Countries opening up to travelers vaccinated against Covid-19

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the travel sector, many countries are prioritizing vaccine distribution for their most at-risk populations.

More than 500 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine have already been administered worldwide.

In the UK, over 30 million people have received their first vaccine dose, while the US is administering nearly 2.5 million vaccinations daily.

While Covid vaccines have shown about 95% effectiveness, it remains uncertain whether vaccinated individuals can still contract and spread the virus.

There’s no denying that these successful vaccine rollouts mark a positive milestone for global travel.

As a result, many countries are either lifting travel restrictions for fully vaccinated visitors or significantly easing them.

From Belize to Iceland, here’s a look at the destinations that are reopening to tourists who have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Belize

Belize recently made history as the first Caribbean nation to welcome vaccinated tourists.

Travelers who can show they’ve received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine at least two weeks before departure are no longer required to present a negative PCR test upon entry.

Unvaccinated travelers are still welcome to visit Belize, as long as they submit a negative PCR test taken within four days of arrival or a rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours of departure.

All visitors must download the Belize Health App and complete the required health information within 72 hours prior to arriving in Belize.

Cyprus

In December, Cyprus became the first destination to publicly announce that fully vaccinated travelers would be allowed entry without the need for quarantine.

Though it was initially stated that the new regulations would come into effect on March 1, there has been no official confirmation from the government regarding the exact date.

Fully vaccinated travelers from Israel have been authorized to visit Cyprus without the need for a negative PCR test or quarantine starting April 1. Additionally, Savvas Perdios, the Deputy Tourism Minister, has announced that the same will apply to UK visitors beginning May 1.

It remains uncertain whether more countries will be added to the list in the near future, but it's anticipated that restrictions for tourists from select countries may be eased in the coming weeks.

At present, travelers allowed entry to Cyprus can choose to either present a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours of departure or undergo testing upon arrival.

Upon arrival, they are required to quarantine for two weeks in government-designated accommodation. The isolation period can be shortened if travelers take a molecular test on day ten of quarantine at their own cost and receive a negative result.

Officials are reportedly considering changes to the current policy, allowing travelers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UK, and Israel to enter without quarantine, as long as they submit a negative test before departure and take another test upon arrival in Cyprus.

Ecuador and the Galapagos

To enter Ecuador, fully vaccinated travelers must present a negative PCR test taken within three days prior to their arrival.

While vaccinated travelers can also visit the Galapagos Islands, the entry requirements are a bit more detailed compared to the mainland Ecuador rules.

Visitors planning to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ecuador must provide a negative test result taken within 96 hours of their trip.

If travelers plan to visit the site more than 96 hours after arriving in Ecuador, they will need to undergo a second test at their own cost.

The updated regulations, which took effect on March 22, also apply to individuals who have recovered from Covid-19 but are no longer exhibiting symptoms. Children under two years old are exempt from these requirements.

Travelers are required to follow Ecuador’s Covid-19 safety measures, including wearing masks in public spaces, practicing social distancing, and avoiding gatherings of more than 10 people during their stay.

Estonia

Estonia has not only lifted mandatory quarantine for EU travelers, but also for those who can prove they've recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months.

The country is accepting vaccines from nine global suppliers, not just the EU-approved Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or Oxford-AstraZeneca.

Only vaccination certificates in Estonian, Russian, or English will be accepted. Travelers who have recovered from Covid must also provide a doctor’s certificate and a negative PCR test to confirm they are no longer infectious.

"This is a gesture of solidarity. If we consider the vaccines used in other countries, we hope that the vaccines used in our own will be recognized internationally," said Hanna Sepp, head of Estonia’s Infectious Diseases Surveillance and Epidemic Control Department, in an interview with ERR News.

Estonia enforces a 10-day mandatory quarantine for incoming travelers, with exceptions for low-risk European countries such as Bulgaria, Iceland, and Norway. Travelers must also present a negative PCR test taken within three days before arrival. Visitors from the UK are required to show a negative test conducted no more than 72 hours prior to their arrival.

Georgia

Located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, Georgia has decided to remove entry restrictions for travelers who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently declared that visitors who have received two doses of any Covid-19 vaccine can enter the country without needing to show a negative PCR test result.

"Citizens of all countries arriving by air from anywhere may enter Georgia if they present proof of completing a full vaccination course (two doses) of any Covid-19 vaccine at the border," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

Unvaccinated travelers must provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure, and take a second test at their own cost on the third day of their stay.

Travelers who have visited the United Kingdom within the past 14 days are subject to a mandatory 12-day quarantine upon arrival in Georgia.

Iceland

From May 1, travelers who are fully vaccinated and arriving from European Union countries, as well as from Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, will be able to bypass quarantine and will not need to present a negative PCR test upon entry to Iceland.

Visitors who can present a vaccination certificate in Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, or English, confirming they've received two doses of one of the three major Covid-19 vaccines, will be exempt from Iceland's border restrictions.

Those presenting an 'invalid' document will be required to undergo double testing, with quarantine in between, as per the Icelandic Directorate of Health.

Iceland is also working on issuing digital 'vaccination certificates' to its citizens who have been vaccinated, aimed at easing international travel.

Non-vaccinated travelers arriving from approved destinations must take a Covid-19 test upon arrival, quarantine for five to six days, and take a second test before they can leave isolation.

Some exceptions will be made, including for those who have a valid medical reason for not being vaccinated.

Guatemala

Vaccinated travelers to Guatemala are exempt from quarantine and negative test requirements, provided they can present a valid certificate confirming they've had two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

To enter, tourists must ensure their second vaccine dose was administered at least two weeks before their departure date.

However, the second dose must have been received no less than two weeks before travel.

Currently, non-residents who have recently been to the United Kingdom or South Africa within the past 14 days are not allowed entry, regardless of their vaccination status.

Unvaccinated tourists can still visit, but they must provide a negative Covid-19 test result taken within 72 hours before their arrival.

Travelers who can show proof of a past Covid-19 infection and recovery are also eligible to enter. Children under 10 years old are exempt from these rules.

Visitors are required to submit their information through the Guatemalan Health Pass website at least 24 hours before arriving in Guatemala.

Madeira

Madeira, an autonomous region of Portugal located in the North Atlantic Ocean, is open to fully vaccinated travelers from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Known as the 'Pearl of the Atlantic,' Madeira also welcomes those who can provide proof of recovery from Covid-19 within the last 90 days.

Travelers must present an official vaccination certificate showing the dates they received each dose of the vaccine before entering the region.

Visitors must comply with Madeira's Covid-19 restrictions, including wearing masks in public. Currently, the region's restaurants, bars, and casinos must close by 6 p.m.

Poland

Travelers from EU nations can enter Poland without the 10-day quarantine if they provide a certificate confirming they have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Poland removed entry restrictions for fully vaccinated travelers on December 28.

Travelers who present a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result on arrival are exempt from quarantine, provided that no more than 48 hours have passed between the test result and their border crossing.

Romania

Since January 18, all travelers from approved destinations who are fully vaccinated against Covid are allowed to enter Romania without quarantining.

The new regulations, announced by Romania's National Committee for Emergency Situations (CNSU), state that both visitors and returning residents must present proof of receiving two doses of the vaccine to bypass mandatory quarantine.

The second dose should be administered at least 10 days before arrival.

"Proof of vaccination, including the date of the second dose, must be provided through a document issued by the health authority, whether in Romania or another country," the CNSU stated.

Currently, travelers arriving from countries on Romania's 'yellow list,' which includes high-risk destinations, must undergo a 14-day quarantine.

Travelers who provide a PCR test taken within 72 hours of entry are required to quarantine for 10 days.

The Seychelles

In January, the Seychelles became one of the growing number of destinations to lift quarantine requirements for vaccinated travelers.

Following a successful vaccination campaign, the remote archipelago off Tanzania's coast has further eased travel restrictions.

As of March 25, all travelers, except those from South Africa, can enter the Seychelles by providing proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.

Sylvestre Radegonde, the Seychelles' Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, expressed confidence in the country's immunity levels, stating, "We believe we've achieved the immunity we need." He added, "We have trained the local businesses and set up all necessary facilities."

He further emphasized, "Our health facilities are fully prepared, and the measures we've implemented are effective. We are confident in our ability to safely reopen."