Tag: Arrivals

U.S. Drops Covid Testing Requirement For International Arrivals By Air
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Last Updated 4 hours ago

It was announced earlier today that the U.S. will be dropping its requirement for all international arrivals by air to provide a negative Covid test result in order to enter the country. All Covid testing restrictions to travel to the United States will no longer be effective as of 12:01 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 12.

It was first reported by CNN early on Friday that the Biden administration would be dropping the requirement, and it was later confirmed by the new White House press secretary, Kevin Munoz.

According to the announcement, the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention will reassess the rule after 90 days, taking into account any possible new variants that might emerge.

Testing Requirement Has Been In Place Since January Of 2021 – To End June 12, 2022

The Covid testing requirement for air travelers to the U.S. began back in January of 2021. When it was first introduced, the requirement was for all travelers aged 2 and over to show a negative rapid antigen test result taken at least 72 hours from departure.

Then in November, the administration tightened the requirements to only 1 day for all unvaccinated U.S. travelers, keeping the 3-day window for fully vaccinated travelers. At the same time, all unvaccinated non-U.S. citizens in barred from entering the country (with limited exceptions).

Covid testing requirements for travel to the United States were further tightened in December in the midst of the Omicron wave, and it was required for all travelers aged 2 and over to the US to show a negative Covid test result within one day of travel, regardless of citizenship.

And the 1-day testing window has remained in place ever since.

Testing Restrictions Only Apply To Air Travelers

It’s important to note that these new travel rules will only apply to international air travelers, as the land border between the U.S.-Mexico and the U.S.-Canada doesn’t require travelers to show a negative Covid test to enter.

According to the official US government guidance, all non-US travelers via land or sea might be required to show proof of full vaccination against Covid, however. This rule has been in effect since January 2022.

Here are the current testing requirements in the US:
- All passengers arriving via air to the US (mainland USA as well as its territories) must show a negative Covid test result taken no later than 1-day from their flight departure.
- Testing requirements apply to all persons over the age of 2, regardless of Covid vaccination status.
As of June 12, 2022, these requirements will no longer be in effect.

Starting June 12, the 1-day negative test requirement ends for:
- Returning U.S. citizens, both vaccinated and unvaccinated
- International arrivals, only fully vaccinated, as a vaccine requirement still exists for non-U.S. citizens to enter.
What About The Vaccine Requirement For International Travelers?

While a negative Covid test will no longer be required for air travelers to the US, unvaccinated non-US citizens and residents still won’t be able to visit the country for non-essential reasons.

So even though the testing requirements have been dropped, the United States won’t be joining this list of countries that have dropped all of their Covid-related entry requirements for international arrivals just yet.

Announcement Follows Months Of Pressure By Airlines And Travel Industry

Many companies in the travel industry including most US-based airlines have been pressing the Biden administration for months to drop the testing requirement for international air arrivals, arguing that it is no longer effective as a number of other nations have dropped their requirements.

Canada, Mexico, as well as many countries throughout Europe (including the UK) dropped their testing requirements while the US has held out. Many airline officials made positive remarks following today’s announcement.

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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June 11, 2022
Dominican Republic Breaks All Time Record For The Most Tourist Arrivals

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The Dominican Republic recently broke its all time record for the highest number of tourist arrivals into the country. The Caribbean nation, which has long since been a favorite destination for travelers from the US and Canada, welcomed a record-breaking number of travelers into the country last month in the wake of the global pandemic.

With the country recently having removed all of its Covid-19 related entry requirements, the record could well be broken again throughout the summer. Here’s a closer look at all of the details of the country’s record-breaking tourism month, plus a recap of recently-added new flight routes to the Dominican Republic that are set to make travel to the country even more accessible.

Record-Breaking Travel – Information For Travelers

Whilst the pandemic might have changed many things about the way we travel, some things have remained the same – and the popularity of the Dominican Republic is one of them. The sixth most popular international destination for Americans in 2019 and recently revealed as the fifth most in-demand destination for Americans this year, the island’s stunning beaches, top hospitality and close proximity to the US has proved irresistible once more for travelers in 2022.

Last month, the Dominican Republic welcomed 626,000 travelers, marking the first time the island had received more than 600,000 travelers in a calendar month and representing a 91% increase compared to April 2021. Most travelers arrived by plane, but a sizable contingent of 129,000 cruise ship passengers also visited the country, with the return of the cruise industry warmly welcomed across the Caribbean after months of inactivity and uncertainty. American travelers were the most popular, representing 40% of all arrivals, but plenty of Canadian travelers have also been taking the trip down south.

The record is looking increasingly like it will be broken again this year. Not only has the Dominican Republic recently removed all of its Covid-19 restrictions – making it more appealing to travelers – but the ongoing renovation of Punta Cana airport will see the country able to cope with the increased demand it is currently facing. Around 60% of April’s arrivals entered through Punta Cana airport, whilst the capital’s Las Américas International Airport welcomed 23% of the country’s visitors.

Huge traveler numbers may spell costly hotel bookings, but with plenty of worthy places to visit in the country, finding the right hotel shouldn’t prove too difficult. More and more destinations in the Dominican Republic are being connected with the US, with Frontier launching new flights from Tampa to Punta Cana and Santo Domingo that will start from the end of June. March also saw American Airlines add flights between Miami and Samaná, whilst the low-cost Canadian airline Swoop also added flights between Toronto and Punta Cana. With these new additions on top of existing flight routes, North American travelers have plenty of options when it comes to visiting the Dominican Republic.

Travelers looking for something different can also visit the Dominican Republic on a range of different cruises. Top cruise companies Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Carnival each include stops in the Dominican Republic on a variety of different cruise options, ranging from 7 nights to ten nights.

Speaking about the record-breaking month, David Callado, the Dominican tourism minister, said:

“The recovery of international travel is a reality. We’ve done it again. The recorded growth in April is an achievement without precedents. It’s the best April in the history of tourism in our country.”

Impressively, the country is welcoming record numbers whilst keeping standards high, with 93% of all travelers stating they would recommend the island to others or visit it again. With such figures reported despite the huge crowds, high hotel rates and packed beaches, the country looks set to enjoy greater traveler numbers for the foreseeable future.

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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May 6, 2022
Australia Removes Testing Requirement For International Arrivals
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Following the reopening of its external border earlier this year, Australia now allows international arrivals to enter testing-free if they are fully vaccinated.

Previously, the country required travelers to submit a negative Covid test result prior to boarding their flights, even when immunized. Now, this major obstacle has been officially removed as of April 18, meaning those who can prove they have received all required doses of an approved vaccine can again travel to Australia freely.

Here is a summary of all the latest entry requirements for travelers in Australia in 2022:

Pre-Departure Testing Officially Removed Following Weeks Of Speculation

While Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had already signalled previously test-free travel to Australia was not a distant prospect, many in the traveler community were suspicious of his statement.

After all, Australia used to bar entry to all foreign individuals, and even some of its own citizens, throughout the pandemic.

As Australia has adopted an overwhelmingly strict border approach during Covid, many even feared the appearance of the newly-identified BA.2 variant would lead it to put up barriers again. Surprisingly, this did not happen, and the country started reopening after months of endless delays and uncertainty.

Now, it is also following through on its promise to further ease travel rules, especially for vaccinated tourists, who had still been subject to pre-departure testing before flying. Following an update on Australia’s Department of Home Affairs website, testing is no longer required for vaccinated tourists departing to Australia after April 18, 2022.

Testing-Free Does Not Mean Requirement-Free

Despite the long-awaited relaxation of testing rules, entry to Australia is still not bureaucracy-free, even for the vaccinated.

All arrivals are still required to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration, where they will be expected to provide contact details, their travel history in the previous 14 days, and make a legally binding declaration they are aware of the Covid measures in place across different Australian states.

In summary, when seeking to enter Australia as a vaccinated tourist from now on, you will need:
- A valid passport
- A valid pre-issued visa or travel authorization, depending on your nationality
- A vaccination certificate showing you were fully immunized with an approved primary vaccination course
- A completed Digital Passenger Declaration
What Vaccines Are Accepted As Proof Of Entry?

All widely commercialized vaccines are accepted as proof of entry by Australia, with visitors required to have at least two doses of the same vaccine, or a mix of two of the following, 14 days apart and 7 days prior to entry:
- AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria)
- AstraZeneca (Covishield)
- Pfizer/Biontech (Comirnaty)
- Moderna Spikevax or Takeda
- Sinovac (Coronavac)
- Bharat Biotech (Covaxin)
- Gamaleya Research Institute Sputnik V
- Novavax/Biocelect (Nuvaxovid)
- Certain variations of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine
- Johnson & Johnson/Janssen*
*At least one dose

While this is far from being a complete lifting of measures as seen in Europe, it is still a huge milestone for a destination that had been completely off-limits to tourists for the best part of the pandemic.

Are Tourists Ready To Return To Australia?

As we stated previously, Australia is seeking to relaunch itself as a safe destination, as many foreigners are still wary of booking trips there.

Its controversial zero Covid approach and border closures still seem ingrained in the minds of tourists, even after international flights were allowed to restart. Even though the border is open for vaccinated individuals, Sydney Airport, the country’s most important hub, has still been ‘eerily quiet‘ compared to before.

Canadians, Brits and European Union/Schengen Area nationals do not require visas to enter or transit Australia, but they must still apply online for an ETA travel permit before flying, which only adds to the list of documents that need to be arranged in advance.

More information, including fees and other criteria visa-exempt nationals must meet, are available on Australia’s official Immigration and Citizenship website.

Once issued, an ETA is valid for up to 12 months.

What About The Unvaccinated?

Those who are yet to be immunized and who do not have a medically attested reason to qualify for an exemption to the travel ban continue to face an outright refusal of entry.

As described by the Department of Home Affairs, those who are unvaccinated and eligible for a travel exemption, as defined here, must apply in advance.

It is worth noting traveling for tourism purposes does not exempt unvaccinated visitors from the entry ban. Additionally, unlike the vaccinated, those who are exempt and are yet to be immunized must still undertake a pre-departure test.

This means either a PCR or NAAT taken within 3 days of scheduled departure or Rapid Antigen within hours.

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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April 20, 2022