Travel News June 2022

International travel to the United States just became test-free. As of June 12, 2022, the Biden administration announced that a pre-departure COVID-19 test is no longer required to enter the country. Before June 12, having a negative test for entry into the United States was mandatory for all air travelers. This decision from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) is “due to the widespread uptake of highly effective COVID-19 vaccines, the availability of effective therapeutics, and the accrual of high rates of vaccine- and infection-induced immunity at the population level in the United States.” The decision will be reassessed in 90 days and on an ongoing basis.

Travelers still need to complete a contact tracing form through their airline prior to departure, and non-U.S. citizens are required to provide proof of full vaccination status – with very limited exceptions.

For more information regarding United States entry guidelines, visit Travel.State.Gov.

Planning a summer holiday on the beaches of Spain? If you are traveling from the EU or a Schengen area country, you are no longer required to provide a health control form or a COVID-19 vaccination certificate.

All other travelers still need to show proof of one of the following: full vaccination, recovery from the virus, a negative antigen test result taken within 24 hours of departure, or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. You may also be required to have a health screening upon arrival. Keep in mind that if your last vaccine dose was more than 270 days (about 9 months) before your departure date to Spain, your vaccination card must show proof you received a booster dose. This is consistent with other EU countries.

It's time to start planning your tropical getaway to the British Virgin Islands! Just in time for summer travel, British Virgin Islands (BVI) entry protocols have been relaxed. As of June 15, the islands are no longer requiring travelers to register on the BVI Gateway Travel Portal or show proof of travel insurance, regardless of vaccination status. All visitors must still show proof of either a negative rapid antigen test, a PCR test taken within 48 hours of arrival, or that they contracted and recovered from COVID-19 within 90 days (about 3 months) before their trip. Children under the age of 5 are exempt. Travelers also no longer need to be tested upon arrival unless you are unable to present a test result or a recovery certificate.

For more up-to-date information about visiting the British Virgin Islands, visit bvi.gov.vg.

After more than two years, Airbnb has ended their COVID-19 cancellation policy. Here’s what you should know: For reservations booked May 31, 2022 or later, the home-share company will no longer honor COVID-19-related cancellations under its "extenuating circumstances policy," except for domestic reservations in South Korea. The host's own cancellation policy will apply. If reservations were booked prior to May 31, the extenuating circumstances policy still applies. Read more about the policy on the Airbnb site.

With Airbnb no longer covering cancellations due to COVID-19 and the virus still wreaking a bit of havoc, consider covering yourself with a trip cancellation plan from Trawick International. Our plans treat COVID-19 like any other sickness, and if you have to cancel your trip due to you or a family member becoming ill, you can get reimbursed for your pre-paid, nonrefundable expenses, including your Airbnb reservation. Learn more about trip cancellation plans.

From its year-round mild climate to its rich history and beautiful beaches, Portugal has something for everyone, and it is not hard to see why it has become a vacation hot spot.

If you are planning a trip to Portugal — or thinking about it — our latest blog covers what you need to know, from entry requirements to when and where to visit. Read the blog.

Already have your trip to Portugal planned? Learn about travel insurance for Portugal and get a quote.