15 Key Travel Advisories Announced in June 2021

The United States State Department was awfully busy during the month of June, updating its travel advisories for every destination in the world as many reopened for the first time since closing their borders nearly 16 months ago when the COVID-19 crisis was officially declared a global pandemic. Here are some of the more notable advisories as Americans plan their summer travel.

The State Department is encouraging Americans to reconsider travel to Aruba due to COVID-related conditions as of June 16. Flights between the Caribbean island and the United States resumed last summer and the destination remains open to travelers who complete the country's five-component online embarkation and disembarkation process, which includes proof of a recent negative coronavirus test result.

"Exercise increased caution in Bermuda due to COVID-related conditions," the State Department advised in a June 16 update, pointing out that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for the British territory, which indicates a moderate level of COVID-19 in the destination.

The State Department recommends that Americans do not travel to Costa Rica right now due to COVID-19 and encourages them to exercise increased caution if they do visit due to crime. Currently, visitors must complete a Health Pass within 72 hours of departure and acquire mandatory travel insurance that covers lodging and medical expenses in the event that they contract the virus.

The Dominican Republic has been one of the most sought-after international destinations as its been one of the most accessible, allowing visitors to enter without a negative COVID-19 test or mandatory quarantine. However, heading into July, the State Department is encouraging Americans to reconsider any travel plans to the Caribbean country due to the pandemic.

The U.S. government also updated its travel advisory for recently reopened France, recommending that people reconsider their trip due to COVID-19. The State Department encourages those who do decide to travel to France this summer to exercise increased caution due to terrorism and civil unrest.

Greece is one of the many countries currently listed at a Level 3 on the State Department's four-tier travel advisory scale, with officials advising Americans to reconsider travel plans due to COVID-19. Greece recently reopened, allowing quarantine-free entry for travelers from dozens of countries, including the United States.

Iceland was one of the first European destinations to reopen to fully vaccinated Americans but the State Department is asking travelers to reconsider visiting the island nation this summer, citing COVID-19 related restrictions. Nonetheless, the CDC has only issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice for the destination, indicating a low level of coronavirus in the country.

Jamaica, which reopened to travelers after establishing resilient corridors last year, is listed at a Level 3 as of June 28. The State Department recommends that Americans reconsider travel to Jamaica right now due to COVID-19 and exercise increased caution in the island country due to crime, pointing out that some areas have increased risk.

The State Department continues to advise Americans to reconsider travel to Mexico amid the pandemic. However, in its state-by-state breakdown, the department recommends travelers exercise increased caution in places like Baja California Sur (Los Cabos), Mexico City and Quintana Roo (Cancun and Riviera Maya) due to crime. Mexico continues to be one of the most popular international destinations this summer as travelers don't require a vaccine or negative test to gain entry.

Portugal recently reopened to American travelers who can provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result but the U.S. government is recommending travelers reconsider their plans to visit the European country due to the coronavirus. The CDC has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Portugal, warning of a high level of COVID-19.

"Reconsider travel to South Africa due to COVID-19," the State Department advised in a June 17 update. "Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime and civil unrest." According to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in South Africa, a negative COVID-19 test is required to gain entry. "Any travelers to South Africa will need to present a negative COVID-19 test not older than 72 hours from the time of departure, or will be required to remain in mandatory quarantine at their own cost if they have not done a COVID-19 test."

Spain has been open to Americans for less than a month but recently eliminated its vaccine requirement for U.S. visitors. Nonetheless, the State Department is asking people to reconsider travel to the popular European country due to COVID-19. Americans are also advised to exercise increased caution in Spain due to terrorism and civil unrest.

Thailand recently approved a phased reopening and announced it would welcome back fully vaccinated tourists by mid-October. Still, the State Department's Level 3 travel advisory matches the CDC's Level 3 Travel Health Notice, which warns of a high level of COVID-19 in Thailand as the country deals with a surge in cases and subsequent restrictions.

The Turks and Caicos Islands is one of the few destinations to receive a Level 2 travel advisory or lower this summer, with officials encouraging travelers to exercise increased caution due to crime and noting that the CDC has issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice for the Caribbean hotspot, indicating a low level of COVID-19. The islands have seen fewer than 2,500 coronavirus cases to date. This summer, visitors will need to obtain travel pre-authorization via the TCI Assured Portal, which includes submitting a negative test taken within five days of travel, proof of insurance and a health screening questionnaire.

The United Kingdom is open to Americans as the United States is currently listed under the U.K.'s amber list. Still, visitors will have plenty of hoops to jump through as they must take a COVID-19 test prior to travel and book and pay for day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 travel tests to be taken after they arrive. U.S. visitors will also need to complete a passenger locator form and quarantine at their accommodation for 10 days. Heading into July, the State Department is advising Americans to reconsider travel to the U.K. due to COVID-19 and exercise increased caution due to terrorism.