When can we travel again?

Updated 27 May            

Countries are grappling with ways to safely resume travel as virus numbers drop.  The EU has called for reopening of borders between member states with similar rates of virus infection.  Other countries around the world who have been successful in managing the virus are also taking steps to reopen hotels and other tourist facilities.

However, due to the unpredictable nature of viruses any of these policies could change at the last minute if infections start to rise in a second wave.  Each country will be constantly looking and tweaking their rules on social distancing and border protocols as trace and test capabilities change and infection rates fluctuate.

Below is a synopsis of current plans:

Australasia

Australia and New Zealand have agreed to what they are calling a "trans-Tasman travel bubble" enabling travel between the 2 countries without a quarantine period.  Australian PM Scott Morrison has suggested an October start for other International travellers.

The Bahamas

The Bahamas is looking to open in July, but dates are by no means fixed.

Dubai

A tentative July opening is planned, locally restaurants and shops started to open, with strict social distancing measures on 24th April.  However, by no means are all open yet.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

From the 15th May the 3 Baltic states created a 3-country bubble similar to the Australian and New Zealand model. Other countries, such as Poland and Finland may join as they deal with the outbreak.

Germany

The border with Luxembourg opened last week.  Borders with France, Switzerland and Austria will retain controls until at least 15th June.

Campsites and hotels are opening for domestic visitors at the end of the month and many restaurants and bars have already opened with reduced capacity due to distancing measures.

Distancing measures are being enforced and there will be restrictions in place that are subject to change due to current circumstances.

Greece

Greece has managed to maintain a low infection rate throughout the outbreak and is looking at measures to reopen borders from 15th June.

The Acropolis reopened on 18th May, beaches on 4th May subject to strict distancing measures.

Greece's prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told the Guardian: "if we are to think of the possibility of travelling this year it has to be under specific new rules. We have to have new rules for hotels, new rules for beaches, new rules for pools, new rules for breakfast buffets, new rules for tour buses."

Italy

International travel restrictions are being eased from 3rd June by the reopening of borders for EU citizens without the need for quarantine.  Some cafes and bars have reopened with outdoor seating.  On beaches visitors are assigned umbrellas and are required to wear facemasks when moving around.  Groups are not allowed to congregate.

Portugal

Hotels in tourist regions such as the Algarve hope to open at the end of June or start of July but borders are closed.  The country is following a 3 phase approach to opening with the second phase starting on 18th May which included the opening of restaurants and cafes.

Update 27 May - Officials in the UK and Portugal are reportedly in talks to agree an "air bridge" between the two countries to expedite the return of British tourists to Portugal.

Spain

Spain is looking to open its borders to international visitors from 1st July.  By this time quarantine will have been lifted on entering the country and movement restrictions will have eased.

Beaches are expected to open late in June with some regions looking at ways of reducing crowds by the allocation of timed 'slots'.