When can we travel again? What destinations are welcoming visitors? Is it safe to travel?
(Last updated on May 26)
I keep getting questions like these from clients and friends. Many, myself included, are ready to travel again to escape our realities - in hope of a break, or for a comfortable place to work. Whatever the reason, the struggle is real, the situation is serious, and information is constantly changing and not easy to find.
The truth is we may not experience travel as we knew it for a while, but countries are starting to lift bans and loosen restrictions. We can literally start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I am happy to share some of my findings, and will continue to do so as more information becomes available. But ultimately, only you can make the decision on whether it is safe enough for you to travel. If you do decide to travel, please do it responsibly - constantly check local embassies pages for updates, and be ready to follow local laws and guidelines.
Some highlights:
There is not a standard or guidebook to follow. Countries are establishing their own guidelines as they see appropriate.
Some countries are restarting tourism by creating travel bubbles, like Australia and New Zealand, and others like UK, France, and Ireland are establishing "safe corridors" with neighboring nations, allowing for tourism to start first gradually. Waiting a bit longer before allowing most international visitors to return.
Other countries are planning to open to tourism sooner than major airline carriers are planning to fly back. This might change as more regulations are lifted, but for now keep in mind that options might be limited when planning travel.
Technology will be used to help navigate restrictions; from apps for contact tracing to apps to reserve spots on beaches. Expect to download apps and create accounts as a required part of traveling in the near future.
Some countries will be asking for #COVID 19 test results, others will be testing you upon arrival, and many others are still planning to require self-quarantine for 14 days.
Here are some updates on destinations I have been following:
Latin America - In the next week announcements are expected from multiple countries in the region regarding international #Travel. As it stands:
Argentina has a ban on all internal and international commercial flights until September. Mandatory #quarantine is in effect until May 24.
Brazil has a ban on international flights in effect through May 28. Nevertheless, the country is seeing a spike on the number of infections, breaking records on new cases and becoming the third country with the most confirmed cases, after Russia and the US.
A travel ban to foreign individuals (Non US citizens or residents) who have been to Brazil within 14 days prior to travel to the US is in effect starting Tuesday, May 26.
Colombia's borders are currently closed until June 30th, and additional #guidelines are expected soon.
Costa Rica is restricting entry to the country to only citizens and residents until June 24.
Guatemala and Cuba continue to bar entry to most non-citizens.
Mexico on the other hand, is at the forefront of destinations welcoming back international travelers. Hotels have the green light to start taking #reservations, after complying with new health and safety regulations. Mexican beaches will open to tourists starting in June, but there will be multiple phases of reopening continuing through July and August (e.g. some regions will start welcoming international flights in June, others in July.)
Returning from Island hopping, Cartagena Bay
Europe - Ban on #nonessential travel into the European Union is currently active until June 15, 2020, But much of the loosening of restrictions will be left up to individual nations. Some nations have started to announce how they are planning to reopen their borders to non-European travelers:
Iceland will start welcoming visitors on June 15th, but will require all visitors to either take a #COVID-19 test, agree to a two-week quarantine or present official documentation of a recent negative test. Also, tourists will have to download a contact-tracing app.
Greece won’t start until July 1, and is planning restrictions on bars and tight crowds. They will be promoting more solo or socially distanced small-group activities, such as kayaking and boating instead.
France is extending the state of emergency until July 24, and is currently planning to require visitors to self-isolate for two weeks after arrival.
Italy has announced that it will begin to allow travel by EU citizens, as early as June 3 but it is yet to confirm guidelines after June 15th for non-EU Citizens.
NOTE: The policies around border control are changing fast. For accurate and the latest information check out official countries' travel information and embassies' pages, as well as the CDC and US Department of State Travel site
These are uncertain times, uncharted territories, and governments as much as travelers will need to navigate and adjust to the circumstances. There are not fit-all solutions and perhaps some mistakes will be made along the way as destinations start to welcome visitors.
Our adventurous spirits will be tested along with our practical minds and responsible souls. Let's make the right decisions, and continue to explore the world together. It is not going anywhere, we have time.
Until the next time...
-- Things are constantly changing. Let us know if you have any news, corrections, or updates. Help us stay up to date.
Sailing day around Barcelona