10/10/2020
Noexcusenottotravel.com As Covid-19 case numbers fluctuate, border policies around the world seem to change almost daily. Health and safety precautions are vital to the success of travel and tourism around the globe, yet it’s difficult to keep up with constant changes to government regulations. Here at Journeys, we are keeping our eyes peeled and our inboxes open to provide you with real-time information regarding current travel restrictions. Note that this page pertains only to regulations regarding whether other countries will allow American tourist arrivals, and does not include any information on safety guidance from any source.
Countries with Verified Plans to Open Borders:
AFRICA
Benin – International airports are open, with mandatory COVID-19 testing on arrival at traveler’s expense (~$165); travelers must self-isolate for approx. 48 hours until the results are received. In the instance of a positive COVID-19 test, the traveler will undergo a government-mandated 14-day quarantine. All travelers will be tested again after 15 days. Land borders are closed to tourists.
Egypt – Airports are open. Travelers must provide a health certificate showing negative PCR test results obtained within 72 hours of arrival in Egypt. Electronic visas are currently being granted.
Ethiopia – Land borders are closed but international airports are open. Arriving passengers must undergo COVID screening and a 7 to 14-day quarantine at traveler’s expense.
Ghana – International airports reopened on September 1, 2020. Travelers must bring negative PCR COVID-19 test results obtained within 72 hours of arrival in Ghana, and must also undergo an additional rapid test at the traveler’s own expense upon arrival. If the rapid test yields a positive result, travelers will be transported to a local hospital for further evaluation and to determine a further plan of action. Departing travelers will undergo temperature screening.
Kenya – International airports are open for visitors. Arriving passengers must undergo COVID screening and bring proof of a negative COVID-19 test administered within 96 hours of their arrival in Kenya. Any travelers displaying symptoms of COVID during their health screening, or anyone seated on the airplane within two rows of symptomatic passengers, may be subject to quarantine.
Morocco – Airports are open as of September 10, 2020. Travelers require a negative PCR COVID-19 test result issued within 48 hours of arrival.
Namibia – The international airport is open to travelers and airlines are re-establishing service. Travelers must show negative PCR COVID-19 test results within 72 hours of departure for Namibia and must complete a health questionnaire before departure. Additional testing may be required throughout the stay in Namibia.
Rwanda – Airports are open for tourist arrivals. Travelers must submit negative PCR COVID-19 test results within 72 hours of departure for Rwanda but before departing their home country. A second test will be administered on arrival, at a cost of approximately $50 to the traveler. Test results will be delivered within 8 hours, and travelers may not leave their hotel rooms while awaiting results. If a traveler arrives without a previous test result, two tests will be administered on arrival, 48 hours apart, and travelers may not leave their hotel rooms during this time. Positive test results will require quarantine in government-approved facilities. Additional testing will be required before visiting tourist sites, tracking gorillas, and departing the country.
Tanzania – Airports and borders are open; mandatory Health Surveillance Form and COVID-19 screening upon arrival. No standardized self-quarantine procedures.
Togo – Arriving passengers must present negative PCR test results obtained within 5 days of travel. An additional test will be administered upon arrival, and travelers must quarantine in their hotel until negative results arrive. Travelers must also download a contact tracing app.
Uganda – The Entebbe International Airport will reopen on October 1. Travelers must provide documentation of negative PCR COVID-19 test results issued within 72 hours of arrival. Visitors are expected to travel under the care of tour operators and to remain separate from local people.
AMERICAS
Antigua & Barbuda – The international airport is open for tourist arrivals. Passengers must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 7 days prior to departing on their trip. Testing may also be required at the airport or the traveler’s hotel. Additional monitoring may occur during the first 14 days of a traveler’s stay in the country. Face masks are required in public.
Aruba – Open to visitors from the US, travelers from some states must submit negative COVID-19 test results prior to departure from home; others may elect a rapid test on arrival. Official Aruba Travel Insurance is mandatory regardless of other insurance coverage. Masks are required in public.
Bahamas – Travelers are once again allowed to come to the Bahamas, but all arriving visitors must quarantine in a government facility for their first 14 days in the country.
Belize – International airports are now open for U.S. Citizens. Flights are operating from Miami and Dallas. Flights from Atlanta will begin on November 20. You must arrive with negative PCR COVID-19 test results issued within 72 hours before departure of the flight. You must also download the Belize Health App and complete the required questionnaire. You will have to check in with this app daily.
Brazil – International airports are now open, as of July 30, 2020, although land borders and seaports are still closed. Visitors are required to hold health insurance that will cover them while traveling in Brazil. So far, no testing requirements have been announced.
Colombia – International airports are now open for U.S. Citizens. Flights are operating from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, and Dallas. You must arrive with negative PCR COVID-19 test results issued within 92 hours before departure of the flight. Download the app “CoronApp-Colombia” to register and fill in the online immigration form.
Costa Rica – Residents of a limited number of US states are now allowed to enter Costa Rica with negative PCR COVID-19 test results issued within 72 hours of arrival. Review detailed requirements and an updated list of approved states. Residents of ALL states will be admitted beginning November 1, 2020.
Cuba – Has announced the resumption of international flights by August 1, yet plans to confine visitors to all-inclusive hotels on island keys without any local Cubans. Visitors will be tested for Covid-19 immediately on arrival, and those who test positive will be “isolated,” presumably in specific quarantine facilities or by returning home. It is still unclear whether this model of travel will be permitted by the US consistent with any of the allowable categories of travel to Cuba.
Dominica – Opens to all travelers on August 7. Visitors must document a negative Covid-19 test result 24-72 hours before traveling and register online 24 hours before arrival. Officials will conduct health screening and rapid testing on arrival. Anyone who shows symptoms or tests negative must go to an official quarantine location.
Ecuador – Borders are open as of June 1st. All visitors are required to have a PCR COVID-19 test done within the 7 days before their arrival. Travelers must either undergo a 14-day quarantine on arrival or show proof of “safe passage” managed by our ground operator in Ecuador.
Galapagos Islands – Opened to visitors on July 1st. The islands will follow the same testing, transportation, and quarantine protocols as mainland Ecuador.
Guatemala – Borders are open as of September 18. All visitors are required to have a PCR COVID-19 test done within 72 hours before arrival. Movement around the countries is allowed.
Mexico – International airports are accepting travelers. Visitors may be subject to health screenings, and travelers exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms may be subject to testing and/or quarantine. However, land borders are closed for tourism.
Panama – International airport will open on October 12. All visitors are required to have a PCR COVID-19 test done within 48 hours before arrival or a test can be taken directly at the airport on arrival for $30. Movement around the countries is allowed. Masks are obligatory in all public, outdoors and interior spaces. All suppliers and hotels have protocols in place as well as hygiene and cleaning procedures.
Peru – International airports are accepting travelers though there are currently no direct flights from the U.S. Visitors may be subject to health screenings, and travelers exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms may be subject to testing and/or quarantine. You must arrive with a negative PCR COVID-19 test results issued within 72 hours before departure of the flight. Facemasks are required in all airports and a plastic face shield is required during flights. Restaurants and shops have reopened with limited capacity.
Asia
Cambodia – New tourist visas are not being issued, but those with visas already issued may travel under strict requirements:
Travelers must arrive carrying a COVID-19 test result certificate with a negative result issued 72 hours (or less) prior to arrival
Proof of medical coverage of at least $50,000
All foreigners entering the country will be required to pay a $3000 deposit for mandatory COVID-19 testing and potential treatment services.
Upon arrivals, all visitors will be tested and await their results in a government-determined location.
A positive test will result in quarantine in a government-designated location at the traveler’s expense.
If someone on an arriving flight tests positive for COVID-19, all passengers on the flight will be required to quarantine for 14 days.
If everyone on the flight tests negative, everyone will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days and take another test 14 days later.
South Korea – Open borders; all travelers must undergo a 14-day quarantine in government-designated facilities at their own expense (~$100-150/night)
Tajikistan – Travelers are permitted with documentation of negative PCR COVID-19 test results issued within 72 hours of arrival in Dushanbe.
Uzbekistan – Travelers are permitted with documentation of negative PCR COVID-19 test results issued within 72 hours of commencing travel to Uzbekistan.
EUROPE
Albania – Travelers will undergo health screening on arrival. Those who are symptomatic will be required to quarantine and may have the opportunity to obtain testing at their own cost.
Azores – Travelers arriving from the USA must show negative PCR COVID-19 test results issued within 72 hours of arrival. (Note that Americans may not travel via mainland Portugal.)
Croatia – Arriving travelers must present negative PCR Covid test results issued within 48 hours of arrival at the airport or border. If test results have expired, travelers must remain quarantined until negative test results are obtained locally. If travelers arrive without evidence of a prior negative test, they must quarantine for a minimum of 7 days and until receiving negative test results. Local tests will be at the cost of the traveler.
Hungary – As of September 1, 2020, travelers must document they have had Covid-19 within the past 6 months, or must demonstrate a qualifying reason for entry. All travelers must show negative Covid-19 test results, and will be quarantined for 14 days.
Serbia – Travelers are recommended to bring documentation of negative PCR Covid-19 test results, but standard health screening is not in effect and no protocols are in place to ban travelers based on symptoms or virology.
Turkey – Travelers may undergo health screening on arrival. Those exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms will be taken to a local hospital for testing at their own cost, and anyone who receives a positive test result must quarantine at their own cost. If a traveler test positive, officials will use contact tracing to locate and test other travelers who may have been in contact with that individual while in transit.
United Kingdom – All arriving travelers will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
MIDDLE EAST
UAE (Dubai) – Travelers must bring documentation of a negative PCR Covid-19 test administered within 96 hours of arrival. All travelers must also show documentation of valid travel health insurance and download an app for contact tracing and health monitoring.
Pacific
Bali – Has announced plans to welcome foreign travelers starting September 11; other Indonesian islands have not announced reopening plans.
Maldives – Arriving passengers will be asked to complete a health screening process. Symptomatic passengers and their travel companions will be tested for Covid-19 at their own cost, and anyone receiving a positive test will be required to quarantine at their own cost.
Tahiti / French Polynesia – International airports are welcoming commercial flights. Arriving visitors must pre-register and complete screening online and bring results of a negative PCR Covid-19 test completed within 72 hours of arrival; travelers will be given a self-test kit to complete 4 days after arrival and to submit to local health authorities for processing.
Borders closed until further notice:
AFRICA
Botswana – Tourist arrivals are currently suspended.
Madagascar – Flights in and out of the country remain suspended
South Africa – Airports and borders are opened but closed to U.S. Citizens.
Tunisia – Borders are closed to US citizens but open to many other countries’ travelers
Zambia – Borders are theoretically open, but no visas are being issued, and previously issued visas may not be honored.
Zimbabwe – Borders are closed.
Americas
Anguilla – Borders are closed until at least October 31, 2020.
Argentina – Borders are closed indefinitely
Bolivia – Borders remain closed, with no indication of an expected reopening date
Chile – Borders are closed; some travel professionals predict reopening in October 2020
Cuba – Borders are now open to foreign travelers, but under specific conditions that fail to meet American requirements for itineraries in Cuba.
Asia
Bhutan – Closed for tourism.
China – Tourism not permitted.
India – Closed for tourism.
Japan – Ports of entry are closed to Americans as well as nationals of many other countries.
Kazakhstan – Closed for international tourism.
Kyrgyzstan – Closed for international tourism.
Laos – Tourism is discontinued until further notice.
Malaysia – Closed for general tourism.
Mongolia – Borders are closed with limited exception.
Myanmar – Travel in and out of the country remains extremely restricted; international flights and tourist visas are suspended until at least September 30, 2020.
Nepal – Americans are still restricted from entering Nepal. Very limited flights have resumed from some countries, but policy plans remain unclear.
Singapore – Closed for tourism.
Sri Lanka – Previously announced reopening, but now delayed until further notice.
Thailand – Closed for tourism.
Tibet – Borders are closed through 2020.
Vietnam – Tourism remains banned.
Europe
The EU has banned US visitors until further notice.
Azores (Portugal) – Borders are closed to US citizens
Bulgaria – Remains closed to Americans, but now allows visitors from many other countries including Canada
Czech Republic – Borders are closed to non-European visitors
Estonia – Borders are closed to Americans.
Germany – Borders are closed to Americans, but open to Canadians and others
Greece – Borders are closed to Americans, but open to Canadians and others
Iceland – Borders are closed to US citizens
Italy – Borders are closed to US citizens for tourism, but open to Canadians and others
Latvia – Borders are closed to US citizens, but open to Canadians and others.
Lithuania – Borders are closed to US citizens, but open to Canadians and others.
Luxembourg – Borders are closed to Americans, but open to Canadians and others.
Netherlands – Borders are closed to Americans, but open to Canadians and others.
Norway – Borders are closed to US citizens and most non-Europeans until at least November 1, 2020.
Poland – Borders are closed to US citizens and most non-Europeans.
Portugal – Borders are closed to Americans, but open to Canadians and others. (The Azores archipelago is an exception; see above.)
Romania – Borders are closed to Americans, but open to Canadians and others.
Middle East
Iran – Border status is unclear; travel not advised
Israel – Borders remain closed to non-citizens
Jordan – As of August 5, 2020, travelers from approved countries (including Canada) may visit Jordan after meeting specified requirements; the United States is not currently an approved country.
Saudi Arabia – Borders remain closed indefinitely
Polar Regions
Arctic – 2020 trips have been suspended but 2021 trips remain scheduled; individual country and cruise company policies prevail
Antarctica – 2020 and early 2021 trips have been suspended but late 2021/22 trips remain scheduled and bookings are currently underway
Pacific
Australia – Borders are closed until further notice.
Indonesia – Bali has announced plans to open to foreign visitors on September 11, but other islands have not indicated plans to reopen
Malaysia – Foreign travel restricted until at least August 31
New Zealand – Borders closed until further notice; potential reciprocal opening only for Australian visitors in October
Papua New Guinea – Borders are closed; national State of Emergency
The travel industry is facing a lot of uncertainty, and borders statuses change almost every day.
Courtesy : JourneysInternational.com
