ICYMI: Is it too soon to say we can see the light at the end of the COVID tunnel?

Despite the COVID-19 global death toll surpassing 5 million people recently, "Light at the end of the tunnel" is a phrase I am hearing quite frequently these days. A recent newsletter from Bloomberg shared that the world is now more open than it has been in a long, long time. Bloomberg grades cities as “more open,” “moderately open” and “less open” based on local public health restrictions that impact public life. They shared that when they first started grading cities, only 33% scored their “more open” rating. But in less than three months, that share is up to 56%. Destinations such as Brazil, Singapore and the UK have made their way back to pre-pandemic levels. Check out their list of cities on the Bloomberg Covid Travel Tracker here. 

Let's take a peek around to see what has happened over the last couple of weeks as it relates to travel and immigration restrictions:

Thailand: Quarantine-free travel is now a thing again for Thailand. As of Nov. 1, Thailand will receive arrivals from numerous approved countries or territories (see here for the list of locations) under the following circumstances. 

• Travelers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination includes a Certificate of Vaccination with a vaccine approved by the Thai Ministry of Public Health or the World Health Organisation (WHO) no less than 14 days before the travel date. 
• Travelers must arrive from one of 63 approved countries/territories.
• Travelers will need to ensure that they remain in an approved country/territory for the previous 21 days or more before traveling to Thailand. 
• Travelers must arrive by air.
• Travelers who are non-Thai citizens will need to apply for COVID-19 insurance providing coverage of at least USD $50,000, including in-patient hospitalization for the whole duration that they will be in Thailand. 

South Korea: As of Nov. 1, South Korea eased a number of COVID-19 restrictions and introduced vaccine passports at high-risk venues such as gyms, saunas and bars, as the country moves toward "living with COVID-19." New measures will allow up to 10 people to meet in private gatherings in the Greater Seoul area and up to 12 for the rest of the country, while most businesses will be permitted to fully reopen as curfews end. While the health minister has asked people to keep wearing masks, regularly ventilate rooms and get a test if symptoms emerge — noting that there are still concerns about a potential resurgence of new cases due to risk factors such as unvaccinated people, future declines in immunity among the vaccinated and year-end gatherings — there is a goal of scrapping all restrictions by February 2022.

United Kingdom: As of Nov. 1, the seven remaining countries (Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela ) have been removed from the UK's red list, although the red list and quarantine hotels will continue to operate as the UK’s first defense against incoming variants of concern (VOC), with reviews taking place every three weeks. Passengers returning to England from these destinations will no longer be required to enter hotel quarantine.  New COVID-19 cases in Britain from Oct. 25-31 fell 13.5% compared with the previous seven days. The UK became the first country to approve the antiviral medication, molnupiravir, and it comes as the U.K. battles a fresh surge in the pandemic.

United States: Looking for more details on what happens as of Nov. 8 for all travelers aboard flights scheduled to arrive in the United States? Newland Chase breaks things down for you here. All adults ages 18 and over traveling on non-immigrant visas such as ESTA, B-1/B-2, L-1, E-2, H-1B, E-3 and correlating dependent visas must provide proof of vaccination and proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of boarding their flight to the United States. The U.S. will defer to the CDC’s list of acceptable proof of vaccination. In summary, the new rules relax travel restrictions for foreign nationals traveling from China, Iran, the Schengen Area, the UK, Brazil, Ireland, South Africa and India, and impose new requirements for travelers from all other countries. 

Russia: Many regions within Russia are seeing all-time highs in infections and deaths. Ironically, the country that approved a vaccine first and began exporting it is struggling with vaccine hesitancy and refusals by its own population. After having approved a weeklong shutdown, according to U.S. News, the Novgorod region was the first region to extend the nationwide non-working period between Oct. 30-Nov. 7 that was ordered by President Vladimir Putin. Russia’s daily numbers of coronavirus infections and deaths have been surging for weeks amid low vaccine uptake, lax public attitudes toward taking precautions and the government’s reluctance to toughen restrictions.  

Ukraine: Like Russia, due to widespread vaccination reluctance, the Ukraine, with only 16% of its population vaccinated (the second-lowest share in Europe after Armenia’s rate of slightly over 7%), is suffering through a surge in infections and deaths too. Authorities in Ukraine are requiring teachers, government employees and other workers to get fully vaccinated by Nov. 8 or face a suspension in pay. In addition, proof of vaccination or a negative test is now needed to board planes, trains and long-distance buses. 

Israel: A new outline for incoming tourists started Nov. 1. Now, foreign travelers who have been vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccine or with the Sputnik V Russian vaccine can enter with a few conditions. Those who recovered from the virus within the last six months or received a booster since recovering can enter as long as they have not spent time in a "red" country with a high infection rate within the last 14 days prior to arriving. For more details, see this article from The Jerusalem Post.

Costa Rica: Costa Rican authorities are easing pandemic measures in November as the country has seen a decline in new cases, hospitalizations and deaths.  Costa Rica is welcoming tourists from across the world and does not require a negative COVID-19 test. The land borders and airports are open to tourists, residents and citizens, regardless of immunization status. A negative coronavirus test is not required for entry to Costa Rica. According to the Tico Times, minors and vaccinated tourists can enter Costa Rica without insurance. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated adults must purchase health insurance covering the duration of their stay in Costa Rica. Masks are required in all public indoor settings. As of Jan. 8, 2022, vaccines will be required to enter these venues: restaurants and food courts; bars and casinos; stores and commercial centers; museums; gyms; hotels; worship sites; event halls; adventure tourism; theaters and cinemas; sporting events. 

Australia: As of Nov. 1, Australia began to partially reopen its borders to fully vaccinated citizens, ending a strict border regime that has separated families for almost two years. Australia is betting that vaccination rates are now high enough to mitigate the danger of allowing international travel. Initially, only Australian permanent residents and citizens will be free to enter the country. Fully vaccinated foreigners traveling on skilled worker and student visas will be given priority over international tourists. Sydney was the first Australian airport to announce it would reopen but Melbourne and the national capital, Canberra, also just re-opened.

China: While others in the region have changed their approach, China is maintaining its zero-COVID strategy. As reported by CNBC, "Local authorities are on high alert after a handful of locally transmitted coronavirus cases over the weekend indicated the latest spike in cases might be spreading beyond just a few regions." This has resulted in about half the flights to and from Beijing being cancelled on Nov. 2. Authorities have clamped down quickly to eliminate the very small outbreak (fewer than 10 cases). 

Singapore: Singapore is starting its Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) arrangement with Malaysia from 29 November 2021. The arrangement provides for quarantine-free travel between the countries  and applications for the scheme will start from Nov 22, and more details will be announced soon. 

With more places trending in the right direction, are you optimistic about what the future holds for travel and talent mobility? Share where you are at by taking our survey: Trends in Global Mobility Heading into 2022.