Israel Extends Ban Just As Thailand Floats Plan To Welcome Back Tourists
Traveling right now is still risky business. There are bans and restrictions in place all over the world and even within the United States. So keeping up with the rules is important and here we will talk about the latest from Israel and Thailand as far as COVID-19 restrictions go. Both are popular travel destinations for Americans. But keep in mind that even if you do your research and travel accordingly, sometimes governments make last minute changes.
Israel Extends Ban
Let’s talk about Israel first. The country gets more than 4 million visitors annually, and about a quarter of that come from United States.
Israel has extended the ban on non-Israeli passport holders through October 1. The Israel Civil Aviation Authority notified airlines using Ben Gurion airport of the extension due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as an advisory to help airlines plan their schedules for the coming months. It is still possible that the Ministry of Interior Immigration and Population Authority could end the ban at any time.
Like many other countries, Israel’s borders have been closed to foreigners since early March. That was when the pandemic was first spreading around the globe at a scary rate. The rules had loosened up lately as some foreigners with relatives in Israel have been allowed to enter for compassionate reasons or to celebrate events with special permission, Globes reports.
Thailand Floats Plan To Welcome Back Tourists
While Israel is planning on extending the ban, Thailand, a country that relies heavily on tourism, is planning to reopen borders. About 40 million people visit the country annually and about 1.2 million of them are American.
Thailand’s Minister of Tourism Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the country is planning to allow foreign tourists to enter the country through a program dubbed “Safe and Sealed,” CNN reports.
Under this program, tourists will be permitted to fly into Phuket only initially. This is Thailand’s largest island, and it is also where most tourist go. They will still need to quarantine, but this will be done in a designated resort for 14 days. Patong Beach has been cited as a possible location, which is not a bad place at all to stay for 14 days. Special zones of less than a mile, consisting of three-to-four resorts could be set up, allowing quarantined tourists to spend time on the beach.
Travelers will need to get tested for Covid-19 at the beginning and end of their quarantine period. If they test negative, they will be free to travel on the island. Those who wish to travel beyond Phuket will have to quarantine for an additional seven days and will have a third Covid-19 test. Hotel staff who work in these designated zones will also be required to stay within that area, and will be tested before leaving.
Conclusion
It is difficult to find the perfect solution for travel right now. Different countries are trying different things. Costa Rica is opening up border for Americans, but only those from certain states. Hawaii is floating a similar bubble solution, after pushing back its planned reopening to October. And, while all these restrictions are in place, the CDC now says that you no longer need to quarantine for 14 days after getting back from your travels.
Let us know if you are planning to travel and where your next destination is.
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