this week in updated entry protocols

Ooh! Entry protocols! How exciting? What better way to get excited about traveling than pouring over the ups and downs about where Americans can travel and how to get there safely? How fabulous!

We jest. But not really.

Of course, travel is more difficult than ever, but that’s why you look to professional travel advisors like us to keep on top of these things! And since things change on a daily basis these days, we thought we’d post a quick update on the landscape of travel. The good news is that there’s good news!

First off, and most importantly, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data this week that there have only been 44 cases of COVID-19 transmitted onboard aircraft among 1.2 billion passengers traveling since the start of 2020. That's from the beginning of the year, including the earliest days of the pandemic, and it represents one case for every 27 million travelers -  actually much smaller than the odds of being struck by lightning.  They’ve also cited peer-reviewed studies to support their conclusion, so the bottom line is that air travel is a heck of a lot safer than you think it is.

The other big news is that as of October 15, Hawai’i is replacing the 14-day quarantine requirement with a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. Keep in mind that if you’re going to the Big Island, there’s an additional protocol that requires a rapid PCR test for all travelers upon arrival in addition to the 72-hour negative test requirement.

Panama and Grenada are now open to U.S. travelers. Both these countries are recent additions to the list of destinations open to U.S. travelers with Grenada becoming one of only three countries that New Yorkers can visit without quarantine and then return without quarantine. Worth repeating, there are only three countries that New Yorkers can visit without a quarantine either going or upon return.

The Bahamas had a significant update to their entry protocol, removing their mandatory 14-day “vacation-in-place” requirement as of November 1 and replacing it with a new test-on-arrival and test after four days protocol. The Bahamas is among a number of countries that are embracing rapid tests and antigen tests in addition to or as an alternative to standard PCR tests as part of the entry protocol, this could become an important trend worth watching. Also, airlines and airports are stepping into the testing game, helping countries safely open their borders to U.S. travelers. Another important trend to watch.

Finally, the government of Curaçao announced this past week that they are now open but only to U.S. travelers from the Tri-State region of NY, NJ, and Connecticut along with a handful of countries considered low or medium risk. All U.S. travelers (not just those from the Tri-State region) can visit under the new long-term visa program -- 90 days or more -- which includes a 14-day quarantine at their accommodations upon arrival, so if you’re thinking to yourself, “Hey, where am I going to move if the election doesn’t go my way?”, you might move Curaçao up on your ranked list.

Of course, there are other international destinations that are open to US Travelers, including parts of Europe, the Middle-east, Africa, and Asia. And we’ve got updated info on exactly where you can go and what you need to do to get there. So, if you’re wanting to make a plan to get out there and see the world, you should definitely let us help you.