For thousands of holidaymakers this summer, it must have almost felt like COVID never happened. OK, so there were other challenges to deal with, like long delays at airports, luggage going missing in droves and routine flight cancellations.
But as far as COVID restrictions are concerned, most people holidaying in Europe this summer have faced little or no restrictions at all. One by one, the majority of the major tourist destinations around the continent have lifted their entry rules. No more pre-flight tests, no more health forms, no need to prove your vaccination status.
That, however, is not the situation globally. Now the summer season is over, many travellers turn their attention further afield in search of some winter sun. The Med might be the destination of choice for sun-drenched beaches throughout the summer. But if you want the same through the winter, you have to look long haul.
And that may well mean running into COVID restrictions again. While most of Europe (the UK included) has acted almost in unison in ditching restrictions, many other countries and regions remain much more cautious. If you are hoping to travel somewhere far-flung and exotic this winter, you need to swot up on the local rules again.
Here are five popular winter sun destinations that continue to have relatively tough COVID rules.
Brazil
Fancy soaking up some rays on Copacabana Beach this winter? Or maybe you’ve got your heart set on a visit in February to coincide with Mardi Gras? Well that will depend on whether you are fully vaccinated or not. Brazil still has a ban on all unvaccinated tourists aged 12 and above.
This is particularly troublesome for families hoping to head to Brazil this winter, maybe for a special sunshine Christmas break. In the UK, just under half of all children aged 12 to 15 have yet to receive a full vaccination course, which automatically rules them out of a trip to Brazil.
If you are fully vaccinated, and as long as you had your second dose at least 14 days before departure, the only entry requirement is to show your proof of vaccination. This can be a written confirmation obtained from the NHS, or you can use the digital NHS COVID Pass.
New Zealand
New Zealand famously had some of the world’s toughest COVID rules throughout the course of the pandemic, effectively shutting its borders to outside visitors for more than two years. Having only eased restrictions in July 2022, it’s no surprise that it continues to have a number of measures in place.
The good news is that, as of September 2022, New Zealand has eased what was previously a complete ban on unvaccinated travellers. However, all visitors still have to apply for a New Zealand Travel Pass before they travel. Unlike the health declaration forms you have to fill in at the airport for other countries, the Travel Pass must be issued before your departure date, otherwise you will be refused boarding. So give yourself plenty of time to submit your application.
Also, once you arrive in New Zealand, you will be required to take two rapid antigen tests within your first six days, and submit the results to the authorities. If you test positive, you will have to self-isolate.
Morocco
While you can’t guarantee beach weather all year round in Morocco, it is popular as a not-so-distant destination for people seeking late autumn or early spring sun, with average temperatures topping 20oC well into October and decidedly pleasant by March.
Morocco is one of the few countries that specifies three doses as proof of vaccination. So even if you had your initial two jabs, that won’t get you in if you haven’t had a booster shot since. That only applies to adults, however. Children aged 12 to 17 are allowed in with two jabs, while there are no vaccination requirements for under 12s.
Anyone over the age of 12 who hasn’t been fully vaccinated will still be allowed in with a negative PCR test.
USA
While temperatures across much of North America are decidedly frigid throughout the winter months, sun-seekers can still get their fix from a large swathe of destinations stretching from Florida to southern California.
If an adventure in the States captures your imagination this winter, the catch is that you have to be fully vaccinated to visit. That applies to all adults over 18. Unvaccinated children may have to take tests on arrival.
Bear in mind that as well as maintaining a tough line on vaccinations, the US is notoriously tough on entry rules full stop. Depending on your circumstances, you will either have to apply for a visa or apply through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) for a visa waiver. Even the visa waiver program is no walk in the park. For example, you can only use it if you have an e-passport, and you can expect to be grilled on details of your visit on arrival.
Be warned and be prepared – get your applications and documentation in order early!
Chile
Chile might not be the best known winter sun destination, but arguably deserves to be. A southern hemisphere country with 4,000 miles of coastline, Chile boasts two things we can all be envious of during the dark, cold winter months up here in the north – plenty of hot sun and too many stunning beaches to count.
This South American country is also worth a mention in any discussion of COVID rules because it is one of a dozen or so destinations around the world that make buying travel insurance mandatory. And not just any travel insurance – you need COVID-specific cover worth a minimum of US $30,000.
You don’t need to be vaccinated to get into Chile – negative PCR tests are accepted instead. However, in practice it is not worth travelling to Chile if you are not fully vaccinated, as you need proof of being double jabbed to get a Mobility Pass. This is a mandatory document if you want to visit any indoor public venues, including hotels and restaurants.
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