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

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The letter was signed by American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Hilton, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Disney, and other relevant businesses and organizations in the travel industry

Over 260 companies from the tourism industry made an urgent call on Thursday to the Biden administration to remove covid testing measures for vaccinated travelers to enter the United States.

Businesses and organizations in the US Travel Association sent a letter to the White House addressed to Dr. Ashish Jha, COVID-19 Response Coordinator. The main request states: “We encourage the Administration to expeditiously terminate the inbound testing requirement for vaccinated air travelers.”

In the document, the parties involved explained that the country is at a new stage, that there is a stronger immunity in the population, and that all COVID-19 measures need to change too. They mentioned that people are going back to work, school, and other normal activities, demonstrating that there is a new healthier reality.

The tourism industry in the US counts on international travelers for its recovery, and while the COVID-19 test is still mandatory to enter the country —even for vaccinated travelers— there will be an obstacle to succeeding in that process.

This was also addressed in the letter: “Given the slow economic recovery of the business and international travel sectors, and in light of medical advancements and the improved public health metrics in the U.S., we encourage you to immediately remove the inbound testing requirement for vaccinated air travelers.”

The letter was signed by large and relevant corporations in the industry such as American Airlines, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Universal Parks and Resorts, Hilton, Marriott International, and Expedia Group. National associations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Travel Association, Airlines for America, and Cruise Lines International Association were also involved, as well as airports and other small and mid-sized businesses.

The Biden Administration has already made changes in other pandemic-related measures and provided alternatives like the free at-home test—that does not work for travel or entering the US— delivered a few months ago. The Tourism Industry expects a response regarding the request for the removal of the entry test soon and so do travelers.

Will This Letter Make A Change?

It is not the first time the US Travel Association addressed the Biden Administration for urgent changes on travel measures related to the COVID-19. Last year, the president of the institution, Roger Dow, also requested new measures for the “Next Great Chapter” for the recovery of the industry, only this time the request is more precise.

In the new letter, presented on May 5, requesting the removal of the COVID-19 test for vaccinated travelers, the organizations also presented data and other strong arguments, such as the economic costs of maintaining this measure.

According to the information provided in the document, compared to 2019 business travel spending was still below 56%, and international travel spending was 78% down.

Foreign governments with similar vaccinations and infection rates —like Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom— that have eliminated testing for international travelers we also considered as references in the statement. And they added: “Further, since the federal government does not require negative tests for entry at our land-border ports of entry with Canada and Mexico, it no longer makes sense to keep a pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirement in place for vaccinated inbound international air travelers to the U.S.”

Businesses and organizations insisted that international travel is safer now and that the testing mandate is no longer necessary. The Washington Post reported a few weeks ago that the last government statement said by White House coronavirus coordinator Jeff Zients in a briefing was: “There are no plans to change the international travel requirements at this point”.

The Travel Industry is currently expecting a response to the letter and within the next few days we’ll see if the US Government considers the request.

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May 9, 2022
Colombia and Malta Will Officially Remove Their Mask Mandates

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Colombia and Malta are set to officially remove their indoor mask mandates in just a few days. The two countries look set to be the latest destinations around the world to remove their indoor mask mandates, joining the likes of Spain and Portugal who also eased their mask policies last week.

The move will undoubtedly make the idea of visiting Colombia and Malta much more appealing for some travelers, as the list of countries with a mask mandate still in effect continues to shrink.

Dropping the mask mandate looks to have come at just the right time, with a bumper summer of travel expected over the next few months, Here’s a look at both Colombia and Malta’s decision to drop their indoor mask mandate, including why the decision has been taken, when the new rules are set to come into effect and what the entry requirements are for both of these countries at present.

Colombia Removes Mask Mandate – Information For Travelers

Colombia’s decision to repeal its indoor mask mandate was announced by the country’s President Ivan Duque, on Monday. The change is set to come into effect from May 1st, and will see people in Colombia no longer having to wear a mask in places such as bars, restaurants and shops – but the change will only apply to municipalities that have more than 70% of their population fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

There are set to be exceptions to the rules, with masks still required to be worn in “care homes, hospitals and clinics, public transport and enclosed spaces at educational facilities,” according to the President. Colombia is also set to scrap its proof of vaccination requirement for entry into bars, restaurants, and large events from May 1st, as the country takes a huge stride back towards normality – a move that should see the country continue to grow in popularity.

In order to enter Colombia, travelers that are fully vaccinated will need to show proof, but will not need to take a test in order to enter – providing their vaccination occurred more than 14 days ago.

As of May 1, 2022, unvaccinated travelers will be allowed to once again enter Colombia providing they bring a 72-hour PCR or 48-hour antigen test.

Malta Drops Masks – What Travelers Should Know

According to Malta’s official tourism website, the country is set to drop the use of face masks – both indoors and outdoors – from May 2nd, making the experience of vacations in Malta almost the same as they were before the pandemic. As well as dropping the mask-wearing requirement, Malta is also set to remove the requirement for travelers to fill in a Passenger Locator Form prior to travel, with that change also coming from May 2nd.

Of course, like several other countries that have repealed their mask mandates, there are some circumstances in which travelers will still be required to wear masks in the country. These include on flights and in healthcare establishments, such as hospitals and care homes.

In order to be able to enter Malta at present, American and Canadian travelers must be able to show proof of vaccination, proof of recovery, or a negative test result. This must be a PCR test, with the results obtained no more than 72 hours before arrival. Until May 2nd, a Passenger Locator Form will also need to be submitted prior to arriving in the country.

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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 27, 2022
Uber and Lyft Remove Mask Mandate In The United States and Canada

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Face coverings are now optional and drivers and passengers will decide whether or not they would like to ride without masks

The American ride-share companies Uber and Lyft announced the removal of the mask mandate for drivers and passengers this Tuesday. The decision has been taken after a federal judge ruled against the extension of the mandate enacted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Right after Biden’s administration recognized the federal judge’s decision, Uber and Lyft joined other US airlines that decided to drop the mask mandate.

According to the official information shared on Uber’s website, face coverings are now optional: “As of April 19, 2022, riders and drivers are not required to wear masks when using Uber.” However, the company also clarified: “The CDC still recommends wearing a mask if you have certain personal risk factors and/or high transmission levels in your area.”

Uber also encourages those who want to wear masks to do it, but also respects the decision of those who don’t. They also reminded drivers and travelers: “If you ever feel uncomfortable, you can always cancel the trip.”

Lyft shared a similar statement according to the information published on CNBC: “We know that everyone has different comfort levels, and anyone who wants to continue wearing a mask is encouraged to do so. As always, drivers or riders can decline to accept or cancel any ride they don’t wish to take.”

The automobile service company also explained on its website that not wearing face-covering will no longer be a reason to report a user or driver: “Wearing a mask during rides is now optional for everyone in the car. Health safety reasons, like not wearing a mask, will no longer appear as a cancellation option. And your riders won’t be able to report you for those reasons.” Uber, on the other hand, is still asking drivers to confirm if they are wearing face coverings.

The two tech companies had been requiring drivers and passengers to wear masks since the beginning of the pandemic. The news had a big impact across the United States, and people will have to go through an adjustment process while they adapt to the new measures.

Customer’s Reaction

Mixed reactions have emerged across social media channels and different websites. Some customers in favor of the mask mandate removal have expressed relief and happiness with emojis and expressions like “Let’s go!” and “Finally”. Other users aren’t happy.

Frederick Joseph, an author and worried Uber user, wrote a message to the company on Twitter: “Please add functionality to request drivers who are wearing masks. As a person who is immunocompromised, and constantly in a rush, it’s inefficient at best to continually cancel Ubers until a driver shows up willing to wear a mask.”

Many users are worried about their safety and the functionality of the app. A few drivers have said on social media that they will no longer work for Uber or Lyft because they find the new measure unsafe or irresponsible. Uber has recommended users who prefer to wear masks message the driver or passenger, prior to pick-up, to make sure they are willing to wear face coverings.

A few customers are already complaining on social media about the different opinions regarding the optional mask rule. Yellow Cabs in New York City will still require passengers and drivers to wear masks, despite Lyft and Uber’s recent change of policy; however, it seems that more companies are joining the optional mask decision.

Uber Canada Joins

Now, Uber Canada has also announced dropping the mask mandate, it will only remain mandatory in Quebec, starting on April 22. A spokesperson shared the information with the Canadian news outlet CTVNews and also explained: “As per Health Canada’s advice, we still strongly recommend wearing a mask depending on personal risk factors and infection rates in your area.”

Although Canada still has their mask mandate in place for airports, trains, and airplanes, Uber riders now have the option to mask or not.

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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 21, 2022
Grenada Becomes The 25th Country To Remove All Entry Requirements
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Starting April 4, 2022, Covid proof of entry will no longer apply to foreign visitors visiting the tri-island nation of Grenada, as it fully reopens to tourism under pre-pandemic regulations. This means both the vaccinated and unvaccinated are welcome without testing, quarantine, or any further requirements.

Grenada is now officially the latest entry in our ever-expanding list of countries that have removed all entry requirements in 2022. Earlier this week, we have also received reports of several tourist hotspots in Europe opening up to all categories of travelers, including Sweden, Poland, and Denmark.

Grenada is the latest in the Caribbean to have done so, and only the 25th destination in the world:

April 4 Marks The Start Of A New Era For Grenada Tourism

With Covid cases falling consistently over the last few weeks, authorities in Grenada have decided it is time to move on from the draconian measures imposed across the islands throughout the pandemic. Those included lockdowns, social distancing protocols, and a clampdown on foreign visitors, especially the unvaccinated.

From April 4, a new era for Grenada Tourism starts, with all visitors, irrespective of nationality and vaccination status, allowed to visit again like before the pandemic. This means:
- No more vaccination certificates
- No pre-departure testing
- No post-arrival testing
- No further Covid proof of entry such as a recovery letter
- No quarantine
Americans visiting Grenada, Carriacou or Petite Martinique must only carry valid passports and comply with immigration rules. The same applies to Canadians, Brits, Europeans and all other foreign nationals.

Additionally, once inside the country, the wearing of face coverings will be optional, and there will no further restrictions on cross-island travel. For now, we still do not know whether the pre-departure health declaration form is also being removed.

A Restriction-Free Carnival

The lifting of restrictions precedes Grenada’s famous Carnival, called Spicemas, which is due to take place on August 8 and 9. It is a period of national importance which sees international visitors and locals alike celebrating Grenada’s diverse African, British, Caribbean, and French heritage.

In a statement, Shawn Charles, the Chief Medical Officer for Grenada’s Ministry of Health said the country is ‘at a stage where we can consider the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, even though we are aware that the pandemic is not yet over‘.

This strongly indicates Grenada might be preparing to treat Covid as endemic, regardless of new infection spikes. As Charles remarked, Grenada is ‘delighted’ to offer visitors a ‘seamless and easy travel experience‘, and the islands are ‘looking forward to welcoming them’.

Could The New Variant Wreck Grenada’s Reopening Plans?

Recently, a new variant of concern baptized BA.2 started quickly spreading across the globe, much like its predecessor Omicron did in late 2021. Back then, Omicron prompted numerous countries to shut down again. However, unlike Omicron, BA.2 does not seem to be causing severe travel disruption or border closures, or at least not yet.

Elsewhere, even though infection rates are increasing across Europe, it is pushing forward with a full reopening ahead of summer, leading the World Health Organization to call this decision ‘brutal‘. Over in the Caribbean, Grenada is not the only country lowering its defenses in spite of the BA.2 threat, with several paradisiac destinations also dropping restrictions.

Among them, Costa Rica lifted vaccine passes and its remaining entry requirements, Aruba fully reopened for tourism, and Cancun went as far as eliminating the mandatory use of masks outdoors. As more nations rush to catch up with its less-strict competitors, even with BA.2 very much present, travelers should expect more reopenings in the weeks to come.

How Safe Is Grenada Right Now?

Within Grenada specifically, the test positivity rate has remained under 5% throughout most of March, and the average report of new infections stands at a mere 6 per day, or only 2% of the previous peak.

Coupled with simplified entry processes, the favorable epidemiological scenario makes Grenada both one of the best Caribbean states to visit right now.

For more information, visitors should track updates on the Grenadian Government’s official website. Americans are also advised to follow CDC guidance on travel to Grenada prior to boarding their flight or cruise ship.

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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 2, 2022