Ideas for International Travel during COVID
With the world headed toward “heard immunity” as more people get vaccinated and travel destinations open up, safety in on everyone’s mind. Some countries will let you in, but only if you agree to a multiday quarantine. Some countries require a negative COVID-19 test even if you’re vaccinated, which will add extra items to your pre-departure to-do list. Here are 3 International Travel destinations which offer the simplest conditions for Americans looking to travel.
THE BAHAMAS: Visitors traveling to the Bahamas who are fully vaccinated with approved vaccines and have passed the two-week immunity period are exempt from COVID-19 testing requirements.
You can still visit without being vaccinated but must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test before arrival. You need to upload vaccination proof or a negative test result to the Bahamas travel health site. A Bahamas Travel Health Visa is also needed, which costs $40 for U.S. visitors.
Once you’re there, there are a few restrictions, including curfews between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Nassau and Paradise Island, and between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Grand Bahama Island. While you’re permitted to roam around your resort during those hours, you can’t be out on the town.
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MEXICO: One of the most convenient countries for Americans to visit because of the short flights. Now, it’s among the countries with the fewest restrictions for entry: According to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, travelers do not need a negative COVID-19 test and there is no requirement to provide proof of vaccination.
Instead, you’ll need to fill out a form at the Vuela Seguro website to complete a quick but mandatory health questionnaire, either upon arrival in Mexico or up to 12 hours before your arrival. After completing the questionnaire, you’ll receive a personal QR code. Screenshot this QR code and save it to your phone for easy access as you’ll need to show it before immigration processing in Mexico. Save yourself some time by filling it out in advance and you’ll walk right past all the other passengers scrambling to fill it out at the airport.
Also Read: Will you need a ‘Vaccine Passport’ to travel in 2021?
THE EUROPEAN UNION: The EU announced in May that it would welcome fully vaccinated travelers who have received EU-approved vaccines without needing to take a test or quarantine.
Individual countries will create systems to check vaccination status, and member states will set their own requirements. Some countries are using what’s called an EU Digital COVID Certificate for travel clearance. The certificates are expected to become available in all EU member states as of July 1. An EU spokesperson told media outlets that the certificate system may soon be available to U.S. citizens, but that decision is up to individual countries for now.
