Popular Destinations That Have Recently Eliminated COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
Destinations Doing Away With COVID-19 Travel Requirements
Demand to get away is surging as international travel becomes less restrictive this summer. That’s thanks to destinations all around the world loosening COVID-related entry requirements as metrics improve, including doing away with hurdles such as quarantine on arrival, pre-departure testing and mandatory travel and medical insurance in some cases. In recent weeks, a plethora of marquee places have eliminated or simplified their pandemic-prompted entry protocols, from Asia to the Caribbean. As has been the case over the past year-plus, fully vaccinated travelers will have a simpler time gaining entry in many cases. Here’s a look at some of the notable destinations around the world that just got a whole lot easier to visit.
Belize
Belize has eliminated all COVID-related travel restrictions, dropping requirements for proof of vaccination, pre-departure testing and mandatory health insurance. “With the emergence of weaker variants of COVID-19 and with the global trend of restrictions being relaxed, the time has come to take the pressure off of our health systems,” Belize Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard said. “We’ve reached a level where it’s now everyone’s personal responsibility to decide whether they want to be vaccinated or not.”
British Virgin Islands
As of July 15, the British Virgin Islands is no longer requiring visitors to present a negative COVID-19 test result to gain entry. “Currently the statistics are revealing that the virus is having a very minimal impact on those affected and the mortality rates have decreased significantly. That is why we feel at this stage we can re-open the borders and return to pre-COVID normal with regards to travel to the territory,” Minister for Health and Social Development Marlon Penn said in a statement.
Chile
While Chile hasn’t done away with COVID-19 protocols entirely, the South American country has made it easier to visit, no longer enforcing travel restrictions such as mandatory vaccination or testing and providing pandemic-related travel insurance. However, visitors will need to be fully vaccinated in order to receive a Mobility Pass.
Australia
Australia lifted any remaining coronavirus-related travel restrictions on July 6. As a result, visitors to the continent no longer need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination nor worry about any testing or quarantine requirements.
The Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands eliminated pre-arrival testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers and lifted mask mandates for indoor spaces on June 30. Nonetheless, visitors must still complete a travel declaration at least 72 hours prior to travel and have insurance that covers COVID-19. Children aged 11 and younger take the vaccination status of their parents.
South Africa
South Africa dropped all remaining COVID-19 travel restrictions last month, removing vaccination and testing requirements and lifting the country’s virus-related border checks, indoor mask mandates and the limits on gathering sizes.
Thailand
Thailand ended its “Thailand Pass” program on July 1, meaning fully vaccinated travelers can enter with proof of full vaccination. Meanwhile, travelers ages four to 17 can visit with at least one dose of the vaccine administered at least two weeks prior to their arrival date. Unvaccinated travelers will need a negative RT-PCR test or a medically administered ATK test taken within 72 hours of travel.
Anguilla
Starting August 8, fully vaccinated travelers entering Anguilla will no longer require a recent negative pre-arrival test result upon entry. What’s more, unvaccinated travelers will only need to provide a recent negative pre-arrival COVID-19 test result from August 8 as the destination is no longer requiring quarantine or post-arrival testing.
The Bahamas
Fully vaccinated travelers to the Bahamas no longer need to present a recent negative COVID-19 test to enter the islands, provided they show proof of full vaccination upon entry. Unvaccinated travelers aged 2 and older must present a negative COVID-19 Rapid Antigen or RT-PCR test taken no more than three days prior to arrival.