Countries relaxing COVID travel restrictions
Countries around the world continue to relax international travel bans related to COVID with the European Union dropping a mask order for air travelers starting next week.
And COVID travel warnings were dropped as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month removed all remaining countries from the “Don’t Travel” list.
“More and more people are once again traveling to destinations around the world and are enjoying all the travel companions,” the agency said Thursday in a statement shared by spokesman Tom Skinner.
While many warnings and bans around the world have been relaxed, the CDC says travel could further increase the risk of exposure to the virus.
“The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and CDC are working with the White House and other federal partners to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the American public while safely returning to more normal routines,” the report continued. CDC. “Travel requirements are made using the most available science.”
Mask rules:Where else are masks needed now that the mask mandate has been lifted?
Canada:Easing entry requirements for some international travelers
Open in New Zealand to all tourists in July
New Zealand will reopen its borders to tourists from all over the country in July, allow the return of cruise ships and make it easier for skilled workers to migrate as they look out over. world again after the COVID-19 pandemic, the government said Wednesday.
New Zealand is slowly reopening, first to Australians last month and then to tourists from the US, Britain and more than 50 other countries earlier this month. Wednesday’s announcement will allow tourists from China, India and other countries to arrive starting July 31.
The government said it also plans to end the need for people to take predeparture COVID-19 tests by the end of July.
Travel after the pandemic:Is it OK to ask about another passenger’s vaccination status or ask them to mask up?
The European Union:The removal of the mask order for planes, airports starting next week
Israel will lower the requirement of an arrival test for U.S. visitors
Beginning May 20, all U.S. travelers arriving in Israel by plane will no longer have to take a PCR test on arrival and will no longer have to quarantine.
As such, pre-departure testing will remain necessary because the ease of restrictions will allow more visitors to enjoy our country.
Laos is reopening to international visitors after more than 2 years
The landlocked Southeast Asian country of Laos reopened to tourists and other visitors on Monday, more than two years after strict bans were imposed to fight the coronavirus.
Thipphakone Chanthavongsa, head of the government agency for the suppression of COVID-19, announced on Saturday the reopening date, the end of the three-phase plan, the state news agency KPL reported. He said vaccination certificates or virus tests are still required for Lao citizens and foreigners to enter the country.
Travelers 12 years of age or older without vaccination certificates must show negative ATK tests obtained within 48 hours of departure from Laos.
As part of easing the bans, entertainment venues including karaoke parlors may now reopen, but must comply with COVID-19 restriction regulations. All border crossings were reopened.
Myanmar issuing tourist visas
Myanmar announced on Thursday that it will resume issuing visas for visitors in an effort to help the impending tourism industry, which has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic and violent political unrest.
Starting Sunday, tourist “e-Visas” will be issued online in a move also intended to harmonize tourism in neighboring countries, according to a government announcement in Myanmar’s state-run Global New Light newspaper. .
Guests need a vaccination certificate, negative results from a COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken prior to their flight and a travel insurance policy. They also need to take an ATK rapid test upon arrival.
Myanmar on April 1 resumed issuing business visas, and on April 17 dropped the ban on international commercial travel. It stopped issuing visas and suspended flight arrivals in March 2020.
The Czech Republic has also eased all travel bans
Last month, the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic simplified travel protocols for international visitors and Czech citizens.
“There are no longer any coronavirus bans for entry into the Czech Republic,” CzechTourism said on its website April 14.
Jamaica relaxed some restrictions in April
Jamaica reinstated entry bans on COVID-19 in April hoping the quick entry would attract more tourists.
The Jamaica Tourist Board announced last month that the Caribbean island would drop the mandate on the inside of the mask and the required PCR COVID-19 pre-departure testing to begin.
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As you consider travel, consider any restrictions and recommendations.
As you plan to travel, even with the restrictions the CDC quickly recommends all travelers continue to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations and “follow all local and international travel requirements and recommendations.”
And, weekly, the health agency updates Travel Health Notices to alert travelers.
In addition, the CDC’s COVID-19 Travel Health Notice is updated weekly to alert travelers to the COVID-19 situation at international destinations and advise them on how to protect themselves before, during, and after travel.
Contributions: Bailey Schulz, USA NOW, and The Associated Press
