February is in the midst of the mid-winter travel season. While spring and warmer temperatures are getting closer, February will still be a chilly month which means travel restrictions can remain in place north of the equator. Here are the latest domestic and international travel guidelines.
United States Travel Restrictions
Here are some of the travel guidelines that can impact domestic trips. In particular, tropical islands continue to be the strictest due to their limited health care capacities for residents and tourists.
Hawaii
The Hawaii quarantine rules loosened in January 2022. It is now 5 days instead of 10 that Hawaii requires visitors and returning residents to quarantine. It’s still possible to waive this entry requirement by being fully vaccinated or having a negative pre-arrival test result.
While Hawaiian authorities are not requiring eligible vaccinated travelers to have a booster shot to waive the testing option, the vaccination requirements may update soon as the follow-up shot becomes widely available.
Puerto Rico
If Hawaii is too far away, but you still want to enjoy a domestic tropical getaway, it can be easier to visit Puerto Rico. The territory no longer requires a pre-arrival test for vaccinated travelers, beginning February 2, 2022. There isn’t a self-quarantine period for the fully vaccinated.
Unvaccinated travelers must receive a negative test before arriving to waive the 7-day self-quarantine. It’s also possible to get a test upon arrival, but travelers must self-quarantine for the first 48 hours while waiting for the test results to process.
California
While there is no change to the statewide California travel guidelines, the state and the Los Angeles area will be seeing an influx of travelers on February 13, 2022, for the Bengals-Rams Super Bowl LVI matchup at SoFi Stadium.
Los Angeles County requires all individuals to wear a mask indoors for sporting events and restaurants. Wearing a mask outdoors is also encouraged for the unvaccinated.
Flying To The United States
American citizens at least 2 years old returning to the United States from an international flight must have a negative return travel test no sooner than 24 hours before flying back. This requirement applies to all vaccination statuses, and there isn’t a mandatory self-quarantine.
All international visitors wishing to enter the United States must be fully vaccinated (if eligible for one) and have a negative pre-arrival test.
Canada
You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative test result to enter Canada by air or land. A mandatory quarantine is no longer in effect.
Latin America
Much of Central America and South America are open to fully-vaccinated Americans with a negative pre-arrival test. However, unvaccinated travelers can anticipate a mandatory quarantine of up to 14 days, even with a negative pre-travel test.
Here are the current travel guidelines for popular Latin American destinations.
Mexico
Mexico doesn’t require proof of vaccination or a negative pre-arrival test for any visitor. It’s possible to fly or drive to Mexico.
Belize
Regardless of your vaccination status, international visitors must have a negative pre-arrival test. They must also stay at a Gold Star Certified Hotel or a similar accommodation if they don’t own a vacation home in the country.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica currently doesn’t require proof of vaccination or a negative entry test. However, all international visitors must show proof of a return ticket. In addition, the unvaccinated and partially vaccinated must have a qualifying travel insurance policy to cover lodging and medical expenses if they become symptomatic during their visit.
Local businesses can require proof of vaccination until March 7, 2022.
Argentina
Fully vaccinated travelers can visit Argentine restriction-free with a negative pre-arrival test. Traveling while unvaccinated is discouraged, and a mandatory 7-day quarantine is in effect.
Brazil
Fully vaccinated travelers must have a negative pre-arrival test but don’t need to self-quarantine. Unvaccinated travelers must have a negative result and also quarantine for the first 14 days.
Caribbean Travel Restrictions
The Caribbean islands remain a patchwork of differing entry requirements that are lenient to very restrictive.
Bahamas
The Bahamas remain one of the most popular destinations as their entry requirements are reasonable. All travelers must have a negative pre-arrival test from the last 72 hours, obtain Covid-19 travel insurance and complete the digital health visa.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic doesn’t require proof of vaccination or a negative pre-arrival test. However, customs agents will be conducting random testing at the airport.
Europe
Like Latin America, non-essential travel requires full vaccination and a negative pre-arrival test.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has different entry guidelines for arrival before 4 am on February 11, 2022, and after that hour.
Until 4 am on February 11, 2022:
- Fully vaccinated travelers must book and pay for a post-arrival test to be taken before the second day. No self-quarantine is necessary unless you receive a positive result.
- Unvaccinated travelers must have a negative pre-arrival test. Then, self-quarantine for the first 10 days and post-travel tests on days 2 and 8.
After 4 am, the entry guidelines are the following:
- Fully vaccinated travelers won’t need a pre-arrival or post-arrival test. No self-quarantine is necessary.
- Unvaccinated travelers must have a pre-arrival test and book a post-arrival test for day 2. No self-quarantine is no longer required.
In addition to the relaxed entry requirements, the nationwide mask mandate expired in late January.
Italy
Italy requires international visitors to have a negative pre-arrival test. Eligible unvaccinated travelers must self-quarantine for five days. The country also has an outdoor mask mandate through at least February 11, 2022. The mandate was recently set to expire on January 31, 2022, but received a last-minute extension.
Northern Europe
The northern European nations like Norway and Finland have had some of the strictest entry requirements in Europe. These two nations are starting to accept health passports for fully vaccinated travelers from outside the EU. A negative Covid-19 test result is also necessary to enter restriction-free.
Sweden, another northern European nation, still has its borders closed to non-essential travel.
Australia
While Americans can’t travel to Australia yet, the country hopes to open its borders before Easter on April 17, 2022. The reopening plans are primarily contingent on how coronavirus variants continue to affect Australia and the world. Currently, expatriate Australians can book return flights as airlines have increased service in recent weeks.
Nearby New Zealand also remains closed to international travel from the U.S.
Summary
While many destinations are easing the need for pre-arrival testing, most places still require being fully vaccinated and have a negative entry test. Thankfully, there are plenty of places to travel abroad and within the United States.
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