Tag: Covid

Canada Suspends Random Covid Testing On Arrival To Reduce Travel Disruption

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After the United States dropped the testing requirement for vaccinated travelers, including returning American citizens, Canada has now decided to suspend random tests on arrival temporarily as airports struggle with rising travel demand. Starting June 11, only unvaccinated passengers will be subject to testing landing in Canada.

The move comes as numerous airports around the globe battle staffing constraints and an overwhelming demand. Although this is surely a step in the right direction, this is by no means a definitive decision. The Canadian Government has reiterated the relaxation has a validity date and, soon enough, random testing will be reinstated:

Vaccinated Travelers Can Avoid Random Tests Until June 30

From June 11 to June 30, incoming vaccinated travelers will no longer be selected for random testing landing at one of Canada’s main points of entry. Even though the country has scrapped pre-departure testing for the vaccinated a while ago, it had continued to enforce the highly criticized post-arrival random testing measure.

This means that, over the next three weeks, only the unvaccinated will still be required by law to undergo testing, if selected by health authorities, when landing in Canada. On July 1, the requirement for the vaccinated to undergo random testing will return, albeit with significant changes: as stated by the Government, all testing will be moved ‘off-site’.

In other words, travelers will not be required to provide a sample at the airport itself, being moved instead to a different location in a bid to ease the burden placed on understaffed airports. As of now, the Canadian Government has not yet specified how the changes will be effected, or exactly what ‘off-site’ means.

From our understanding, ‘lucky’ travelers could now be conducted to testing facilities outside the airport’s arrival halls, seeing that testing sites that have been set up in their vicinity will be dismantled in the upcoming weeks. This is yet to be confirmed by Canada, and we will keep our readers updated once more information is provided.

Airports In Canada Call For Measure To Be Fully Scrapped

For weeks, airports in Canada have urged the Government to further ease its strict Covid screening at the country’s international hubs as unavoidable cancellations are already set to have a devastating effect on passengers this summer. Enforcing random testing on-arrival would only worsen disruption and prompt further delays.

The Greater Toronto Airport authority (GTAA) has been calling for the program to be suspended for weeks, acknowledging that, in its current state, the hub cannot manage both increasing passenger numbers and enforce the country’s Covid policies. As GTAA states, arrival figures will increase by ‘some 50 per cent’ during summer.

In a recent interview with CBC, Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault revealed the Government decided to grant the three-week pause in order to help reduce disruption at airports. According to him, the suspension will give the government enough time to set up off-site testing booths away from the increasingly busy arrival halls:

‘It’s going to make sure that the airports flow more quickly’, added Boissonault. He acknowledged that airports are not designed to house mini health care centers and that the revised policy will help staff and ease congestion. Although the measure will be reintroduced shortly, for the Minister, ‘this is a good step in the right direction’.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra also conceded the Canadian Government ‘recognizes the impact that significant wait times at some Canadian airports are having on travelers’. Alghabra confirmed authorities will continue working with airports, airlines, and other key sectors of the travel industry to find long-term solutions.

Although the suspension will help airports in Canada, and the subsequent translocation of testing centers ensure airport staff can carry out their work uninterrupted, frustration among passengers may continue to grow, as random testing is set to return next month. As the Government has already confirmed, the vaccinated will not continue being exempt from July 1.

Government Believes Policy Is Necessary Despite Experts’ Recommendations

Addressing the public’s animosity towards the measure and defending the measure, Marie-France Proulx, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry, has asserted that randomized testing is ‘the only way’ to detect new variants being imported into Canada, especially now that provinces and territories are no longer doing massive testing.

Randomized testing is not the only concern shared by those traveling to Canada in the post-Covid world. Recently, the Government has come under fire for proposing a new law enabling border officers to search the phones of those arriving in Canada, further alienating restriction-wary travelers that are favoring countries with no strict policies in place.

Within the Parliament, Opposition Conservatives have pressed the Trudeau Administration to lift all remaining Covid restrictions for those visiting Canada, including the vaccination requirement and randomized testing. The latter’s three-week pause may be seen as a positive development, but it is still a small victory for opponents.

As health experts themselves call for randomized testing to be scrapped for good, we may see the Canadian Government reconsidering its tough stance. Many see the policy as ‘unnecessary’ now that there is ‘widespread natural and vaccine-induced immunity’, and one that only increases bureaucracy at airports.

In sum, if you’re vaccinated, you have until June 30 to enter Canada without fear of being picked out for testing.

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These Are The Top 5 Countries Most Eager To Welcome Tourists Back After Covid

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June 13, 2022
These Are The Top 5 Countries Most Eager To Welcome Tourists Back After Covid
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Spoiler… 3 of them are in the Caribbean.

International travel has been severely affected by the Covid pandemic. While travelers could roam the world freely before the virus emerged, the last two years have been a succession of travel bans, complex entry requirements and strict testing regimes that virtually suspended tourism. Luckily, now that Covid is under control, countries are finally reopening.

Even though some economies may have not been severely affected by the crisis, as not all countries’ revenues are mainly based off of travel, others felt the pinch particularly hard. These states, where tourism makes up a large portion of their GDP, have been some of the first to reopen and accept visitors – even prior to vaccines being introduced.

Based on a study conducted by Bounce, we rounded up the Top 5 countries most reliant on international tourism, and that are now eager to welcome tourists back after Covid:

5. The Bahamas

The Bahamas ranks at number 5 on the list of places that depend on tourism the most, according to a recent study conducted by travel experts at the Bounce luggage story app. According to the experts, it is only beaten by two other destinations in terms of tourism employment, with over 26% of the country’s workforce being in the sector.

On top of that, tourism accounts for roughly 19% of the archipelago’s GDP, proving the influx of tourist dollars is vital to The Bahamas. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that these paradise islands eased entry requirements recently, making it much easier for Americans and other foreigners to visit after the Omicron variant subsided.

With the revised rules, all tourists are welcome irrespective of immunization, having to fulfill one simple requirement:
- Present a negative Covid test result (PCR or Rapid Antigen) issued up to 72 hours before arrival.
4. The Seychelles

A French-speaking archipelago off the coast of Eastern Africa, the Seychelles is a surprising destination where clear water beaches can be found against the scenic backdrop of African nature. Similarly to The Bahamas, this tiny country owes much of its GDP to tourist money, which totals nearly 26% of their economy.

It is also open for tourism, and unlike the first entry on this list, vaccinated foreigners can travel to the Seychelles without undergoing a pre-departure Covid test. The unvaccinated are also welcome, as long as they present either a recent recovery certificate, a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure, or a Rapid Antigen test issued under 24 hours.

Once inside the country, tourists can enjoy more freedoms, such as:
- No post-arrival tests
- No state-ordered quarantines
- No Covid screening when visiting tourist sites
3. Aruba

With tourism contributing to nearly 30% of local employment rates, Aruba is one of the Caribbean nations most devoted to developing tourism. In fact, the sector’s participation in its GDP is capped at 27.64%, only slightly higher than The Seychelles. Nevertheless, Aruba has decided to go a step further and removed all entry requirements recently.

Recognizing the need for a tourism revival, the Dutch outpost scrapped all health-related travel protocols, returning to a pre-2020 state of normality much earlier than other Caribbean hotspots that would only follow suit weeks later. As of March, 2022, Aruba’s pristine beaches and traditional colonial-era towns are once again open to avid explorers.

In summary:
- No mandatory vaccination passports
- No pre-departure tests, regardless of Covid vaccination
- No post-arrival tests
- No mandatory quarantine
- All nationalities are welcome
2. British Virgin Islands

Second on the list of countries most eager to welcome back visitors, the British Virgin Islands are heavily dependent on the dollar. With nearly 33% of GDP being linked to traveler expenses, and a tourism-based economy, the Caribbean archipelago has remained open for visitation throughout the crisis, albeit with strict protocols.

Some groups are pushing for a wider reopening, especially now that international travel demand has surged, but the British Virgin Islands Administration has remained conservative in regards to pandemic management. They may well acknowledge that tourism is important, but some entry requirements remain in place.

Essentially, all arrivals must present a negative PCR or Rapid Antigen test, including:
- A vaccination certificate to be exempt from post-arrival testing
- Travel insurance covering Covid infection and any treatment costs
Unvaccinated travelers are exempt from further testing and quarantine, while the non-immunized remain subject to undergoing a post-arrival Rapid Antigen test at a cost of $50. Those who test positive are then required to quarantine for a full week; those who do not are free to enjoy their beach time as soon as they leave the airport.

The British Virgin Islands are proof that, even though they are now looking to increase revenue after Covid was controlled in the vast majority of the Western World, this does not necessarily mean a full lifting of restrictions. Fortunately for unvaccinated sunseekers, these 5 other Caribbean nations have reopened.

1. The Maldives

Leading the rank, The Maldives has a tourism contribution to its GDP at almost 39%, with the Bounce study finding that tourists bring in more than a billion US dollars into the country annually. It is far, by far and away, the nation the most excited now that Covid is becoming less of a global emergency.

Earlier this year, The Maldives became the 15th country to drop all Covid curbs, meaning vacationers are again welcome under 2019 entry rules. Along with Aruba, this island-nation is one of two destinations on this list where Covid is effectively being treated as an endemic disease: there are absolutely no health documentation required when traveling.

As of March 14, the below apply to all travelers regardless of country of departure or immunization status:
- No vaccination certificates
- No pre-departure testing
- No post-arrival testing
- No quarantine
- No mandatory health insurance
To learn more about which countries have already reopened and which ones still have entry rules in place, make sure you follow all the latest Travel Off Path updates.

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June 12, 2022
U.S. Drops Covid Testing Requirement For International Arrivals By Air
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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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June 11, 2022
Cyprus Removes All Covid Related Entry Requirements

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Cyprus is set to remove all of its Covid-19 related entry restrictions from the beginning of next month. The popular island, located south of Turkey in the Mediterranean Sea, has become the latest country around the world to announce the removal of its Covid-19 related entry requirements in a move that is set to be welcomed by travelers and businesses on the island alike as we head into a busy summer of travel on the continent.

In announcing the impending removal of its Covid-19 related entry requirements, Cyprus is following in the footsteps of its fellow European countries Belgium and Germany, who made similar such restriction-ending announcements during the past week. Here’s a run down of how the entry requirements are set to change for the country, plus a look at Cyprus’ other Covid-19 restrictions that will also be on their way out in the coming days.

Restrictions Removed – Information For Travelers

Despite being much smaller than most of its European neighbours, Cyprus typically performs well in terms of tourism. Prior to the pandemic, the country welcomed more than 4 million tourists per year, making it the sixth most visited country per capita of local population in the world. The pandemic all but ended travel to the country, with strict entry restrictions making a trip not all that palatable to travelers – but that could soon be set to change.

Just last night, the government of Cyprus made the announcement that the country would be removing all of its Covid-19 related entry restrictions, much to the delight of people in the country and travelers around the world. The removal of the current entry requirements will come into effect from June 1st, and will make travel into the country the same as it was prior to the pandemic.

The new changes mean that from June 1st, travelers will no longer be required to show proof of full vaccination against Covid-19, proof of recovery from the virus or a negative test result to enter the country. All travelers will need is a passport and a valid visa where applicable – just like how travel was in the good old days. The changes are for all travelers, regardless of their nationality or their country of origin. The need to fill out a passenger locator form was removed back in April.

The Cypriot government also made another significant announcement on Friday that will affect travelers heading into the country. From June 1st, the wearing of face masks will no longer be required in indoor areas – including airports – building on the previous changes that allowed travelers to go without them when outdoors. Whilst these are small changes, they make the idea of booking a vacation to the country far more appealing to travelers.

Travelers will still be required to wear face masks in medical-related places, such as hospitals and clinics, so visitors to the country should make sure to pack a few masks in their luggage just in case. According to Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos, the changes signal a return to normality for the island – a change that several other countries around the world have also been pivoting towards in recent months.

It’s been a good week as far as the easing of restrictions around the world is concerned, with more and more countries making it easier for travelers to enter once more. In Europe, the likes of Germany, Belgium and Austria have each removed their entry requirements, whilst several other destinations around the world such as Vietnam and Israel have also made it easier to visit.

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May 29, 2022
Philippines Covid Entry Requirements For 2022
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A real gem of Southeast Asia, for decades the Philippines has been welcoming travelers from North America and Europe who fall for its warm beaches and warmer smiles. With its bustling city-scapes to gorgeous beaches and islands, the Philippines has cemented itself as a top destination in the region with plenty to offer travelers – and it’s open for business once more. Here’s a closer look at what the entry requirements are to visit the Philippines at present.

Entry Requirements For Countries Permitted to Visit Philippines For Tourism

COVID-19 Testing Entry Requirements

Testing required.

In order to be able to enter the Philippines, travelers must take a test for Covid-19. This can be either an RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours of departing from their country of origin or a laboratory-administered antigen/ART test taken 24 hours prior to departure from the country of origin.

Quarantine Entry Requirements

Travelers will not have to quarantine upon arrival in the Philippines, but they are required to self-monitor for symptoms until their 7th day in the country. Those who arrive with issues regarding their Covid-19 vaccination documentation may be asked to quarantine in a government facility.

Health Form

All travelers heading to the Philippines must fill out the e-Health Declaration Card on the OneHealthPass website. This must be completed the day before or the day of the traveler’s flight. This will provide travelers with a QR code that will be checked upon arrival.

COVID-19 Travel Insurance Entry Requirements

Travelers to the Philippines must present proof of travel insurance purchased before their arrival in the country. The insurance must cover treatment for Covid-19, and it must have a minimum coverage amount of U.S.$35,000. The policy must last for the duration of the traveler’s stay in the Philippines.

COVID-19 Health Requirements While in the Philippines

The wearing of face masks in public places and on public transport has been mandated by the government of the Philippines, with some other facilities – such as medical institutions – also often requiring the use of face shields. Other restrictions may vary from place to place – travelers should ensure they do their research for each destination they are heading to. Those who do not comply may be subjected to fines.

COVID-19 Vaccine Entry Requirements

In order to visit the Philippines, travelers must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Only the following documents are accepted as proof of vaccination:
- World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis; or
- VaxCertPH; or
- National or State digital certificate of the country/foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement; or
- Other proofs of vaccination are permitted by the IATF.
Visa Entry Requirements For Philippines During COVID-19

Typical pre-Covid visa restrictions still apply for the Philippines. For US citizens, no visa is needed for stays that are 30 days or less, providing they have a valid passport and a return ticket.

Philippines Covid-19 Entry Requirements:
- Take an RT-PCR test 48 hours before flight or an antigen test a day before the flight
- Fill in the e-Health Declaration Card on the OneHealthPass website
- Purchase insurance that covers Covid-19, has a coverage amount of $35,000 or more and lasts the entirety of the trip
- Ensure the vaccinations documents are valid and accepted by the Philippines
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April 4, 2022
Belize Plans To Lift All Remaining Covid Restrictions

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A destination still requiring foreign tourists to present proof of vaccination or a negative test in order to enter, Belize could soon become the next country in the Caribbean to lift all remaining Covid restrictions, as announced by a top government official. And what’s best: a further relaxation of measures is expected as soon as next week.

Though vaccinated travelers have enjoyed hassle-free visits to Belize throughout most of the pandemic, recently even those considered fully immunized have had to observe a series of requirements. Among them, tourists must purchase mandatory health insurance, book accommodation at a Gold Standard property, and wear masks once inside various indoor spaces.

Now, it seems the country is preparing to lift most – if not all – curbs.

Belize’s Cabinet Might Lift Remaining Restrictions As Soon As April

Speaking at the Spanish Lookout Business Expo, Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Eamon Courtenay, suggested that any remaining Covid restrictions still being enforced by Belizean authorities might be lifted ‘next week‘. That means travelers due to arrive in the country this April for their yearly vacations could experience an even-freer Belize.

During his statement, the Minister pinpointed that it is ‘important’ to appreciate that, because of Covid, Belize has suffered ‘the worst economic crisis’ of its recent History. As a nation heavily reliant on tourism, especially that originating from nearby countries such as Mexico and the United States, Belize’s economy took a heavy hit over the last couple of years.

Courtenay highlighted how the pandemic took its toll on average Belizeans, not only due to infections and subsequent deaths, but also job losses. In 2020, the first year of the crisis, the small nation experienced a staggering 16% fall in GDP, with over 65,000 Belizeans losing their jobs, as a result of strict health protocols and tight measures that made travel burdensome for several categories of travelers.

While he notes that ‘personal rights and freedoms had to be seriously curtailed in the public interest’, the Foreign Minister concedes that the cost of Covid was substantial, hinting that the country may soon reopen further. In his own words, those monitoring the level of restrictions in Belize closely should ‘tune in for the announcement from the Cabinet next week’.

According to him, there is a chance ‘freedoms will be restored again‘ following the announcement. At present, the measures that are still in place across Belize involve mandatory mask wearing indoors and in public offices, enforcement of physical distancing in indoor settings, capacity limits for certain venues, and a Covid proof of entry for foreign travelers, including U.S. citizens.

What Exact Measures Could Be Relaxed Next Week In Belize?

While the country has recently started allowing fully vaccinated Americans, as well as other immunized visitors, to enter without a negative PCR test, the unvaccinated are still subject to testing.

When unable to present a vaccination certificate, foreigners must be in possession of a negative PCR result, issued within 72 hours of arrival, or a negative Rapid Antigen result dated no earlier than 48 hours prior to the border crossing.

Home test kits are also not accepted.

When choosing to not undergo testing prior to traveling, unvaccinated visitors are subject to testing at the airport upon arrival for a fee of US$50, or BZ$100, to be paid in cash.

If an active infection is picked up, they will then be required to undertake quarantine at a government-approved hotel at their own expense, only being allowed to leave following verified recovery, such as a second negative test.

For now, we still do not know what travel restrictions will be lifted exactly in April, or whether the Cabinet will focus specifically on the easing of internal mandates, such as mask usage and the scrapping of the Gold Standard program.

Currently, those eligible to visit Belize must book accomodation at a Gold Standard-listed hotel, and are required to present proof of having done so. It is also not possible to affirm, at this stage, whether Belize will follow neighboring Mexico’s lead in scrapping all existing Covid border measures.

Unlike Belize, Mexico grants both the vaccinated and unvaccinated unrestricted entry, having returned to pre-pandemic travel regulations and going as far as removing the increasingly popular Health Declaration Form.

We will find out more about the Cabinet’s reopening plan next week, as revealed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Right now, despite its tougher protocols, Belize is one of the safest countries to visit in the Caribbean, reporting a nearly negligible average of 8 infections per day, or only 1% of its January 23 peak.

Due to these favorable trends, which point towards a further relaxation of rules, travelers can expect more positive news coming from Belize in the next few days.

For those scheduled to arrive in Belize soon and who are seeking official information, we advise you to check the Belize Tourism Board website for more updates.

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March 30, 2022