📘 Fiction: A vaccine passport is something you have to go buy.

Let's do a quick round of Fact | Fiction on the subject of travel and vaccine passports.  Fiction: A vaccine passport is something you have to go buy. I so wish everyone had settled on a different term, because it's quite confusing. Vaccine passports aren't a singular thing, and they don't have anything to do with the passport that holds your foreign stamps. "Vaccine passport" is the concept of making certain activities more accessible for those who've been vaccinated, not a physical thing you have to go out and buy. Your white CDC vaccine card is sufficient everywhere that currently welcomes vaccinated Americans. And free digital apps are on the way — Travel Pass and CommonPass are two examples — to store your vaccination record, a welcome backup in case you're like me and constantly spilling drinks on your most important documents. ️ Fact: Vaccine passports are an E-ZPass Lane, not a Do Not Enter sign. Much of the media discussion around vaccine passports insinuates that proof of vaccination will be required for most international travel, but that's not the case. There hasn't been a single destination that has announced they'll only allow vaccinated travelers to come. Instead, the way vaccine passports are playing out is much more like an E-ZPass Lane on a toll road. Cars without an E-ZPass can still use the road, they just can't zip right through the toll. Similarly, for those who haven't been vaccinated, many countries require a recent negative test or proof of recent infection like a positive antibody test. But if you have been vaccinated, you get to bypass those requirements and come right in.   Fiction: You need a vaccine passport to travel domestically. If you're traveling to 49 states, no Covid documentation is currently required. (I would be quite surprised if that changed.) Hawaii is the only state that currently requires all visitors to show a recent negative test before flying, but they're planning to soon allow vaccinated travelers to bypass that requirement.  Fiction: Vaccine passports will be required for all international travel. You can hop on a plane to Mexico or Costa Rica right now without any testing or quarantine required, much less proof of vaccination. Or you could visit dozens of other countries, from Kenya to Turkey to Aruba, with just a recent negative test. (CNN maintains a curated up-to-date list of where's accessible here .) There are a handful of countries — Belize, Croatia, Georgia, Ecuador, Greece, Guatemala, Maldives, Montenegro, Nepal, and Iceland — where proof of vaccination currently allows you to bypass testing or quarantine requirements (though note Iceland still requires all visitors to take a free Covid test upon arrival and quarantine until it shows negative, usually 5-6 hours but can be up to 24). And that list will likely grow, especially for travel to Europe, where officials just announced    they're planning to re-open for American travelers this summer (exact dates / details still TBD). But in almost all cases, unvaccinated travelers are still permitted, there may just be a testing or quarantine requirement.  Fiction: White CDC cards won't be accepted internationally, and you'll need a yellow WHO passport instead. There was a viral TikTok video a month back (since deleted) warning people that Americans wouldn't be able to travel internationally unless they obtained a yellow WHO vaccine passport to document their Covid shots. This is totally false. There is no country in the world that has said they won't accept the white CDC card as proof of Covid vaccination, and will only accept a yellow WHO vaccine passport. On the contrary, your white CDC vaccine card is sufficient proof for everywhere accepting vaccinated Americans (like Iceland or Belize), not to mention the dozens of countries you can visit today without being vaccinated.      (One reason this incorrect rumor spread is because yellow vaccine passports — officially called an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis — are a real thing. A handful of countries in Africa have required it for years as proof of vaccination against certain diseases like yellow fever. But zero countries require the yellow passport for Covid-19.) ️ Fact: You need to be * fully * vaccinated for a vaccine passport. Virtually everywhere that gives a fast lane for vaccinated travelers requires them to be fully vaccinated. That means at least two weeks after your last shot.  Fiction: You'll need proof of vaccination to fly anywhere. By and large, airlines aren't going to require a vaccine passport if the destination doesn't, and vice versa. You can get on a plane to 49 states or dozens of countries this afternoon without proof of vaccination, for instance. Airlines are the frontline of document verification though, whether it's an actual passport or a vaccine passport. If you're flying somewhere where vaccinated travelers are allowed to bypass any testing / quarantine requirements, expect to be asked for your proof of vaccination before your flight (as well as once you arrive).    Fact: Kids can't get a vaccine passport. Vaccines in the US are currently only approved for those 16 years old and up. (Pfizer has applied and is awaiting approval for vaccinating 12-15 year olds.) So if you're traveling somewhere that lets vaccinated visitors bypass Covid requirements, unvaccinated children are still subject to those prerequisites. For most destinations using vaccine passports, families just have to get a recent negative test for the kids beforehand. The one exception had been Iceland, which initially had a mandatory quarantine for all unvaccinated visitors, including children, with no workaround. Thankfully, they've since updated their guidance to allow children to bypass quarantine after an arrival test and negative result. The good news: every country that's adopted vaccine passports is allowing in unvaccinated children with a negative test.

Mayor turns off city's water as reignited Oaxaca land dispute enters fourth day Access has been cut off for thousands of residents of Puerto Escondido as part of a protest that blocked Highway 200 on Friday. FULL STORY RELATED: Coastal highway closed by flare-up of territorial dispute in Oaxaca. FULL STORY

 

Mayor turns off city's water as reignited Oaxaca land dispute enters fourth day

Access has been cut off for thousands of residents of Puerto Escondido as part of a protest that blocked Highway 200 on Friday. FULL STORY
RELATED:   Coastal highway closed by flare-up of territorial dispute in Oaxaca. FULL STORY

Mexico News Today Monday April 26, 2021

 

MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021

Morena holds strong lead in upcoming congressional elections: pollsters   Polls by the newspaper El País and the Oraculus website agree that about 45% of respondents will vote for the party in elections on June 6. FULL STORY

Coronavirus stoplight: 6 states green, 20 yellow and 6 orange; CDMX close to yellow The number of low-risk states fell to six from eight on Monday on the updated Covid-19 stoplight map, but Mexico City's status could improve as soon as next Monday, Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said. FULL STORY

Seniors in two Oaxaca municipalities say no thanks to Covid vaccine The vast majority of elderly folks in San Simón Zahuatlán and Santiago Texcalcingo have decided to opt out of the federal government's vaccination program. FULL STORY Covid vaccination creates new travel industry market  At least 50 Mexican agencies are offering holiday packages to the United States that include inoculation against the coronavirus there. FULL STORY Organized crime flourishes where the state has no presence: papal nuncio holds Mass in Aguililla Cartels and other criminal groups thrive where the government is absent, the Vatican's ambassador said, suggesting that the real problem is a lack of political will. FULL STORY Mayor turns off city’s water as reignited Oaxaca land dispute enters fourth day Access has been cut off for thousands of residents of Puerto Escondido as part of a protest that blocked Highway 200 on Friday. FULL STORY RELATED: Coastal highway closed by flare-up of territorial dispute in Oaxaca. FULL STORY Fewer people read but those who do are reading more The percentage of Mexicans who read has declined to a record low, according to a national survey, but those who do pick up books are doing it more. FULL STORY Crowdfunding supports rural development projects in three states HIPGive.org has created a donation matching campaign for nonprofit organizations working in Quintana Roo, Campeche and Yucatán. FULL STORY Three Mexicans win Oscar for best sound in film  The trio has won an Academy Award in the category for audio engineering thanks to its work on the rock-inspired movie Sound of Metal. FULL STORY MEXICO LIFE Baja California artist continues Mexican tradition of examining womanhood Alejandra Phelts' art evokes the creative legacy of female Mexican greats like Frida Kahlo, Remedio Varo and María Izquierdo. FULL STORY THE MND POLL THE STORY: US raises Mexico travel advisory to level 4 ‘do not travel’ due to Covid.  FULL STORY THE QUESTION:  Considering that Covid cases are declining and crime levels have seen little change, is the US travel advisory reasonable? VOTE HERE LAST POLL: What would you do to resolve the situation in Aguililla, Michoacán?  74% would launch military attacks.  FULL RESULTS Will election officials have AMLO arrested? Morena party thinks it’s possible The National Electoral Institute can detain the president temporarily if he keeps broaching forbidden 'propaganda' topics during election season, but would it? FULL STORY Austerity didn’t stand in the way of a 9-million-peso upgrade to National Palace The president lives in the building for frugality's sake, but a report says his office has authorized millions in improvements and extras. FULL STORY AMLO speaks out on federal deputy's sexual abuse case  President López Obrador has weighed in on a case involving Morena party lawmaker Saúl Huerta, saying he supports investigating the accusations against the politician. FULL STORY March homicides up 12% but first-quarter figure is down 5% from last year Murders rose last month, but the numbers in the first three months of 2021 declined in comparison to the same period in 2020. FULL STORY Relatives fear for the lives of inmates in Puebla prison Fights, prostitution and gang intimidation are rife in a correctional facility where the state government has dismissed two wardens since August 2019. FULL STORY Mérida carriage drivers would switch to electric power if given support After complaints of animal abuse, the owners of this old-fashioned mode of transportation said they are ready to use green vehicles if authorities help pay for them. FULL STORY State police arrest suspects only to have 6 municipal police try to free them The law enforcement officials in Texcatepec, Veracruz, have been arrested for attempting to liberate the alleged murderers in custody. FULL STORY ADVERTISEMENT Crowdfunding platform eyes eight hotel projects worth 150 million pesos The real estate company Monific will invest in new hospitality developments in Magical Town and beach destinations this year. FULL STORY MEXICO LIFE Abundant and economical, tuna has a flavor to match your every craving With so many varieties to choose from, there's no excuse not to add a tuna dish to your weekly menu. Janet Blaser shows you how. FULL STORY

Trips to Mazunte, Zipolite, Puerto Angel – Robert´s Ecotours Robert's EcoTours Then we visit Mazunte Beach (free Mezcal tests), Zipolite Beach (optional total nudism) Includes transportation plus driver guide. 5/5.

 Trips to Mazunte,  Zipolite , Puerto Angel - Robert´s Ecotours

Robert's EcoTours
Then we visit Mazunte Beach (free Mezcal tests), Zipolite Beach (optional total nudism) Includes transportation plus driver guide. 5/5.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGAzmpWFFG5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading

WATCH LIVE The Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro - Day 1

 

After a thrilling event at Narrabeen that saw some of the biggest title contenders get upset by up-and-coming surfers, the unpredictable Australian leg heads west to the Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro presented by Corona. Current WSL Rankings leaders Gabriel Medina and Carissa Moore try to continue their run of dominance. John John Florence and Sally Fitzgibbons look to match the power of the raw Western Australia surf, while Margaret River's own Jack Robinson hopes to turn his local knowledge into an event win. Watch live May 2-12 on worldsurfleague.com #WSL

When Will Borders Open? Ready to travel again, but not sure where you can go? We review which countries are open (or likely to open soon) to American travelers.

When Will Borders Open?

 

Ready to travel again, but not sure where you can go? We review which countries are open (or likely to open soon) to American travelers.

 

TRAVEL TIPS & ADVICE - TRAVEL NEWS - HEALTH & WELLNESS

When Will Borders Open?

It has now been over a year since borders around the world closed to international travelers due to the coronavirus pandemic. While certain destinations have slowly begun reopening, the majority of the world’s borders still remain closed to international travelers to a certain extent.

Where Can I Travel Right Now?

The positive news of people receiving vaccines is colliding with negative news of new variants of the virus emerging around the world. Due to the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 virus, no one can say for sure when borders will open around the world. For U.S. citizens, much of Europe, Asia, and Oceania are still off limits, but travel within the western hemisphere is generally open with safety precautions such as testing or vaccine verification in place.

While this isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, I’ll give an overview of some popular destinations around the world where borders either are or may open to tourists in 2021, and what the governments are saying must happen in order for this to happen. For the most up-to-date information on official entry requirements, always consult the U.S. Department of State — Bureau of Consular Affairs Covid-19 Traveler Information page with links to each embassy’s updates on the local COVID-19 situation.

Editor’s note: The CDC recommends delaying international travel until you are fully vaccinated. The United States is still requiring a negative COVID-19 test for returning international travelers (even fully-vaccinated ones).

Americas

Countries Open for Tourists: Several, including Mexico, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and more.

Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic are the least restrictive in this group. These countries opened their borders to travelers in 2020 and do not currently require testing for entry, though the CDC always recommends testing before travel and it is a requirement upon returning to the U.S.

Most other countries where travel is allowed will require a negative COVID-19 test and/or proof of vaccination. Several Caribbean islands are welcoming travelers and many have extensive safety measures in place that have allowed travel to resume. Expect these measures to stick around throughout the year.

Countries That May Open in 2021: Canada, Chile

The U.S./Canadian border is the longest international border in the world and it has remained closed to non-essential travel ever since March 2020. The border closure seems to get extended on a monthly basis and will likely continue through mid-2021 at the very least. Like the U.S., Canada’s vaccination campaign is looking promising and Prime Minister Trudeau has said that all Canadians who want a vaccine should be able to get one by the end of September, or earlier. However, Canada is currently facing a major COVID-19 surge, with new lockdown measures in place. The situation in Canada is so bad that the CDC recently placed it on a Level 4 advisory, warning against all travel to Canada (even for vaccinated travelers).

What this means for opening the border is unclear. In March 2021, Trudeau stated, “We’re all eager to be able to travel again, but I think we’re all going to wait patiently until such time as the health situation allows us to loosen border restrictions internationally. That’ll be eventually, but not for today.”

I would guess that Canada will slowly begin to reopen its border by the end of summer. It may only allow travelers from certain countries at first and it is likely that strict safety measures will be in place, which may even require a short quarantine and/or testing upon arrival.

Chile had opened its borders to international travelers with strict protocols in November 2020. However, as of April 5th, 2021, the country has, once again, closed its borders at least through the end of April. The Chilean government is aiming to vaccinate 80% of its population by the end of June. For now, there is a daily curfew and no set date as to when borders will open again. It’s fairly likely that we’ll see Chile’s borders open again in 2021, but it may not be until the end of the year.

Europe

Countries Open for Tourists: Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Greece (May 14), Iceland, Turkey

Only a few European countries are currently open for tourism. Croatia had opened last summer, then closed again, and reopened as of April 1st. In March, both Greece and Iceland announced plans to reopen. As of April 6th, vaccinated travelers can visit Iceland, and Greece plans to open its borders to travel on May 14th. To enter Greece, you’ll either need proof of vaccination, antibodies, or a negative Covid-19 test. Albania, Croatia, Georgia, and Turkey are allowing travelers with a vaccination record and/or testing requirements. (Note that Georgia is only allowing in visitors who arrive via air.)

Countries That May Open in 2021: United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Poland, and more.

Currently, U.S. citizens are technically allowed to enter the U.K. and Ireland, but there are long mandatory quarantines in place that are highly restrictive to tourists. The European Union has been considering some sort of vaccine certificate for universal travel, but due to the slow rollout of vaccines within Europe, it has not yet come to fruition.

The E.U. has a set criteria for its own member states that don’t allow travel restrictions within Europe as long as countries fall within specific case numbers and positivity rates. A similar scale could be put in place for international travelers outside of the E.U., and if U.S. numbers continue to see improvements after its vaccination efforts continue, I could see more European nations begin to lift restrictions for U.S. travelers at some point in 2021.

Africa & Middle East

Countries Open to Tourists: Several, including Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Seychelles, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and more.

Africa and the Middle East are regions that are both fairly open to tourists. Plan on taking a COVID-19 test before traveling to these countries and/or showing proof of vaccination. Some destinations, such as the Seychelles, may require visitors to stay only in certified hotel properties.

Countries That May Open in 2021: Israel, Algeria

While Israel remains closed to U.S. travelers, it’s expected that travel will resume once more people are vaccinated. In February, Israel and Greece signed a deal to allow tourists with vaccination certificates to travel freely between the two countries.

In an article published by Travel Market Report, Canada’s consul tourism director for the Israel Ministry of Tourism stated, “Tourism will start sooner than others will expect, Thailand and Greece have opened to tourism, and there are more and more vaccines being administered. It’s a very positive sign.”

With new nonstop flights to Tel Aviv on American Airlines from New York and Miami starting in May and June, respectively, it seems the airlines are counting on tourism to resume in Israel by the start of the summer.

Asia

Countries Open to Tourists: Maldives, Nepal*, South Korea*, Sri Lanka, Thailand*

If you’re looking for a remote island escape, the Maldives is currently open for tourism with standard Covid safety protocols in place. Sri Lanka is open, but requires visitors to remain in a “travel bubble”, which means you’ll need to stay within designated tourism zones.

*While there are a few other countries in Asia that are technically open for tourists, Nepal, South Korea, Thailand, and some others still require some sort of quarantine for visitors. Thailand has plans to waive the quarantine requirement for vaccinated travelers to certain cities, such as Phuket, in July, but a recent uptick in cases could derail those plans.

Countries That May Open in 2021: Indonesia, Singapore

The Indonesian government has announced that, starting in July, they will open certain “green areas” in Bali where international travelers can visit. It’s not clear yet where exactly these will be or which country’s citizens will be allowed to travel, but infection and vaccinations rates will play a factor.

In a BBC interview in March, Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong stated, “I hope if that many countries can have substantial proportions of their populations vaccinated by later this year, we will be able to have the confidence and to have developed the systems to open up our international borders to travel safely again.”

Singapore has plans to vaccinate all of its citizens by the end of the year and the country hopes to make sure Changi Airport remains an international hub for the Southeast Asia region. Regarding opening its borders, Lee continued to say, “Hopefully by the end of this year or next year, the doors can start to open, if not earlier.”

Other popular destinations in Asia, such as Hong Kong, India, and Japan, have unclear timetables for reopening. Hong Kong Tourism Board’s executive director, Dane Cheng, recently said, “We consider it unlikely Hong Kong will see a full resumption of cross-border travel in the next three to six months.”

Japan still plans to host a delayed 2020 Summer Olympics this year (in 2021), but international spectators will not be allowed as Japan does not plan to be open for tourism this summer.

Oceania

The Oceania region is the most restrictive when it comes to borders being open during the pandemic. Both Australia and New Zealand closed their borders to international travelers early on and kept strict quarantine measures for all returning citizens. The Australian government is seeking advice from a panel of medical experts on what preconditions are necessary to reopen its borders.

Australia’s flag carrier, Qantas, plans to resume international flights to most destinations starting October 31, 2021, which could be just a hopeful move that Australia will be ready to open its borders by the time Australia enters its summer season. The leaders of both Australia and New Zealand have stated that borders will remain closed to most international travelers until the majority of its citizens are vaccinated.

French Polynesia opened its borders in July 2020, but has since closed again until further notice, as of February 3, 2021. Fiji still has a strict lockdown as well. In fact, Fiji Airways is currently only flying repatriation flights through August 2021 on long-haul routes.

International borders will eventually open again across the world, but it is likely not going to happen everywhere by the end of 2021. There are still a lot of unknowns and the situation could become better or worse at any moment. As long as the vaccines keep rolling out across the world and they are effective against new variants, I think we’ll see a majority of countries around the world open their borders by the end of this year, with the rest opening sometime in 2022.