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These countries are relaxing COVID restrictions as May begins
With COVID travel restrictions relaxed in many international destinations, travel experts are of the view that we will get to record the busiest summer travel season this year. And, if you have also been planning for an international trip, here are some sought-after international destinations that have relaxed some of the major COVID-19 restrictions from May.
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Italy
Italy has also relaxed certain COVID-19 restrictions from May, in a bid to return to normalcy. If reports are to go by, visitors to Italy will no longer be required to fill out the EU passenger locator form, which is a complex online ordeal required at airport check-in. Italy also removed the requirement of the health pass, which was required to gain entry in restaurants, cinemas, and other venues.
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Greece
Greece has recently announced waiving off all major COVID-19 restrictions from May 1. Starting this month, those visiting Greece will no longer need to carry their proof of recovery, vaccination proof, or COVID-19 negative test report. With this, Greece becomes the latest country making all-round efforts to go back to pre-pandemic life.
Also, Minister of Health Thanos Plevris has also decided to do away with the mask mandate, but with some exceptions in June.
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Thailand
As per a recent development, Thailand has also announced its plans to waive off pre-arrival testing requirements for incoming visitors starting this month. Referring to this, the Tourism Authority of Thailand stated that from May 1, visitors will no longer have to get tested before coming or upon arrival, regardless of what their vaccination status is.
Do note that although fully vaccinated travellers will be able to visit the nation and travel around at ease, without undergoing any quarantine restrictions, the rules for unvaccinated visitors will be little different. The unvaccinated ones will either have to quarantine upon arrival or get tested before departure.
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Hong Kong
Hong Kong is another sought-after international destination that has kicked off the month of May by relaxing travel restrictions and welcoming its first overseas visitors in a long time. As per the reports, Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) has already started welcoming flights from overseas earlier this spring, wherein only residents were allowed to enter.
Visitors and residents can visit this destination from other international locations, but will need to face COVID-19 test requirements upon arrival. In place is the government’s Test and Hold program that mandates visitors to undergo a PCR test, and then quarantine for 7 days at a government-approved hotel.
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Switzerland
One of the popular holiday destinations for international tourists, Switzerland is set to fully open for visitors from across the world starting from today. Till now, all travellers were required to provide a valid recovery or vaccination certificate to gain restriction-free entry to Switzerland. However, effective today, with the imposition of the new entry rules, travellers will no longer be required to hold either a valid vaccination or recovery certificate.
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Fiji
All those fully vaccinated and wishing to visit Fiji will now no longer have to provide a pre-arrival negative COVID-19 test prior to entry, which is effective from May 1. As per a statement released by the Fiji Government, this move comes in the wake to ease travel of visitors, as well as to help them reduce their travel expenses. Reports have it that this change will apply to all visitors entering Fiji by air or sea, who were otherwise required to take RAT or PCR test prior to their arrival.
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Turks and Caicos
Visiting the Caribbean destination of Turks and Caicos will become easy from May as travellers will no longer have to undergo COVID testing or need to have insurance requirements. As per the reports, Turks and Caicos has decided to remove pre-arrival tests for fully vaxxed visitors from this month, and will not have to fill any form on the TCI Assured Portal. However, do note that travellers will be required to show proof of their vaccination before arriving.
