Covid regulations are still in flux around the world. Here's a country-by-country roundup of what's happening.
In the latest news, Hong Kong is dropping more restrictions on Dec. 29, including PCR tests for inbound travelers and vaccine requirements for certain venues. China will drop its mandatory quarantine for international travelers on Jan. 8. Meanwhile, Japan will require testing for visitors from mainland China beginning Dec 30.
Bermuda has dropped all Covid-19 restrictions, with travelers no longer required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test result.
On Nov. 1, Qatar removed pretravel testing requirements. The changes were made as the country gears up to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18. Also in November, St. Maarten loosened border restrictions, with visitors no longer required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test prior to entry.
In other recent happenings, Spain has removed all entry requirements, so travelers no longer need to present proof of vaccination, a negative Covid-19 test result or proof of recent recovery. Australia lifted the
mandatory five-day quarantine for anyone who tests positive for Covid-19. Meanwhile, Thailand no
longer requires travelers to present proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test in order to enter the country. The mask mandate in the United Arab Emirates has also been dropped.
Elsewhere, Canada removed its vaccine mandate for international travelers entering the country, as well as its mask mandate on planes on Oct. 1. The Netherlands has dropped all Covid-19 entry restrictions, including the requirement to show proof of full vaccination.
New Zealand has dropped all Covid-19 restrictions, including vaccine requirements for travelers and mask mandates. South Korea has eliminated its PCR-testing requirement for international travelers,
although they still must test upon arrival. In Fiji, visitors no longer need to complete a Covid-19 test prior to entry and the quarantine period has been shortened. Saint Lucia also has dropped pretravel
testing rules in an effort to draw more visitors.
Following are updated reports by country. We are also constantly updating our list of state-by-state gathering restrictions.
Reopening status in countries that banned or restricted events
Aruba lifted all entry requirements for international travelers on March 19. Tourists will still be required to fill out an Aruba Embarkation/Disembarkation card and purchase Aruba Visitors Insurance prior to arrival. All local Covid-19 protocols have
already been lifted.
On Oct. 14, Australia will end the mandatory five-day quarantine for anyone who tests positive for Covid-19. The mask mandate for domestic and inbound international flights was lifted on Sept. 9.
As of July 6, travelers no longer need to show proof of vaccination or complete the digital passenger declaration in order to enter the country. Covid-19 testing requirements for inbound travelers were lifted in April.
Other Covid-19 restrictions vary by region. Travel updates can be found on the Australian Department of Health's website.
As of March 5, a negative test result is no longer needed for entry to events, bars, restaurants and other activities. Nightclubs are able to reopen, a midnight curfew for restaurants and bars ended, and limits on event sizes were removed. Masks are no
longer required on public transportation and in pharmacies.
A vaccination mandate that became law in February but still hasn't gone into effect has again been suspended, now through the end of August. Officials say the measure, which was first announced during a Covid surge in November 2021, is currently unjustified.
Effective March 3, visitors to the Bahamas no longer have to take a rapid test on the fifth day after arrival. They must still take a PCR test within 72 hours before travel and apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa,
regardless of vaccination status.
Bermuda will drop all Covid-19 restrictions on Nov. 14. Visitors no longer need to show proof of vaccination, a negative Covid-19 test result or medical insurance that covers the duration of their stay. The requirement to complete a travel authorization form prior to visiting has also been removed. Details and Covid-19 updates can be found on the Bermuda Tourism Authority's website.
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Download it here.The Canadian government is allowing the vaccine mandate for international travelers to expire at the end of September. Also beginning Oct. 1, masks will no longer be required on airplanes, random testing at airports will be eliminated and cruise ship
passengers will not have to show a negative Covid-19 test prior to embarkation. More details can be found on the Canadian government's website.
Additional Covid-19 restrictions vary depending on the province and
territory. The Canadian government has also released a risk-mitigation tool for event planners.
The U.S. lifted travel restrictions with Canada in November 2021. Fully vaccinated Canadians are able
to enter the country via the land border or by ferry for nonessential reasons. Proof of vaccination is required, and those who are not vaccinated are not allowed to enter. Essential travelers from Canada also need to show proof of vaccination. Canadian
travelers can fly into the U.S. with proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within one day prior to travel.
The Cayman Islands will drop all remaining Covid-19 restrictions on Aug. 24. The change will allow vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers to enter the British Overseas Territory without needing to show proof of vaccination, presenting a negative Covid-19
test or completing a travel declaration. Mask mandates also will be lifted. Updates can be found on the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism website.
Beginning September 1, fully vaccinated travelers will no longer need to show a negative PCR test result prior to entering the country, but still must provide proof of vaccination. Those who are unvaccinated must present a negative PCR test taken within
48 hours of departure. Also in September, Chile will replace its Mobility Pass, which is required for entry to public spaces and on public transportation, with vaccination certificates. Details can be found on the government's website.
Beginning Jan. 8, international travelers will no longer have to quarantine upon arrival in China. Visitors will still be required to present a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours of departure and masks must be worn on flights.
A ban on flights that brought in passengers who tested positive for the virus also has been lifted. Previously, such flights faced a one-week suspension if more than 4 percent of the passengers tested positive, or a two-week suspension if more than 8 percent of the passengers were found to have Covid.
Other restrictions remain and the country continues to abide by a tight zero-Covid policy.
Travel restrictions were lifted on March 29. The requirement to show proof of vaccination or present a negative Covid-19 test
result taken within 24 hours prior to arrival in Denmark has been removed.
All other Covid-19 restrictions were lifted on Feb. 1. Masks are no longer required in restaurants, shops and on public transit. Social distancing and limits on indoor gatherings have been eliminated. The national Covid pass app is no longer required
for events, although organizers can still choose to use it.
Covid-19 restrictions for international travelers entering England were removed on March 18. Visitors no longer need to complete
a passport locator form, and the requirement for unvaccinated visitors to complete Covid-19 tests prior to departure and on day two of arrival was dropped. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will adapt the same travel policies.
England is in the process of lifting its remaining coronavirus restrictions under Prime Minister Boris Johnson's "Living with Covid" plan.
As of Feb. 24, people who test positive for Covid-19 are no longer required to quarantine. However, they are still advised to stay home and avoid contact with others for at least five days. Routine contract tracing has ended. On April 1, the government
will remove its guidance advising venues to use Covid-19 passes.
Face masks are no longer required in public spaces, including on public transportation and in shops. The government still recommends wearing face coverings in crowded spaces, particularly when meeting strangers.
On Sept. 5, Fiji lifted its pretravel testing requirement for international visitors. The island nation also shortened the quarantine period for anyone who tests positive from seven days to five days. All travelers age 16 and above are required to show
proof of full vaccination and travel insurance prior to entry. Details and updates can be found on Tourism Fiji's website.
On Aug. 1, France lifted all Covid restrictions for international travelers. Visitors no longer need to test before arrival, show proof of Covid-19 recovery or present proof of vaccination in order to enter the country.
On March 14, France ended the requirement to show vaccine passports for access to restaurants, bars, events and other venues. Also, people no longer need to wear masks in most indoor spaces, including shops, offices and schools. On May 16, the mask mandate
was lifted on public transit.
The latest travel and Covid-19 updates can be found on the government's website.
From June 1 through the end of August, Germany has suspended the requirement to show proof of Covid vaccination, a recent recovery document or a negative test in order to enter the country. That rule currently applies to everyone 12 and older, regardless
of where they are traveling from, and it's slated to be reinstated after the summer-travel months. Confirmed cases in the country have been on a steady decline in May.
The country did away with most Covid restrictions by late March. The first phase allowed private gatherings to resume, and ended the requirement to show proof of vaccination or recent recovery from the virus when entering shops. Phase two ended the requirement
for people to present proof of vaccination or recovery to access restaurants, bars and hotels. Nightclubs were allowed to reopen and outdoor events of up to 25,000 people have resumed. Face masks are still required on public transportation.
Other restrictions vary across the country, depending on regional Covid-19 rates.
Effective May 2, international visitors do not have to provide vaccination status or get tested prior to traveling. Greece is lifting many restrictions for the summer tourism season. Between May 1 and Aug. 31, proof of vaccination is not required for
outdoor and indoor spaces. The indoor mask mandate was lifted June 1. All restrictions will be reevaluated in September.
Hong Kong is dropping more of its Covid restrictions on Dec. 29, including PCR tests for inbound travelers and vaccination requirements for certain venues like restaurants and bars. Close contacts of those who test positive will no longer have to isolate and the limit of the number of diners per table at restaurants will be lifted. Masks must still be worn in public except while exercising.
As of Dec. 14, international travelers no longer need to abide by amber-code restrictions, which had barred them from entering restaurants, bars and other venues during the first three days after arrival. The Leave Home Safe mobile pass app is no longer needed for entry to public spaces.
The Hong Kong government ended quarantine rules for overseas arrivals on Sept. 26. Face coverings must be worn on public transportation and in indoor and outdoor public spaces.
Full travel rules and other Covid-19 updates can be found on the government's website.
Ireland removed all travel restrictions on March 6. Travelers no longer need to show proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test result to enter the country. They are also not required to get tested or self-isolate upon arrival. Face masks
do not have to be worn, but are recommended on public transportation. The latest travel updates can be found on the government's website.
Most Covid-19 restrictions were removed on Jan. 22. This includes capacity and
social-distancing restrictions for indoor and outdoor gatherings, as well as early closing times for hospitality and events. Restrictions on nightclubs have also been eased and the work-from-home advisory has been lifted. Covid-19 certificates will
no longer be required for access to restaurants, bars and other venues.
Beginning May 21, Israel no longer requires a negative Covid-19 test to enter the country and dropped the requirement that travelers isolate for up to 24 hours upon arrival until they receive their test result. Travel updates can be found on the government's
website.
Proof of vaccination is no longer needed for restaurants, movie theaters, gyms, hotels, event venues and nightclubs. The mask mandate for indoor public spaces has been lifted.
Italy dropped all restrictions on June 1. Per the changes, travelers are no longer required to present proof of vaccination, a negative Covid-19 test result or proof of recent recovery from the virus in order to enter the country. The requirement to wear
face masks indoors and on public transport was lifted at the end of April. Details and updates can be found on the government's website.
Jamaica lifted its mask mandate on April 15 and dropped the testing requirement for international visitors on April 16.
As of Dec. 30, Japan will require all visitors from mainland China to test for Covid-19. Those with a positive result must quarantine for seven days at a designated facility.
On Oct. 11, Japan dropped its daily cap on the number of travelers allowed into the country. Also on this date, visa requirements for visitors were lifted and individual travel can resume. Previously, travel was restricted to Japanese citizens, foreign
students, some business travelers and visitors who had purchased a guided- or self-guided tour. Updates on travel guidelines can be found on the Japan National Tourism Organization's website.
The U.S.-Mexico land border was reopened for nonessential travelers who are fully vaccinated on Nov. 8. They also have to provide a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of traveling to the U.S. Mexican travelers are also allowed to enter the country
via ferry as long as they have proof of inoculation. As of January, essential travelers crossing the border are required to be fully vaccinated. Air travel from Mexico to the U.S. is currently allowed with proof of vaccination and a negative PCR test
taken within 72 hours prior to departure.
The Mexican Ministry of Tourism has implemented the Clear Point Quality Seal certification system to indicate restaurants, bars, hotels and other tourism providers that are following
the highest safety protocols.
As of Sept. 17, all Covid-19 travel restrictions have been lifted. Visitors are therefore no longer required to show proof of full vaccination or recent recovery from the virus in order to enter the country.
Additionally, the digital Covid-19 pass is no longer needed to enter nightclubs and large events, and the face mask mandate has been dropped. Details can be found on the government's website.
New Zealand dropped its traffic-light system of Covid-19 restrictions on Sept. 12, and removed face-mask requirements. In addition, incoming travelers and aircrew no longer need to show proof of vaccination or to complete post-arrival testing. However,
anyone who contracts Covid-19 is required to quarantine for seven days.
The country fully reopened its borders on July 31, with travelers from nonwaiver countries and international students again allowed to apply for visas. The move marks the final phase of the country's reopening plan. Also on July 31, New Zealand opened
its maritime border, allowing cruise ships and recreational vessels such as foreign yachts to return.
Restaurants, bars, retail shops and other businesses no longer need to require vaccine passports for entry, although they can continue using them if they so choose. The latest updates on travel and Covid-19 can be found on the government's
Unite Against Covid-19 website.
As of Feb. 12, masks are no longer required in crowded places and social-distancing rules have been lifted. Self-isolation requirements also have been replaced with a recommendation that infected people stay home for four days. Norway dropped its quarantine
rule for unvaccinated travelers on Jan. 26. On Jan. 13, Norway reversed its ban on selling alcohol in restaurants and bars. Learn more at the government's page on Covid-19 restrictions.
Vaccinated tourists do not have to provide a negative test to enter Portugal. Nightclubs and bars reopened on Jan. 14. A negative Covid-19 test is no longer required for entry to business events, cultural shows, nightclubs, sporting events, tourist attractions
and local accommodations.
Face masks are no longer required in public indoor settings with the exception of public transport and health-care facilities. Details on the latest gathering and travel restrictions can be found on Visit Portugal's website.
Beginning Nov. 1, travelers will no longer need to provide a negative Covid-19 test result in order to enter the country. The requirement to show proof of vaccination also will be eliminated, and the mandate to wear face masks in indoor public places and on public transportation has been lifted.
As of Sept. 5, Saint Lucia has dropped its pretravel testing mandate for international visitors. Vaccination requirements have also been removed. Details can be found on the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority's website.
Scotland's indoor mask mandate was lifted on April 18. Face coverings are no longer required in shops and restaurants, or on public transport. As of Feb. 28, Covid passports are not needed for nightclubs and sports venues. Scotland lifted most of its Covid-19 restrictions on Jan. 24. Nightclubs were allowed to reopen, large indoor events resumed and the social-distancing rules were dropped. Restrictions on outdoor events were lifted on Jan. 17.
Details and updates can be found on Visit Scotland's website. Travel restrictions have been lifted in coordination with England and the rest of the U.K.
Beginning June 14, nightlife establishments no longer have capacity limits and a negative rapid test is not required for entry. However, only fully vaccinated people are allowed and masks must be worn. Capacity limits for events and private gatherings
were removed on April 26.
Quarantine requirements were lifted for vaccinated travelers on April 1. The country also lifted the outdoor mask mandate, but masks are still required indoors. The latest Covid-19 guidelines can be found on the Ministry of Health's website.
The government delayed the launch of new vaccinated-passenger travel lanes due to the Omicron variant. Some vaccinated travel lanes are already in effect, allowing
inoculated travelers from Malaysia, Canada, the United States and a handful of other destinations to enter Singapore without quarantining. However, users of those lanes must still complete a PCR test before departure, on arrival, on day three and
on day seven.
Event organizers must submit their plans to the Singapore Tourism Board for approval, and adhere to specific risk-mitigation measures. The Singapore
Tourism Board has launched the
SG Clean initiative to audit the sanitation practices of all types of facilities; those who put the measures in place will earn a certification from the STB.
South Africa dropped all remaining Covid-19 restriction on June 23. There are no longer vaccination or testing requirements to enter the country. The indoor mask mandate and gathering limits have also been lifted.
On Sept. 3, South Korea eliminated the requirement for international travelers to show proof of a negative PCR test prior to entry. However, visitors still must complete a PCR test within one day of arrival in the country and quarantine until they receive
their results. Full details on travel restrictions can be found on the Korea Tourism Organization's website.
On Oct. 21, Spain lifted all Covid-19 entry rules. Travelers no longer need to present proof of vaccination, a negative test results or documentation of recent recovery.
In addition, masks are no longer required in indoor or outdoor public spaces. All capacity and social-distancing restrictions on hotels, restaurants, shops, museums, cultural venues, trade shows and exhibitions have been removed.
On Nov. 1, St. Maarten will drop its remaining Covid-19 restrictions for international travelers. Visitors will no longer need to present proof of vaccination or a negative test result prior to entry. Details and updates can be found on the government's website.
Sweden dropped all remaining Covid-19 travel restrictions on April 1. Travelers are no longer required to show proof of vaccination
and a negative test result prior to arrival.
Nationwide measures to curb the pandemic were lifted on Feb. 9, including restrictions on public and private gatherings, leisure venues, sports, restaurants and more.
The requirement to wear face masks on public transportation and the work-from-home advisory also were removed.
Switzerland dropped all remaining Covid-19 restrictions on May 2. Travelers from all countries are allowed to enter the country and do not have to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test result. Switzerland also eliminated use of the Covid-19
certificate and its mask mandate, including on public transportation. Travel details and updates can be found on Switzerland Tourism's website.
On Oct. 1, Thailand dropped its remaining travel restrictions. Visitors no longer have to show proof of vaccination or provide a negative Covid-19 test result in order to enter the country.
Previously, on July 1, the government removed the requirement for travelers to apply for the Thailand Pass and have $10,000 worth of health insurance. The mask mandate was lifted on June 24.
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates has ended the requirement to wear face coverings in public spaces. As of Sept. 26, masks are only needed on public transportation, in medical facilities and in mosques.
As of Feb. 26, fully vaccinated international travelers do not have to provide a negative PCR test upon arrival. Unvaccinated people can visit the UAE, but must present a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure.
Events can be held without capacity limits. The latest updates on travel and Covid-19 restrictions can be found on the government's website.
As of June 12, all testing requirements for international travelers have been lifted.
Effective May 15, a negative Covid-19 test is no longer needed to enter the country. Vietnam dropped its quarantine requirements for international visitors on March 16. Vietnam lifted all restrictions on international flights on Feb. 15, restoring the
prepandemic schedule.