Despite positive signs in the past few weeks that the land border crossings between Canada and the U.S. would reopen following the most recent extension of the closure, these hopes have now evaporated.
Government officials in Canada have confirmed to the media that the border won’t reopen despite a hard push by local politicians and the business community.
Since April of 2020 the U.S. – Canada land border effectively shut down, only letting their respective citizens in, but this could finally change after the current extension period ends on June 21st.
According to news reports the political pressure both in the U.S. as well as in Canada has grown to a level where provincial leaders, Premiers and Governors are demanding an end of the border closure.
The Canadian border (land and air) will remain closed to non-essential travel for yet another month, extending the current measures through at least June 21, 2021.
Most foreign visitors are still not allowed to enter Canada and a 14-day quarantine requirement is imposed for those that do, including Canadian citizens.
Italy is the most recent European country where U.S. travelers can travel to without restrictions such as a quarantine as long as they arrive on the special “Covid Free” flights operated by American and Delta Air Lines.
To fly on these “COVID-tested” flights from the U.S. to Italy, all customers are required to complete mandatory testing, both before departure and on arrival, regardless of their vaccination status.
The next Southern European country to opening for tourism this month is Portugal which will welcomes most EU/UK tourists effective tomorrow, Monday the 17th of May.
As the summer season comes closer several countries in the EU bloc are opening their door to tourists once again, both from continental Europe and the UK but a PCR test result is still required to travel.
Greece has finally ended their national lockdown measures and at the same time opened for the 2021 tourist season, hoping to welcome a load of visitors to rejuvenate the decimated hospitality industry.
Greece still has several restrictions in place and an average of 2,000 daily Covid cases are still being reported, vaccinations are being rolled out.
In light of the deteriorating Covid-19 situation in India U.S. President Biden has signed an order banning most travel from India to the U.S. effective May 4, 2021.
The travel ban won’t apply to U.S. citizens or permanent residents and their spouses and goes into effect on May 4 with those who fall under the exemptions still being allowed to travel to the U.S. after the restrictions go into effect.
Just two days into the new AUS/NZ travel bubble an Auckland, New Zealand airport worker who was responsible for cleaning incoming aircraft has tested positive for the Coronavirus.
The man has previously received both vaccine doses as per New Zealand authorities and is currently being treated according to health protocols.
Back in February John wrote about advertisement by airlines (in that case BA) to fly for leisure travel despite closed borders in the specific markets and this practice is still going on today.
I constantly receive emails for example from Singapore Airlines this week where they sent offers for one way flights to destinations such as Singapore where entry isn’t possible at the moment.
The Canadian border (land and air) will remain closed to non-essential travel for yet another month, extending the current measures through at least April 21, 2021.
Most foreign visitors are still not allowed to enter Canada and a 14-day quarantine requirement is imposed for those that do, including Canadian citizens.
How often do you mistakenly leave things behind, and what, when staying at hotels?
I have to say that I rarely, if ever, leave anything of value behind because I don’t spread my things around, and I rarely (less than a handful of times a year) use the in-room safe.
With countries sporadically opening up for tourism again many if not most now require to show proof of health insurance coverage (including Covid-19 treatment) so it’s recommended to contact your health insurance and ask them to provide certification.
Most travelers have either a regular health insurance or a travel insurance that could issue such a letter, however it’s important that such a letter is noted with Covid treatment to be included.
One of Thailand’s most prolific businessmen, American-born Bill Heinecke who is the founder of MINOR Group which owns hotel brands such as Anantara has become more vocal in getting Thailand back on track to open for tourism by Fall of 2021.
In a recent round table discussion with Phuket officials, the Phuket Tourist Association and local academics Mr. Heinecke emphasized that it’s vital to get a working road map on the way in order to reopen at least Phuket to international tourists by October 1st.
The UK Government (PM Boris Johnson) announced last week that travelers arriving back to the UK from “Red Zone” designated countries will have to undergo mandatory hotel quarantine at their own cost and this system will now be in effect from February 15, 2021.
The government increased police presence at airports to probe travelers about their travel reasons and in some cases impose a fine in case the individuals can’t provide valid grounds for traveling based on a declaration.
