We’re approaching the start of the spring travel season as the weather starts to warm north of the equator. Additionally, many positive domestic and international travel developments make it easier to pack your bags and hop on a plane. Here is some of the travel news to know about for March 2022, including several restrictions that have been eased.
Here are some of the eased travel restrictions in the United States.
Hawaii
Hawaii continues to be the only state with a mandatory quarantine, yet that’s changing soon. Domestic tourists will no longer need to show vaccine proof or upload a negative pre-arrival test to the Safe Travels program if they arrive on March 26, 2022, or later. The mandatory 5-day quarantine also sunsets with the Safe Travels program for U.S. visitors.
The local proof of vaccination mandates for Maui and Oahu expire on March 5, 2022.
However, international visitors must still be fully vaccinated and have a negative pre-arrival test to waive the mandatory quarantine.
Despite ditching the vaccine and testing requirements, a statewide indoor mask mandate remains in effect.
The vaccine mandate for select indoor businesses, like restaurants and entertainment, expires on March 7, 2022. This mandate first went into effect in August 2021.
Other major cities with similar policies are making similar moves as novel coronavirus cases decrease.
College Spring Break
If you’re looking to head to a United States beach during the off-season, you should consider checking the college spring break schedule first.
March can be the perfect opportunity for an adult beach trip to escape a late-winter cold snap and enjoy lower lodging nightly rates. However, you might avoid popular spring break getaways like Myrtle Beach, SC, Panama City, FL and South Padre Island, TX to avoid the party crowds.
United States Entry Guidelines
The United States travel entry requirements remain unchanged. Returning U.S. citizens at least two years old must have a negative pre-arrival test within 24 hours before returning to the country. This testing window applies to fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.
Non-U.S. citizens must have been fully vaccinated and have a negative pre-arrival test result up to 24 hours before flying to the United States.
Canada
Fully vaccinated travelers have the option of taking an antigen or a molecular pre-arrival test to enter restriction-free. The testing window is 72 hours. It’s possible to enter Canada from the United States by air or land.
Mexico
Mexico continues to be one of the most lenient international travel destinations. The nation doesn’t have any vaccine or pre-arrival testing requirements.
Caribbean And Latin America
The travel restrictions vary by Caribbean island or Latin American destination. Some nations have lenient requirements, but others require age-eligible travelers to be fully vaccinated.
Here are the current guidelines for the more frequented vacation spots.
Bahamas
Travelers at least two years old must have a negative pre-arrival test. All visitors must also have Covid-19 travel insurance.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic’s entry requirements continue to be the most flexible of the Caribbean. There are no mandatory testing, vaccine or quarantine requirements. However, random testing may occur at the airport.
Jamaica
Jamaica no longer requires a travel authorization form. However, a pre-arrival test within 72 hours of arrival is still required.
Costa Rica
The Costa Rica entry requirements remain in effect through March 31, 2022:
Unvaccinated visitors: Valid health insurance and a Health Pass
Vaccinated visitors: Proof of vaccination and a Health Pass
A pre-arrival test is optional for any vaccination status.
The Costa Rica-issued Health Pass and health insurance requirements are no longer necessary if you enter the country on April 1, 2022, or later.
Belize
Visitors at least five years old must have a valid pre-arrival test and stay at a government-approved lodging facility to enter Belize.
Colombia
Travelers at least 18 years old must be fully vaccinated. Partially vaccinated tourists can visit with a negative pre-arrival test. Unvaccinated travelers cannot visit Colombia at this time.
Europe
More parts of Europe may also be easier to open as the EU non-essential travel ban expires on March 1, 2022. This expiration may help streamline the country-specific entry guidelines.
Here are the current entry requirements for some of the most desired European destinations.
Italy
Through at least June 15, 2022, international visitors at least 50 years old must be fully vaccinated. Travelers with proof of a recent recovery from within the last six months may also be eligible to enjoy Italy.
All other travelers younger than 50 years can enter restriction-free by meeting one of these conditions:
Proof of full vaccination with the final dose being no longer than 270 days ago
A recent recovery within the past six months
Negative pre-arrival test from the last 48 hours
These guidelines are currently in effect through March 31, 2022, but can be extended.
Iceland
Iceland was one of the first European nations to reopen its borders. Now, it’s one of the first in Europe that doesn’t require proof of vaccination or a negative pre-arrival test.
Ending the pandemic-related travel restrictions went into effect on February 25, 2022. This policy change reflects growing momentum from travel groups for easing international travel testing requirements.
Most of continental Europe still requires being fully vaccinated to enter with restrictions.
United Kingdom
Fully vaccinated travelers will no longer need to obtain a pre-arrival or post-arrival test. However, note that there can be additional regional entry requirements for each member nation of the United Kingdom. It’s a good idea to check if you’ll be traveling to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland as well as England.
Unvaccinated visitors must have a negative pre-arrival test no sooner than two days before the departure flight. These travelers must also book and pay for a post-arrival test to be taken within the first two days of being in the UK.
Neither vaccination status requires a mandatory quarantine.
Israel
Israel is open for tourism again for fully vaccinated, recently recovered and unvaccinated tourists. In a nutshell, most visitors must present a negative pre-arrival test and self-quarantine for the first day. This reopening is significant as the Holy Land is a popular destination for religious pilgrimages.
Australia
Australian tourism is open for fully vaccinated travelers with a negative pre-arrival test. You can take the test up to three days before your departure flight. This is one of the few nations in Oceania and Asia to open back up.
New Zealand
New Zealand is still closed for non-essential travel but is gradually reopening. Fully vaccinated travelers from Australia can now visit.
The reopening plans call for international tourists to be able to visit in July 2022. However, skilled workers, students and visa holders might be able to enter sooner.
Summary
The travel restrictions for March 2022 are the most flexible since the resumption of international travel. It’s possible to visit many leisure and cultural destinations for the first time in two years. Hopefully, the trend continues, and there will be fewer restrictions in April.SOURCE: ForbesIMAGE SOURCE: Pixabay
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