Tag: testing

Brazil Removes Pre-Departure Testing For Vaccinated Americans

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In a move that will certainly encourage more travelers to visit the country, Brazil is seemingly moving away from its strict entry protocols and relaxing travel rules. As part of the new guidelines that have been announced late last week, vaccinated foreigners no longer need to submit a negative PCR within 72 hours of boarding their flight.

Previously, all international arrivals were subject to pre-departure testing, including Brazilian nationals and those habitually residing in the country, irrespective of vaccination or recovery status. Now, Brazil joins an expanding list of countries in the Americas that are opening up to vaccinated travelers restriction-free once more.

Negative Tests, Health Declaration Form No Longer Needed

Following a joint ordinance issued by four of its ministries, including the Ministry of Health, the Brazilian government waived on April 1 the pre-departure testing requirement for both vaccinated Brazilians and foreigners arriving in the country. Additionally, as reported by the Brazilian Office of the Chief of Staff, the health declaration form (DSV) was also removed.

This means that, since April 1, tourists are only required to present a valid vaccination certificate in order to bypass testing. The decision was published on Brazil’s Official Journey with immediate effect, bringing South America’s largest nation in line with the more relaxed Covid approach of its neighbours, such as Colombia and Ecuador.

The list of approved vaccines in Brazil is extensive, with all the main ones in widespread use across the United States being accepted as proof of immunization, including Cominarty (Pfizer), Janssen, Oxford/Covishield and others. For now, Brazilian authorities have not added an expiry date to two-dose vaccine certificates, meaning two doses (one for Janssen) is enough.

Brazil accepts all types of digital and physical Covid certificates, including paper CDC cards. While some countries have been receptive of CDC-issued physical vaccine cards, others have required digital proof of vaccination with a readable QR Code. Luckily for those in possession of a CDC card, Brazil makes no distinction between digital or physical certificates.

Prior to this ordinance, Brazil expected visitors to present a PCR test within 72 hours of traveling, irrespective of having been vaccinated, which made it a much less appealing destination to those who have received their shots, but are warier of restrictions. Now, they can again visit Brazil freely with few Covid curbs in place.

Once inside the country, Covid measures may vary across different states, including mandatory mask usage and the presentation of Covid passes for entry into certain venues. In general, Brazil as a whole has been relaxing measures, with popular states like Rio de Janeiro and Bahia again ready to welcome tourists with very few restrictions.

Can The Unvaccinated Also Bypass Testing?

As for the unvaccinated, they have been unauthorized to visit Brazil throughout most of the pandemic, making it one of the most strict destinations in Latin America when compared to the restriction-free oasis of Mexico. According to the most recent ordinance, they may still face challenges when traveling to Brazil.

When reviewing the ordinance, we perceived that only vaccinated tourists continue to be granted entry to the country right now, while those who are not immunized can be denied boarding due to not having a vaccine certificate. There are, however, exceptions to that rule, which do not yet include travel for tourism purposes.

Those eligible to enter without a completed vaccination scheme include those with a medical condition that contraindicates vaccination, foreigners arriving from countries with a low vaccination coverage who have not yet been able to get immunized (the list does not include the United States or Canada), as well as Brazilian citizens and residents.

As reported by G1, the country’s leading news website, the unvaccinated must now present a negative PCR or rapid antigen test within one day of traveling. On the other hand, they are no longer subject to mandatory quarantine, being allowed to move freely in the country soon after landing so long as they present a negative test at the border.

Brazil Is Officially Open For Vaccinated Tourists

Recently, Brazil has started moving away once again from its harsher Covid protocols, which were mostly imposed in 2021, by allowing cruise ships to dock again and even launching a new Digital Nomad Visa, which allows digital entrepreneurs and remote workers to remain in the country legally for up to two years.

With a vast history and a diverse culture, which includes a mixed European and African heritage, Brazil is an ideal sunny destination for American travelers, especially now that it is officially open again for the vaccinated. When traveling abroad, U.S. citizens are advised by the CDC to follow official guidance and get vaccinated in order to minimize Covid health risks.

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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 5, 2022
Fully Vaccinated U.S. Travelers Can Now Enter The Netherlands Without Testing
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The Dutch government has announced that from today – 23 March – fully vaccinated travelers from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom will be able enter the Netherlands without having to present a negative Covid-19 test upon arrival.

And, for nationals – of countries from within the EU or Schengen zone – the entry rules have been made even easier, with there now being no requirement to show proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid-19, or a need to present a negative test on arrival.

What Were The Previous Entry Requirements For U.S. and Non-EU Travelers?

Prior to this relaxing of Covid-19 entry requirements, fully vaccinated travelers – from nations that are not part of the European Union or Schengen zone – were required to present:
- a negative PCR test result (taken no more than 48 hours before departure)
- a negative antigen test result (taken no more than 24 hours before departure).
There was no need to quarantine, however, with such a requirement being lifted for American travelers on 25 February.

What Are The New Entry Requirements For Fully Vaccinated U.S. Citizens Wanting To Visit The Netherlands?

With there no longer being a requirement for travelers to take a Covid-19 test – although all travelers are ‘advised’ to self-test upon arrival, as well as on day 5 after arrival – U.S. citizens that have been fully vaccinated are able to enter the Netherlands by just:

The same rules apply to travelers from Canada and the United Kingdom.

How Do You Qualify As Being Fully Vaccinated?

In order to be considered ‘fully vaccinated’ by the Dutch authorities, you must have received your final vaccine dose no more than 270 days before your arrival into the Netherlands.

However, if you have received a booster dose your proof of vaccination is considered to be valid indefinitely.

Can Unvaccinated U.S. Travelers Currently Visit The Netherlands?

The simple answer is ‘yes’ – and the same answer applies to Canadian and British travelers.

However, an EU entry ban is currently in effect for nationals that are not from countries within the EU or Schengen zone. In order to be exempt to the ban – citizens that do not come from a country within the EU and Schengen zone need to:
- travel to the Netherlands from a ‘safe’ country
- show proof that they have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19
- show proof that they have recently recovered from Covid-19.
There are also other reasons for exemption – which can be found here.

From today – 23 March – visitors will be able to present a positive Covid-19 antigen test result as proof of recovery, with a positive PCR test result having previously been required.

Face Masks On Public Transport And Pre-Admission Testing For Large Public Events No Longer Required

Although face masks will still be required when on an airplane – and in the departure lounge of airports – the Dutch government has announced that they will no longer need to be worn when using public transport in the country. This includes when traveling by taxi, bus, and ferry.

There is also no longer a requirement to take a pre-admission Covid-19 test before visiting nightclubs – or attending a public event – with a capacity of more than 500 people.

This now means that you are no longer required to present a coronavirus entry pass in order to enter any public venue inside the country.

The Netherlands is not the first country to relax its entry requirements for travelers – with 11 nations, so far this month, having removed all of their Covid-19 entry requirements.

Read more:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

55 Countries Vaccinated Americans Can Enter Test Free

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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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March 24, 2022
UK Lowers Price Of Mandatory Testing Following Months Of Controversy

The UK authorities has lowered the worth of its obligatory Covid-19 testing kits following months of complaints from the struggling journey trade, most people and vocal members of the political opposition events. A compulsory requirement for vacationers arriving from particular international locations, vacationers need to take a number of pricey checks upon their return to the UK throughout their interval of isolation.

The discount within the worth of Covid-19 testing is about to be welcomed as a optimistic determination by the federal government, at a time when it’s going through fixed heavy scrutiny from all sides concerning its insurance policies for worldwide journey. Here’s a better have a look at what has modified, who the change is about to have an effect on and whether or not or not any extra modifications could be on the best way.

Test Price Lowered – What Travelers Should Know

Ever for the reason that UK launched its controversial traffic light system for worldwide journey again in May of this yr, it has undergone a collection of modifications and alterations concerning its guidelines and rules. One such important change was permitting those that are absolutely vaccinated to journey from an amber nation to the UK without having to isolate, having beforehand wanted to isolate for a interval of 10 days beneath the unique phrases of the site visitors mild system.

However, with unvaccinated vacationers getting back from amber international locations nonetheless needing to self-isolate, it’s this group that will probably be affected by the change in the price of Covid-19 tests. Whilst the NHS offers check kits without spending a dime for these with signs within the UK, these getting back from worldwide journey should pay for them. These vacationers need to be examined twice throughout their 10-day interval of isolation, on day 2 and as soon as extra on day 8.

Luckily for them, the worth change will see them lower your expenses, because the British authorities bowing to sustained strain over the worth of the checks. The checks used to value £170 for 2, however will now be out there for simply £136 – a saving of £34, or round $50. The discount doesn’t apply to these arriving from purple listing international locations, or those that organize their checks privately – it can solely have an effect on amber nation arrives who buy checks from the NHS.

More worth reductions may nonetheless be on the best way, because the British Health Secretary Sajid Javid introduced a “rapid internal review” of the worth of personal Covid-19 testing was at the moment underway. Javid mentioned:

“I’ve ordered my department to urgently review the list of private providers on gov.uk to ensure pricing is clearer and transparent. Any provider found to be misleading the public will be kicked off. Too many providers are acting like cowboys and that needs to stop. The public should be allowed to enjoy their summer holidays without having to face excessive costs or anxiety.”

The worth of Covid-19 testing has lengthy been a supply of debate within the UK, with journey corporations accusing the federal government of constructing worldwide journey a privilege that solely the rich may afford as a result of excessive prices related to testing. By decreasing the worth of the checks, it can make journey extra accessible for a wider group of individuals, and will lead to a miniature journey growth in these final remaining weeks of summer time.

It shouldn’t be the primary time the British authorities has bowed to strain from the general public, with the federal government lately scrapping plans for an amber plus list which might have seen vaccinated guests getting back from France needing to self-isolate. With the federal government eager to curry favor with the general public, extra modifications may properly be on the best way in future. For updated data on which international locations make up the inexperienced, amber and purple lists, please examine here.

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August 16, 2021