Tag: Removal

  • Travel Industry Continues Pressing U.S. Government For Removal Of Pre-Departure Testing

    Travel Industry Continues Pressing U.S. Government For Removal Of Pre-Departure Testing

    [ad_1]

    Share The Article

    Last Updated

    The U.S. travel industry – including the nation’s major airline carriers – has once again urged the American government to remove the pre-departure testing requirement for vaccinated travelers entering the country.

    On May 31, representatives from the travel industry met with members of the White House to discuss the matter – in an attempt to have the pre-departure testing requirement removed for fully vaccinated international travelers wanting to enter the United States of America.

    Travelers about to depart from airport

    And, not only are those in America’s travel industry arguing that the pre-departure testing requirement is a deterrent to those looking to visit the country, but they also claim it is harming the nation’s economy.

    The President and CEO of Airlines for America echoed this in a statement – following yesterday’s meeting – by saying: “Quite frankly, the only impact the pre-departure testing requirement is having is a chilling effect on an already fragile economy here in the U.S.”

    Times Square in New York City

    Major U.S. Airlines Believe Removing The Pre-Departure Testing Requirements Will See More Tourists Enter The Country

    The biggest airlines in the U.S. are calling for the Biden administration to remove the pre-departure testing requirements for international visitors – as they argue that this is likely to be acting as a deterrent to those considering visiting the U.S. for tourism purposes.

    A quiet airport in New Jersey, US

    And, there is no doubt that this could well be the case – especially with the number of international travelers to the States still more than 10 percent below pre-pandemic levels.

    This is in contrast to its neighboring country, Mexico – which has had zero covid-related entry requirements for months, and is on the verge of seeing a return to pre-pandemic tourist numbers.

    The nation is expecting as many as 40 million international visitors to enter its doors this year.

    A busy street in Mexico City, Mexico

    This Is Not The First Time That The U.S. Government Has Been Urged To Remove The Pre-Departure Testing Requirement

    A few weeks ago we reported that more than 260 companies had signed a letter addressed to the Coronavirus Response Coordinator, Dr. Ashish Jha, asking for the White House to remove the covid testing measures for fully vaccinated visitors arriving into the United States.

    American Airline planes at airport

    The letter had been signed by the nation’s largest airline companies – including American Airlines, Delta Airlines and Southwest – as well as major companies from the travel industry such as Hilton, Marriott and Disney.

    The U.S. Is One Of The Few Nations That Still Requires Travelers To Undergo Pre-Arrival Testing

    Young Female Traveler Looking Pensive In An International Airport

    Just over a month ago we reported that the United States of America was one of the only few nations that still requires travelers – in particular those who are vaccinated – to undergo pre-departure testing for Covid-19 before being able to enter the country.

    And, the fact that the nation still requires fully vaccinated travelers to undertake a Covid-19 test prior to their departure to the U.S. is sure to come as a surprise – especially as more and more countries around the world are removing ALL of their Covid-related entry requirements.

    In the last few days and weeks we have seen some of the most popular destinations for tourists – including the likes of Italy, Germany, Belgium, and Vietnam – having removed all of their entry requirements, following in the footsteps of the many countries that had previously done so.

    It will therefore not come as a surprise that the U.S. travel industry continues to push for the removal of the pre-departure testing requirements – in particular for those who have received their full Covid-19 vaccination. 

    International vaccine certificate

    You can keep up to date with the latest travel requirements for international visitors wanting to enter the U.S. by clicking here.

    Read more:

    260 Companies Urge Biden To Remove Testing Requirement To Enter U.S.

    Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

    Barbados Lifts Testing Requirement For Vaccinated Americans

    ↓ Join the community ↓

    The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily! 

    Travel-off-Path-group-1-1
    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

    Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

    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

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Thailand Releases Timeline For Complete Removal Of Entry Restrictions

    Thailand Releases Timeline For Complete Removal Of Entry Restrictions

    [ad_1]

    Share The Article

    Last Updated

    Thailand has just released a timeline for the complete removal of all their Covid-19 related entry restrictions.

    The Southeast Asian traveler hot-spot – home to the world’s most visited city in Bangkok – has tried to kick-start its tourism sector several times throughout the pandemic, though the country still has a strict set of entry requirements that travelers have to follow in order to be able to visit.

    However, the latest developments in their reopening saga suggest that such requirements could be on their way out in just a few months. 

    Whilst the prospect of having entry requirements eased is dependent on several factors, it’s still an exciting thought for travelers with thoughts of heading to the Land of Smiles this summer.

    Here’s a look at the planned timeline of changes, what it will take to make sure they happen plus a recap of the entry methods available to travelers at present. 

    Entry Restrictions Easing Timeline – Information For Travelers

    Ever since they first decided to tentatively reopen their borders during the pandemic, Thailand has been no stranger to tampering with its strict entry requirements in an effort to try and lure more travelers back to its shores. Its latest of many such changes came just a week ago, when the government removed the requirement for travelers to produce a negative PCR test result prior to their flight, a move that several countries have taken in recent months. 

    However, the country isn’t going to stop there. According to Thailand’s Sports and Tourism Ministry, more changes to the country’s entry requirements are in the pipeline – though they are contingent on the country keeping case levels low throughout next month’s Songkran festival. If cases are high – as the country’s Department of Disease Control predicts they will be – Thailand’s restrictions are set to be in place for even longer. 

    The festival – which celebrates Thailand’s New Year – is the largest holiday in the country, and is known around the world for its water splashing festivities. It is also a time when Thais travel back to their home provinces to celebrate with their families – potentially spreading the virus far and wide. Authorities have curbed water-related celebrations during the holiday for the last two years, whilst they have asked people to perform a Covid-19 test before taking part in celebrations this year. 

    If case levels around the country remain low following the holiday, the timeline for restriction changes will be as follows:

    • May 1 – replacing the RT-PCR test on arrival with an antigen test kit (ATK) check conducted by a medical professional – a faster and cheaper method of testing 
    • June 1 – the cancellation of the Test and Go scheme and Thailand Pass, allowing travelers to be able to entry the country as per normal 

    Speaking about the timeline, Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn appeared to be worried about the fact that several of Thailand’s neighbors have recently dropped their entry restrictions.

    “Thailand started like a rabbit, running quickly last year as we reopened to visitors. We cannot let the country fall behind as many nations are opening borders and have fewer restrictions than us,” the minister said. 

    In order to enter Thailand at present, travelers need to apply for a Thailand Pass, a QR code that proves travelers have all the necessary requirements – such as Covid-19 vaccinations, health insurance, and a stay at a designated hotel – needed to enter the country.

    Travelers can elect to enter through the Test and Go or the Sandbox scheme. More information about what it is like to visit Thailand at present can be found here

    Read More:

    Thailand Looks To Allow Vaccinated Travelers To Skip Pre Departure Testing

    Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

    Vietnam Now Has The Easiest Entry Requirements In Southeast Asia

    ↓ Join the community ↓

    The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily! 

    Travel-off-Path-group-1-1
    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

    Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

    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

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • U.S. Still Requires Test To Enter Despite Canada’s Recent Removal

    U.S. Still Requires Test To Enter Despite Canada’s Recent Removal

    [ad_1]

    Share The Article

    Last Updated

    The U.S. still requires travelers to present a negative Covid-19 test result to enter – despite their neighbors Canada’s decision to remove the requirement from April 1st. Whereas once Canada had the most restrictive entry requirements of the North American countries, their recent changes will make it easier for travelers to enter – whilst those visiting the U.S. will still have several hoops to jump through. 

    The decision to keep the current testing requirements for travelers prior to visiting the US remains a contentious one, with both travelers and those in the travel industry alike all voicing their opposition to the policy amidst fears that it could be holding back US tourism – particularly when comparing the US to neighboring Canada and Mexico and their comparatively lighter entry requirements. Here’s a look at the US’ entry requirements, why they are proving controversial and what the future might hold for them. 

    Testing Requirement Remains – What Travelers Should Know

    The current entry rules of the US state that all travelers above the age of 2 who arrive into the country “are required show a negative COVID-19 viral test result taken no more than 1 day before travel, or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days, before they board their flight.” This requirement is for all travelers, regardless of citizenship, nationality or vaccination status. 

    In contrast, Canada is set to be much easier for travelers to enter. From April 1st, the country will remove the negative test requirement for all vaccinated arrivals, making it easier and cheaper for travelers to be able to enter the country. Removing the testing requirement is a decision that several countries have made over the past few months, and the US’ reluctance to follow could harm the country’s tourism prospects. 

    Mexico was one of the earliest adoptees of a relaxed approach to Covid-19 entry requirements and has benefited from impressive traveler numbers as a result, with a large number of travelers both from the US and internationally flying to the country due to its ease of access and laid-back approach to the pandemic. The US could be missing out on travelers due to their current stance – an opinion that is also shared by travel businesses across the country. 

    On Tuesday, the US Travel Association wrote a letter to the White House in which they urged them to lift both the current Covid-19 travel restrictions and repeal the transport mask mandates. They called upon the government to take such measures by April 18th – or to release “a plan and timeline to repeal the federal mask mandate within the subsequent 90 days.”

    In the letter, US Travel Chief Executive Roger Dow wrote:

    “It makes little sense to keep the pre-departure testing requirement in place for inbound air travelers when the U.S. government does not require negative tests at US-Canada and US-Mexico land border points of entry.”

    There is a strong argument to suggest that the US should heed the calls of the Travel Association. Cases of Covid-19 across the country remain relatively lower, whilst other governments airlines around the world have also repealed their mask mandates in response to low case and hospitalization levels. The eyes of the travel world will be on the US on April 18th – the date that the current requirement to wear masks on public transport expires – to see if that rule and any others will finally be repealed.

    American Airlines Aircraft Preparing For Take Off From An Unspecified Airport In The United States

    Read More:

    U.S. Airports Are Getting New High Tech Scanners That Will Speed Up Security Lines

    Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

    Miami Beach Issues Curfew After Spring Break Violence

    ↓ Join the community ↓

    The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily! 

    Travel-off-Path-group-1-1
    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

    Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

    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

    [ad_2]

    Source link