20 months of closed borders are lifted by the Biden administration, but several countries still keep tourists out.
It was in March 2020 that the then President of the United States, Donald Trump, decided to close the borders for foreign travelers, in an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. US President Joe Biden decided to continue the closure, but as of November 8, international travelers are welcome back.
The closed-border initiative included travelers from large parts of the world, including the EU and the UK, as well as China, India, South Africa and Brazil. It was particularly unpopular in Europe and neighboring Mexico and Canada. To be allowed into the United States in the future, you must be fully vaccinated and able to present a negative test. In some rare cases, unvaccinated people can also enter the country, if they have special reasons for doing so and may show a negative test. The airlines have already set up several routes to handle an expected large demand.
Also read: Warning lights flash on all sides for Joe Biden
From January onwards, it will be even stricter. Then everyone who comes to the United States, without exception, must be fully vaccinated. The American Institute of Public Health The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states in its latest update that cross-vaccinated, are also considered fully vaccinated and can thus travel to the United States.
Strict and closed
20 months into the pandemic, there are countries that still will not open to foreigners. These countries have simply decided to isolate themselves and avoid import infections at all costs. New Zealand is one of the countries that was praised early on for its corona strategy and almost kept corona infection at zero.
Also read: Corona infection is rising sharply again – shooting up in many European countries
However, their “zero-covid” strategy has come at a price. Only the country’s nationals and people living on the islands, with a few exceptions, have been able to enter New Zealand since March 2020.. And those entering the country must now spend 14 days in state quarantine facilities (MIQ), but from November 14, the number of days will be reduced to seven, plus three days of isolation in the home. Neighboring Australia kept its borders completely closed until recently, but as of November 1, the country opened up to fully vaccinated travelers from New Zealand. These two countries have also previously had a “travel bubble” between each other.
Tests millions in a few days
China has also pursued a tough “zero-covid” strategy since last year, how big million cities are mass tested in a few days, if any cases of infection are detected. The borders have also been closed to foreigners with certain exceptions, but the few who are released into the country must be quarantined for at least two weeks before being released into society.
It is uncertain how long the great power will keep the borders closed, but with the Winter Olympics in Beijing only a few months away, some exceptions will be made for athletes and journalists. Taiwan also has a very strict regime to enter the country. The country is still completely closed to tourists.
It is becoming fairly obvious, since North Korea has for several years been one of the world’s most isolated societies, that they have also closed the borders to stop import infection. It is difficult for the outside world to know what is happening in the country, however the country’s leader Kim Jong-un has probably on several occasions said that the country is 100 percent infection-free.
The giant country of India, which has also been hit hard by the pandemic, will reopen its borders from 15 November. Malaysia is another Asian country that currently keeps tourists out. Neighboring country Singapore is also not interested in tourists at the moment.
The South American country of Uruguay is another country that has closed its borders. The country has kept its borders closed since April 1, 2020.
UD with clear message
The global travel council was abolished on 1 October, and the then Minister of Justice and Emergency Management Monica Mæland (H) said the following to Nettavisen:
– No, now only people have to familiarize themselves with the situation of the countries they travel to, and then we launch a travel app that we encourage everyone to download. And then you have to be prepared for things to happen, so it is otherwise, regardless of the corona. But I basically wish everyone “a good trip and wear a hat”!
Mæland brought the travel news at the reopening press conference, but still had to pack his bags only a few days later:
Now that the world, slowly but surely, is opening up, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also asking Norwegians to “wear a hat”.
“It is still not a normal situation in many countries. Several places have strict entry restrictions and infection control measures. The individual is responsible for their own safety on the trip and must check the entry conditions and status of the pandemic at the destination. Also check that you have valid travel insurance and what it covers », writes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the government’s website.
–
