This article was updated on 7/2/20 to reflect the most recent travel information.
With the summer months setting in for those in the Northern Hemisphere, travel is on people’s minds. As countries begin to reopen their borders, many are eyeing international travel. Unfortunately, there are many obstacles for those wishing to engage in such a trip. Common barriers include 14-day quarantines, medical certificates promising a negative COVID status and selective border crossing policies. Given the inconsistencies of COVID management across the globe, it is also worth considering the destination country’s policies surrounding COVID and your own country’s suggested travel precautions.
Countries in the Southern Hemisphere have been far more reserved in their willingness to reopen than those in the north. With closed-off countries losing out on billions in the tourism industry, many are attempting to salvage what remains of potential summer travel. If someone wishes to embark on international travel in the next few months, their options will be considerably more limited than before and ultimately dependent on which country they are coming from.
Travel in South America
A view of Cuenca, Ecuador. Abbie Bernet. Unsplash.
On the South American continent, there are almost no countries jumping to welcome international travelers in the immediate future. Countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay are currently all under strict travel restrictions that ban foreigners from entering the country with very few exceptions. There is hope for travelers on the horizon, however, with a few countries such as Colombia and Argentina considering a tentative August 31st reopening. For those who wish to travel to South America now, Ecuador has been operating some commercial flights since June 1. Passengers are required to either submit negative test results from the past week or promise to take a test while in Ecuador and commit to a 14-day quarantine. French Guiana is also accepting visitors, although they will be subject to quarantine upon arrival and must submit an International Travel Certificate.
Travel in Oceania and Antarctica
A photo from the Goodwill Bridge looking over the Brisbane River in Queensland, Australia. Michael Marais. Unsplash.
Australia, though, is less decisive. While some officials have insisted that parts of Australia, such as Queensland, need to reopen in order to help the tourism sector recover, other conservative estimates suggest that Australia may not see international visitors for the remainder of the year. There are hopes that Australia and New Zealand will form a travel bubble in the future, as the Baltic countries established in Europe, but nothing is confirmed. For anyone considering a visit to the continent of Antarctica, those plans will have to wait as well. Even without any confirmed cases, Antarctica is taking precautions.
Travel in Europe
A photo from the rooftops in Vienna, Austria. Jacek Dylag. Unsplash.
Although not every country is in agreement with when it is best to reopen, European countries need a boost to their tourism sectors. Accordingly, Europe is the primary continent where travel destinations are reopening. June 15 and 16 were met with some tentatively cracked doors to the tourism industry, but most of the reopenings were confined to traveling between countries in the European Union. On June 30, the Council of the European Union issued a statement recommending that visitors from 15 non-European countries be allowed to enter the EU for nonessential travel beginning July 1. Places such as Brazil, Russia and the United States did not make the list, however. For those who are residing in countries that did not make the first cut, there is still the potential for a recommendation in the future; the EU is planning to revise the list every two weeks going forward, at which time non-EU members may be added or dropped. Additionally, this announcement is only a recommendation, and it is up to each of the 27 individual countries as to whether or not they want to adopt the EU council’s advice.
Although Sweden has been relatively relaxed in terms of border protection and regulations regarding the virus, the other Nordic countries (Norway, Denmark and Finland) have all shown considerable reservations about reopening. The reopenings are not without their own pitfalls. Spain has already reluctantly pushed some of its reopenings forward, a choice that will be felt by other countries in the EU.
Some of the first countries to lift travel restrictions included Austria, Hungary and Portugal, all of which have set a precedent for the rest of the EU. In Austria’s case, the country selectively opened its borders on June 4 to six other countries in the EU and is allowing another handful of countries later this month. Visitors must submit a recently-given medical certificate confirming an individual’s negative COVID-19 test, while some others can forgo the test in favor of a 14-day quarantine. Visitors must abide by the country’s reopening phases which include limited gathering sizes and outside-only restaurant seating. These regulations are common throughout the EU, with each country customizing the regulations to fit their needs.
Travel in the Caribbean
The view from the top of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse in Bermuda. Sandra Seitamaa. Unsplash.
Islands in the Caribbean are among the most active in reopening their borders to international travelers, even though there are caveats in place. Many of these places found considerable success in their fights against the virus when it originally broke out. Bermuda has an extensive set of rules for visitors to follow while it, along with St. Lucia, requires a negative COVID test for those arriving. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines permit nearly everyone except those who have visited certain countries (China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Korea, or Singapore) in the past 2 weeks. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, nonessential travel was permitted as early as June 1. Other places, such as Puerto Rico and Grenada, are actively planning their reopening.
Travel in North and Central America
A trio paddles a boat across Emerald Lake in Canada’s Yoho National Park. Bruno Soares. Unsplash.
North America is reopening, but not without trepidation. The United States and Canada both have multiple travel bans, and travelers are likely to undergo a quarantine period upon entry (the duration is state-dependent in the U.S.). Mexico is reopening slowly on a state-by-state basis, but tourist hot spot Los Cabos has already begun its multi phased reopening plan.
Central American countries are beginning to reopen, but there is a general reluctance to open the borders up to international travelers. Countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras are virtually inaccessible to foreigners for the time being. Belize and Panama are both making plans to reboot the tourist industry and allow international flights again. On the off chance visitors are being permitted, there are extensive quarantine stays and security measures in place.
Travel in Africa
Buildings in Kairouan, Tunisia. Haythem Gataa. Unsplash.
Reopening is inconsistent across the African continent. Although many countries have been badly hurt by the virus, some are still looking to reopen for international travel. Popular destinations like Morocco and South Africa have not announced any plans yet, but Tanzania is enthusiastically welcoming visitors as one of the first countries to do so. Tanzania is also subjecting visitors to very few levels of security, such as no mandatory quarantine; this casual response has been met negatively by the global community. Tunisia, meanwhile, is following a more standard path of opening by selectively admitting residents of Algeria and some European nations at the end of June.
Travel in Asia and the Middle East
A snapshot of overwater bungalows in the Maldives. Zunnoon Ahmed. Unsplash.
In the Middle East, countries vary from “fully restricted,” such as the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Oman, to “partially restricted,” such as Bahrain and Lebanon. In Oman, there are no commercial flights, domestic or otherwise (Omani nationals can enter but not exit). While a few flights may come and go in “partially restricted” areas, primarily for residents and nationals, nonessential travel is discouraged and a 14-day quarantine period is required in places like the UAE.
Traveling to Asia is also very difficult. Countries with major tourist industries, such as Japan and Singapore, have not officially announced a reopening time. Thailand has already pushed back its reopening date. International travelers can instead visit places like Turkey and Sri Lanka in the next two months. Many of those countries will require a negative COVID-19 test or proof of immunity and may require visitors to be tested again during their stay. Those wishing for an immediate trip to Asia, however, have the option of a private jet or yacht to get to the Maldives.
Phoebe Jacoby
is a Media Studies major and Studio Art minor at Vassar College who believes in the importance of sharing stories with others. Phoebe likes to spend her free time reading, drawing, and writing letters. She hopes to continue developing her skills as a writer and create work that will have a positive outward effect.