NOTE: This post usually updates on Tuesdays. This week’s post was delayed due to the CDC being closed on Monday for Columbus Day.
The Center For Disease Control (CDC) has updated its weekly list of high-risk countries. Four countries have moved up to the very high-risk, level 4 countries. The list of country designations continues to be a moving target with some countries moving up the list and some moving down to lower categories.
New Zealand
Beginning November 1, 2021, all foreign nationals coming to New Zealand will have to provide proof of vaccination. Proof will be required prior to boarding your flight to New Zealand and upon arrival.
“To further reduce the possibility of the virus getting through our border, we are introducing the requirement for air travelers aged 17 and over, who are not New Zealand citizens, to be fully vaccinated to enter New Zealand,” said Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins.
Those arriving in New Zealand will still have to spend 14 days in quarantine, and all travelers — except those from exempt locations — will still need to show a negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours of their first scheduled international flight.
Air New Zealand also announced that all passengers on its international flights would need to show proof of vaccinations beginning February 1, 2022.
Here is a link to New Zealand Covid travel information.
Bali
Updated on September 28, 2021.
As the COVID-19 Pandemic situation in Indonesia had shown improvements, the Indonesian Government has relaxed the travel restrictions by allowing a number of foreign travel groups to enter Indonesia. The following foreign travelers may enter Indonesia under the new Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation No. 34/2021:
- Diplomatic and Official visa holders (to apply, click here );
- Diplomatic and Official stay permit;
- Holders of Indonesia Temporary Residence Card (KITAS) and Indonesia Permanent Residence Card (KITAP). Visit https://izintinggal-online.imigrasi.go.id/ for more information;
- Visitor and limited stay visas. Visit https://www.imigrasi.go.id/en/ to learn more;
- All non-immigrant crew members or cabin crews arriving any vessel or aircraft from any port or place outside Indonesia.
- Asia-Pacific Economic Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card holder; and
-
Traditional Border Crossing pass/card holder.
Per the new Minister regulation, expired e-visas, which are issued from April 22, 2021 – July 18, 2021, are automatically renewed upon receipt of a confirmation email. E-visa holders are able to enter Indonesia no later than October 15, 2021. Visit www.imigrasi.go.id to learn more.
Lifting of Land Border Travel Restrictions for Vaccinated International Travelers
U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on the announcement that restrictions on U.S. land border travel with Canada and Mexico will be lifted for vaccinated individuals:
“U.S. Travel has long urged a reopening of the U.S. land borders, and we applaud the Biden administration’s plan to ease entry restrictions for vaccinated visitors. This action will bring a welcome surge in travel from our two top source markets of inbound travel. The ban on Canada and Mexico border traffic should end in early November.
“Declines in international visitation since the start of the pandemic have resulted in more than $250 billion in lost export income and more than a million U.S. jobs. The closed Canadian and Mexican land borders alone cost the U.S. economy nearly $700 million per month.
“The full reopening of international travel to the United States to fully vaccinated individuals is overdue and will provide a jolt to the U.S. economy, travel businesses large and small, and to destinations across America.”
Unvaccinated Americans Returning To the United States
If you are an American who is not vaccinated, returning to the United States will get more complicated. The new travel rules will make two significant changes:
- The testing window for return Covid testing will be reduced from three days down to one day.
- Unvaccinated travelers will be required to test again after they return to the United States. Where and when this test is to be performed has yet to be decided.
The rules are still in development but you can expect changes to the testing policy. This story will be updated when the new rules are finalized.
Countries Moving Up To Level 4
Destinations that fall into the “Covid-19 very high” Level 4 category have had more than 500 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days, according to CDC parameters. The Level 3 category applies to destinations that have had between 100 and 500 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days.
These countries have moved up the list to level 4 from previously lower levels. The main reason this has happened is that the CDC has received more complete data on the actual conditions in those countries.
Here are the newest countries to move to level 4. Three of the latest countries to join level 4 are located in Eastern Europe, the other is in the Caribbean.
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Romania
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
These Countries Have Moved To Level 3
Six countries on the list this week have either improved or were downgraded. They are:
- Czech Republic – previously level 2
- Faroe Islands – previously level 2
- Gabon- previously level 2
- South Korea – previously level 2
- Spain – previously level 4
- Uganda – previously level 2
General Guidance
CDC guidance for Level 3 and Level 4 destinations urges unvaccinated travelers to avoid nonessential travel to those locations. The CDC also recommends avoiding all international travel until you are fully vaccinated.
The Full List And Travel Advisories
The full list along with travel advisories from the CDC can be found here. This list changes weekly so it might be a site to add to your travel bookmarks.
All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board a flight to the United States. See the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Final Thoughts
The list of countries that the CDC maintains continues to change every week as more data is known. Some countries have improved and some have declined. Some countries including the United States improve and then fall into a state of decline. This CDC list and advisories are posted to help you make an educated decision on whether to travel or not.
The next update is scheduled for October 19, 2021.
