In travel news for May 6, 2022 we will talk about Croatia, entry restrictions for the United States, and we have an update on Japan.
Croatia Drops Entry Restrinctions
Croatia is joining a growing number of countries by dropping all COVID entry restrictions. Travelers can now enter Croatia without having to show proof of vaccination, proof of recovery, or a negative COVID test. Previously Croatia required proof of vaccination, proof of accommodations, and travelers had to have filled out an entry form online. Croatia recommends masks, but they aren’t required outside of healthcare settings.
Travel Associations Push to End Pre-Departure Testing
260 different travel associations and travel companies have sent a letter to the White House in another push to end pre-departure testing for entry into the United States. Currently anyone entering the U.S. by air has to provide a negative covid test taken within 1 day, if the traveler tests positive they must quarantine in whatever country they are in. Within the letter the groups say "The wide range of public health tools to effectively manage COVID-19, combined with hospital grade ventilation systems onboard airplanes and the inbound vaccination requirement, have also made international Air Travel safer than ever,”. There is still no word from the Biden Administration on if or when testing will be relaxed or eliminated. We will continue to provide updates as they become available.
Japan Announces Reopening
For those patiently waiting for Japan to reopen we have some good news. Yesterday, while visiting London, the Prime Minister of Japan had this to say “We will further relax controls, so that in June it will be possible to enter the country as smoothly as other G7 nations”. Later in the day the Prime Minister said that the entry requirements would be implemented in stages, with two weeks between each stage. We will be keeping a close eye on this and will update you as more information becomes available.