Proof of Vaccination opens doors to Travel in EU for Americans!

The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen announced 26 April that the EU will open its borders to fully vaccinated American travelers.  A date has yet to be announced, but EU leaders are saying by summer.  It is expected that vaccine certificates issued by the EU and USA would be accepted in both to make travel safer and easier.

 

However, requirements of entry for each individual country will continue to vary.  Countries heavily dependent of tourism such as Croatia and Greece have already opened their borders, Portugal and Italy have announced plans to ease restrictions.  Whereas some Nordic countries are expected to not allow entry without quarantine requirements until further notice.  France and Germany remain in lockdown.  Yet France plans to open to fully vaccinated Americans this summer.

 

Several countries are permitting Americans provided they meet certain entry requirements such as negative PCR tests and /or quarantine, random testing, temperature checks, etc.  

 

As of now, with Proof of Vaccination*, Americans can expect to be welcomed and exempt from quarantine requirements in the countries listed below. Other requirements noted.

 

Anguilla

Bahamas-effective 8 May 2021

Bangedesh-Only with proof of Pfizer or AstraZenaca vaccines

Barbados- effective 8 May 2021, testing before and on arrive still required

Belize

Croatia

Ecuador

Estonia

Ghana-test still required

Georgia

Greece-Passenger Locator Form required and at random testing at the airport

Guatemala

Iceland-Testing require and 24 hour quarantine while waiting for results

Laos 

Lebanon – Test still required

Lithuania 

Libya – Test still required 

Maldives 

Moldova

Montenegro

Seychelles

Sweden 

Tajikistan 

Yemen

Countries including Albania and Costa Rica are not requiring proof of vaccination,  testing nor quarantine.  But may require additional documents such as proof of pre-paid accommodation or purchase of medical travel insurance.

 

Disclaimer: This is not an official source.  Each country’s requirements are changing daily. Best to check each country’s official tourism website or American Embassy site for current requirements and situation. 

 

 

USA has lifted Level 4 Global DO NOT TRAVEL Advisory

The advisory issued 18 March 2020, in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, urged American to avoid all non-essential international travel. 

The State Department is returning to country-specific levels of travel advice.  You can search by country on their website for advisories and warnings: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/ 

Several Level 4 advisories remain in place for countries such as Brazil, Egypt, India, Peru, Russia, etc. Also many countries, such as those in Europe, have not yet lifted their bans on American tourism.  

If you are ready to travel and feel comfortable doing so now, below is a list of destinations where American non-essential travelers welcome.  NOTE: most countries have certain restrictions, such as a negative Covid19 test result prior to arrival.  Check with the country’s consulate page to see entry requirements.

·       Albania

·       Antigua and Barbuda 

·       Aruba 

·       Bahamas 

·       Barbados 

·       Bali (Indonesia) September 1.

·       Belarus 

·       Belize 

·       Brazil

·       Croatia

·       Dominica

·       Dominican Republic

·       French Polynesia

·       Grenada

·       Haiti

·       Jamaica

·       Maldives

·       Mexico-never closed borders

·       North Macedonia

·       Puerto Rico

·       Rwanda

·       Serbia

·       ST Barths

·       ST Lucia

·       St. Vincent and The Grenadines

·       Tanzania

·       Turkey

·       United Arab Emirates 

     Ukraine

·  

What are your thoughts on international travel?

What's up with Greece & what does it mean to travelers?

-->

Geia sou (Hello in Greek)!

As you have probably seen in the news, Sunday the Greeks voted NOT to accept the conditions of the bailout by the euro-zone.  This does not necessarily mean that Greece will leave the euro-zone or change their currency.   Even if Greece does exit the euro-zone, I think the worst case scenario for travelers this fall would be the need to bring cash, since euros, US dollars and British pounds would be in high demand if Greece went back to the drachma (the Greek currency before the euro).  Right now there is a restriction of €60 per day Greeks can withdraw from ATMs, but NO limits have been imposed on foreign debit card transactions. So travelers have full access to withdraw cash from ATMs.  However in central Athens expect long lines to withdraw cash.  According to Reuters banks in Greece will remain closed until Thursday.

Throughout the six years of Greece’s economic crisis, I have led more than a dozen trips and have found the islands to be relatively unaffected…life on the islands is a zone of its own.  Most grow their own food and many have an economy based on tourism.  Some of the more remote islands may be more difficult to get to and from, should ferry services be reduced.  So if you are on a schedule you may want to keep to the islands with frequent daily ferry service and an airport with a few flights per day.

I always recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes trip delay and emergency medical evacuation when traveling, especially if traveling to the smaller Greek islands, which do not have hospitals.  Check with your travel insurance provider what is covered and not covered before purchasing.

By fall things are anticipated to be normalized no matter the decisions and outcomes.  We all know the media tends to blow things out of portion, therefore I always find it best to check with my Greek colleagues and friends to hear their firsthand accounts.  So we are a GO for all WanderWoman trips.  I will keep you posted as I learn more.  And of course, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about our upcoming trips.

Here are links to recent articles about the situation in Greece and the referendum: 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/29/opinion/paul-krugman-greece-over-the-brink.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33399718?SThisFB&fb_ref=Default

LIVE, LAUGH & TRAVEL!

Erja Lipponen, Owner/Founder
Eurynome Journeys LLC
WanderWoman® Tours & Retreats
go at wanderwomantours.com
WANDERWOMAN.COM