While the Omicron variant continues to impact travel in parts of the world, many are seeing countries, states, and cities begin to lift their COVID-19 restrictions. Officials are now defining their response by the various circumstances in their specific regions, and many nations have even cancelled rules put in place for the pandemic altogether.
Business travel is back with a vengeance for many companies – but it can be intimidating to get back out there with the number of changes happening daily. If you don’t have the time for extensive research (like most of us) it can be nearly impossible to keep up – and we all know the staying up to date on requirements remains paramount in travelling with as few complications as possible.
To help you get back on the road and to the skies, here’s a list of some of the more popular destinations that have recently modified their travel rules.
United States
Major cities across the U.S. are scaling down their pandemic restrictions. Chicago no longer requires proof of vaccination to enter indoor spaces. Los Angeles and Boston stopped enforcing masks in restaurants, gyms, venues, and other businesses. New York City threw out rules for both masks and vaccines, including those in K-12 schools.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also released new guidance telling healthy Americans they can leave masks behind in most facilities. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has yet to extend the federal mandate requiring masks on public transportation, which is set to expire as of March 18, 2022.
Governors of all 50 states will do away with mask rules by the end of the month. Hawaii, the final state to lift their mandate, plans to let go of masks on March 26, 2022. Face coverings are still recommended in areas of the U.S. where COVID-19 is causing a ‘high’ threat to hospitals.
Australia
Australia reopened their borders to fully vaccinated travelers on February 21, 2022. Under their new rules, two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine is the only requirement for entry. More than 80% of eligible adults in Australia are now fully vaccinated against the virus.
Western Australia (WA), home to the city of Perth, did not ease restrictions with the rest of the country. The state announced on March 3, 2022, that visitors can travel to Western Australia if they meet a number of requirements, including a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and proof of vaccination.
Canada
Canada is taking steps to reduce their COVID-19 mandates. Effective on February 28, 2022, the country allows fully vaccinated individuals to choose rapid antigen tests in place of molecular options that are more drawn out. Random testing will continue at their borders.
Many of the provinces in Canada will drop their mask and vaccine rules in public facilities. Areas such as New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador announced plans to eliminate these requirements throughout March 2022.
United Kingdom
Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the UK threw out the remainder of COVID-19 mandates for residents on February 24, 2022. England no longer enforces mask and vaccine restrictions in public areas. They also stopped requiring a period of self-quarantine for vaccinated individuals who test positive for the virus.
Travelers to the UK do not have to test for COVID-19 if they are fully vaccinated before their trip. Those who are unvaccinated will need to present a negative PCR test upon departure and arrival. Regardless of vaccination status, all visitors are expected to complete a passenger locator form at least three days prior to entry.
EU
The European Council of the European Union (EU) wants to make travel easier in their member states. A new recommendation, which took effect on March 1, 2022, says to “lift the temporary restriction on non-essential travel” for vaccinated and recovered individuals. Each of the 27 EU states are free to modify their restrictions as they wish.
Denmark
Denmark started accepting travelers who are fully vaccinated with Pfizer and Moderna shots on February 1, 2022. Individuals who are up-to-date on these requirements no longer have to get tested or quarantine upon arrival.
Unvaccinated visitors are still expected to present a negative COVID-19 test, regardless if they are coming from the U.S. or the EU/Schengen area.
France
France announced the decision to lift testing rules for travelers who are fully vaccinated. Anyone from the U.S. can visit the country with proof of this status. Booster shots are included in their requirements for those 18 and older that have not received a dose in at least 9 months.
Additionally, France will stop enforcing masks and vaccines in public spaces on March 14, 2022. Visitors may enter facilities like restaurants, bars, museums, and theme parks without having to take these precautions against the virus.
Ireland
On March 6, 2022, Ireland withdrew all of their pandemic mandates. Travelers can enter their borders without proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. They also scrapped the requirement to complete a passenger locator form upon entry. While masks are not expected, officials told residents of Ireland they should continue to be worn on public transportation.
Italy
Travelers to Italy who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer have to present a negative test before arrival, effective March 1, 2022. Individuals with a booster shot (or vaccination within the past nine months) can enter by showing proof of these requirements.
Those who are unvaccinated can present documentation of recovery from the virus within six months of their trip. They also have the option to take a COVID-19 test up to 48 hours prior to arrival. A Passenger Locator Form must be completed by all visitors.
Germany
As of March 3, 2022, Germany has reopened to travelers from all countries of the world. International visitors can enter with proof of full vaccination or a negative PCR test. Those who received their last dose more than 270 days before their trip will need to have a booster shot.
The country also accepts recovery documentation, so long as travelers can verify they have recovered from COVID-19 within 180 days prior to arrival in Germany.
Sweden
Sweden is welcoming travelers from other nations of the EU without vaccine or test requirements. American visitors can enter Sweden if they have proof of full vaccination or a negative PCR test administered up to 72 hours prior to arrival. Those from non-approved countries are prohibited from travel to Sweden until at least March 31, 2022, when the current ban expires.
Iceland
Iceland dropped all of their COVID-19 restrictions on February 28, 2022. Regardless of vaccination status, travelers will not be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or be subjected to quarantine for entry. The decision reflects their current vaccination rate with 81% of the eligible population in Iceland now fully vaccinated.
India
India has started to ease their mandates in recent weeks. Travelers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are no longer expected to quarantine upon arrival. Starting on February 14, 2022, the country also announced they will not require a negative test for those with authorized proof of their shots. International visitors must undergo declaration of authenticity to be approved for these updates.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant. Mandates for social distancing in the region are stricter than ever before as public gatherings have been limited to two individuals. Some businesses and religious centers were forced to close for a period of two weeks in mid-February.
The ban on flights from eight countries, including the U.S, Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan and Philippines, was extended on February 11, 2022. The CDC recommended Americans who are unvaccinated to avoid travel to Hong Kong soon after. A daily record of 34,466 new infections and 87 deaths was reported prior to the announcement.
