Destinations

Category Archives for Destinations.

Thailand Now Allowing Tourists From The Whole World (Yes, Even The U.S.)

by Gary Leff on December 9, 2020

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Dec 09 2020

Thailand has managed the Covid-19 pandemic well. Despite identifying early cases outside of China at the start of the pandemic, the country hasn’t seen significant virus activity and 90% of cases have been asymptomatic.

The country has been among the most closed to tourism, like much of Asia, but they’re now offering special tourist visas to people from all over the world – there’s a process to jump through and quarantine on arrival, but it’s now possible for Americans to visit.

13 Million Americans Eligible For ‘Immunity Passports’

by Gary Leff on December 8, 2020

Dec 08 2020

Iceland and Hungary welcome people who have recovered from Covid-19 in the past six months. This makes a lot more sense than welcoming people that have tested negative in the past 72 hours. A recent negative test doesn’t mean someone is free of the virus at the time they arrive. But someone that’s recovered from the virus probably doesn’t have it and can’t spread it.

Hawaii Covid Restrictions May Change AGAIN, Driven By The Governor’s Race Not Safety

by Gary Leff on December 3, 2020

Dec 03 2020

After several months of delay, Hawaii opened to tourism October 15th. They allowed arriving passengers to skip the mandatory 14 day quarantine by getting a Covid-19 test from an approved vendor within 72 hours of travel.

That’s about to change, because starting Wednesday it will no longer be possible to test out of quarantine when arriving on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. And that’s not the only change we may see, as local politicians vie for positions ahead of the 2022 Governors’ race where the incumbent faces term liimits.

You Can No Longer Visit Kauai Without Quarantine, As The Hawaiian Island Opts Out Of Testing Regime

by Gary Leff on November 28, 2020

Nov 28 2020

Effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, December 2 visitors to the Hawaiian island of Kauai will have to quarantine for 14 days on arrival. Pre-travel testing for Covid-19 will no longer excuse arriving passengers from this requirement, as the Governor of Hawaii approved a request by the Mayor of Kauai to opt out of the state’s testing program.

Leaked Memo: Bali Plans Tourism Re-Opening December 1

by Gary Leff on November 11, 2020

Nov 11 2020

A leaked memo has detailed Bali’s tourism re-opening plans. On Friday, November 6th a government meeting took place at the Astor hotel between Bali’s airport authority, Director General of Indonesian Health, and Minister of Maritime Affairs. The memo details the plan for Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport to begin accepting international tourists on December 1. Bali’s Governor confirms the meeting.

Family Flies Home After Hawaii Rejects Negative Covid Test. When They Landed, Hawaii Said Oops.

by Gary Leff on November 7, 2020

Nov 07 2020

CVS Pharmacy is a trusted partner for Hawaii, and one San Diego family got their CVS test prior to travel. They arrived in Hawaii, presented their negative results, and were sent to quarantine anyway.

Facing the prospect of 14 days of quarantine, they decided to fly home. Once the family arrived back in California they got an email from Hawaii acknowledging the mistake and inviting them to leave quarantine.

New York Replaces “List Of Bad States” With Universal 4 Day Quarantine And Testing Requirement

by Gary Leff on October 31, 2020

Oct 31 2020

New York State has had a challenging set of rules for travel. Anyone arriving from a state with more than 10 positive cases per 100,000 residents on a rolling average basis, or greater than 10% of Covid-19 tests coming back positive has had to quarantine for 14 days on arrival. Enforcement has been spotty.

With very few states left on the list of allowable travelers entering New York, the state is replacing that regime with mandatory pre-travel testing and shorter quarantine on arrival with a second test for everyone as an alternative to a 14 day quarantine.

Is This The End Of Visiting China, Even After Coronavirus?

by Gary Leff on October 24, 2020

Oct 24 2020

China has made clear they may detain Americans in retaliation for the U.S. prosecuting Chinese scholars.

Thailand’s Tourism Re-Opening Plan Includes Following Visitors 24/7, Banning Contact With Locals

by Gary Leff on October 13, 2020

Oct 13 2020

Remember Thailand’s ridiculous tourism visa scheme? Turns out that no one even applied. It’s been called off, and leadership is back developing a new plan: Assign someone to follow around each tourist, and make sure they don’t have contact with any Thai people.

Travel Restrictions Between New York and London May Be Relaxed Next Month, Other Places To Follow

by Gary Leff on October 10, 2020

Oct 10 2020

The U.S. is working with several governments to create ‘air bridges’ where people would be able to travel, at least between specific cities, with both pre-departure Covid testing along with testing on arrival. Talks with the U.K. are farthest along, and could allow travel next month or the month ago. The U.S. and Germany have also been in discussion about allowing reciprocal travel with double negative tests.