Is International Travel Banned? Here’s The Latest For June 2020

Airline stock prices have been increasing as they add more international flights. However, you must still be highly selective in planning international travel. You don’t want temporary border closures and mandatory quarantines to ruin your trip.

In the last few days, reports indicate another spike in coronavirus cases across the United States. An increase in American cases may cause nations to extend or introduce bans in the coming weeks. Here’s the latest on what to expect for June 2020.

Can I Travel To Canada?

The Canada and U.S. border closure set to expire on June 21, 2020, is extending (yet again) through July. Airlines, including United and Air Canada, were restarting select routes prior to the extension.

Non-essential travel between the United States to Canada isn’t allowed when crossing by land. But, essential trade is still permissible between both nations. Also, Canadians can fly into the U.S. but U.S. citizens cannot fly into Canada.

Can I Travel To Mexico?

Traveling to Mexico continues to be one of the only bright spots for international travel in 2020. All land border crossings remain closed through June 22, 2020, for unessential travel. Essential business and charity travel is still permissible. We don’t know yet if this closure will expire or extend into July.

A developing story that can influence this decision is the federal investigation of why hospitalization rates are increasing in Arizona and Texas. Both states have opened up many of their businesses and have relaxed some of the guidelines despite the growing number of cases and hospitalizations. 

Monitoring the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico can be your best resource for real-time updates if you’re hoping to visit Mexico by land in the coming weeks.

Tourists can travel to select Mexico beaches by plane. The state of Quintana Roo (Cancun) is greeting tourists in limited numbers. Los Cabos plans on reopening on June 15 with limited occupancy.

There doesn’t appear to be a mandatory quarantine once you arrive in Mexico and don’t display possible coronavirus symptoms. However, you can anticipate a temperature screening and personal interview upon arrival. Traveling while symptomatic may require you to self-quarantine or return to the United States.

As Hawaii’s mandatory 14-day quarantine applies to all visitors through July, Mexico continues to be one of your best tropical destinations this summer.

Can I Travel To The Caribbean?

Your results for traveling to the Caribbean islands can vary. Each island has different opening dates and may still restrict arrivals to residents of certain nations. Three of the most receptive islands already open are the U.S. Virgin Islands, Antigua and St. Lucia. Jamaica opens on June 15, 2020. Bermuda may be open to you on July 1, 2020, along with Puerto Rico on July 15, 2020.

Aruba opens to residents of Canada, Europe and most Caribbean nations on July 1, 2020. American residents can start visiting the island on July 10, 2020. Both Haiti and the Dominican Republic have some of the strictest reopening timelines. Visitors may not be welcome until September.

Can I Travel To Latin America?

The entire South American continent continues to have one of the most restrictive lockdowns.

Brazil had one of the loosest travel bans until late May. Foreigners cannot enter Brazil by air before June 21, 2020, (and potentially later) for unessential reasons. President Trump imposed a ban on May 24, 2020, for foreigners entering the United States if they have been to Brazil in the last 14 days.

Brazil continues to have the world’s second-highest recorded coronavirus death count. The United States leads in the world in the total number of reported deaths.

One prediction we have for when Latin America travel may reopen is on September 1, 2020. Avianca is resuming flights across the region on this date. In the meantime, Avianca has been offering repatriation and humanitarian flights.

Can I Travel To The United Kingdom?

The United Kingdom was one of the later European nations to clamp down on international travel. While United States visitors couldn’t go to Italy in the spring, you could still fly to London. This special relationship is temporarily on hold.

The United Kingdom has a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all visitors starting June 8, 2020. You must provide your lodging and contact details or pay a fine of up to 100 British pounds (~$125 US dollars). Violating the 14-day self-isolation can result in a maximum fine of 1,000 pounds (~$1,255 US dollars).

You do not have to self-isolate if you have been in Ireland, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for at least the last fortnight.

Can I Travel To Europe?

A European vacation probably won’t happen this summer for most Americans. Countries like Germany are gradually opening to other European residents in mid-June. Americans may not enter most European nations for tourism until July at the earliest. The European Commission currently recommends tourism from non-European Union residents to resume on July 1, 2020. But, each nation may impose stricter guidelines for nations with the highest infection rates.

Greece is one nation that may be the first to welcome American tourists. Technically, you can fly to Greece in June but must follow a 14-day self-quarantine. It appears that the quarantine restriction expires on July 1, 2020. Italy continues to have some of the most restrictive for non-EU residents. The nation has yet to announce when Americans and non-EU residents can arrive for unessential travel.

Americans can plan on visiting Spain for tourism in early July. Airlines are offering direct flights from the United States to Spain starting July 7, 2020. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez plans on ending the 14-day quarantine on July 1, 2020, for non-national visitors.

Germany and France appear to have stricter travel restrictions for American visitors than other EU bloc nations. It’s possible that non-essential travel may start again on July 1, 2020, but it could be later in the month. Each nation’s response depends on how the coronavirus numbers in the United States change for the rest of June. Currently, France has a 14-day quarantine if you happen to go there.

Can I Travel To Australia?

It’s possible to travel to Australia but all travelers entering from overseas must follow a 14-day self-quarantine in the port of entry. The Australian tourism industry is virtually shuttered but the country is gradually reopening to internal travel.

For now, it looks like Australia and New Zealand may waive the quarantine between each nation. However, both nations are still working on an agreement.

New Zealand also remains closed to non-citizens. We don’t advise flying to Oceania in the near future.

Can I Travel To Asia?

Asia remains off-limits to foreigners for non-essential travel. Sri Lanka might be one of the first Asian nations to welcome foreigners starting August 1, 2020. Expect strict screening procedures in the various nations once travel resumes in late 2020.

Final Thoughts

While border closings and travel bans are not changing as frequently as they were in February and March, situations can alter quickly. Most nations, including the U.S. State Department, still recommend you don’t travel abroad unless absolutely necessary. For now, traveling locally and planning road trips can be a better option.

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