government-approved accommodation – which doesn’t sound like anyone’s idea of a relaxing break.
Travel insurance will be hard to get
Many insurers have ‘paused’ cover for the time being. There are a few providers out there still selling policies that include medical cover – though more often than not, cancellations relating to new outbreaks won’t be accepted.
What’s more, if your government is still warning against ‘all but essential’ travel to your destination, then your insurance policy will be invalidated. It will only be valid again once the government gives non-essential travel the go-ahead.
Travelling without insurance is risky, especially in these uncertain times, so make doubly sure your insurer will still cover you before you book.
A second wave could scupper your plans
In absence of a vaccine, there will likely be a second major wave of cases. However, we have no idea exactly when – nor whether it will surpass the scope of the first.
Unfortunately, this means that even if the country you’re planning on going to has open borders and no quarantine measures for incoming travellers when you book, there’s no telling if this might change again before you go or even while you’re abroad. Rules could shift abruptly, and you could find yourself having to negotiate lockdown in another country or get home in a hurry.
Right now, though, any trip abroad may still be a while off – and that window on to the world outside will have to suffice. A would-be wanderer can dream, huh?

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