Feeling Cooped Up Too Long?

As the COVID-19 vaccine continues to be distributed across the globe, countries looking to boost their tourism numbers—and economies—are changing their entry requirements and restrictions, making it easier for vaccinated travelers to visit.

Here is a list of the countries already welcoming American tourists who are fully vaccinated and their new travel policies.

Belize

According to the Belize Tourism Board, this Central American country will waive its COVID-19 testing requirements for travelers who can prove that they have been fully vaccinated. International travelers must book their stay at a government-designated “Gold Standard Hotel” and download its health app.

Non-vaccinated travelers can also visit Belize, but they must prove a negative PCR COVID-19 test was taken within 96 hours of travel, or a negative rapid test was taken within 48 hours. The traveler also has the option to test upon arrival at the airport for $50.

GEORGIA

IN GEORGIA, the U.S. Embassy has stated that American travelers who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are welcome to enter the country without getting tested before arrival. They will also not be required to quarantine.

Un-vaccinated visitors must arrive with a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours, get a follow-up PCR test on their third day in the country, and complete an application with their contact details and travel history.

SEYCHELLES

Seychelles is welcoming fully vaccinated travelers as long as they can prove that at least two weeks have passed since they received their second dose. Unlike other countries with new rules for vaccinated travelers, proof of a negative COVID-19 test still is required. The person must have taken within 72 hours of traveling. Travelers must also fill out a health travel authorization showing their certificate of vaccination, test results, flight confirmation, and accommodation details. According to the Seychelles tourism board, once the majority of the country’s population is vaccinated, it will reopen to all travelers regardless of their vaccination status.

ROMANIA

Previously, travelers headed to Romania were required to quarantine upon arrival. Now, the country’s National Committee for Emergency Situations has eased that restriction for vaccinated visitors. Travelers have to prove that at least ten days have passed since they received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

GREECE

Although it is no yet, Greece is aiming to reopen to fully vaccinated tourists on May 14. International tourists with coronavirus antibodies or negative test results will also be welcomed to visit, though official requirements have not been announced. In the meantime, the country is hoping to increase its vaccination numbers, and plans are in place to begin vaccinated tourism workers once the elderly and medically vulnerable populations have received a vaccine.

In An Abundance of Caution!

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Hawaii has implemented some of the strictest travel restrictions seen across the U.S. Now, as the state continues the slow but steady reopening of its tourism industry, officials are changing its rules for vaccinated travelers.

Hawaii is potentially creating a vaccine passport that would allow vaccinated visitors to enter without needing to quarantine. According to Hawaii News Now, the program could start as early as March 1 and would likely start with in-state essential workers who received the full dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.

The new system would give fully vaccinated travelers an electronic code granting them access to travel throughout the Aloha State, Lt. Gov. Josh Green told Hawaii News Now. Green says he’s hopeful the program will allow inter-island flights without quarantine by April 1, adding that the program could potentially expand to mainland travelers by May 1.

“This is the way we restore our economy very quickly,” Green said. “We would likely see a huge uptick in visitors by, say, the fall this way.”

Currently, Hawaii has a mandatory quarantine in place for travelers. Visitors can only skip this requirement if they prove a negative COVID-19 test from a certified laboratory taken within 72 hours of their arrival.

To entice would-be travelers who wouldn’t have the time or money to quarantine upon arrival, several airlines, including United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and American Airlines, have introduced pre-flight testing programs for passengers.

While most Hawaiian islands are participating in the states pre-arrival testing program, the island of Kauai is sticking to its stricter regulations, requiring visitors to test negative with a pre-travel test, stay at an approved “resort bubble” property, and then test negative for a second time more than 72 hours after their arrival.

Hawaii is not the only destination to change its travel requirements for vaccinated visitors. Several countries, including Romania, Poland, and Georgia, have already lifted quarantine requirements for travelers, while other cities and countries are exploring options to create a vaccine passport.