- Despite nonessential travel still being discouraged in many places due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, some tourism-reliant destinations say they're ready to welcome back visitors.
- The Maldives welcomed back visitors on July 15, and published 27 pages of health and safety guidelines for all tourism-related establishments.
- The Dominican Republic welcomed back tourists on July 1.
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Destinations like Italy, Iceland, Spain, the Florida Keys, and Jamaica rolled out the welcome mat once again to tourists in June. Other destinations decided to wait a little longer to put ample health measures and precautions in place amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Despite many countries still discouraging nonessential travel — including the US, where the Centers for Disease Control warns against it — a lot of tourism-reliant economies around the world are planning to reopen their borders to travelers as soon as they can.
Keep scrolling to see which tourist hot spots hope to welcome visitors in July.
Editor's note: Many countries are changing their reopening dates and safety protocols, so it's best to check the resources linked below for the most up-to-date information.
Bermuda has been back in business since July 1.
Bermuda welcomed back tourists arriving by air from July 1.
Visitors will have to fill in a travel authorization form online, pay a $75 fee that includes the cost of all COVID-19 testing in Bermuda, show proof of health insurance, and present a negative COVID-19 test taken within five days of departure or take a test upon arrival, quarantining at their accommodation for eight to 24 hours — the time the tourism authority says it typically takes to obtain results.
Should a traveler test positive, the tourism authority says they will be quarantined at their accommodation for up to 14 days, and may even "be fitted with an Aqua electronic bracelet to assist with isolation/quarantine."
Visitors are asked to maintain physical distance and wear face masks in public for the duration of their stay, and are also asked to pack a thermometer and take their temperature twice a day while there.
According to Johns Hopkins, there have been 153 confirmed cases and nine deaths in Bermuda at the time of writing.
The Dominican Republic welcomed back tourists on July 1.
The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism Health announced new safety protocols implemented from July 1, when the Caribbean nation reopened to tourism, which include passengers having their temperature checked at the airport upon landing, and filling out a Traveler's Health Affidavit. Anyone presenting a temperature above 100.6 degrees or that shows any symptoms will have to take a COVID-19 test and isolate should they test positive, according to the safety protocols.
Restaurants will need to keep diners six feet apart and dispense hand sanitizer, and masks are required where social distance is not possible, as outlined in the safety protocols.
The Dominican Republic saw 56,043 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,005 related deaths at the time of writing, per Johns Hopkins.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines opened to visitors from all countries on July 1.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines reopened July 1.
According to guidelines published by its tourism board and shared on Twitter, arrivals have to fill out a coronavirus-related questionnaire and take a mandatory COVID-19 test upon arrival, quarantining until they get their results, which they say typically take 24 hours. Visitors can bypass this quarantine by presenting a negative COVID-19 test taken within two days before their arrival, or an antibody test taken within five days before their arrival, the guidelines say. They should also expect temperature checks and health screenings at the airport.
According to Johns Hopkins, the Caribbean country saw 50 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and no deaths at the time of writing.
Egypt reopened airports and major tourist attractions on July 1.
According to Reuters, international air traffic to Egypt resumed on July 1, and major attractions such as the Great Pyramids of Giza reopened.
Reuters previously reported that while local hotels reopened at a reduced capacity to domestic travelers last month, foreign travelers will be limited to resorts in southern Sinai, the Red Sea province, and Marsa Matrouh.
According to Johns Hopkins, Egypt saw 89,078 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 4,399 related deaths at the time of writing.
Georgia planned to reopen to international tourists from July 1 but pushed that date to July 31.
European Best Destinations deemed Georgia one of the "safest" destinations in Europe for post-pandemic travel, saying that it's one of the world's least affected countries with 260 times fewer cases than some of the most affected European countries.
While domestic tourism resumed June 15, Georgia said it would reopen to international tourists on July 1, but has since pushed that date to July 31, according to the US Embassy in Georgia.
Local news outlet Agenda says the country is promoting itself as a safe destination that has been successful in the fight against the coronavirus.
What, if any, restrictions will be placed on arrivals has yet to be announced, according to the US Embassy in Georgia.
According to Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Research Center, Georgia has seen 1,073 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 16 related deaths at the time of writing.
Malta reopened to some countries on July 1.
Malta International Airport reopened on July 1, with travelers from 50 countries allowed to enter without special permits and without having to quarantine. Anyone not on this list will need to obtain a special permit from Malta Health Authorities and may have to quarantine, according to Malta's visitor's bureau.
Health guidelines have been put in place for restaurants and hotels, and the airport has its own measures in place, from enforcing social distancing to increasing cleaning frequency.
According to Johns Hopkins, Malta has seen 679 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and nine related deaths at the time of writing.
Like Georgia, it was also on European Best Destinations' list of the "safest" destinations in Europe for post-pandemic travel.
Dubai reopened to tourists on July 7.
According to Dubai's visitor's bureau, Dubai reopened on July 7.
The bureau states that arrivals must present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 96 hours before arrival or take one upon landing, and will face temperature checks; even with a negative test, travelers may be asked to take another test should they show any symptoms.
They must also have proof of medical insurance that would cover any COVID-19 related costs, and sign a Health Declaration Form ensuring they don't have any symptoms and promising to pay for any COVID-19 related costs that may be incurred during their travels. Finally, they must also download and register their details on Dubai's COVID-19 DXB app, a coronavirus tracking app.
Physical distancing is enforced in Dubai, and mask-wearing is mandatory in public.
According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, the United Arab Emirates saw 57,498 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 342 related deaths at the time of writing.
Barbados welcomed back tourists on July 12.
According to Barbados' Government Information Service, flights to the Caribbean island resumed on July 12.
According to a press release from Barbados Tourism Marketing, visitors from high-risk countries (more than 10,000 new cases in the last seven days) are "strongly encouraged" to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their departure. Travelers from low-risk spots (fewer than 100 cases in the last week) can take the test up to a week before departure. Travelers that haven't taken a test ahead of their arrival will have to take one upon landing, then quarantine at their expense for an estimated 48 hours until they receive the results. Should they test positive, they'll be "placed in isolation where they will receive care from the Ministry of Health and Wellness."
Visitors also have to fill out an online Embarkation/Disembarkation form relating to their health and face temperature checks at the airport, according to the same press release.
According to Johns Hopkins, Barbados saw 106 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and seven related deaths at the time of writing.
Norway is reopening to most of Europe, though not all of it, on July 15.
According to Norway's Ministry of Trade and Industry, tourists from certain European countries as well as the UK will be welcome in Norway from July 15, without having to quarantine. This list includes most EU countries except for Portugal and most of Sweden. The full list can be found here.
However, visitors not on this list will have to quarantine for 10 days, according to The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, which also states that it will revise the list of accepted countries every two weeks.
According to Johns Hopkins, Norway saw 9,059 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 255 related deaths at the time of writing.
Tahiti reopened its borders July 15, with some strict new health measures in place.
Tahiti launched a new, three-part health protocol ahead of its July 15 reopening.
According to a press release on Tahiti Tourisme, anyone arriving by air will have to present a negative COVID-19 test at check-in. The test will have to be taken no more than three days prior to their flight departure, and visitors are asked to fill in a health questionnaire online, which will allow the government of French Polynesia to monitor their health and get in touch throughout their visit if necessary, according to the same press release. Finally, visitors are expected to conduct a self-administered COVID-19 test four days after arriving. The test will be provided to all arrivals free of charge, the press release says.
Should a traveler test positive, the press release says they'll be brought to the main island of Tahiti to quarantine. It also states that travelers will have to cover the cost of transport, potential medical care, and quarantine themselves.
According to Johns Hopkins, French Polynesia saw 62 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and no related deaths at the time of writing.
The Maldives welcomed back visitors on July 15, and published 27 pages of health and safety guidelines for all tourism-related establishments.
According to a press release by the Maldives' Ministry of Tourism, it reopened to all international tourists on July 15.
The Ministry of Tourism put together 27 pages of guidelines for restarting tourism. These cover everything from how to handle guest luggage (use gloves and throw these out "in a foot operated closed bin immediately after luggage transportation is complete") to having resorts require staff to wear masks, as well as "keep adequate stock of medically certified PPE."
Visitors must have a confirmed booking at a local resort or guest house in order to obtain their entry visa, and must stay at that same resort for the duration of their trip, according to the same guidelines.
Upon landing, they'll face temperature checks and random COVID-19 testing, though for the most part tests will be given only to those "exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms including, but not limited to, cough, runny nose or shortness of breath." The guidelines state that the government won't pay for these tests.
According to Johns Hopkins, the Maldives saw 3,103 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 15 related deaths at the time of writing.
Turks and Caicos reopened to international visitors July 22.
The British overseas territory, which is made up of 40 small islands, is welcoming back visitors from July 22, according to a statement by its tourism board.
The same statement says that Turks and Caicos requires visitors to present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than five days before their arrival. It also says that visitors will need to fill in a health questionnaire and sign up for an online portal, and show proof of insurance that could cover any coronavirus related costs accrued during their stay.
According to Johns Hopkins, Turks and Caicos has seen 82 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and two related death at the time of writing.