Two years ago, you had a dream of a faraway trip, a desire to go to the other side of the world… But a certain COVID-19 disrupted this beautiful project… Months later, the borders of some countries remain closed, but as the epidemic diminishes, more and more governments are reviewing their travel restrictions. This summer, countries that have been closed to travelers for 2 years will reopen! Which countries are opening their borders during the summer of 2022? Which countries are ending quarantine and opening up to the unvaccinated? In this article, I’ll explain all the latest information on this subject.
Traveling in Europe in summer 2022: what’s changing
Since the start of the COVID epidemic, it has often been easier to find a trip to France or Europe. This is true for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Indeed, restrictions in Europe are often similar to those in France. Thus, when measures are revised downwards in France, this is often the case in neighboring countries. However, there were a few exceptions until May 2022.
Here’s what’s changed for travelers heading into summer 2022 in Europe:
- Norway no longer imposes any travel restrictions (no PCR, no mandatory vaccination, no more masks). However, the country was completely closed to unvaccinated people at the beginning of the year.
- Austria no longer requires a health pass (negative test or proof of vaccination) to travel and move around within the country, at least until September 30, 2022. However, wearing an FFP2 mask remains mandatory on public transport in Vienna and in hospitals.
- As of June 1 , 2022, Denmark and the Faroe Islands no longer have any travel restrictions in place, unlike at the beginning of 2022. Masks are no longer mandatory.
- Similarly, Italy no longer requires a health pass to enter its territory. However, the FFP2 mask remains mandatory in transport, including airplanes. It also remains mandatory in cinemas, concert halls, events and generally indoors, except for children under 6 years old.
- The Czech Republic and the United Kingdom no longer impose any restrictions: no PCR test, no proof of vaccination required for travel. Masks are no longer mandatory.
- On the other hand, Finland and Portugal continue to require a PCR test from unvaccinated people.
- Return to France : In Europe, if you are not vaccinated, a PCR test less than 72 hours old will be required for your return flight.
Which countries remain closed to all travelers?
At the moment, some countries around the world remain closed to all travelers, even vaccinated ones. This list includes:
- Vanuatu
- Bhutan
- China
- Hong Kong
- Taiwan
- Turkmenistan
- As well as other countries where tourism is not recommended anyway.
Which countries remain off-limits to unvaccinated travelers?
Some countries are implementing strict measures and will remain closed to the unvaccinated even for the summer of 2022. This is particularly the case for:
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Canada
- The United States
- Singapore
- Wallis and Futuna (except for compelling reasons)
- Brazil ( except with a certificate of recovery of less than 90 days).
- Uruguay (except in exceptional cases such as for humanitarian reasons).
Summer 2022: Countries that have recently opened to travelers
Looking for where to travel in 2022? Here are the countries whose situation has changed recently regarding COVID and travelers.
Japan
At the beginning of 2022, we were telling you that Japan had no planned reopening date. However, since June 1, 2022 , restrictions have been significantly reduced for travel to Japan.
Indeed, people coming from France must present a negative PCR result less than 72 hours before the flight (specific model which must comply with that requested by the Japanese Ministry of Health). Vaccinated or not, travelers are now authorized (under conditions) and exempt from quarantine and testing on arrival.
The issuance of tourist visas in Japan has resumed since June 10, 2022. However, tourists must travel in a group (such as an organized tour) or have used a local travel agency for their stay. This is the last condition that limits travel to Japan a little today, but it could change over the summer of 2022.
Why go now?
If you leave during the summer of 2022, you will be able to enjoy the first signs of reopening and the calm of tourist sites. The weather conditions will be favorable for a stay between July and September. However, the criterion of having to go on an organized trip could be a disadvantage for some.
Argentina
Argentina was previously one of the strictest countries regarding entry requirements, especially for unvaccinated people. But that has changed for summer 2022!
Since April 2022, all travelers, vaccinated or not, can travel to Argentina without the obligation of a PCR test. However, they must complete an electronic declaration on their honor 48 hours before the flight and present to their airline a certificate of insurance covering medical expenses for the duration of their stay. An antigen test is recommended 24 to 48 hours after arrival in Argentina.
Why take advantage of it?
Many travelers have dreamed of discovering the glaciers of Argentina for 2 years. If you leave during the summer of 2022, you should not come across many tourists. Of course, summer is not the best time to travel to Argentina, but we can hope that by the end of 2022, the measures will be the same and will facilitate travel.
Which countries have changed their entry requirements to Asia recently?
In January 2022, most countries in Asia were closed to all travelers regardless of their vaccination status. The situation has changed for the summer of 2022…
Malaysia
For several years, Malaysia was completely closed to tourism. Recently, this country has been opened without PCR testing for fully vaccinated people (2 to 3 doses depending on the vaccines). As for the unvaccinated, they must take a PCR test 48 hours before departure and quarantine for 5 days on site.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, travel is now possible upon presentation of a full vaccination certificate . Vaccinated people will have to undergo a temperature check and a PCR test upon arrival. Unvaccinated people must undergo a 5-day quarantine. Wearing a mask remains mandatory indoors. In addition, vaccination certificate checks are common at the entrance to shopping malls, on transport and in certain public places.
Thailand
Until June 1 , 2022, Thailand imposed quarantine on unvaccinated people. As of today, unvaccinated people who want to enter Thailand must present a PCR test less than 72 hours old and the Thailand Pass . Proof of insurance covering medical expenses must also be shown upon arrival for all travelers, vaccinated or not.
Travelers who have been vaccinated for more than 14 days are not required to present a PCR test upon arrival. The same applies to unvaccinated children traveling with their vaccinated parents.
The Philippines
Since February 2022, the Philippines’ borders have been reopened to vaccinated travelers. For the summer of 2022, the measures will evolve again positively. Fully vaccinated travelers will no longer be required to present a negative PCR test upon arrival.
In addition, unvaccinated travelers can now enter the Philippines with a PCR test less than 72 hours old and after quarantine. Isolation must be done in a specialized center until obtaining a PCR test carried out on day 5 and then at home until day 14 .
However, many measures remain in place within the country, such as the mandatory wearing of masks in public places and the requirement to present a full vaccination certificate to enter restaurants and certain public places. Travel is therefore likely to be quite complicated for unvaccinated people. Let’s hope that the measures continue to ease soon…
Vietnam
Very closed since the beginning of the epidemic, Vietnam has completely changed its measures! The country no longer imposes any restrictions on travel . However, masks remain mandatory in the street and public places.
Laos and Burma:
Until a few weeks ago , Laos was closed to all travelers. Since May 2022, this country is open to people who present either a certificate of complete vaccination schedule or an antigen test less than 48 hours before the flight (for people over 12 years old).
Burma (Myanmar) has roughly the same restrictions (vaccine or PCR test less than 48 hours old + insurance certificate), but the political situation has been disrupted since 2021, so travel to this destination is not recommended.
India and Sri Lanka
Until March 2022, these countries imposed quarantine on unvaccinated travelers. Currently, the borders are open to all with the obligation to present a test less than 72 hours old for the unvaccinated.
Countries that have changed their restrictions in Africa for summer 2022
Morocco
Morocco was one of the few countries close to Europe closed to everyone during the winter of 2021. This country is now open to vaccinated people and recently, to non-vaccinated people if they present a PCR test less than 72 hours old . However, within the country, the vaccination pass is still required to travel between provinces, access certain shops, hotels and restaurants, which could complicate the stay of non-vaccinated people. Wearing a mask is also mandatory almost everywhere. It is therefore possible to travel to Morocco without a vaccine rather if you are visiting family.
Madagascar
Madagascar has reopened its borders to vaccinated and unvaccinated people. You must present a PCR test less than 72 hours before the flight and agree to take a PCR test upon arrival. In the event of a positive test, a 7-day isolation will be required.
Mauritius Island
Vaccinated persons can travel to Mauritius provided they complete an entry form before departure. They must also undergo a paid antigen test upon arrival.
In addition, unvaccinated travellers are again allowed to visit Mauritius if they have a certificate of recovery or undergo a PCR test upon arrival. They are also required to quarantine for 7 days.
Countries that have changed their restrictions recently in America
Le Suriname
Suriname has been completely closed to tourism since the beginning of the epidemic. Today, you can travel there with a certificate of recovery less than 6 months old or a certificate of full vaccination.
Traveling to the French Overseas Territories during the summer of 2022: possible or not for the unvaccinated?
Guadeloupe and Martinique
The measures have changed a lot during the epidemic. At the beginning of 2022, only vaccinated travelers or travelers with a compelling reason could travel to Guadeloupe and Martinique. Since May 2022, it is now possible for unvaccinated travelers to reach these two destinations upon presentation of a recovery certificate less than six months old, a PCR test less than 72 hours old or an antigenic test less than 48 hours old.
Reunion and French Polynesia
These destinations were closed to unvaccinated travelers until recently. Today, they simply have to undergo a test 48 hours before boarding. The measures have therefore been considerably relaxed as summer 2022 approaches. For French Polynesia, the problem remains that a stopover in the USA or Canada is often mandatory to get there. But these two countries remain closed to unvaccinated travelers.
New Caledonia
At the beginning of 2022, vaccinated people were allowed to travel to New Caledonia with a quarantine. To date, entry conditions have been considerably relaxed. Indeed, vaccinated travelers over 12 years old can travel to New Caledonia without a PCR test before the flight. Unvaccinated travelers will have to present:
- or a PCR test of less than 72 before the flight
- or an antigen test less than 48 hours old
- or present a certificate of recovery.
In any case, no quarantine is required. However, all travelers over 12 years old are required to take an antigen test 48 hours after their arrival.
Bad luck, your dream destination is still closed to tourism? You need to keep up to date with the situation , because your trip is approaching and you are worried that the measures will change?
Please note that the information contained in this article may change. Although we can hope for an easing of measures over time, it seems that some restrictions may return depending on the evolution of the epidemic in the fall. It is therefore strongly recommended that you find out about the entry conditions for each destination via the advice page of the French Government website.
In addition, you can also choose your future destination thanks to our map of the global situation regarding COVID (closed or open countries). You will find at a glance the travel options available to you. We update this information regularly to guarantee its reliability.
