UPDATED: The Easiest Countries to Visit Now – where can you go with NO Covid Requirements?

Our hoop system is back! Continuing on from our previous article, which covered a range of countries open to tourists, their entry requirements and the ‘hoops to jump through’ in order to visit, we have a fresh new version for you.

As the COVID crisis eases, many countries are relaxing and even removing their COVID-related entry requirements, which is great news for travel. Some airlines are even removing mask mandates (you can see more about this here), and it will be interesting to see how other countries, travel companies, and airlines respond. 

The government removed all countries from the UK’s red list on the 15th December, meaning no visitors or returning travellers need to quarantine in a government facility upon arrival to the UK. 

Our ‘hoop rating’, ranging from one hoop (easy) to three hoops (difficult) will let you easily decide which destinations may be the best option for your next trip. Mexico, Norway, Ireland and Iceland are some of our top picks for restriction free-travel, requiring no testing prior to or upon arrival, no vaccine passports and no other COVID-related entry requirements. Countries with no restrictions or requirements have a special little * next to them. 

As always, this list is up to date when originally published, and we will try to keep it updated as often as possible. However, be aware that this information is constantly changing; we advise you to look at the official FCDO website here for the most up-to-date information, and always triple check before booking or undertaking travel. Also please note: some countries may have differing requirements to your airline!

Europe

Belgium

Our hoop rating: 1 hoop

Entry requirements: Travellers who are fully vaccinated (and carrying an EU Vaccination Certificate, an NHS COVID Pass or certificate with a QR code) must complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF), and provide proof of vaccination upon arrival (your final vaccine dose must have been administered less than 270 days ago).

Notes: Travellers who are not coming to Belgium via a carrier (for example, those travelling by car via France) and who will be staying in Belgium for a maximum of 48 hours, do not need to fill in a PLF. Travellers visiting Belgium for less than 48 hours do not need to present evidence of vaccination or a recovery or negative test certificate. 

Croatia

Our hoop rating: 1 hoop

Entry requirements: All you need is proof of vaccination to visit Croatia. If you’re not vaccinated, you’ll need to show proof of a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before entry) or a rapid antigen test (taken no more than 24 hours before entry). If you’re not fully vaccinated but have tested positive for COVID-19, you can enter Croatia. You will need to show proof of recovery from COVID-19, older than 11 days before arrival, but no older than 180 days before arrival.

Notes: Children under 12 accompanied by a parent or guardian are exempt from these requirements, provided the parent or guardian has one of the documents set out above.

Cyprus

Our hoop rating: 1.5 hoops

Entry requirements: All travellers are required to complete a Cyprus Flight Pass within 48 hours of departure and should check specific arrival requirements as outlined on the Flight Pass website. Vaccinated passengers may enter the Republic of Cyprus provided they hold a valid certificate of vaccination.

Passengers aged 12 and over who have not been vaccinated must undergo a PCR laboratory test within 72 hours prior to departure or a rapid antigen test within 24 hours prior to departure, and undergo a PCR laboratory test upon arrival at the airports of the Republic of Cyprus. Test results should be available within three hours through the online platform. You must self-isolate in your accommodation until the result is available.

Notes: The airport test must be paid for by the traveller, and generally costs between €15 – €19. Also, the Cyprus Flight Pass website does not accept the UK’s proof of recovery from COVID-19. 

Germany

Our hoop rating: 1 hoop 

Entry requirements: You may enter Germany from the UK for any travel purpose if you are fully vaccinated. Travellers aged 12 or over entering Germany from abroad must possess either proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test prior to arrival. Children between 0 to 5 years old and unvaccinated 6 to 11 year olds may enter if accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent.

Unvaccinated or unrecovered travellers aged 12 or over from the UK arriving in Germany need a negative COVID-19 test result. It can be either a PCR test that is no more than 48 hours old at the time of departure, or a rapid antigen or other test sample that is no more than 48 hours old at the time of entry. The result of the test required by the authorities can be either in paper or electronic form in German, English, French, Italian, or Spanish.

Individuals who can prove recovery from the virus and the fully vaccinated are exempt from quarantine requirements. Proof of recovery requires at least 28 days and no more than 90 days to have elapsed since the date of the positive COVID-19 test. 

Notes: 12 to 17 year olds may only enter if they are fully vaccinated, resident or the child of a resident, or have an urgent need to travel. If they are allowed to enter and are unvaccinated, they must have proof of a negative test or recovery.

Greece

Our hoop rating: 1 hoop

Entry requirements: If you arrive in Greece before or on 14 March 2022, you must complete an online Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before arriving in Greece. The form is in English, and is required whichever way you travel to Greece (including by ferry, road, rail or air). 

Visitors (both vaccinated and unvaccinated) aged 5 and above seeking to enter Greece must provide either a valid vaccination certificate, a certificate of recovery from COVID-19, proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test (undertaken within the 72 hour period before arrival into Greece), or proof of a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test from an authorised laboratory (undertaken within the 24 hour period before your arrival into Greece). 

In addition, arrivals into Greece may be required to undergo a rapid COVID-19 test on arrival. If you test positive on arrival in Greece, you (and those you are travelling with) will have to self-isolate for at least 5 days at home or in quarantine hotels provided by the Greek state.

Notes: From 15 March 2022 onwards, arrivals in Greece will no longer be required to complete a PLF. Be aware that if other passengers on your flight, bus, train or ferry later test positive to COVID-19, you may be subject to self-isolation requirements. Be aware that travel requirements to Greece, regardless of transport method (air, overland or by boat) can change at very short notice. 

Gibraltar

Our hoop rating: 0 hoops

Entry requirements: From 18 March arrivals into Gibraltar International airport will no longer be required to submit a PLF. Testing for arrivals entering via Gibraltar International or Gibraltar port will end from the same day.

From Friday 25 March, unvaccinated close contacts of Covid positive individuals will no longer be required to self-isolate. You will still have to self isolate if you test positive. 

*Ireland

Our hoop rating: 0 hoops!

Entry requirements:

If you are travelling to Ireland from Sunday 6 March 2022, you do not need to show any proof of vaccination, proof of recovery, proof of negative test or Irish passenger locator form receipt.

There are no post-arrival testing or quarantine requirements for travel to Ireland.

Iceland

Our hoop rating: 0 hoops!

Entry requirements: There are no COVID-19 related travel restrictions for Iceland.

Entry requirements for Iceland are the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. You don’t need to provide proof of your vaccination status for entry to Iceland.

Italy

Our hoop rating: 1.5 hoops

Entry requirements: Adult travellers will need to complete a passenger locator form (EU PLF) to enter or travel through Italy as a visitor. The EU PLF will generate a QR code which should be shown to your travel provider prior to boarding.

From 1 March, all travellers (vaccinated and unvaccinated) aged 6 and over must show either:

• proof of vaccination
• evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before entering Italy or a negative rapid lateral flow test taken within the 48 hours before entering Italy 
• a COVID-19 recovery certificate, certifying that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months

If you cannot provide one of these options, you must travel to Italy on private transport and isolate for 5 days. To check what kinds of dosages are required for ‘fully vaccinated’ status, you can head to the Italian Ministry of Health website here. 

Notes: All arrivals from the UK into Sicily will need to undertake a rapid lateral flow test on arrival (administered by the local health authorities free of charge). Also, regardless of your vaccination status, anyone arriving in Italy by air, land or by sea may be subject to random COVID testing on arrival.

*Norway

Our hoop rating: 0 hoops!

Entry requirements: There are no COVID-19 related travel restrictions for Norway.

Entry requirements for Norway are the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. You don’t need to provide proof of your vaccination or recovery status for entry to Norway.

Portugal (including Madeira & the Azores)

Our hoop rating: 1.5 hoops

Entry requirements: If you’re fully vaccinated, you can enter mainland Portugal without needing to test. Children aged 11 and under do not need to take a test or show proof of vaccination. 

All travellers to mainland Portugal and the Azores are required to complete a passenger locator form before arrival. It is recommended (but not mandatory) you complete a form if you are travelling to Madeira or Porto Santo:

• Complete this form for mainland Portugal
• Complete this form for the Azores
• Complete this form for Madeira and Porto Santo

If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 in the last year, you can enter mainland Portugal with a COVID-19 recovery certificate showing you recovered from COVID-19, no less than 11 days and no more than 180 days before you travel. You will not need to take a test.

If you’re not fully vaccinated, you’ll need to show proof of a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before entry) or rapid lateral flow test (taken no more than 24 hours before entry) when you check in for your flight to mainland Portugal. 

The Azores: To visit the Azores, visitors must provide proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test result taken prior to departure. Alternatively, you can choose to pay for a test on arrival and isolate until a negative result is received. 

Madeira & Porto Santo: besides the entry form, there are no other requirements to visit Madeira or Porto Santo. 

Spain (including the Balearic & Canary Islands)

Our hoop rating: 1.5 hoops

Entry requirements: All visitors to Spain must fill in and sign an online Health Control Form. This form can also be filled in by hand if not done prior. Upon arrival, you must show the QR code to authorities.

If you’re fully vaccinated and travelling from the UK, you can enter Spain without needing to test or quarantine regardless of your reason for travel. If you are not fully vaccinated but have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 6 months, you can you can also use a medical certificate or recovery record to prove your COVID-19 status on entry to Spain.

If you are unvaccinated, you may only travel to Spain if your reason is identified as ‘essential’, and other health and testing measures will be required. 

The Balearic Islands: visitors must present a vaccination certificate, otherwise there is no entry to the islands. 

Canary Islands: Same as the general requirements for Spain (above), however some tourist accommodation providers may also require guests to present evidence of a negative PCR, RAT or TMA (Transcription Mediated Amplification) test. Check directly with your hotel before travelling. 

Notes: Visitors may also be subject to additional checks at the point of entry including a temperature check, visual health assessment, or testing on arrival. Passengers may also be contacted and required to undertake a COVID-19 nucleic acid amplification test – NAAT (PCR or similar) at any point up to 48 hours after their arrival in Spain.

Children under the age of 12 years old do not need to show proof of being fully vaccinated upon entry to Spain, but they DO have to fill out and provide the Health Control Form. 

Switzerland

Our hoop rating: 1 hoop

Entry requirements: If you’re fully vaccinated you can enter Switzerland without needing to test or quarantine.

Travellers who are not fully vaccinated need special permission or a special pass to enter. If you’re not fully vaccinated and do get permission to visit, you’ll need to show proof of a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before entry) or rapid lateral flow test (taken no more than 24 hours before entry) when entering Switzerland. For more information, you can head to the Swiss Migration website here.

Notes: Unvaccinated children and adolescents arriving from the UK under the age of 18 are allowed to enter Switzerland if they are accompanied by fully vaccinated adults. Not all vaccines that allow entry to Switzerland also entitle you to enter places with a COVID certificate requirement in Switzerland (e.g. restaurants).

Turkey

Entry requirements: Visitors to Turkey aged 6 and over, including Turkish citizens and residence permit holders, must complete an online form a maximum of 72 hours prior to travel.

All new arrivals must provide one of the following: either proof of vaccination, proof of recovery, a negative PCR test (less than 72 hours of arrival) or a rapid antigen test (less than 48 hours of arrival). If you can provide one of these, you can enter Turkey without needing to test or quarantine.

For children aged 11 and under, no PCR test or vaccination certificate is needed. 

Notes: You do not need to complete an online form if you’re transiting Turkey on the way to another country. If you are travelling with a printed PDF proof of vaccination status, it must date from 1 November 2021 to ensure that the certificate can be scanned successfully.

You must wear a face mask at all times whilst in an airport, and for the duration of all flights, to and from Turkey. All arrivals into Turkey will be subject to a medical evaluation for symptoms of coronavirus, including temperature checks. Arrivals may be subject to random PCR testing on arrival.

The Americas

The USA

Our hoop rating: 2 hoops

Entry requirements: Travellers heading to the USA who have received their full vaccination dose are able to visit for tourism purposes, without needing to quarantine. Most fully vaccinated foreign citizens can enter the USA. The US authorities will accept any COVID-19 vaccine approved for emergency use by the World Health Organisation or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Before boarding a flight to the USA, most passengers – regardless of vaccination status – are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before travel and sign an attestation form. An LFT is acceptable but if it’s a home test it must be supervised by video. All air passengers to the USA are also required to provide contact information to their airlines before boarding. 

If you have recovered from a documented COVID-19 infection within the past 90 days (regardless of vaccination status) you do not need to get a test 3 to 5 days after travel. However, if you’re not fully vaccinated but have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last year you still cannot enter the USA unless you meet one of the exceptions detailed on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and US Embassy websites.

Notes: Full requirements for pre-travel testing can be found on the CDC website. Children under 2 years old do not need to test. If you are travelling domestically within the USA, individual states and territories may have their own quarantine requirements.

Canada

Our hoop rating: 3 hoops

Entry requirements: All visitors travelling to Canada by air are now expected to get an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) to enter Canada. 

Fully vaccinated foreign nationals may now enter Canada for discretionary (non-essential) reasons, such as tourism. You must first fill out your information via ArriveCAN, including proof of vaccination in English or French and a quarantine plan in case you do not meet the necessary requirements at the border.

You must also have a valid pre-arrival COVID-19 molecular test result taken no more than 72 hours before your scheduled flight or arrival at the land border crossing; or a previous positive test result taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before entering Canada; or proof of a professionally administered or observed antigen test taken outside of Canada no more than 1 day before to your scheduled flight or entry to Canada

Notes: Fully vaccinated travellers may be selected for arrival testing, however you no longer need to quarantine while awaiting the result.

*Mexico

Our hoop rating: 0 hoops!

Entry requirements: Those wishing to travel to Mexico must register on the Mexico Vuela Seguro Platform before boarding your flight and show the QR code upon arrival at the airport.

(This has been confirmed by recent traveller and reader Nigel, who stated that ‘nothing was asked for on arrival except for the regular immigration form. The health declaration is pretty simple!’. Cheers Nigel!)

Notes: If you wish to travel across the land border with the United States for tourism purposes, you must be fully vaccinated and provide proof to do so. 

Antigua & Barbuda

Our hoop rating: 3 hoops

Entry requirements: All visitors ages 18 and over must provide proof of vaccination, and fill out a Health Declaration form. New arrivals must also present a negative RT PCR test or an approved Rapid Antigen test result, no older than four days prior to departure. Home tests, self-administered tests and those using saliva samples are not accepted. PCR test are recommended, as those who submit a RAT result may still be required to undergo a PCR upon arrival at their own cost. 

On arrival, you will be subject to health screening. The Ministry of Health and Wellness of Antigua and Barbuda advise that all arrivals will be monitored for coronavirus for up to 14 days and that ultimately it is the decision of the Quarantine Authority on who must self-isolate or quarantine on arrival.

Notes: Children aged 17 and younger do not need to have been vaccinated to enter Antigua and Barbuda, but passengers aged between 5 – 17 years must provide a negative PCR or RAT no older than four days prior to departure. It is possible that there will be lengthy wait times upon arrival. Antigua & Barbuda does not accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery letter.

The Bahamas

Our hoop rating: 3 hoops

Entry requirements:All visitors of any age must submit a Bahamas Travel Health Visa Trip application. Under 18-year-olds must be included in a parent or guardian’s profile. The health visa application is available from The Bahamas travel page. An email response will be provided once the application is completed, followed by an approval or denial of the health visa, and this confirmation must be presented upon arrival in The Bahamas.

Fully vaccinated travellers and children between the ages of 2 and 11 will require a negative COVID-19 test (either a Rapid Antigen Test or PCR), taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival to The Bahamas. Self-administered tests are not accepted.

Unvaccinated travellers aged 12 and over must present a negative COVID 19 PCR test, taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival to The Bahamas. Unvaccinated children between the ages of 2 and 11 are required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test (either Rapid Antigen Test or RT-PCR Test) taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival to The Bahamas. Children under the age of 2 are exempt from testing requirements.

Notes: Requirements can change extremely fast for the Bahamas. Find the Ministry of Tourism’s website here for all the most up-to-date information. You may be asked to present proof of vaccination to enter a variety of locations in The Bahamas and should carry it with you at all times.

Barbados

Our hoop rating: 2 hoops

Entry requirements: Fully vaccinated persons will not be subject to testing* or quarantine on arrival. Once you have completed a health check and your documentation (valid negative test and proof of vaccination status) has been validated, you will be free to move around Barbados unhindered.

All travellers from the UK must present on arrival either:

• a valid RT-PCR COVID-19 negative test result taken no more than 3 days in advance of your flight’s arrival. 
• a valid Rapid PCR COVID-19 negative test result taken one day before arrival in Barbados
• a valid Rapid Antigen negative test result taken one day before arrival in Barbados

LAMP tests, shallow nasal swab samples, self-administered tests or home kits or tests using saliva samples will not be accepted. If you arrive in Barbados from the UK without a valid negative COVID test, you may be denied entry to the country.

A number of fully vaccinated arrivals will be randomly chosen to have a rapid antigen test. There is no requirement to quarantine, as the result will be made available very quickly. 

Notes: You should monitor the Visit Barbados website on a regular basis as the Government of Barbados may change the requirements without notice.

Turks & Caicos

Our hoop rating: 2 hoops

Entry requirements: Visitors to the Turks and Caicos Islands must first apply for permission to travel via the Turks and Caicos Islands Assured Portal. All travellers to Turks & Caicos aged 16 and above must be fully vaccinated and all travellers aged 2 and above (including those fully vaccinated) will be required to upload on to the TCI Assured Portal one of the following (professionally administered):

• Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Tests result (RT-PCR);
• Nucleic Acid Amplification test result (NAA);
• RNA or molecular test results; or
• an Antigen test result

Notes: Travellers are also required to provide proof of health/travel insurance with COVID-19 cover and a completed health screening questionnaire.

Colombia

Our hoop rating: 1.5 hoops

Entry requirements: All visitors will be required to show an onward or return ticket valid within the 90 day period allowed for their entry into Colombia as a visitor. Between 24 hours and 1 hour before departure, visitors must fill out the ‘Check-Mig’ form, available on the Migración Colombia website. You will receive a confirmation email that you will need to present upon arrival in Colombia.

If you’re fully vaccinated, you can enter Colombia without needing to test or quarantine for flight arrivals. For cruise ship arrivals, you must be fully vaccinated and show a negative PCR test taken no longer than 72 hours prior to your intended entry to the country.

Foreign nationals who have started but not completed their vaccination scheme or have had their final dose less than 14 days before travel, will be able to enter Colombia showing proof of a negative PCR test issued no later than 72 hours prior to boarding. Unvaccinated foreign nationals who are not holders of a permanent resident visa will not be allowed to enter Colombia.

Children aged 17 and under do not need to show proof of vaccination or negative PCR test to enter Colombia.

Notes: Travellers will also be required to provide proof of health/travel insurance with COVID-19 cover and a completed health screening questionnaire.

The Middle East & Africa

Dubai 

Our hoop rating: 2 hoops

Entry requirements: From the 26th February, travellers to the UAE do not need to take a COVID-19 PCR test before they travel if they are fully vaccinated, or if they hold a COVID-19 recovery certificate with a QR code dated within 30 days of departure. Children under 12 do not need to provide proof of vaccination or test results. 

If you are not fully vaccinated, you must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before departure and present the certificate at check in. Travellers arriving in Dubai may be required to undertake a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival and will have to isolate pending the result of the COVID-19 PCR test.

Notes: Visitors to Dubai must also have international health insurance before travelling. For more info, head to the Emirates website. COVID-19 entry requirements may change at short notice, and all travellers to the UAE are strongly encouraged to check the specifics before departure with their airline before they travel. Further details are available on British Airways, Emirates and Etihad websites.

Abu Dhabi

Our hoop rating: 1.5 hoops

Entry requirements: Vaccination is not a condition of entry to Abu Dhabi. Vaccinated travellers from the UK to Abu Dhabi will be required to have a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival but will not be required to quarantine. Further information is available on the UAE Government Portal and Etihad Airways website.

Unvaccinated travellers from the UK to Abu Dhabi will be required to have a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival.

Visitors must register via the ICA Smart Travel Service prior to travel, download the Al Hosn App and take further PCR tests if staying in the emirate.

Notes: The rules for entering and remaining in Abu Dhabi may change at short notice. You should check the current requirement from the Abu Dhabi Media Office website and on the Emirates News Agency website.

South Africa 

Our hoop rating: 1.5 hoops

Entry requirements: Visitors must provide a paper copy of a negative PCR test, no older than 72 hours prior to departure. There will also be a health questionnaire on the plane that needs to be filled out. Children under 5 do not require a PCR test.

Travel authorities recommend that you carry several paper copies of your test, as you may need to present it more than once on your journey. If you do not present proof of a test upon arrival, you will be required to take a COVID-19 at your own expense and may be required to quarantine at your own cost.

Notes: Screening processes have been introduced at all major ports of entry and departure, including airports, for arrivals, departures and transit passengers.

Asia & Australasia

Bali

Our hoop rating: 3 hoops

Entry requirements: Currently, the Indonesian government has launched an electronic visa (e-Visa) application system, which must be applied for and granted before arrival. However, as of the 7th March it has just been announced that the usual visa-on-arrival system will be reinstated. 

To visit Bali (as of Monday, March 7th 2022), you must provide proof of vaccination and a negative RT-PCR test result no older than 48 hours prior to arrival. 

Upon arrival, you must undergo another RT-PCR test and wait for a negative result (usually only a few hours). There will also be another test on day three. If the day three test is negative, travellers have the option of moving on to other parts of Indonesia if they wish.

Currently, visitors are required to show proof of a hotel booking (of their choice) with at least four nights paid for in advance. However, it is likely that this will be scrapped as of the 1st April. 

Both soft and hard copies of your NHS vaccination certificates will be required to be presented at various stages of your journey. 

Notes: Visitors must also hold proof of health insurance with a coverage value of at least US$25,000, which covers the treatment of COVID-19.

The Maldives

Our hoop rating: 1 hoop

Entry requirements: All travellers to the Maldives must fill in a Traveller Health Declaration form 48 hours before departure, and all passengers and airline crew need to complete an Immigration Arrival Card when arriving in the Maldives. Temperature checks and screening procedures will be in place on arrival.

If you are fully vaccinated you will no longer need a negative PCR test for entry into Maldives. All non-vaccinated visitors (except children under the age of one) must present a negative PCR test for COVID-19 on arrival to Maldives. The test and negative PCR certificate must be issued no more than 96 hours prior to departure. Children under the age of one do not have to provide a negative PCR test.

Notes: All visitors to Maldives are encouraged to install the contact tracing application ‘Trace Ekee’ upon or before arrival into the country. A reader has let us know that the Maldives still may enforce quarantine for those who are deemed ‘close contacts’, even if a negative test result is received.

Thailand

Our hoop rating: 3 hoops

Entry requirements: If you’re fully vaccinated, you can apply to enter Thailand via Thailand Pass under the Test and Go or Sandbox schemes. You must have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days before your date of travel and the vaccines must be approved by Ministry of Public Health. You must take a PCR test no more than 72 hours before you leave the UK and when you arrive in Thailand.

If you are not fully vaccinated, you can enter Thailand under the Alternative Quarantine scheme. You must quarantine at a State Quarantine or Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) facility. You cannot use the Test and Go or Sandbox schemes.

If you’re not fully vaccinated but have recovered from COVID-19 and have received at least 1 dose of approved vaccine, you will need to show medical certificate of recovery in order to enter Thailand under Test and Go or Sandbox schemes.

Test & Go updates: Travellers can now arrive in Thailand by air, land, or by water with the required prepaid accommodation reduced to 1 night and the COVID-19 tests revised to 1 RT-PCR and 1 self-ATK. The health insurance coverage has also been reduced to no less than US$20,000.

Sandbox updates: Travellers who plan to continue their journey to other Thai cities are still required to stay at least 7 days (nights) in the Sandbox destinations, but the COVID-19 testing requirement has been revised to 1 RT-PCR and 1 self-ATK, while the health insurance coverage has also been reduced to no less than US$20,000.

Notes: You may be required to download the Thai Chana COVID-19 tracking app when you arrive.

You can read one readers experience of the Phuket Sandbox here (though bear in mind it has changed significantly since).

There’s more official information here. 

Cambodia

Our hoop rating: 2 hoops

Entry requirements: All visitors to Cambodia must provide a negative PCR test result no older than 72 hours prior to departure/boarding. You must also demonstrate your full vaccination status to avoid quarantine. 

If you’re fully vaccinated, when you arrive in Cambodia a lateral flow test will be administered at the airport. If another passenger from your flight tests positive, you may be required to quarantine at your hotel or place of residence for five days. If no passengers on your flight test positive you do not need to quarantine.

Unvaccinated travellers or those who have not been fully vaccinated will be required to do a PCR test on arrival. They must then quarantine for 14 days. If not pre-booking the hotel, you must demonstrate you hold US$2000 in cash per person. Health authorities will oversee a PCR test on the thirteenth day of quarantine.

Notes: You will need a visa to enter or travel through Cambodia as a visitor. Tourist visas can be applied for online. Health insurance is no longer mandatory but all foreign travellers are encouraged to purchase COVID-19 health insurance that includes a minimum of US$50,000 for medical cover through the Forte Insurance website. This evidence should be printed in colour.

Australia (finally!)

Our hoop rating: 2 hoops

Entry requirements: To enter Australia you must hold a valid visa. See ‘Visas during COVID-19’ for more information.

From 21 February 2022, all fully vaccinated visa holders can travel to Australia without a travel exemption. Unvaccinated visa holders will still need a valid travel exemption to enter Australia.

A negative COVID-19 test is required for travelling to Australia. This can be in the form of evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 3 days of scheduled departure, or evidence of a negative Rapid Antigen Test taken under medical supervision within 24 hours before scheduled departure. All travellers to Australia are also required to submit a Digital Passenger Declaration within 72 hours before departure. The Digital Passenger Declaration includes a declaration regarding your COVID-19 vaccination status and pre-departure test result. You may be asked to provide evidence you have completed your Digital Passenger Declaration when boarding your flight to Australia.

Notes: States and territories can apply their own travel restrictions. You should check requirements for the state or territory in which you will arrive. Border rules, including eligibility criteria, can change quickly. Travellers should prepare for disruptions to their plans.

Did we miss anything that you think should be on the list, or do you have your own experience? Feel free to let us know (nicely) in the comments, and don’t forget to keep us posted on where you’re planning to travel to next!