Updated travel restrictions for October 2021

The main travel season in autumn is here. Many travelers want to see the fall colors in the United States, take a quick trip with the kids for a fall break, or maybe even take an international trip in the off-season. Here are the latest travel restrictions you should know for October 2021.

US Travel Restrictions

Minimal travel restrictions still apply in the United States. However, states and some local cities are implementing mask requirements and vaccination records for certain activities.

Hawaii

Hawaii continues to have the strictest entry requirements. You will need a negative test before arrival or proof of full vaccination to avoid the 10-day quarantine requirement.

There are currently no travel restrictions between the islands.

You can also expect local restaurant restrictions in Honolulu, Oahu, and Maui. Guests must be fully vaccinated or have a negative Covid-19 test.

Los Angeles

A growing number of large US cities are issuing a public vaccine mandate or a negative Covid-19 test result in order to attend indoor events or large outdoor gatherings.

Beginning November 4, 2021, Los Angeles will require proof of vaccination or a negative test result 72 hours after visiting these indoor locations:

• Restaurants and bars
• Entertainment options
• Shopping centers
• Personal care centers

This city mandate is in addition to the Los Angeles County mandate, which covers several amusement parks.

Starting October 7, 2021, guests 12 and older must provide proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter Universal Studios Hollywood or Six Flags Magic Mountain.

New York City

New York City was one of the first cities to require proof of vaccination for select indoor events. You must have at least one dose of vaccine to participate in these indoor events:

• eat
• entertainment
• Conventions
• fitness

Canada

Fully vaccinated Americans can fly or drive to Canada without quarantine. You must also have a negative pre-screening test result.

Unfortunately, the US-Canada land border remains closed to Canadians hoping to go to the United States. However, US citizens can drive back to the US across the border

Mexico

Mexico continues to have some of the mildest entry guidelines for Americans who plan to travel for leisure. You will have to fly, however, as the land border will remain closed until further notice.

You don’t need to show a vaccination certificate or have a negative Covid-19 test to visit popular tourist destinations like Cancun and Quintana Roo.

Latin America

Several Central American and South American countries are open to tourism and non-essential travel. The entry requirements differ depending on the travel destination.

Argentina

Argentina is one of the very few Latin American countries that does not restrict travel that is not absolutely necessary. Uruguay and Venezuela are the other notable objectors.

Belize

Belize has relatively mild entry requirements. You must have a negative test before arrival and must also stay at a government-approved Gold Standard hotel or resort.

Chile

Chile was recently reopened to unnecessary travel. Non-Chilean residents must purchase a mobility pass for the planned travel dates. It can take 2-3 weeks to receive this international travel pass.

Further requirements are:

• Vaccination certificate
• Negative test result before arrival
• 5-day self-quarantine
• Health insurance with a minimum coverage of $ 30,000

Colombia

Colombia no longer requires a negative test before arrival, but a health check-up can take place at the airport. A vaccination certificate is also optional.

Costa Rica

Entry requirements for Costa Rica vary slightly for vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors. None of the travelers are required to have a negative test prior to arrival.

However, fully vaccinated travelers must provide proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated visitors must prove that they have adequate health insurance.

Caribbean

As for mainland Latin American countries, entry requirements for the Caribbean islands vary from strict to mild. In general, you can expect a negative test before arrival and valid travel health insurance to cover Covid-19 care costs.

Most of the islands are open to travel, but some of the most popular destinations have entry requirements.

Bahamas

Fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers must have a negative test before arrival. If you are visiting multiple islands, a follow-up test may be required if the test was more than five days ago prior to arrival.

Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands are one of the last Caribbean nations to reopen. The country accepts some travelers, but mandatory quarantine applies to all vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors.

Vaccinated travelers must be quarantined for seven days and have a negative PCR test to exit quarantine on day 8.

Unvaccinated travelers must be quarantined for 14 days and have a negative test result in order to leave on the 15th day.

Mixed tour groups of vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers have to go into self-quarantine every 14 days. This rule may affect traveling families with children who are currently too young to receive the vaccine.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is one of the most accessible Caribbean islands. Travelers do not need to have a negative test result prior to arrival or be fully vaccinated. However, authorities can conduct random entry tests if a positive result leads to mandatory quarantine.

Turks and Caicos Islands

In the Turks and Caicos Islands, all travelers 16 and older must be fully vaccinated, and all visitors must have a negative test before arrival.

Europe

In recent weeks, Europe has tightened its entry requirements for tourists due to the spread of several variants.

Here are some of the entry requirements for the Western European nations. There is a lot in common, but each country has its own policy.

Italy

Americans must provide proof of vaccination and a negative test prior to arrival to enter quarantine free. Proof of recent recovery can replace proof of vaccination.

Spain

Only fully vaccinated travelers can visit Spain without restrictions. The ongoing volcanic eruption on La Palma will affect travel plans to the Canary Islands in the near future.

France

Vaccinated and unvaccinated people can visit France. The USA is currently an “orange country” with medium risk and has relatively strict entry requirements. Fully vaccinated travelers only need to provide proof of vaccination and do not require a test result prior to arrival.

All other travelers must have a negative test result prior to arrival and must be self-quarantined for 7 days. Another PCR test is required to end the quarantine.

United Kingdom

It is possible to fly to the UK, but entry requirements may vary by region (e.g. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). It is best to travel once fully vaccinated. In this case, you will need to book a diagnostic test on the second day of your visit, but quarantine is not required and no pre-arrival test is required.

Unvaccinated travelers must have a negative test prior to arrival, quarantined for up to 10 days, and diagnostic tests on days 2 and 8.

The rest of the world

Here are some of the countries you may and may not visit for non-essential travel in the rest of the world.

Africa

Most African countries are open, including Egypt and South Africa. This continent is the most welcoming of the remaining places outside of Europe and America.

Asia

Much of Asia remains closed to non-essential travel. Thailand is one of the only exceptions at select resorts if you are fully vaccinated and test negative before arrival.

Oceania

Australia and New Zealand will remain closed until further notice. For some good news, New Zealand plans to reopen its borders to fully vaccinated travelers in 2022. A mandatory quarantine can remain in place.

Maldives

Tourists with a negative test result can visit prior to arrival and stay at an approved resort. This country is difficult to get to but one of the few places in Asia that is open to tourism.

summary

Travel to Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean is still possible. More and more countries require proof of vaccination in order to dispense with the mandatory quarantine. Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic continue to have some of the most easily accessible entry requirements to allow for many international travel.

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