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

It's beginning to look a lot like normal / everywhere you go...

And so this brings us to our 35th and (likely) final installment of the COVID megathreads. With the end of 2022, after three years, we will likely bring these to a close. So, one last time, 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 Oct. 24, 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. Neither a pre-departure test nor a booster is required.

Proof of vaccination and COVID tests are not being demanded at check-in, security, boarding, or arrival for domestic travel, regardless of nationality. The US also has no testing requirement for leaving; destinations and transit points determine any testing requirements.

For more information, see the US State Dept.'s FAQ.

...in Canada?

Last updated Oct. 1, 2022

As of Oct. 1, there are no special COVID-related entry or transit requirements (testing, quarantine, or passenger locator forms), regardless of vaccination status or country of origin. For more information, see the Canadian government's COVID-19 travel restrictions page.

...in Mexico?

Last updated Jul. 5, 2022

At the time of writing, there are no changes to Mexico's standard entry requirements. 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

As of 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?

Last updated Oct. 24, 2022

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

As of Oct. 21, none of the EU countries have special COVID-related restrictions for entering or transiting. For more information, see official government sources from each respective country (e.g. the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the German Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community, the Italian Ministry of Health, the Dutch government website, Turismo de Portugal, or Spain's TravelSafe website.

...in South Korea?

Last updated Oct. 11, 2022

Foreign travelers can now enter South Korea without quarantine, regardless of vaccination status. Pre-departure and on-arrival tests are no longer required.

Visa-waiver programs have been reinstated for most countries that had them pre-pandemic. For more information, see the Korea Immigration Service.

...in Japan?

Last updated Oct. 13, 2022

Japan is now open to individual tourists booking travel independently. Visa-free policies that were suspended prior to the pandemic will be reinstated as of that date. Travelers will either need to be fully vaccinated with a booster or have a negative pre-departure test from within 72 hours of departure.

As was the case throughout the pandemic, fully airside transits are not subject to the above restrictions. Note that is not possible to transit Narita/NRT fully airside overnight, between two calendar days.

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

...in Thailand?

Last updated Oct. 1, 2022

As of Oct. 1, there are no special COVID-related entry or transit requirements (testing, quarantine, or passenger locator forms), regardless of vaccination status.

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

Realistically, at this point, if a country has lifted its restrictions, it is highly unlikely more rigid restrictions will be implemented. There haven't been reports of this throughout 2022, post-omicron.

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:

Semi-monthly megathreads:

Monthly megathreads:



Submitted November 30, 2022 at 07:00PM by tariqabjotu https://ift.tt/DMLa8tW

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