With over two million confirmed cases of COVID-19, the US has unfortunately taken the lead as the most infectious country in the world to date. In my last article, I referenced which countries were opening their borders to visitors. Despite many of them working towards expanding their tourism, US citizens are being left out of many of the travel bubbles these countries are implementing.
As the most high risk country, we can understand why they would rather keep Americans out until our COVID rates decrease. On the bright side, there are still a good few countries that will welcome American citizens so long as certain requirements are met. Below I have listed the countries that are either open to, or will be open to American citizens in the near future.
The following countries have opened up their tourism sectors to Americans:
Cambodia
Open for tourists, but the following restrictions must be noted before your visit: travelers must provide proof of negative testing to COVID-19 within the first 72 hours of their stay, in addition to proof that they have at least 50k in health insurance coverage. Upon arrival, all visitors will be subjected to a two week quarantine.
Saint Lucia
Open for tourists with active flights to the UVF airport from the US. Those who are planning to visit St. Lucia must make sure they bring proof of testing negative for COVID-19. Additionally, they will have their temperatures checked upon arrival. Tourists must adhere to mask and social distancing policies throughout the duration of their stay.
St. Thomas and St. Croix
Open for tourism since June 1st. Visitors must adhere to COVID-19 safety policies, including wearing masks into any businesses and attractions and social distancing at the beach.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Open to tourists, but they will be required to undergo a mandatory two-week quarantine upon arrival. There are currently no active flights from the US to Saint Vincent until July 1st.
Nicaragua
Open for tourism with little to no COVID restrictions.
The following countries plan to open up to American tourists in the near future:
French Polynesia
Opening its borders to tourism on July 15th. However, there will be restrictions for all travelers that include a COVID-19 test submitted 72 hours before the traveler’s departure time, in addition to a medical certificate that will be reviewed by the local tourism board. Travelers may also be subjected to a mandatory 14 day quarantine upon arrival.
Aruba
Borders will be open to tourists on June 15th.
Mexico
Despite it’s original plans to open up for tourism in early June, Mexico has extended it’s tourism opening until June 22nd.
Canada
Canada has spoken of reopening its borders in late June, and the US citizens are presumed to be among the groups of travelers that will be let in. However, nothing has been set in stone by the country yet.
Turks and Caicos
Plans to reopen for tourism on July 22nd.
The following destinations have either not provided any information on when they plan to re-open for tourism, or have only opened up to certain countries that do NOT include the US:
South and Central America
Most of South and Central America was hit hard by COVID-19 and still remains in recovery. Those countries doing better, such as Peru, have spoken of plans to reopen to international travelers soon, but no date has been set. Most international travel has been restricted to essential or humanitarian travel until further notice.
Europe
Many countries in Europe have re-opened up to tourists, but the tourists are mostly in a bubble of other European countries. As a high risk country, America has been left out of basically every one of these “travel bubbles” until further notice.
Oceania
New Zealand and Australia have begun to open up their borders to each other to allow travel within the two countries. They have not yet spoken of any plans to open up to other parts of the world.
Asia
With the exception of a few countries like Cambodia, most of Asia has closed off it’s borders to American visitors until further notice. However, many countries are allowing visitors from neighboring countries.
Africa
Most of Africa is also restricting it’s travel bubble to certain countries that do not include the US. Countries like Egypt that depend on tourism heavily have announced plans to start reopening, but nothing has been confirmed as of the current date.
If you are not a U.S. citizen or possess citizenship in other countries, refer to my previous blog, COVID-19 Travel Updates Part 1, to see the countries you may be eligible to travel to that weren’t mentioned above.
