COVID 19 TRAVEL GUIDE: WHICH COUNTRIES HAVE OPEN BORDERS?
Do you want to travel somewhere that is a bit far from home? Let’s say to another part of the world in the next few weeks or even months to come? And you are wondering whether it is safe to travel?
Though things are currently slowly crippling back to normal, you still need to find the latest information about coronavirus such as quarantines and even travel restrictions that might still be initiated in some parts of the world.
COVID-19 travel restrictions and border closures as from 2 February 2021
When reading this article, you need to keep in mind that this article doesn’t have all the countries across the world covered. Also, this article will remain valid if you are interested in the reports touching on border closures and restrictions that are dated early 2 February 2021.
It's advisable to check with your government travel advisory and even local news sources for the latest information about border closers and even travel restrictions across the country.
Also, if you notice that the country of your interest isn’t listed here, you can go ahead by checking for any restrictions that they might put in place from the above-mentioned trusted sources.
Which countries are still enforcing open, closed and lockdown measures in place?
Just a few months back as of 20 December 2020, so many countries across the world announced travel restrictions, bans and even mandatory quarantine rules for the travelers from the UK. All these were triggered by the increase of COVID 19 cases and even the detection of the new variant from the UK.
Before you travel into or out of the UK, you need to consult your travel agent or even your airline. This will help you know of any measures that might have been put in place to maintain the new virus variant.
Here are some of the regions and countries that we are briefly going to cover:
The Caribbean
Barbados
Here, the airport is open. All you need to do is to fill out an online Immigration and Custom Form 24 hours prior to traveling. This is a must for everyone and also travelers are also required to upload negative results from a PCR COVID-19 test 72 hours before travelling.
Anguilla
Do you know that Anguilla is open for the pre-approved visitors from some countries, and also you’ll need to apply to visit Anguilla? If your application is approved, you are then required to complete a pre-registration form, take a COVID-19 test within 3 to 5 days before travelling and then present negative results.
Again, everyone is required to be tested on the day 10 of their visit. However, for regular inbound travelers, Anguilla’s sea and airports will remain closed until 12 December.
The Bahamas
Here, it’s a green light. Commercial flights resumed. All you are required to do is to apply for an online Health Visa which you are required to present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result. The test needs to be taken not exceeding 5 days before the date of travel and if you are going to stay for more than 5 days, you’ll be tested on day 5.
British Virgin Islands
Borders are only open for those that are returning to Virgin Islands, and you must be a belonger, Permanent resident or even a naturalized citizen. If you meet the mentioned criteria, you will be asked to register online and also upon arrival you will be quarantined for 14 days.
Trinidad and Tobago
All airports and borders remain closed to the non-nationals with an exception of a permit from the Minister. Only returning nationals and also residents are allowed to return into the country and are also expected to meet the entry requirements.
North America
Canada
Well, Canada decided to have her land border and the US remain closed for non-essential travel until 21 February 2021. Also, Canada decided to enforce measures such as all air passengers who are 5 years or older to test negative for the COVID 19 before boarding a flight to the country.
The test must be conducted using the COVID 19 molecular polymerase chain reaction or PCR test and this must be done before 72 hours of boarding a flight.
You will be asked to submit a questionnaire to the Immigration upon your arrival. The US – Mexico land border will also remain closed for the non-essential traffic until 21 February 2021.
Do you know that there are restrictions on who can enter the US or even transit the USA? As from January 26, you are required to present a negative COVD 19 test that had been taken within 72 hours prior to departure.
The airlines are also required to ensure that this measure is met before one boards a flight to the US. You will also be asked to self-isolate for about 7 days minimum on your arrival and then take a COVID 19 test after 3-5 days on your arrival.
Europe
Belgium
Traveling to Belgium depends on the traffic light systems of high, medium and even low risk regions in the EU, UK and non-EU Schengen countries. For you to find more about this, you need to check the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
In Denmark, borders are only open for a few countries that are marked by yellow on the Denmark’s government’s website and this is updated weekly based on the COVID 19 infection rate.
In Germany, travel without restrictions is only permitted if your area is not marked as a high risk by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). If you have spent 14 days before arrival at an identified risk area, you are required to self-isolate in your home or a better place for 14 days or you can also alternatively provide a negative result test for COVID 19 that had been taken within 48 hours before entry or even tested on arrival.
Wrapping Up
You need to check about the measures that are put in place in every country that you want to travel to. You can do so by checking out their government’s travel website, consult your airlines, ask your travel agent or even check it out with your local news channel. You need to ensure that the sources are trusted, and the information is up to date! Best of luck and stay safe!rra nibh in adipiscing blandit tempus accumsan.