Tips for Traveling During a Pandemic - Great Sites That Will Help You Assess Covid Risk and Country Entry Requirements

There are many sites that can help you assess your destination’s Covid risk and also help you with planning for Covid entry requirements.

On June 10th the Biden administration indicated that starting on Sunday a negative PCR Test will no longer be required for international travel as a condition of return to the United States.   That is for now. The government indicated that it will reassess this protocol in three months. That said, things change rapidly and it is not clear whether a predicted rise in Covid cases in the fall will change that mandate sooner.

Be aware that while these sites are helpful in planning your trip you still will want to keep checking your airlines, country destination sites, travel operators and cruise lines repeatedly up until the time you leave.

The following sites will indicate which countries have the highest risk and also show you what the Covid requirements are for entry to each. The information is easy to access. 

In general, the countries that are the safest for Covid travel have the most stringent restrictions.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The CDC site not only provides Covid Vaccination requirements, Covid level risk assessment but also indicates all recommended vaccinations for each country. Simply go to the Travelers Health tab and select Destinations.  Type in your destination and you will have the most current CDC information for your destination.

There is also an interactive world map on the site where you can click on your country of destination to get the information.

Sherpa.  I really like sherpa’s interactive map.  It’s very easy to navigate and has lots of useful information.  To begin, just type in the country that issued your passport and then your vaccination status. Then just click on your chosen destination and the information regarding whether the country is open for travel, what restrictions are in place, if there is a mandatory quarantine on arrival, whether you have to test on arrival,  etc.  

U.S. Passport Service Guide. While I’ve applied and received necessary visas on my own in more than enough time to enter my country of destination, there have been times when I have used a visa processing service.  I have not used this site’s service as yet but I do like their site.

The website is easy to use and has a lot of information on it.  The site lists foreign entry visa requirement if any and other important passport information.  It is also candid in letting you know that there can be significant costs involved in using a visa process service but counters the costs by indicating the benefits of saving time and keeping you advised as to where you are in the visa issuing loop.  

These are very good sites for planning your trip. But, again, they are not a substitute for frequently checking your airlines, country of destination website, and your tour company for the very latest information.