ICYMI: International travel insights and resources as countries open up

Staying aware of what countries are doing related to travel will be critical for global mobility teams.  As countries open up domestic, regional and global travel permissions, and as virus outbreaks occur and permissions revert back to restrictions, companies will need to be aware of both legal, practical and duty-of-care issues related to travel for work.

We are entering a period where many countries are beginning to open. I am seeing many valuable articles and resources and wanted to pass them along with some current info. For a big list of countries and their key opening dates, try: Re-opening borders: Where and when you can travel in the world. 

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania dropped restrictions for each other on May 15.

According to the New York Times, "Australia and New Zealand are planning to revive unrestricted flights within their own 'travel bubble,' which Fiji, Israel and Costa Rica are clamoring to join."

The UK has instituted a 14-day quarantine for new arrivals. According to The Guardian, "Under the quarantine plans, self-isolating arrivals are permitted to leave the house to buy food and medicine for themselves or others in the household, including pets, where it is not possible to obtain the provisions in any other manner, as well as to attend funerals, court hearings and to access critical public services, such as social services."

Italy: After a complete nationwide lock-down in March, Italy is starting to reopen its borders to European travelers. As of June 3, International flights started up again to Milan, Rome and Naples. A 14-day quarantine period is not being required. However many are concerned that travelers won't come anyway. The U.S. still maintains Italy at a Level 3 travel advisory, which suggests that people reconsider travel there. Italy has also lifted restrictions on movement between regions. 

June 15 is a big day of opening up travel in Europe. 

Switzerland is opening its borders with Germany, France and Austria, and on the same day Austria will open its borders with eight neighbors including Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary — but neither Switzerland nor Austria will open to Italy.

Germany is also lifting its blanket travel ban for all 27 EU members plus Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. However German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said, "Travel guidelines are not necessarily an invitation to travel." 

Here are 12 other tourist hot spots that have reopened or are planning to do so this month. Locations mentioned include Portugal, the Florida Keys, Mexico, Cyprus, Iceland, Greece, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Santa Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda. 

Singapore: On June 8, Singapore began to gradually reopen borders, starting with China and these specific provinces: Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang. 

Looking for a few additional resources? Try these:

• Countries continue to ban travel well into June
• These are the U.S. travel advisories for June 2020
• When will international travel return? A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery
• Will Canada lift its travel restrictions on July 1?

Also, consider this piece: "What Will It Take to Reopen the World to Travel?"