Countries around the world continue to ease international travel restrictions related to COVID with the European Union repealing the mask mandate for air travelers starting next week.
COVID travel warnings are also being dropped. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month removed all remaining countries on its “no travel” list.
“More and more people are again traveling to destinations around the world and enjoying all that comes with travel,” the agency said Thursday in a statement shared by company spokesman Tom Skinner.
While many warnings and restrictions around the world have been eased, the CDC said travel can still increase the risk of exposure to the virus.
The CDC continued: “The US Department of Health and Human Services and the 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 normal routine.” “Travel requirements have been prepared using the best available science.”
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Canada:Entry requirements are relaxed for some international travelers
New Zealand opens to all tourists by July
On Wednesday, the government said New Zealand will reopen its borders to tourists from all countries by July, allow cruise ships to return and make it easier for skilled workers to migrate as it looks abroad again after the COVID-19 pandemic.
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 come from July 31.
The government said it also plans to end the need for people to take pre-departure COVID-19 tests by the end of July.
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European Union:It will drop its mandate mask on planes and airports starting next week
Israel drops entry test requirements for US visitors
From May 20, all American travelers arriving in Israel by plane will not have to take a PCR test on arrival and will not have to be quarantined.
However, pre-departure testing will remain a requirement because ease of restrictions will allow more visitors to enjoy our country.
Laos opens to international visitors after more than two years
The landlocked Southeast Asian nation of Laos reopened to tourists and other visitors on Monday, more than two years after it imposed tight restrictions to combat the coronavirus.
The official news agency KPL reported that Thibhakon Chantavongsa, head of the government agency for the control of COVID-19, on Saturday announced the date for reopening, the last in a three-phase plan. She said vaccination certificates or virus tests would still be required for Lao nationals and foreigners entering the country.
Travelers 12 years of age or older without vaccination certificates must be able to show negative ATK tests taken within 48 hours of leaving Laos.
As part of the easing of restrictions, entertainment venues including karaoke halls will reopen, but must comply with COVID-19 control regulations. All border crossings have reopened.
Myanmar issuance of tourist visas
Myanmar announced Thursday that it will resume issuing visas to visitors in a bid to help the moribund tourism industry, which has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic and violent political unrest.
From Sunday, tourist “e-visas” will be made available online in a move that also aims to coordinate tourism with neighboring countries, according to a government notice in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper.
Visitors need a vaccination certificate, negative results from a COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken shortly before their trip and a travel insurance policy. They should also run a quick ATK test after arriving.
Myanmar already on April 1 resumed issuing work visas, and on April 17 it dropped a ban on international commercial flights. It had stopped issuing visas and suspended flight arrivals in March 2020.
The Czech Republic is also easing all travel restrictions
Last month, the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Health eased travel protocols for international visitors and Czech nationals.
“There are no longer restrictions on the entry of coronavirus into the Czech Republic,” CzechTourism said on its website on April 14.
Jamaica eased some restrictions in April
Jamaica rolled back COVID-19 entry restrictions in April in hopes that easier entry would attract more tourists.
The Jamaican Tourism Board announced last month that the Caribbean island would drop its indoor mask mandate and start pre-departure PCR COVID-19 testing requirements.
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When considering travel, keep in mind any restrictions and recommendations
While planning travel, even as restrictions are eased, the CDC recommends all travelers stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and “follow all domestic and international travel requirements and recommendations.”
And every week, the Health Agency updates its Travel Health Notices to alert travelers.
In addition, the CDC’s COVID-19 Health Travel Notices are updated every week to alert travelers to the status of COVID-19 at international destinations and advise them on how to protect themselves before, during and after travel.
Contributing: Billy Schulze, USA Today, and The Associated Press
