Canada closed its border with the United States for non-essential travel this past March, and the closure has been extended monthly.
Now, Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, commented on CBC’s interview that the border would stay closed until Covid-19 is significantly under control worldwide, which will likely mean Summer 2021.
In early November, Singapore and Hong Kong announced that they had formed an Air Travel Bubble (ATB) that would allow tourists to travel between these two Asian centers freely from November 22 by taking four Covid-19 tests.
Part of the ATB agreement was that there could be only a tiny number of untraceable Covid-19 infections that Hong Kong almost immediately broke. The ATB start date was first postponed and is now put on indefinite hold.
Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area reopened for international tourism arrivals from neighboring countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay with a negative Covid-19 test back in early November (read more here).
The city is next reopening for national tourists on December 8 and international ones on December 15, 2020. Both will be tested for Covid-19 upon arrival and must isolate only if the test comes back as positive.
England is changing the two-week self-isolation requirement for arrivals from countries and regions not on the government’s travel corridor list effective December 15, 2020.
Passengers coming from countries requiring two-week quarantine can opt-in for a test at their expense on or after five days of their arrival. If the test result is negative, the quarantine ends.
Singapore and Hong Kong announced a Travel Bubble two weeks ago to allow leisure and business passengers to travel between these two city-states relatively freely with few Covid-19 tests.
I noted at the time that a small rise in the number of Covid-19 infections at either would burst this bubble, and that is what just happened. The bubble that was set to begin tomorrow has burst.
Chile has been closed for non-citizen/resident arrivals since March 17th, but the country will again welcome international visitors from November 23, 2020.
Passengers can only arrive through Santiago’s international airport, must have a negative Covid-19 PCR test administered no more than 72 hours before, and must file an affidavit that they are free of coronavirus symptoms.
On Wednesday, South Africa decided to welcome all international visitors with a negative Covid-19 PCR test that must have been administered not more than 72 hours of departure.
The country has had various rules for incoming passengers ever since deciding to allow limited tourism from countries less affected by the Covid-19.
Chilean Prime Minister told last week that the country would announce this Monday how it would reopen its external border for international arrivals.
The Monday went, but more information was released yesterday by the Undersecretary, who indicated that the visitors with a negative Covid-19 PCR certificate would be welcomed through Santiago’s international airport from December (exact date unclear).
Today, Spain has confirmed new requirements for arrivals from EU/Schengen/EEA and third countries as of November 23, 2020.
Passengers arriving by air or sea from high-risk countries and areas need to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken not more than 72 hours before departure. This does not apply for arrivals through land borders.
Singapore and Hong Kong have agreed about an Air Travel Bubble (ATB) between the two city-states that begins on November 22, 2020, with one flight per day in each direction.
There are plenty of tests required that come at a cost, but ATB is open for all eligible travelers that have been in Singapore or Hong Kong in the previous 14 days.
We finally received some good news yesterday when Pfizer reported their preliminary Covid-19 vaccine trial results showed very positive results (90% efficacy level).
It is quite difficult to believe that it is just ten or so months after the first news of this mysterious virus in Wuhan broke and we started to cover around mid-January.
Greece, a popular tourist destination in Europe and for Europeans, tried to save its 2020 summer season by opening up for arrivals from most EU/EEA/Schengen countries with a requirement of filling out an electronic form minimum a day before departure.
Now, the country is facing higher Covid-19 infection rates and is instituting new requirements this week for incoming and outgoing passengers, including a negative Covid-19 test for all arrivals.
Argentina began allowing domestic commercial flights for the first time since March in late October when Buenos Aires started to ease strict lockdown, allowing restaurants, businesses, and gyms to reopen at 25% of their usual capacity.
The country’s Tourism & Sports Minister indicated then that Argentina would reopen for tourism from neighboring countries through the air (EZE) and port (Buenos Aires) from this summer, and Buenos Aires opened its doors for tourists this week.
Chile closed its border for non-citizens/residents on March 18, and those allowed to return must have quarantined for 14 days.
The prime minister announced yesterday that the country would reopen its border for the important summer season, and entry requirements and protocols would be announced this coming Monday.
