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A surprising amount of the world is allowing Americans to travel during the COVID-19 health crisis. Most of Europe remains closed to tourists, as well as parts of Asia and most of Oceania, but it may be the perfect time for that Caribbean vacation of your dreams or to cross that safari trip off your bucket list. What will it take to get into the countries currently open to tourists from the United States due to the current COVID-19 travel restrictions? Here’s what you are able to do and how to do it.
Caribbean
Antigua and Barbados: You will be required to test negative to a COVID-19 travel test within seven days of your flight. Some travelers will have to submit to additional testing and monitoring after arrival.
Aruba: If you’re looking for the best places to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, the local government officials in Aruba are allowing US tourists to enter the country if they participate in a COVID-19 travel test at the airport. In addition, each traveler is required to purchase visitors insurance to cover potential medical costs.
Bahamas: Visitors will need to receive negative test results within five days of travel and a “Bahamas Health Visa.”
Barbados: A negative test from within 72 hours and an online health questionnaire.
Bermuda: An online travel authorization that includes a $75 fee for testing upon arrival as well as a negative test from within 72 hours of travel.
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Dominica: An online health survey within 24 hours of travel, a negative test within 72 hours, and testing upon arrival at the airport.
Dominican Republic: Temperature checks and spot testing but doesn’t require pre-testing.
Grenada: A negative test with seven days, a health questionnaire, and a contact tracing app on your phone.
Haiti: Requires a health questionnaire and a 14-day quarantine for travelers.
Jamaica: A pre-travel health registration form, negative test within ten days of travel, and thermal temperature checks at the airport.
St. Barths: A negative test within 72 hours, or a test upon arrival and a second test after seven days, but there’s no direct flight from the US to St. Barths.
St. Kitts and Nevis: Travel restrictions for US citizens include an entry form and negative test within 72 hours of travel, a health screening at the airport, a contact tracing app on your phone, seven days quarantine in an approved hotel, a second COVID test, and a third test after 14 days.
Saint Lucia: A negative test within seven days of travel, a Travel Authorization letter, a health screening form, health screens at the airport upon arrival, and a 14-day quarantine at an approved hotel.
Saint Maarten: A negative test within 120 hours of travel, a health declaration form, proof of travel health insurance, and health screenings at the airport.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines: A negative test within five days of travel, a test upon arrival, quarantine for 16 days in an approved hotel, a second COVID test after five days.
Turks and Caicos: A negative test with five days of travel and pre-travel authorization from the government.
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Puerto Rico: You’ll need a negative test within 72 hours of your flight, uploaded through the health department’s website.
Mexico: The land border is still closed at most checkpoints, so if you plan on driving into Mexico, anticipate a long wait. Otherwise, there are health screenings in place at the airports, but no testing is required.
US Virgin Islands: The islands, including St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John, require testing and quarantine. Travelers must submit either a negative antigen test within five days of their travel date or a positive antibody test within four months. If you’re unable to provide the appropriate test results, you’re required to quarantine for 14 days.
Africa
Democratic Republic of Congo: Negative test within seven days of travel, and a second test upon arrival at the airport and self-quarantine for up to 24-hours.
Egypt: A negative test within 72 hours, or test at the airport, a travel visa, and self-quarantine in a hotel.
Ghana: A negative test within 72 hours of travel, and a second test upon arrival at the airport.
Kenya: Travel will be allowed to Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic if each tourist receives a negative test within 96 hours. In addition, travels are required to participate in a health screening upon arrival.
Mauritius: Extended stays are allowed with government approval and must include a 14-day quarantine with multiple COVID tests.
Morocco: In a state of emergency until December 10, Americans are allowed with a negative test within 72 hours of travel and confirmed reservations at a hotel.
Namibia: A negative test within 72 hours of travel, and visitors must stay and their initial lodgings for a full week.
Nigeria: Travelers must register online, show a negative test within five days of travel, and take a second test after seven days.
Rwanda: A negative test within five days of travel, and a second test taken at the airport upon arrival, and a visa (which can be obtained at the airport).
South Africa: A negative test within 72 hours or a 14-day self-quarantine.
Tanzania: A negative test within 72 hours, health screening, and a health survey, but there are no quarantine requirements.
Uganda: A negative test within 72 hours, temperature and health screenings upon arrival, and a second test within 120 hours of departure from the country.
Zambia: A negative test within 72 hours and tourists must have a visa.
Zimbabwe: A negative test within 72 hours and visitors must self-quarantine for 14 days.
Europe
Albania: no testing requirements, but there are temperature checks at the airport.
Armenia: a negative test within 72 hours, or a self-quarantine for 14 days.
Croatia: Croatia may be the best place to travel during the COVID-19 health crisis if you test negative for the virus within 48 hours of travel. Visitors can also partake in a14-day quarantine, or a seven-day quarantine with a negative test taken in Croatia.
Cyprus: Entry is allowed after a 14-day quarantine in another EU country.
Ireland: Two-week self-quarantine after filling out a Passenger Locator Form.
Kosovo: Is technically open to Americans, but the embassy strongly cautions travelers against visiting.
Lithuania: If you have an EU passport, you can enter and must enter a 10-day quarantine and testing.
Montenegro: Negative test with 72 hours, there’s no bars or restaurants open, and there’s a 6 PM curfew in effect nation-wide.
North Macedonia: Temperature screenings at the airport, but no testing or quarantine requirements.
Serbia: Americans must enter from Croatia, Bulgaria, or Romania and provide a negative test within 48 hours.
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Turkey: There’s no testing or quarantine, but you will need a visa, and the US Embassy warns against terrorist activity.
Ukraine: Americans must prove they have medical insurance, quarantine for 14 days, and test negatively at the airport.
United Kingdom: Staring December 15, Americans can either quarantine for 14 days or five days and then take a negative test.
Central America
Belize: A negative test with 72 hours, or pay $50 and take a test at the airport upon arrival. Visitors must stay at designated hotels.
Costa Rica: Submit a health questionnaire within 48 hours and have travel insurance to cover medical expenses from COVID.
El Salvador: A negative test within 72 hours of travel.
Guatemala: A health questionnaire and a negative test within 72 hours.
Honduras: Fill out a government registration form and provide a negative test within 72 hours.
Nicaragua: Americans can travel to Nicaragua if they test negative to COVID-19. In addition, tourists are required to submit additional health screenings at the airport.
Panama: A health survey, a negative test within 48 hours of travel, or a $50 rapid test upon arrival.
South America
Brazil: There are no regulations, but keep in mind that Brazil has the most COVID cases on the continent.
Chile: A negative test within 72 hours, a traveler’s affidavit, and a mandatory 14-day quarantine, even with negative test results.
Colombia: Fill out a pre-flight registration form, present a negative test within 96 hours of travel, and download a tracking app.
Ecuador: A negative test from within ten days.
Paraguay: A negative test from within 72 hours of travel, proof of medical insurance, and a health questionnaire filled out within 24 hours of your flight.
Peru: A negative test within 72 hours of travel and a traveler’s affidavit.
Asia
Cambodia: A negative test within 72 hours of travel, a $2000 deposit for potential medical expenses, a $90 travel insurance package, a 14-day quarantine in designated accommodations, and a second negative COVID test following quarantine.
The Maldives: A negative test with 96 hours, an online health survey, and proof of reservation at a hotel or resort.
Pakistan: A negative COVID test within 96 hours, a visa, health screenings, and download a contact tracing app.
South Korea: A mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival at a government facility.
Taiwan: A negative test with 72 hours and a 14-day self-quarantine.
Tajikistan: A valid Tajik visa, but the embassy warns about both COVID-19 travel and terrorism.
Thailand: Travel restrictions implemented by government officials for US citizens include a negative test within 72 hours. On the other hand, visitors must stay for at least 60 days, pay a $40 visa fee, have proof of insurance for potential medical costs, a bank statement, a reservation at a quarantine hotel for 14 days, and a round-trip flight confirmation.
Uzbekistan: A negative test within 72 hours and health screening, but they’ll compensate travelers $3000 if you catch COVID-19 while you travel in the country.
Middle East
Bahrain: A negative test upon arrival at the airport, and a second test after ten days in the country.
Israel: The country is currently in lockdown, but the international airport remains open.
United Arab Emirates: A negative test within 96 hours of travel, or at the airport upon arrival, thermal screenings at the airport, and a 14-day self-quarantine.
Oceania
French Polynesia: A negative test within 72 hours of travel, fill out an online health registration form, proof of international travel insurance, a second COVID-19 travel test four days after arrival.
COVID-19 Travel Featured Image Credit: Evan Krause on Unsplash