December is one of the busiest months of the year as people hit the road for Christmas and New Years. Fortunately, travel restrictions are minimal and it’s easy to get to faraway places to visit family or sight-seeing.
People enjoy ice skating late at night at the annual Christmas Market in Toronto, Canada, December… [+] May 05, 2022. (Photo by Arif Balkan/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Restrictions on Traveling to the United States
There are no travel restrictions within the United States and its peripheral territories such as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. In addition, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents traveling abroad will not need a Covid-19 test for re-entry or show proof of coronavirus vaccine to re-enter the country.
However, two travel mandates may affect select groups of leisure travelers:
We may also see the return of indoor mask mandates in the coming weeks as infection rates are high across the country. For example, Los Angeles County, California, may re-enact the wearing of masks indoors. Remember to bring a mask in case the public place requires it.
Canada remains open to US residents by air and land for the first holiday travel season since the beginning of the pandemic. There are no sanitary checks at border crossings, and the obligation to wear masks on public transport has expired. It is also possible for unvaccinated visitors to enter the country without restrictions.
Latin America Travel Restrictions
Fully vaccinated travelers from the United States will not be required to meet any pre-arrival travel requirements to enter various Central and South American countries. However, unvaccinated travelers must test negative prior to arrival to enter these countries:
Indoor mask mandates are still in place in several countries.
The Caribbean is a pristine place to visit this month to escape the continent’s low temperatures. Also, hurricane season is coming to an end, making extreme weather less likely.
With one notable exception, various islands are open to tourists without requiring a pre-arrival test or proof of vaccination. Whether you’re flying or taking a boat to your favorite destination, the travel process is similar to the pre-pandemic experience.
As of December 2022, the Turks and Caicos Islands require people 18 years or older to be fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated tourists are not allowed to enter.
Europe is fully open to tourism to provide plenty of opportunities to visit iconic Christmas markets and enjoy other cultural traditions during the season. While there are no restrictions, local mask mandates may still apply. Unfortunately, the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict makes it difficult to travel to these countries.
Asia continues to be the most restrictive region for international travel. However, it is easier to visit this part of the country as 2023 approaches than at the beginning of the year. For example, most countries accept fully vaccinated visitors and do not require a pre-arrival test.
China has maintained the strictest entry restrictions throughout the pandemic, but the country is starting to ease conditions for residents. However, the reopening of the tourism and business travel industry is still on hold. In mid-November, the government announced that travelers can enter the country if they pass a negative pre-arrival test within 48 hours of their arrival.
However, a five-day quarantine period followed by three days of home isolation applies to participants with permanent residence in China. Other guests must self-quarantine for eight days.
The country is also easing China’s regional travel restrictions as travelers will not need a negative test result or a unique travel code.
Japan reopened to tourism in October and its entry guidelines remain unchanged. Visitors must provide proof of having received at least three WHO-approved doses of vaccine or have tested negative prior to arrival no more than 72 hours prior to travel.
There are no entry restrictions for vaccinated travelers, but unvaccinated visitors must pass a negative test prior to arrival.
Singapore has no entry restrictions for vaccinated visitors who can show proof of vaccination and eligible unvaccinated children. Unvaccinated travelers must test negative prior to arrival and purchase Covid-19 travel insurance.
Australia and New Zealand are open with no restrictions or pre-arrival testing requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors.
A year-end trip locally or internationally is easy to accomplish as most travelers won’t need to be tested or quarantined to celebrate Christmas or welcome in the New Year. One possible hurdle travelers should be aware of is the return of public mask-wearing mandates, which may catch unprepared tourists by surprise.
