In travel news for June 8, 2022 we talk about pandemic entry restrictions from Italy, Spain, and the United States.
Italy Drops Pandemic Restrictions
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has recently dropped all pandemic entry restrictions. This means that all travelers, both vaccinated as well as unvaccinated will be able to enter Italy freely without having to provide a negative COVID test, proof of recovery, proof of vaccination, or go through quarantine. This announcement comes in time for the opening of Italys busy summer travel season. Masks will still be required for all public transportation, including Air Travel, as well as indoor venues such as concert halls and movie theaters through at least June 15th.
Spain Updates Entry Restrictions
Spain is moving closer to dropping their pandemic entry restrictions. Travelers from the European Union or the Schengen area will be allowed to enter without having to provide proof of vaccination, proof of negative covid test, or proof of recovery. Travelers from other countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom will still be required to show proof of vaccination, recover, or negative COVID test.
U.S. and Pre-Departure Testing
Currently the United States is holding on to the strict pre-departure testing for anyone arriving in the U.S. via Air Travel. The current policy requires all travelers to provide a negative COVID test taken within 1 day of boarding a flight to the U.S. regardless of vaccination status. As many countries are reducing or dropping their pandemic entry restrictions the Biden Administration isn’t looking to relax or eliminate this policy anytime soon. Yesterday the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation subcommittee held a hearing on “Reviving Conventions & Tourism Through International Travel”. Before the hearing began the American Society of Travel Advisors issued a statement highlighting that one of the main issues holding back international travel is the overly strict pre-departure testing requirement. Up until November 2021 the testing window was 72 hours, when the White House opened up to international travelers they shortened the window to 1 day. According to a recent survey 83% of trip cancellations occurred due to the strict pre-departure testing requirement. There is no word yet on what, if any, actions will be taken by the Senate in regards to the pre-departure testing requirement. We will continue to share updates on this as they become available.