For most U.S. residents the thought of traveling right now is out of the question. In response to Covid-19, travel changed drastically and quickly in 2020. Most countries have instituted non-essential travel bans, and have required testing and self quarantine for citizens re-entering their home countries.

More recently, after months of a global lockdown, increased testing, and the hope for a vaccine, countries are hopeful and eager to open up for one of the largest drivers of local economies: tourism.

With all of this in mind, the biggest question for avid world travelers' is when they will be able to travel again.

TL;DR

• Most countries are not allowing U.S. residents to cross their borders yet
• Domestic travel in the U.S. is set to take the lead 
• International flights will pick up again in 2021
• The CDC requires enhanced cleaning protocols on aircrafts

Read more: When will international travel resume | When will international flights resume | Main takeaways for U.S. travelers

When Will International Travel Resume?

As we venture outside for the first time in along time, we begin to notice more shops and restaurants open for business, beaches opening with some guidelines, and national parks allowing limited hours.

Domestic travel is set to take the lead as travel resumes, but international travel will follow suit. Several countries are in the process of or are considering creating "travel bubbles," also called "green zones," and "green lanes," with neighboring countries. These travel bubbles would allow travel to resume between countries where the risk of an outbreak is considered low.

Right now the U.S. is heavily restricted from international travel however the list of where Americans can travel is increasing. 

Which Countries Are Opening For Tourism?

As previously stated, some countries are re-opening for tourism. The following countries are not on lockdown, or are planning to re-open to tourism in the near future:

• Bahamas: Plan to open borders by July 1, 2020

• Brazil: Has re-opened to flights since May 28, 2020

• Colombia: Plan to open borders on August 31, 2020

• Costa Rica: Plan to re-open borders on June 24, 2020

• Dominican Republic: Has re-opened borders and has limited flights through United and Jetblue since May 17, 2020

• France: Plan to re-open borders on July 1, 2020

• Indonesia: Tentatively plan to re-open borders in October, 2020

• Greece: Plan to re-open borders by July 1, 2020

• Guatamala: Plan to re-open borders on June 5, 2020

• Iceland: Plan to re-open borders on June 15, 2020

• Italy: Plan to re-open borders to travelers from Europe only on June 3, 2020

• Jamaica: Has announced a phased re-opening, but has not announceda timeline

• Kenya: Borders are open with mandatory self quarantine in place for all who enter the country

• Mexico: Plan to re-open borders beginning June 22, 2020

• Portugal: Has re-opened borders since May 30, 2020

• Puerto Rico: Has remained open to tourists

• South Korea: Borders open with mandatory self quarantine in place for all who enter the country

• Spain: Plan to re-open borders in July, 2020

• United Kingdom: Travel is no longer banned, but it is not recommended, mandatory self quarantine is in place for all who enter the country

See the full updated list »

When Will International Flights Resume?

Due to Covid-19, the demand for flights has decreased drastically, which has resulted in airlines furloughing employees, retiring a large number of aircrafts, consolidating flights across major metropolitan areas, and adding tag flights (when a flight lands in one international city and immediately takes off for another).

Fortunately, signs are pointing toward flights slowly picking up again in 2021. Airlines are tentatively making plans to resume a handful of international flights beginning in June, and in an effort to attract flyers, airlines have started offering fee waivers and elite status extensions.

Airlines Planning to Resume International Flights

These are the airlines planning to resume international flights as of June, 2020:

• Air China
• Air France
• Alitalia
• American Airlines
• British Airways
• Brussels Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• Delta
• Easyjet
• Emirates
• Etihad Airways
• KLM
• Korean Air
• LATAM
• Lufthansa
• Philippine Airlines
• Qantas
• Qatar Airways
• Ryanair
• SWISS
• Turkish Airlines
• Ukraine International Airlines
• United
• Vietnam Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• Southwest

How Airlines Are Protecting Travelers

The safety of passengers and employees is top priority for airlines. In the United States,  airlines are continually working with Congress, the Administration, and the CDC to create guidelines to maintain the health and safety of passengers and employees.

To help stop and contain the spread of Covid-19, the CDC requires enhanced cleaning protocols such as electrostatic and fogging procedures, limited beverage services, and airline passengers and employees must wear face masks.

Most aircrafts are eqquiped with High Efficiency Particulate Air filters, which generates air as clean as an ICU. According to the CDC, "because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses and other germs do not spread easily of flights."

Main Takeaways For U.S. Travelers

Domestic travel for the United States is set to take the lead as travel resumes, but international travel will follow suit. Right now it looks as though U.S. residents won't be traveling out of the country until at least July. Even though some contries are slowly opening their borders, Americans aren't being allowed into other countries just yet.

Due to Covid-19, the demand for flights has decreased drastically, but signs are pointing toward flights slowly picking up again in 2021. Domestic flights are picking up more rapidly than international flights, and airlines are working with Congress and the CDC to keep passengers and employees safe. To help stop and contain the spread of Covid-19, the CDC requires enhanced cleaning protocols such as electrostatic and fogging procedures, limited beverage services, and airline passengers and employees must wear face masks.

It is clear countries and airlines are taking advanced precautions to help ensure the health and safety of global citizens. With many countries soon re-opening borders, and international flights increasing, we may be able to travel again in the near future. However, you should only travel again when you feel safe to do so.

For more information on countries re-opening borders and entry policies in those countries, check out the updated list of Countries Re-opening For Travel