In travel news for May 17, 2022 we have travel updates from Austria, Spain, and Japan.
Austria Entry Restrictions
Back in February Austria started allowing unvaccinated travelers who tested negative pre-departure to visit. They also dropped the pre-departure testing requirement for fully vaccinated travelers. Austria has now joined the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, and others in dropping all covid entry restrictions. Travelers to Austria will no longer have to provide proof of vaccination or submit to pre-departure testing.
Spain Entry Restrictions
While many countries are dropping covid entry restrictions, Spain has recently announced that they will be extending their covid entry restrictions through June 15. Travelers to Spain must be fully vaccinated, or have a certificate of recovery. Unvaccinated travelers who don’t have a valid certificate of recovery aren’t currently allowed. Spain follows the European Unions definition of full vaccination as having received the final dose or booster within the previous 9 months. A certificate of recovery is valid for up-to 6 months. The Mask Mandate within Spain has been mostly lifted, masks are required in healthcare settings, and on public transpiration which includes Air Travel.
Japan Starts to Reopen
Last month Japan announced that they would begin a phased re-opening in June. In a recent update Japan has announced that during the last weeks in May they will be welcoming a limited number of travelers from 4 countries to visit as a “test tourism” program. A small number of travelers from the United States, Australia, Thailand, and Singapore will be allowed entry. These tour groups will need to receive approval from the Japanese government, have a pre-planned itinerary, and be accompanied at all times by a tour operator.