important covid-19 travel updates

Great vacation destinations for Americans during COVID-19 and the new updated travel rules as of June 2022:  

Aruba

Travelers can visit Aruba stress-free this summer as the State Department has issued a "Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions" travel advisory for the island country. What's more, visitors are no longer required to present a negative COVID-19 test result or proof of vaccination. However, travelers will still need to complete the online ED Card immigration form and purchase mandatory COVID-19 insurance, which costs just $15 for travelers ages 15 and up.  

Mexico
Fortunately for Americans and Canadians, Mexico is allowing tourists these days with very few restrictions. Since winter is the busiest time of year in Mexico, the country should be the most popular destination by far and staying relatively safe should be fairly easy.

COVID-19.   A negative test is NOT required, though passengers can expect to be screened (not tested) at airports upon arrival. Https://www.visitmexico.cm/en/

Dominican Republic
Good news for those who love affordable all-inclusive resorts is that the Dominican Republic is ready for you. Most guests to these resorts tend to stay on the property the entire stay anyway, so they are wonderfully set up with everything you need.  This Caribbean destination remains one of the most accessible in the region as travelers can visit without pre-travel COVID-19 testing requirements. Visitors can also enter without proof of vaccination. Travelers still need to complete the free electronic entry and exit form (E-Ticket) combining the Traveler's Health Affidavit, Customs Declaration and International Embarkation/Disembarkation forms. 

Jamaica
Jamaica dropped COVID-19 testing requirements and mask mandates in mid-April, making it easier for travelers to visit the island. “We are optimistic that these simpler requirements will serve to increase the appeal of Jamaica as a premier destination and keep us moving along the road to a stronger recovery for both the tourism sector and the nation’s economy as a whole," said Jamaica Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett.

 https://www.visitjamaica.com

Bahamas

The Bahamas recently eliminated COVID-19 testing requirements for fully vaccinated visitors and is no longer requiring travelers to apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa. However, unvaccinated travelers ages 2 and older must still obtain a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR or rapid antigen test taken no more than three days prior to travel. 

St. Lucia
Saint Lucia is open to fully vaccinated visitors without testing while unvaccinated travelers ages 5 and up must have a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result that was produced within five days of arrival. All visitors will need to download, print and complete the Health Screening Form as well. Additionally, travelers will be pleased to know that the State Department has issued a Level 1 travel advisory for the destination, advising visitors to exercise normal precautions this summer.

Puerto Rico
Americans can continue to visit Puerto Rico without a passport and the CDC's decision to drop pre-travel COVID-19 testing requirements for entry into the U.S. on June 12 makes it even easier for travelers arriving in Puerto Rico from foreign countries.   

St.Lucia
COVID-19 rules: Visitors to St. Lucia will need to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 7 days of arrival. You'll also need to have reservations at one of the approved hotels on the island so they can monitor you and make sure precautions are all being followed while you are there. https://www.stlucia.org/en/covid-19/

U.S Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands has removed all COVID-19 restrictions as of June 1. Travelers are no longer required to provide proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test result or complete the USVI Travel Screening Portal to visit the islands of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas.  

Anguilla/British Virgin Islands

Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands—have announced updates to their COVID-19-related travel restrictions.

In effect since Friday, July 15, persons visiting the British Virgin Islands (B.V.I.) will no longer be required to present a negative COVID-19 test to gain entry. The Cabinet of the Virgin Islands passed an amendment to the COVID-19 Control and Suppression (Entry of Persons) Regulation on July 13 that revokes COVID-19 testing requirements.

Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Marlon Penn said that further relaxation of the COVID-19 Suppression measures is based on the reduced impact of the disease and the move from pandemic to endemic. “Currently, the statistics are revealing that the virus is having a very minimal impact on those affected and the mortality rates have decreased significantly,” he said. “That is why we feel at this stage we can reopen the borders and return to pre-COVID normal with regards to travel to the territory.” 

Costa Rica
*Important update (April 1-2022)*  Starting April 1, the temporary immigration measures for entering Costa Rica – put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic – are repealed. This eliminates the requirement to complete the epidemiological form known as the Health Pass and the requirement of medical insurance for unvaccinated foreigners.  All commercial establishments, activities, and events can operate at 100% capacity.  Although the use of a mask is not mandatory, it is recommended to maintain the protocol of hand washing and temperature taking, as well as compliance with health protocols in each tourist activity.  Tourists can verify if they require a visa to enter Costa Rica using the following link https://migracion.go.cr/Paginas/Visas.aspx.

Panama

Foreign citizens regardless of their vaccination status and purpose of travel can enter Panama. Unvaccinated visitors from the United States must present a negative RT-PCR (NAAT) or Antigen (quick-test) test taken within 72 hours for RT-PCR (NAAT) and 72 hours for Antigen (quick-test) before departing to Panama. Fully vaccinated visitors with approved vaccination certificates do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test.  Travelers who are unable to present a COVID-19 pre-departure test are required to perform a test upon arrival at the airport. Minors under seventeen (17) years old are exempt from presenting a COVID-19 test provided that they are accompanied by an adult.

South Africa
On Wednesday evening, June 22, 2022, South Africa’s government made the decision to drop all of the country’s remaining pandemic-era restrictions, after the Presidential Coordinating Council and Cabinet determined that they’d served their purpose and were no longer needed.  For travelers, the primary change is the removal of vaccination and testing requirements for entry into South Africa, but other revisions include the lifting of the nation’s indoor mask mandates and the limits on gathering sizes, and the elimination of COVID-19 border checks.