Countries around the world are now in the ‘de-escalation’ phase of lockdown. That means shops and restaurants are reopening, travel is getting up and running again, and borders are reopening.
But when exactly will we be able to travel again? Well – to some places – right now.
Governments across the world may still be advising their residents to stay put, but many countries are already opening up in an effort draw visitors through the summer and into autumn.
Want to know where you can travel and go on holiday right now? Here’s the lowdown on all the countries that have already reopened their borders, as well as all those are that are planning to reopen their borders soon.
Many countries are still warning against all non-essential travel and some are quarantining all overseas arrivals, including their own returning residents.
Make sure you check all the relevant restrictions and travel advice before you think about booking that trip.
Barbados
When did it reopen? July 12
Who’s allowed in? All travellers. Note that you’ll have to present a negative test result from within the past two days – or get tested – on arrival. Anyone arriving from a ‘high-risk’ country will also have to quarantine for seven days at a hotel at their own expense, before taking another test.
FYI: If you don’t bring a test result, you’ll have to pay $150 (Dhs550) for a test on arrival (and self-isolate for 48 hours while awaiting the results).
Bermuda
When did it reopen? July 1
Who’s allowed in? The British overseas territory has reopened to all international air travel.
FYI: Visitors are required to show a negative test result from within 72 hours of arrival, and you should bring appropriate health insurance.
Brazil
When did it reopen? July 29
Who’s allowed in? All travellers.
FYI: You must hold a valid health insurance
Cambodia
When did it reopen? Late May
Who’s allowed in? There are no restrictions on where you can travel from. However, as of June 11, all travellers will have to pay a $3,000 (Dhs11,019) deposit that covers a mandatory COVID-19 test (Dhs606, to be deducted from the total) and any other treatment costs incurred while on holiday.
FYI: You will have to bring a negative test result from within the past 72 hours, and will also be subject to testing on arrival (and have to self-quarantine for 14 days even if you test negative). The government has published a comprehensive list of other fees and treatment costs visitors may incur. It should be noted that if just one person on a flight tests positive, all other passengers will have to quarantine for 14 days at a cost of $1,280 (Dhs4,701) per head.
Colombia
When did it reopen? September 21
Who’s allowed in? All nationalities.
FYI: Make sure to fill out this form.
Costa Rica
When did it reopen? August 1
Who’s allowed in? Air travel is now permitted from all countries.
FYI: Before entering the country, you’ll have to fill out this form.
Croatia
When did it reopen? May 9
Who’s allowed in? All travellers.
FYI: Visitors should provide an accommodation booking, fill out this form and, if travelling from outside Europe, bring a negative test result from within 48 hours of arrival (or quarantine for 14 days).
Dominican Republic
When did it reopen? July 1
Who’s allowed in? The country says it has reopened its ‘land, air and sea borders’ to all travellers.
FYI: Flights in and out are still limited and only 40 to 50 percent of hotels are welcoming guests. All visitors have to fill out a ‘health declaration’ form in advance, and provide a negative test result from within five days of arrival.
Egypt
When did it reopen? July 1
Who’s allowed in? EgyptAir has resumed flights to and from countries including the UK, the USA, the Netherlands, Germany, Turkey, Italy, the United Arab Emirates and Canada. All passengers will have to present a negative test result from within the past 72 hours.
FYI: Only certain resort areas and associated airports have reopened. There will be health screenings on arrival. You may have to quarantine, depending on test results.
Greece
When did it reopen? June 15
Who’s allowed in? Residents of EU and Schengen member states, plus the UK and around a dozen other countries around the world, can now get into the country. All travellers must now provide a negative test result from within the past 72 hours.
FYI: Visitors must also fill out a ‘passenger locator form’ at least 24 hours before arriving. This requires ‘detailed information on passengers’ point of departure, the duration of previous stays in other countries, and the address of their stay while in Greece’. They may also face random testing.
Jamaica
When did it reopen? June 15
Who’s allowed in? All travellers.
FYI: Visitors will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival. They should also fill out this form before departure. Anyone arriving from certain ‘high-risk areas’ will have to provide a negative test result from within ten days of arrival.
Jordan
When did it reopen? September 10
Who’s allowed in? Visitors from around 40 countries, rated either red, yellow or green.
FYI: Travellers from ‘green’ and ‘yellow’ countries will have to self-isolate for seven days on arrival. Those coming from ‘red’ countries will have to quarantine for 14 days. All arrivals must apply for a ‘travel pass’ before departure, and provide a negative test result from within 72 hours of arrival. Travellers will also have to take a second test, at their own expense, once they land.
Kenya
When did it reopen? August 1
Who’s allowed in? All travellers.
FYI: Tourists will have to bring a negative PCR test result from within the past four days, while ‘passenger locator cards’ will be used to trace all travellers entering the country in the event of an outbreak. There will also be temperature checks at the airport.
Malta
When did it reopen? July 1
Who’s allowed in? Residents and citizens of EU and Schengen-area countries will now be allowed in, along with travellers from the UK, Australia, Canada, Japan and around 15 other nations around the world including the UAE.
FYI: You can expect temperature checks on arrival. Anyone from Malta’s ‘amber list’ of countries must provide a negative test result from 72 hours of arrival.
Montenegro
When did it reopen? August 16
Who’s allowed in? Visitors from EU and Schengen travel zone countries, as well as select ‘green countries’ which includes the United Arab Emirates.
FYI: The list is updated on a rolling basis.
Rwanda
When did it reopen? June 17
Who’s allowed in? All travellers.
FYI: Visitors are required to show a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before boarding.
South Africa
When did it reopen? October 1
Who’s allowed in? Anyone who’s not from one of the countries on South Africa’s ‘high risk’ list – found here.
FYI: All new arrivals in South Africa will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure or face quarantine on arrival. Visitors will additionally be screened for symptoms and required to register with South Africa’s contact tracing app.
St. Lucia and Antigua
When did they reopen? June 4
Who’s allowed in? All travellers.
FYI: You must present a negative test result from within seven days of arrival, and stay at an authorised hotel for your entire trip.
Thailand
When did it reopen? October 1
Who’s allowed in? Travellers from anywhere in the world can now apply for a 60-day Thai visa, while those from ‘low-risk’ countries can apply for a ‘long stay’ of 90 days (which could then be extended for up to nine months).
FYI: All travellers must provide a negative test result from within the past 72 hours on arrival, then take a second test at the airport.
The Bahamas
When did it reopen? July 1
Who’s allowed in? All travellers.
FYI: Visitors must fill out an ‘electronic health visa’ before they arrive and provide a negative test result from within seven days of arrival. All arrivals must self-isolate for 14 days.
The Maldives
When did it reopen? July 15
Who’s allowed in? All international travellers.
FYI: There are no quarantine requirements. Tourists must, however, stay on designated ‘resort islands’ and book their entire stay at one establishment. There are exemptions only for transit to and from your accommodation. All arrivals must also provide a negative test result from within the past four days.
The Seychelles
When did it reopen? August 1
Who’s allowed in? Visitors from countries classified as ‘low or medium risk’: Austria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mauritius, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. You will need to provide a negative PCR test from within 72 hours of arrival, or an antigen test.
FYI: The country is reevaluating this list on a rolling weekly basis.
Tanzania
When did it reopen? June
Who’s allowed in? All travellers.
FYI: All visitors will be screened on arrival and only those who display symptoms will have to provide a recent negative test result. You must also hold valid health insurance.
Tunisia
When did it reopen? June 27
Who’s allowed in? The country has split international arrivals into a two-tier colour-coded system. Those travelling from nations on the ‘green list’ simply have to fill out an online form and can freely enter the country. This includes China, Cyprus, Italy, New Zealand and South Korea. Those coming from countries on the ‘orange list’, where transmission rates are higher, must present a negative test result from within 72 hours of arrival. This includes Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, the UK and the United Arab Emirates. Travellers from countries not on either list are currently banned.
FYI: The lists are updated on a weekly rolling basis.
Turkey
When did it reopen? June 10
Who’s allowed in? The country has reopened the majority of its borders with flights to and from the UK, the USA, Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Austria, Greece, Albania, Belarus, Jordan, Morocco, Latvia, Ireland, Slovakia and Belgium.
FYI: The country says more flight routes will reopen through early autumn. If you show symptoms, you will be tested on arrival and, depending on the result, may be quarantined.
Turks and Caicos
When did it reopen? July 22
Who’s allowed in? All travellers.
FYI: All visitors must bring a negative test result from within four days of arrival.
Zanzibar
When did it open? June 6
Who’s allowed in? All travellers.
FYI: The Tanzanian island says all visitors will be screened on arrival and only those who display symptoms will have to provide a recent negative test result. You must also hold valid health insurance.
Where can you go on holiday in October?
Hawaii
When is it reopening? October 1
Who’s allowed in? All travellers. However, if you want to avoid a 14-day quarantine, you’ll have to provide a negative test result from within 72 hours of arrival. All visitors will still be subject to a health inspection and temperature check on arrival.
St. Kitts and Nevis
When is it reopening? October 1
Who’s allowed in? It’s unclear. All incoming travellers will have to provide a negative test result from within the past 72 hours, quarantine for another 14 days, then take another test.
Which destinations aren’t reopening until 2021?
Bali
When will it reopen? The island’s governor has announced that Bali will keep its borders closed until next year due to rising
numbers of cases across the country.
Who’s allowed in? It’s too early to say.
Australia
When will it reopen? The country’s tourism minister has said its international borders will remain sealed until the end of 2020, and perhaps longer.
Who’s allowed in? It’s too early to say. However, discussions are under way to set up a trans-Tasman ‘travel bubble’ between Australia and New Zealand that would allow mutual travel between the two nations.
