By Sophia Christensen
As the second summer of COVID-19 rolls around, the new protocols set in place have allowed people from all around the world to travel safely to escape their cooped up life at home. With the 2021 summer already coming to a close, we are now closer to even more various holiday breaks! With that being said, I am sure many of you will travel safely around the state, country, etc. in order to spend time with family. Some of you may have already caught onto countries maintaining of COVID-19 with set restrictions and curfews around the world. In my personal experience involving covid restrictions with traveling, I was able to travel to Denmark this summer and experience the differences in COVID law and advisory. When I visited Denmark I was able to pass the order with only proof of my vaccination card, however, traveling back to America from Denmark, I needed to get tested for the COVID-19 disease three days before departure in addition to presenting a negative result to travel back. These different policies stem from the restrictions and curfews within every different border. Although traveling is still discouraged around the world due to the severity of COVID-19, many countries such as Europe, Canada, Mexico, and parts of Asia have lifted the previously held harsh restrictions on travel. Although, there are still a multitude of countries with the strict advisory to not travel at all. The COVID restrictions on travel really depends on the state of COVID along with the beliefs on the pandemic in that specific state, country, continent, etc. The differences of COVID restrictions on travel depending on the area you live in remains quite interesting considering the specific beliefs belonging to a certain area gives perspective on how the world looks around us outside of our own bubble. Additionally, I have also listed an extremely helpful article that briefly examines covid restrictions on travel in different parts of the world below! Hopefully, the article helps you understand how each area is dealing with COVID in regards to travel and gives you insight in properly traveling safely around the world. Additionally, please keep in mind that although COVID restrictions have lifted greatly since last summer, we still need to be careful with the ongoing spread of COVID-19 and respect the mandates issued in the different areas we travel to. Safe travels!
Africa
- Most countries in Africa are allowing American tourists in as long as they test negative for COVID-19 within three days of their departure from the U.S.
Asia
- Multiple countries in Asia have closed their borders to U.S. tourists, including Japan and India. China is allowing travelers who have valid residence permits and visas, but there are specific requirements for visas, and testing and quarantine protocols are also in place. South Korea and Thailand are letting American tourists in, but said they must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test and quarantine upon arrival, among other requirements.
Australia and New Zealand
- Neither Australia nor New Zealand are allowing tourists to enter.
Canada
- Canada announced on July 19 that it will begin letting fully vaccinated U.S. citizens into the country on August 9.
Europe
- Most countries in Europe are letting U.S. citizens enter as long as they provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Some nations, including Greece and Germany, are waiving testing requirements for U.S. travelers who show they are fully vaccinated.
- Iceland had been allowing travelers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter without a negative test, but beginning July 27, everyone coming to the country will be required to show a negative test.
Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean
- Non-essential travel is restricted along the U.S.-Mexico border, but Americans can visit Mexico by plane. A negative COVID-19 test is not required to enter.
- Most of the islands in the Caribbean require negative COVID-19 tests to enter and many have curfews in place. Some, including Aruba and The Bahamas, also require visitors to purchase COVID-19 health insurance. The Dominican Republic is one country that does not have a testing requirement, but rapid tests are performed on randomly selected travelers upon arrival.
- Costa Rica is open to Americans without any testing requirements, but other Central American nations require negative COVID-19 tests before arrival.
Middle East
- Israel and the United Arab Emirates are among the places allowing American tourists who meet certain requirements, including negative COVID-19 tests.
Russia
- U.S. citizens are allowed to travel to Russia under certain conditions. A negative COVID-19 test is required.
South America
- Most countries in South America have a “Do Not Travel” advisory from the State Department.
- A few countries, such as Argentina and Chile, are closed to American tourists. Others, including Bolivia and Peru, are letting U.S travelers in, but each has its own testing, quarantine, and curfew rules in place.