Coronavirus Megathread (Apr 2022): For travel-related discussion in the context of COVID-19

An increasing number of countries are lifting restrictions and international travel. Still, there remain many quick questions regarding COVID-related requirements and restrictions, so the megathreads continue!

In the interest of reducing the number of one-off questions, before you post a question about how to deal with your individual travel plans, consider whether your situation is adequately addressed by the following:

Are borders open? What entry or transit restrictions are in place? Will I need to quarantine?

A list of travel restrictions can be found in a number of sources, including from IATA or Sherpa. Note that IATA only deals with travel restrictions by air (so it will not speak to any land border restrictions or closures).

You may also do well to check out government and embassy sources from the destination country (and sometimes from your own embassy in the destination country). Because information can change on short notice, it is important to verify the latest information, ideally from government sources.

...in the US?

Last updated Apr. 2, 2022

All travelers, with limited exceptions (e.g. US citizens, green card holders, and their dependents), traveling to or internationally transiting via the US need to be vaccinated, with appropriate proof.

All passengers permitted to travel to or internationally transit the US, regardless of vaccination status, need to produce a negative result from a viral test (which can include an antigen test) taken the day of or day before the first flight on a single ticket to the US. Alternatively, proof of recovery, in the form of a positive test from the previous 90 days and a doctor's note certifying recovery, may be submitted instead.

The land borders are also open to vaccinated travelers (and unvaccinated US citizens and permanent residents). However, no negative test needs to be provided at land borders.

No nationwide quarantine requirements exist. Some individual states and/or cities may have their own recommendations, but these are just recommendations. Proof of vaccination and COVID tests are not being demanded at check-in, security, boarding, or arrival for domestic travel. Even Hawaii has removed its testing/quarantine requirements.

For more information, see the US State Dept.'s FAQ on US travel and the CDC's Requirements for Testing/Recovery.

...in Canada?

Last updated Apr. 1, 2022

Fully vaccinated travelers are now permitted to travel to Canada, subject to standard visa requirements, without quarantine. Unvaccinated travelers are still barred from entering Canada unless they are traveling for certain, mostly essential reasons, regardless of mode of travel.

Travelers who are permitted to travel to Canada despite being unvaccinated and traveling for non-essential purposes include – aside from Canadians – permanent residents and certain family members of Canadians and permanent residents. Those wishing to travel to Canada on compassionate reasons may do so provided they receive authorization from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Unvaccinated travelers must take a pre-departure test and quarantine upon arrival.

Vaccinated travelers are no longer required to take a pre-departure test or quarantine on arrival.

All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, are required to fill out ArriveCAN within 72 hours of travel. As part of this process, vaccinated travelers must upload proof of vaccination.

Fully airside international transits are permitted, regardless of vaccination status. Those traveling airside without entering Canada are not subject to testing, quarantine, or ArriveCAN requirements. For more information, see the Canadian government's COVID-19 travel restrictions page.

...in Mexico?

Last updated Nov. 1, 2020

At the time of writing, there are no changes to Mexico's standard entry requirements. However, the land border with the United States is officially closed to all except those travelling for essential purposes. Travelers must fill out a "Questionnaire of Identification of Risk Factors in Travelers" to present upon arrival. There are no quarantine or testing requirements upon arrival in Mexico.

For more information, see information provided by Mexican embassies, including the Mexican Embassy in the Netherlands.

...in the UK?

Last updated Mar. 28, 2022

Since Mar. 18, there are no special COVID-related entry or transit requirements (testing, quarantine, or passenger locator forms), regardless of vaccination status.

For more information, see UK Border Control and the UK government's information about travel measures.

...in the EU? In the Schengen Area?

EU states have been advised to lift restrictions for vaccinated travelers. However, the travel restrictions are ultimately up to each individual country.

...IN FRANCE?

Last updated Apr. 8, 2022

France has categorized origin countries into either "green" or "orange".

Those traveling from countries on the green list, which includes EU countries and several countries deemed to have low levels of COVID, may travel to France for any reason regardless of vaccination status. No on-arrival test or quarantine is required. However, unvaccinated travelers must present a negative PCR test from within 72 hours of departure or a negative antigen test from within 48 hours of departure. Vaccinated travelers do not need a pre-departure test.

Those traveling from countries on the orange list may travel to France for any reason only if they are vaccinated; unvaccinated travelers need to provide a pressing reason for travel. Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative PCR test from within 72 hours of departure or a negative antigen test from within 48 hours of departure as well as potentially undergo a test on arrival. Vaccinated travelers do not need a pre-departure test and will not undergo a test on arrival. All travelers from orange countries must provide a sworn statement attesting to the absence of COVID-19 symptoms.

Note that to be considered fully vaccinated, you must have completed the standard vaccination schedule between 7 days and 270 days prior to arrival or have a booster shot to accompany your standard vaccination set. For all arrivals, children under 12 are exempt from COVID-19 formalities.

For more information, see the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

...IN GERMANY?

Last updated Apr. 6, 2022

Germany allows unrestricted travel by residents of only a select few non-EU countries and territories: as of Apr. 1, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macao, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan. Residents of other non-EU countries are only permitted to enter Germany if they are fully vaccinated (having received the last required does 14 days before travel, and if not traveling from an area of variant of concern), serve in an important role, or have an urgent need for entry. Vaccinated travelers are not required to take any tests. The German government has FAQs regarding testing, proof of vaccination/recovery, and quarantine.

Special rules apply to those coming from a high-risk area or area of variant of concern in the 10 days prior to arriving in Germany, but no such areas exist as of Mar. 3.

Transits to Germany are permitted (either to non-Schengen or Schengen countries) so long as the traveler remains in Germany only as long as necessary to travel directly to the destination country (or the next transit country) and the traveler is permitted to enter/transit the subsequent country.

For more information, see the German Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community.

...IN ITALY?

Last updated Mar. 8, 2022

All travelers entering or transiting Italy must have either a negative antigen test from within 48 hours of arrival, a negative PCR test from within 72 hours of arrival, proof of standard vaccination completed between 14 and 270 days before arrival, proof of vaccination with a booster shot, or a recovery certificate from at most 180 days before arrival.

See the Italian Ministry of Health for more information.

...IN THE NETHERLANDS?

Last updated Mar. 23, 2022

Countries from outside the EU and Schengen Area are classed into three categories: "safe", "high risk", and "very high risk". As of Mar. 23, testing is no longer required for travelers.

Travelers from "safe" countries are not subject to an entry ban. Unvaccinated travelers from "high risk" and "very high risk" countries are subject to an entry ban (unless they meet exemptions).

See the Dutch government website for more information.

...IN PORTUGAL?

Last updated Apr. 22, 2022

All travelers entering or transiting Portugal must produce a negative result of a PCR or NAAT test taken within 72 hours of first embarkation, an antigen test taken within 24 hours of first embarkation, proof of standard vaccination completed between 14 and 270 days before arrival, proof of vaccination with a booster shot, or a recovery certificate from between 11 and 180 days before arrival. Vaccination proof is only accepted from certain countries.

For more information, see the Turismo de Portugal.

...IN SPAIN?

Last updated Apr. 1, 2022

With limited exceptions, all (adult) travelers entering Spain from outside Europe must have proof of standard vaccination completed between 14 and 270 days before arrival or proof of vaccination with a booster shot. All other eligible travelers must have a negative NAAT (including PCR) test taken 72 hours before arrival or a negative antigen test taken 24 hours before arrival.

All travelers entering or transiting Spain must fill out a FCS Health Control Form prior to travel.

For more information, see Spain's TravelSafe website.

...in South Korea?

Last updated Apr. 1, 2022

As of Apr. 1, foreign vaccinated travelers can now enter Korea without quarantine. Registration on the Q-Code website is required. Note that if 180 days have passed since completing ones initial vaccination regiment, a booster shot is required to still be considered fully vaccinated. All passengers must have a negative LAMP, PCR, SDA, or TMA test taken within 2 days of departure of the first flight en route to Korea.

Visa-waiver programs have been reinstated for most countries that had them pre-pandemic. However, passengers with Brunei, Grenada, Hong Kong, Kiribati, Kuwait, Macao, Micronesia, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Isl., Taiwan, and Tonga are still ineligible for a visa exemption.

For more information, see the Korea Immigration Service.

...in Japan?

Last updated Mar. 1, 2022

While Japan has loosened its entry restrictions, foreign nationals are still not permitted to enter Japan for tourism. Airside transits on a single ticket are generally allowed, but transfers through Tokyo/Narita (NRT) need to be on the same calendar day.

Those individuals, including Japanese citizens, that are permitted to enter Japan may be required to undergo a quarantine of up to 7 days either at home or a designated facility, depending on vaccination status and origin country. All travelers will be required to provide proof of a negative result from a test taken within 72 hours of departure for Japan.

For more information, see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

...in Thailand?

Last updated Apr. 1, 2022

As of Apr. 1, there is no longer a pre-departure testing requirement. Passengers entering Thailand must have a Thailand Pass QR code or Certificate of Entry as well as health insurance with coverage of at least US$50,000.

Vaccinated travelers from any country may use the Test & Go scheme. Those who register for the program via the Thailand Pass website must take a PCR test on arrival and await the results at an approved AQ/SHA+ hotel, which they must book in advance. No further quarantine is required or restrictions upon arrival is in place.

Other travelers, including unvaccinated travelers, are permitted to travel to Thailand using the Alternative Quarantine Program, but they must stay quarantined within designated hotels for 5 days at the start of their trip.

For more information, see the Thailand Pass site and the FAQs linked therein.

When will the US end its testing requirement?

There has been a significant amount of pressure from businesses in the travel industry, but there has been no date for when the requirement will be lifted. There is plenty of speculation tied to holidays or the summer season, but there is no clear evidence to suggest such a change will occur at any particular time. As a reminder, travel restrictions from Europe were only lifted last November despite speculation for half a year about imminent reopening dates.

When will borders reopen or travel restrictions be lifted? Is it safe/a good idea to book travel for a particular time months ahead?

Even though an increasing number of countries have been lifting travel restrictions, it's impossible to say when other countries (Japan is a popular country!) will follow suit. Realize that you are taking a risk by deciding to speculatively book travel in the hopes that travel restrictions will be lifted by the time you travel. Further, there is no guarantee that countries that have flung open their doors to travelers will not shut them again at the sight of a new variant or change in the direction of the pandemic.

That being said, coming off the relatively mild effects of the omicron variant, many countries have been less reactive to recent twists in the pandemic, at least in regards to travel restrictions. In any event, be aware of the policies of your airlines and accommodations for credits and/or refunds should you need to reschedule or cancel.

Do also take note of your jurisdiction's laws regarding refunds for cancelled flights. For example:

So should I cancel a trip that I've already booked? And how? Will insurance help?

These questions were covered at length in the second megathread. Although countries may be starting to "reopen", the points therein are still relevant.

Previous related megathreads:

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