ICYMI: Staying aware of the now, but being positive about what's to come

Over the course of the pandemic, these ICYMI posts have meant to help aggregate information from multiple sources to allow you to monitor the happenings around the world and consider the impact on your talent mobility programs. One source we have tapped is the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), which has been polling its members to track the pulse of global travel. This latest poll (see below) shows how the Omicron variant, government restrictions and international policy variations have hindered the return to global travel. Despite the volatility and dynamically changing landscape, the majority of travel managers are maintaining a positive outlook for the long haul. Three in four travel managers expect business travel volume at their company to be much (17%) or somewhat (58%) higher in 2022 than it was in 2021. Another 12% expect business travel to remain about the same as 2021, but few (only 5%) expect it to be lower.  Despite Omicron, most travel managers feel employees are willing to travel. Two in three (64%) feel their employees are “willing” or “very willing” to travel for business in the current environment. We also reported a degree of optimism among mobility managers in our 2022 mobility trends report.

Additionally, the WHO has stated that it is time for countries to lift or loosen their existing travel restrictions. As reported by VOANews, WHO’s International Health Regulations Emergency Committee said during their most recent meeting that coronavirus-related travel bans “are not effective in suppressing international spread,” and cited the most recent surge as proof. 

So while we take a  peek around the world to see what has happened over the last couple of weeks related to various countries' COVID responses and their impact on travel and employee mobility, hang onto that optimism for what is just down the road and around the corner for global talent mobility:

1. The United States: Per Erickson Immigration Group (EIG), the Department of Homeland Security announced that non-U.S. individuals entering the United States through land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders must be fully vaccinated. U.S. citizens, permanent residents and nationals are exempt. The new requirements went into effect on Saturday, January 22, 2022. Read more about the rules here. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its travel advisory lists for 40 countries and territories due to a rising number of COVID-19 cases around the world. The CDC urged Americans to avoid travel to countries including Israel, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Panama, Argentina, Egypt, Albania and Uruguay due to surges in COVID-19 cases.  While that is true, the U.S. does not anticipate further Omicron travel restrictions.
2. Ireland: Ireland has dropped most restrictions and COVID curbs as Omicron infections fall.  Per TRTWorld, most pandemic restrictions have been scrapped in Ireland, including early closing times and other curbs on hospitality venues, declaring the country has "weathered the Omicron storm." Masks will still be needed in some settings, while self-isolation rules will also remain for now for those who test positive for COVID-19 and their close contacts as well as symptomatic people. 
3. United Kingdom: Plan B measures will be removed following millions getting the booster, which gives strong protection against Omicron. Per the New York Times, the UK will on Thursday, Jan. 27, revert to Plan A and as of Jan. 20, it has dropped its guidance on wearing face masks on public transportation and in school classrooms. As of January 19, the government is no longer asking people to work from home and is encouraging workers to return to their offices.  As of Jan. 27, the UK will also end the requirement that people show vaccine certificates or proof of recovery from a recent coronavirus infection to enter large public events, citing data that showed infections had peaked. As of Feb. 11, testing for double-vaccinated travelers arriving in the UK will no longer be required. The UK is also set to recognize vaccine certificates from 16 more countries, including China and Mexico, bringing the vaccine recognition total to more than 180 countries and territories worldwide. 
4. France: France will be lifting a number of restrictions from allowing popcorn at movies to allowing nightclubs to reopen. It is also easing work-from-home rules in early February. Additionally, France will end audience capacity limits for concert halls, sporting matches and other events starting on Feb. 2, part of a gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions made possible by a vaccine pass that will be required for most public areas starting Monday, Jan. 24.  
5. New Zealand: Despite a 94% vaccination rate, the country has imposed new restrictions this week after experiencing a small cluster of Omicron infections. Indoor hospitality venues and events will have their capacity capped to 100 vaccinated people or 25 if vaccine passes are not being used. This also includes gyms and weddings. Students including year four and above will be required to wear masks in school. Currently, foreign travelers will be the last group to be granted entry into the country, starting April 30. 
6. Japan: Omicron case numbers in Japan are reaching record highs and 12 prefectures along with Tokyo have tightened restrictions on dining and drinking and are organizing to provide booster shots. The issue is that fewer than 2% of people have received boosters, putting concerns around hospitalizations and deaths on high alert. Japan briefly eased border controls in November but quickly reversed them to ban most foreign entrants when the Omicron variant began spreading in other countries. Japan says it will stick to the stringent border policy through the end of February as the country tries to reinforce medical systems and treatment
7. Philippines: Per Relo Network Asia, the Philippines has revised testing and quarantine requirements and, beginning Feb. 16, entry of all foreign nationals will require evidence of full-vaccination status. The government has updated its green, red and yellow country lists and modified its testing and quarantine requirements for each group. BAL provides key points for those lists.
8. Australia: The Australian government has relaxed the pre-departure COVID testing rules for passengers about to board an Australia-bound flight and now allow for RAT rather than PCR testing. Additionally, the time between receiving a positive test result and being cleared for travel to Australia will be reduced from 14 to seven days. 

Right now, many countries across the globe require proof of a negative COVID-19 test (some also have vaccination requirements) for entry. But some destinations will also allow travelers to enter with proof that they’ve recovered from the coronavirus instead of a negative COVID-19 test. What is considered proof of recovery will vary depending on the country you’re visiting. Five examples of countries where this is true are the United States, Canada, Argentina, Germany and Ireland. Per TPG, in the U.S., travelers need a signed letter from a licensed health care professional stating that they’re cleared to travel back to the U.S.