Coronavirus Travel Restrictions: A Quick Guide For US Citizen (2022)

Posted on 23rd Dec, 2021 by Malvika Varma , Updated 1 year ago

Coronavirus Travel Restrictions 2022: A comprehensive country wise guide amid Omicron Fears

Just as several countries across the globe were beginning to loosen their travel restrictions, people were geared up for holiday travel. There was an optimistic mindset about the festive holiday season and the New Year 2022. But the emergence of the COVID-19 Omicron variant from South Africa has again made it essential to observe tighter coronavirus travel restrictions to prevent its transmission. This highly contagious newly detected B.1.1.529 variant was first detected in the US on December 1, 2021, and since then, there has been upheaval on an international scale. The spiraling cases in different parts of the world are bringing new emergency measures which have made us wonder..

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Are we heading towards another canceled festive holiday season?

People worldwide were waiting all year long for this holiday season to finally make up for all the family reunions and getaways that didn’t happen last year. The recent introduction of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19, after the Delta variant, is leading to a surge in cases at an alarming rate. This has compelled people to rethink their holiday plans or perhaps continue with more caution. Many travelers wonder how to protect themselves and their families during this long-awaited holiday season, and many travelers are even thinking if they should travel at all.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are undergoing an investigation regarding the effectiveness of vaccination on the Omnicron variant. Studies are being carried on the new variant of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and its preventive measures. According to the pandemic situation, different approaches are taken by different nations toward preventing the spread of this dominant strain of coronavirus. We are listing the most up-to-date coronavirus travel restrictions information below, but kindly be aware that government regulations are subject to change at a moment’s notice.

Canada

Coronavirus travel restrictions to enter Canada from the US

• American citizens and permanent residents currently residing in the US who have proof of full vaccination are permitted to travel to Canada either by land border or air.
• Proof of a negative molecular test (PCR) must be taken within 72 hours of the scheduled flight to Canada or arrival at a land border crossing. 
• Rapid antigen tests aren’t accepted.
• The travelers arriving by boat, ferry, car, bus, or train from the U.S., must show proof of a negative test. Within 72 hours of the planned entry into Canada, the test must be taken in the U.S.
• Travel information such as proof of vaccination, and quarantine details must be submitted in the AriveCAN app within 72 hours. If not presented, travelers may be denied boarding on the plane or entry into the country.

Coronavirus travel restrictions to return to the US from Canada

• All passengers are required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test. The test must be taken within one day of the departure of their flight to the United States.
• As of now, the negative test requirement only applies to those entering by air and not by land or seaport.
• The test can be taken within one calendar day and is not limited to within 24 hours of your departure.
• Recently recovered travelers from Covid-19 may travel with documentation of their recovery from Covid-19. They need to provide a positive Covid-19 viral test result within 90 days of departure. A letter from a licensed healthcare provider stating that the passenger is fit to travel is also required.

Mexico

• The CDC has issued a Level 3 travel notice for traveling to Mexico. It is due to the high level of COVID-19 cases. 
• Travelers should be vaccinated before traveling, and unvaccinated travelers should abstain from nonessential travel to the destination. 
• Currently, land crossings between the United States and Mexico are open for U.S. visitors. 
• The U.S. government employees are restricted to certain areas of Mexico and hence have limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. 
• Regardless of nationality or vaccination status. While returning to the US from Mexico, all air travelers aged 2 and above must show a negative Covid-19 test. The COVID-19 test should be taken within one day before the flight’s departure into the U.S.
• U.S. citizens who have Covid-19 and can provide proof of having within 90 days of departure can sidestep the testing requirement.

United Kingdom

• The UK is currently classified as a Level 4, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This signifies travelling to the UK is very risky.
• The vaccinated U.S travelers must book and pay for a PCR test before traveling. The test must be taken on or before the second day of your UK trip. 
• Self-isolation of passengers is required where they are staying until the test results are out.
• Complete the passenger locator form 48 hours before traveling.
• If the test report is positive or unclear, a traveler must self-isolate for 10 full days. The day you took the test is considered as day zero.
• Unvaccinated US travelers must take a Covid-19 test three days before traveling to the UK.
• US travelers who are unvaccinated must book and pay for day 2 and day 8 PCR tests before traveling and take them after arrival on the corresponding dates.
• Mandatory face masks at all public places are required.

Dominican Republic

• An electronic travel form must be completed ahead of arrival.
• Travelers who had the negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival and presented with the vaccination card dated three weeks after the final dose are exempted from random testing.

France

• Vaccinated Americans may enter with proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR or antigen test that must be taken within 48 hours of departure and do not need to be quarantined. 
• Restaurants, hotels, long-distance transportation, and cultural venues need proof of vaccination.

Italy

• Vaccinated Americans may enter without quarantine. They need to provide a negative molecular or antigen test performed within 72 hours before arrival. Or proof of full vaccination within the previous six months to confirm full recovery from COVID.
• Unvaccinated people must quarantine for five days, then present a negative test to leave.

Jamaica

• A negative molecular or antigen test is required for all the tourists, provided that the test was taken within three days of travel.
• A Resilient Corridor is an identified combination of environmental elements that facilitate access and connections to local communities.People inside the corridor can travel to hotels and certain attractions. It is possible only with approved transportation providers.
• People staying outside of the corridor have to quarantine themselves. 
• Unvaccinated people must quarantine themselves for 14 days.

Spain

• United States travelers must be vaccinated and have a QR code generated through the Spain Travel Health portal, according to the U.S. Embassy in Spain.

Bahamas

• Fully vaccinated travelers are required to show a negative COVID test. The test must be taken within five days before the date of arrival.
• Unvaccinated US citizens over age 12 must have a negative PCR result, while those 2 to 11 can choose between a rapid test or PCR test. 
• Unvaccinated American travelers must pay a fee associated with their Bahama Travel Health Visa.

India

• All travelers took the proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure.
• Fully vaccinated U.S. travelers with the proof of vaccination before boarding their flights do not need to quarantine themselves.
• Unvaccinated visitors must quarantine for seven days and take a retest on the eighth day.

Costa Rica

• No quarantine mandate for US citizens.
• Mandatory medical insurance for unvaccinated Americans.

Netherlands

• Travelers ages 12 and above arriving from outside of the EU/Schengen area have to provide a negative COVID test along with the proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID.
• All airline passengers to the United States, either vaccinated or not, ages two years and older, must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within one calendar day of travel.
• Only vaccinated US visitors are allowed in the Netherlands. 
• US travelers do not have to quarantine, but they do need to complete a quarantine declaration form and show a paper vaccination certificate or an E.U. digital Covid certificate. 

Philippines

• U.S. citizens who already have valid visas may enter the Philippines but will be required to quarantine 3 days in a government-approved facility followed by 10 days home quarantine. 
• Issuance of fresh visas to the Philippines is suspended till further notice.
• All airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within one calendar day of travel.  
• Travelers who arrive without a negative RT-PCR test will be required to be quarantined in a government-approved facility for 5 days until their negative test results are released.
• Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers or those who cannot verify vaccination status are required to undergo facility-based quarantine for seven days and until the release of their negative test results. After that, a 14 day home quarantine is needed.

Ireland

• Vaccinated US travelers must present a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours of arrival or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. 
• Unvaccinated travelers are required to quarantine for five days after taking a PCR test.
• Only PCR tests are acceptable from unvaccinated travelers.
• Vaccinated U.S. citizens are not required to be quarantined.

Aruba

• Residents traveling to Aruba from US and Canada, will need to complete a Molecular COVID-19 test two days before departure date
• The option of getting a test upon arrival is suspended for travelers.

Colombia

• Americans who are fully vaccinated can enter without restriction, but proof of vaccination is needed.
• Unvaccinated Americans are not advised to travel to Colombia. 
• Partially vaccinated American travelers or those who got their vaccine less than two weeks prior must present a negative virus test taken within 72 hours of departure.

Switzerland

• Fully vaccinated U.S. citizens must get a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of travel and complete a health form to enter Switzerland. 
• Americans must apply for swiss vaccination certificates before departure as it takes 7 days processing time.
• The PCR or antigen test is also required between days four and seven after entry.

Hong Kong

• Traveling to Hong Kong is not advised for US citizens due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

Taiwan

• To enter Taiwan, Americans must hold valid Alien Resident Certificates (ARCs) or special entry permits for humanitarian reasons.
• The certificate of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result issued within three working days of boarding their flight is required for the travelers.

South Korea

• Proof of a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours is mandatory to board a flight. Additional testing may also be done upon landing. 
• A 10-day quarantine is also required in a government-designated facility that costs about $100 to $150 per night. 
• For boarding a connecting flight within the country, the quarantine must be completed.

Peru

• A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure is needed to visit Peru

Austria

• If US citizens have proof of full vaccination or proof of recovery from Covid, they are allowed to enter.
• Unvaccinated people may enter with proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. 
• People without proof of having been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 are restricted from entering hotels, bars, restaurants, gyms, and other such public places.

Which destinations are closed for Americans due to Coronavirus travel restrictions?

The recent Omicron variant has put strict restrictions on travelers from other countries including the Americans. Australia, Japan, and Israel have banned entry for most foreign visitors. A few countries have not closed their borders yet but have implemented coronavirus travel restrictions such as the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, nonessential shops close until mid-January and a maximum of four people can gather for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. For a visit to Thailand, all travelers, vaccinated or not – will be required to quarantine for at least seven days at their hotel after arrival.

P.S: The travel status of individual countries can change subject to the Government guidelines of respective countries, and it can be hard to stay on top of it all. The information regarding coronavirus travel restrictions for every country is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. It is strongly advised that you check the travel guidelines of your destination issued by the Government and with your airline before you travel.

Socializing and travel have not fully recovered to the pre-pandemic level but if you need to, kindly adhere to the coronavirus travel restrictions guidelines issued by the Government.

How to stay safe while traveling?

As Omicron cases surge, holiday precautions must be taken. If you are planning to travel this holiday season, do get fully vaccinated. Upgrade your travel safety gear with high-quality masks and sanitizers. Try to limit the contact and wear masks unless eating or drinking and clean surfaces before touching them and abide by the coronavirus travel restrictions. Aviation industry has proved to be of great help and has emerged as coronavirus helpers. Check out our blog to understand how to say thank you coronavirus helpers.

Conclusion

So if you are planning to travel, you can take all the steps to make it as safe for everyone as possible by adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines. For people who have been persuaded by Omicron to refrain from holiday gatherings, there is a news. Many airlines have come up with more flexible cancellation policies keeping in mind the last-minute coronavirus travel restrictions.

Feel free to call Superfares at +1-585-534-8844 for amazing deals on flights. Our 24X7 customer service will address all your queries related to cheap flights booking and various coronavirus travel restrictions. The US-India air bubble flights 2022 is one of the arrangements made by government for easy and safe travel amid COVID-19. We recommend you to double-check your destination’s official government website for latest coronavirus travel restrictions before you book the flights.

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About Malvika | View Posts

Malvika Varma is an experienced content marketer and blogger who immensely believes in the wonders that words can do. She assists companies by crafting valuable content for clients. She empowers the digital marketing campaigns to build an effective connection with readers and capture conversions. An engineer by choice and a philomath at heart, Malvika spends most of her time reading, traveling, and catching up with friends and family. When she is not doing all those things, you can find her decorating her home and workspace.