Travel Update: Japan, Australia, and Argentina announce their border reopening plans

Whether you’re a vaccine enthusiast, PCR tester, or quarantine expert, travel these days comes with a slew of requirements. But don't worry, Dinogo Travel is here to keep you in the loop with the latest travel updates. Here’s what’s new in pandemic travel this week.

Here’s the latest in pandemic travel this week:

1. Norway has removed its domestic Covid restrictions, but was quickly moved into the US ‘very high’ risk category.

It’s been a promising week for aspiring travelers. The UK and Israel removed their ‘red lists’, while India, Bali, and Vietnam announced their plans to reopen.

Just two days later, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) placed Norway in the highest-risk category on its global travel advisory list. While there are other well-known destinations in the ‘Level 4’ zone, such as the UK, France, and Spain, Sweden and Denmark remain in the lower-risk ‘Level 3’ category.

2. Japan has made it a bit easier to visit, but only for fully vaccinated travelers with an approved vaccine.

Japan’s health ministry has decided to ease entry restrictions for travelers who can prove they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Visitors must show proof of vaccination with either the Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca vaccines, as these are the only ones currently recognized by Japan. Unfortunately, this means vaccines like China's Sinopharm and the U.S.'s Johnson & Johnson are not accepted.

Eligible travelers will no longer need to quarantine for 14 days, but instead must complete a 10-day quarantine. After 10 days, a PCR test is required. If the result is negative, travelers can move around freely.

3. Australia has announced its plan to reopen borders to fully vaccinated citizens.

On October 1, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled plans to allow fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents to enter the country again.

It’s been over 18 months since Australia closed its borders due to the pandemic, enforcing strict arrival quotas and mandatory 14-day quarantine for those allowed in. The upcoming reopening in November will bring relief to the many Australians stranded abroad.

4. Argentina will also open its borders to fully vaccinated international travelers starting November 1.

As spring begins in the southern hemisphere, Argentina is set to reopen its doors to international tourism on November 1, making it a perfect time to visit.

All foreign visitors can now enter Argentina without quarantine, provided they are fully vaccinated at least two weeks before arrival and present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their entry.

On September 21, Argentina’s Minister of Health, Carla Vizzoti, shared the news on Twitter. The country's land borders had already reopened on October 1, allowing foreign nationals from neighboring countries to enter.

5. Vietnam's largest city has eased its Covid restrictions.

Vietnam has been under a strict lockdown since early July, triggered by a Covid surge linked to the Delta variant, which led to a devastating peak of 804 deaths in a single day on September 1.

While the number of cases has decreased, the country is still seeing over 62,000 new cases every week, and less than 10% of the population has been vaccinated.

Despite the ongoing challenges, Vietnam’s economy has suffered significantly. In response, officials in Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s largest and economic center, have decided to lift travel restrictions within the city. Some hospitality businesses, malls, and construction projects are also allowed to resume operations, according to Reuters.

6. A couple wed at the US-Canadian border so the bride’s family could attend.

While some couples dream of a church wedding or a beach ceremony, Karen Mahoney and Brian Ray chose the unique setting of a US-Canada border crossing near Burke, New York, for their wedding.

Covid-19 restrictions made it challenging for the Canadian bride to have her family present at her wedding in the US, so she and her partner decided that the border crossing would allow her parents and 96-year-old grandmother to attend.

"The most important part of the day was the vows we made to each other, and we wanted my parents and grandmother to be there to witness that," Mahoney told Dinogo.

7. A baby was born on a Turkish Airlines flight en route to the US.

On September 27, a Moroccan woman gave birth aboard a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Chicago. The baby was delivered with help from the cabin crew and a doctor who happened to be on the flight, according to Nola.com.

The flight continued its journey as both the mother and baby were reported to be in good health, a spokesperson for Turkish Airlines confirmed in a statement.

8. A Middle Eastern airline has been named the best in the world.

Doha-based Qatar Airways has been named the best airline of 2021, earning top honors twice: first by AirlineRatings.com in July, and more recently by review organization Skytrax.

The Skytrax World Airline Awards are determined by customer surveys, with this year’s survey period running from September 2019 to July 2021.

"Qatar Airways has clearly maintained its exceptional levels of innovation and service, both during normal times and through the ongoing global pandemic," said Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted in a statement on the award results.

9. United Airlines has delayed parts of its vaccine mandate following a temporary agreement.

United Airlines’ vaccine mandate took effect this week, but full implementation has been delayed as a legal challenge to the mandate moves forward.

Under a temporary agreement, employees whose requests for religious or medical exemptions were denied will be allowed to remain employed until October 8, when a court hearing regarding the lawsuit is scheduled.

United’s policy will still apply to employees who fail to provide proof of vaccination and who did not request a religious or medical exemption.

10. UK road trips were disrupted due to a gasoline shortage crisis.

The UK’s week-long gasoline shortage, which led to service stations closing and long lines at those still open, is starting to improve, though normalcy has yet to be fully restored.

The shortage is primarily due to a lack of tanker drivers, worsened by the Brexit situation and exacerbated by panic buying. Dinogo’s Charles Riley has the details on what you need to know.