If you have kept up with the news, it is likely that you know that the entire world was under a lockdown to further contain the spread of the coronavirus. But, as days have passed and have countries have recovered or are still recovering from the hit of the virus, more and more countries are now opening up for tourism again. But, with so many restrictions and so many travel advisories, is it safe to be travelling to a new country at the moment?
It is necessary for people to know and understand that the novel coronavirus has changed the definition of normal for us. Nothing is going to be normal again, which is the reason why it is important that you be prepared for what is up for offer.
Let us take a look into some of the countries that are now opening up for tourism.
Italy
Who would have thought, right? One of the worst hit countries in the initial days, Italy literally witnessed its infrastructure buckle under the pressure of the virus spread.
But, the good news is the fact that the country is again opening up in stages. The country is already opening up locally but they are planning on ways in which they can again start their tourism sector. It is currently planning to reopen all the museums around the country including the Vatican museums in Rome.
Even with the reopening, everything will be conducted with strict social distancing norms, something that is not an option around but a strict necessity. The Italian island of Sicily is offering subsidized holidays for their visitors, offering them half the return flight ticket fare and a night of free hotel stay who are visiting the island.
Spain
Yet another one of the worst hit countries in the initial days of Covid was Spain. The country imposed strict lockdowns and impressive organisation of the situation, enabling containment for the best. They had a promising four phase of exit strategy. The country also reopened its borders already but imposed a 14-days of strict isolation for the individuals coming in. The same rule is going to be lifted in July.
As for the domestic visitors around Spain, the country is limiting the entry to the beaches to around 5,000 on the entire beach. Several of the other beaches are also imposing the first come, first entry policy to restrict the entry of the others.
The country also announced that they might likely reopen the country for international tourists in July but will follow strict social distancing norms and ensure highest standards of health safety.
Australia and New Zealand
Australia has been time and time commended for their amazing tackling of Covid-19. But, they are also gradually getting back to resuming their normal life again. The country is currently working for the reopening including the processing of the trans-Tasman bubble, allowing international travel between Australia and New Zealand.
This travel bubble is a way to again charge back the tourism sector in both the countries, allowing each of the countries to further contribute to each other’s economy and growth.
The reports also suggest that Australia is likely enter into its third phase of reopening again in July.
China
Not many would think of it as normal but China has opened their country again for domestic travelling. While the country was able to curb the virus spread, they again saw a resurgence in the cases following which Beijing was put under strict lockdown.
Some of the most popular tourist sites including the Forbidden City, Great Wall and the Summer Palace have been opened up to the local tourists.
But, things are not normal like it did before Covid. There has been an imposed 30% cap on the number of tourists entering the site with pre-booking online tickets.
Dubai
Even thought it is not a country, Dubai is likely set to reopen its borders for tourists in July. The overall process of reopening is not going to be straight to the chase but will be happening in phases that can even extend till September.
Majority of the cafes and the small sites of gatherings around the Emirates have been opening up with a 30% cap to ensure that the virus doesn’t spread at an alarming rate or cause a resurgence.
Iceland
For a country like Iceland that is highly reliant on tourism for its economy, Iceland is likely going to conduct a reopening pretty soon. The country planned on reopening their borders for International tourists starting June 15th.
But, there is a catch to the same. The Prime Minister of Iceland reported that the individuals coming to the island will either have to get tested for coronavirus or undergo 2 weeks of quarantine following which they would be allowed to explore the place.
There has been a green signal for the tourists travelling from Faroe Islands or Greenland to visit the country without an obligation of quarantine.
Vietnam
Considered as the first southeast Asian country to recover from the hit of the novel coronavirus, the country is now all set to restart its tourism sector again. The domestic tourism has already been in traction at the moment, it is the international travel that everyone is a little skeptical about.
Not everything around the country has been reopened. A few of the tourist places like Halong Bay and the hiking trails of Sapa have been reopened at the moment.
Further progression of the reopening and allowance for the international travellers is still under talks.
Turkey
Last but not the least in the list of the countries reopening again, Turkey is one of them. The country was in talks of reopening the borders soon, most likely in June or July.
The country is currently working on an internationally recognised system by which it will be able to classify places and destinations on the basis of the coronavirus free zones and allow entry accordingly. The international tourists will also have to produce the health documents and declaration that they are safe to be granted permission for entry.
In case you have been planning some of your next summer time vacation plans, these are some of the countries that are likely going to start their tourism sector again. Make sure that you keep a check on all the travel advisories before booking your tickets.
