Many people like us have stopped traveling for the moment while the Covid19 pandemic rages on. We were in Southeast Asia when Coronavirus travel restrictions started popping up at all of the borders. As much as we wanted to continue traveling, we felt it was safest for us and others if we put travel on hold.
Even though we are standing still for now, we still check regularly to see which restrictions are changing as we plot our next move. We’ll stay put until medical experts give us the all clear, but if you’re keeping up with the restrictions like us, or your circumstances require you to travel, use the tools below to monitor Coronavirus travel restrictions.
1. Skyscanner Coronavirus Travel Restrictions page
Skyscanner is doing a good job of compiling all of the Covid19 travel information here. It’s really handy because you can change where you are from with a dropdown at the top. Then it will show you an interactive map with countries that are open now, partially open, closed for now, or unknown. Clicking on a country on the map will bring up a list of details for outbound and returning travelers. This includes updates case counts per 100,000 people for the week and updated directions or restrictions to be aware of.
2. US Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs
The US Department of State does a good job of updating coronavirus travel restrictions here. This is actually a useful site even when there isn’t a pandemic. They have articles about how to travel safely, embassy details, and ongoing issues in specific countries that they use to rate each country in terms of safety to travel. The advisory levels rank from 1-4, with a level 4 listed as “Do not travel”.
Additionally, they have the STEP program which I recommend you use if you’re from the USA. It stands for Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and allows you to register a list of countries you are traveling to and when you plan to be there. They will then send you email updates if any issues arise in those locations, and should your trip take a turn for the worst, they will have contact details if the embassy needs to contact you for an emergency.
Anyone not from the US, should refer to their Ministry of Health and Foreign Affairs.
3. World Health Organization (WHO)
Whether or not your government currently supports the World Health Organization, it is still a useful source of Coronavirus information. They display current statistics for each country in an interactive world map here. They also have health tips and updates on vaccine research here.
4. Your Destination’s Foreign Affairs Site
If you do choose to travel right now, make sure you double check your destinations foreign affairs or health department’s website. Unfortunately, mistakes happen and sites can become outdated with how quickly things are changing. It’s better to hear this information directly from the government where you’re traveling if possible, rather than discovering restrictions upon arrival.
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