Recently South Africa’s government made the decision to drop all of the country’s remaining pandemic-era restrictions. For Globe Aware volunteers, the primary change is the removal of vaccination and testing requirements for entry into South Africa, but other revisions include the lifting of the nation’s indoor mask mandates and the limits on gathering sizes, and the elimination of COVID-19 border checks.

South Africa Drops All Remaining COVID-19 Travel Restrictions

LAURIE BARATTI
JUNE 23, 2022
Travel Pulse

On Wednesday evening, South Africa’s government made the decision to drop all of the country’s remaining pandemic-era restrictions, after the Presidential Coordinating Council and Cabinet determined that they’d served their purpose and were no longer needed.

For travelers, the primary change is the removal of vaccination and testing requirements for entry into South Africa, but other revisions include the lifting of the nation’s indoor mask mandates and the limits on gathering sizes, and the elimination of COVID-19 border checks.

Nearly 48 million Americans are planning to travel this Independence Day weekend and setting expectations now and planning ahead can help ease the blow of spending more time and money on the trip. Here are five things Globe Aware volunteers should know before heading to the airport for the Fourth of July and beyond.

Traveling for July Fourth? Here are 5 things to know before flying, driving this weekend.

Eve Chen
USA TODAY
June 28, 2022

Flight cancellations, high gas prices and inflation have already soured countless vacations this summer.

With no quick fixes in sight and nearly 48 million Americans planning to travel at least 50 miles from home this Independence Day weekend, according to AAA, the holiday weekend could feel extra long in more ways than one. Setting expectations now and planning ahead can help ease the blow of spending more time and money on the trip than planned months ago.

The Indian government is considering doing away with the Air Suvidha portal as travel restrictions ease worldwide, a change that will make entry easier for visitors, including Globe Aware volunteers. The Health Ministry has stated they will review the possible changes in August.

COVID-19: India considers dropping Air Suvidha as global travel restrictions ease

Health Ministry to review programme in August

Khaleej Times
June 19, 2022

The Indian government is considering doing away with the Air Suvidha portal as travel restrictions ease worldwide.

“We have written to the Health Ministry seeking removal of Air Suvidha requirements given that it could add to the convenience of flying as international traffic grows. But the Health Ministry has replied saying they will review the programme in August and decide on this,” a senior Civil Aviation Ministry official told The Indian Express.

Thailand is lifting a pre-arrival registration requirement for foreign visitors and it’s current outdoor mask mandate would be dropped as of July 1 except in crowded venues. Globe Aware volunteers should still pack masks for their volunteer vacation in case of changes in regulations.

Thailand drops registration for visitors, outdoor mask rule

Thailand is lifting a pre-arrival registration requirement for foreign visitors that was seen as onerous and a drag on the recovery for a tourism industry battered by the coronavirus pandemic

By The Associated Press
June 17, 2022

BANGKOK — Thailand is lifting a pre-arrival registration requirement for foreign visitors that was seen as onerous and a drag on the recovery for its ailing tourism industry.

The government’s COVID-19 center also said Friday that an outdoor mask mandate would be dropped as of July 1 except in crowded venues. The mask mandate was not controversial in Thailand and generally obeyed.

Costa Rica has long been the region’s most popular destination for Globe Aware volunteers! Our programs there showcase the land’s abundant biodiversity, vast rainforests and emphasizes sustainability, making it the perfect volunteer vacation to post-pandemic.

Why everyone is travelling to Costa Rica right now

You’re not the only one whose feed has been swamped with rainforest snaps in recent months

By Anna Prendergast
Friday 10 June 2022
Time Out England

Strung between Nicaragua and Panama like a pendant on Central America’s isthmus chain of countries, Costa Rica has long been the region’s most popular destination for travellers from the USA. But if you’ve noticed your Instagram feed increasingly full of friends geo-tagging Costa Rica and returning home with tales of its tropical climate, endless coastlines, extraordinary encounters with wildlife and epic adventures, you’re not alone. With its abundant biodiversity, vast protected areas and emphasis on education as a damage prevention tool, it’s not just a pioneer of ecotourism but an industry leader. Here’s why it’s become the perfect antidote to pandemic-induced ennui.

Globe Aware volunteers should know that the Biden administration has lifted its requirement that international air travelers to the U.S. take a COVID-19 test within a day before boarding their flights. The CDC may reevaluate the need for the testing requirement every 90 days and that it could be reinstated if a troubling new variant emerges.

US lifts COVID-19 test requirement for international travel

By ZEKE MILLER
AP
JUNE 10 2022

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is lifting its requirement that international air travelers to the U.S. take a COVID-19 test within a day before boarding their flights, easing one of the last remaining government mandates meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

A senior administration official said Friday that the mandate will expire Sunday at 12:01 a.m. EDT, adding that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined it is no longer necessary.

Worried about rising flight prices this summer? Globe Aware volunteers can manage their budget and expectations on summer travel with these helpful tips!

What to know about summer travel with rising costs

Manage your budget and expectations on summer travel.

By Kelly Mccarthy
June 01, 2022, 9:09 AM
ABC News

With more travelers ready to take to the skies this season, the Transportation Security Administration predicts a summer of record-breaking proportions.

According to the agency, it could screen more than 3 million people in a day with the summer surge demand.

Travel industry officials have recently pressed the Biden administration to end its requirements that vaccinated international travelers take a coronavirus test before flying to the United States. Currently, all travelers, including Globe Aware volunteers, need to fulfill this requirement when returning to the states from their volunteer vacation.

US airlines, travel industry push White House to end pre-travel testing

Gregory Wallace and Pete Muntean
CNN
May 31, 2022

(CNN) — White House officials met Tuesday with travel industry officials, who pressed the Biden administration to end its requirements that vaccinated international travelers take a coronavirus test before flying to the United States.

Airlines for America, representing major US air carriers, and the US Travel Association, representing the broad travel and tourism industry, said they argued the requirement does not match the current threat from Covid-19.

Globe Aware volunteers can stock up on COVID-19 test kits. This past May, the Biden administration announced that it will provide eight more home test kits free to any U.S. household that wants them.

More free COVID rapid tests are available. Here’s how to get yours

BY JON HEALEY
MAY 17, 2022
LA TIMES

Want to stock up on COVID-19 test kits? The Biden administration announced Tuesday that it will provide eight more home test kits free to any U.S. household that wants them.

The offer, like the one the administration made in January, comes with no strings attached. You can order the kits online or by phone, and the kits will be delivered to any address in the United States, in U.S. territories, on U.S. military bases and at diplomatic installations.

COVID-19 testing can make travel safer for our Globe Aware volunteers. Read on strategies to follow before, during, and after your volunteer vacation.

COVID-19 Testing for Travel: If, When, Where, and How

COVID-19 testing can make travel safer — but you need to do it right. Here, experts weigh in on strategies to follow before, during, and after a trip.

By Salma Abdelnour Gilman
Everyday Health
May 27, 2022

Test before you leave home, experts say — as close to the date of your departure as possible.

It’s the third summer of the pandemic, and by now we know one thing: If you’re traveling, you may need to ponder if, when, where, and how to get a test for COVID-19.

If you’re an American flying to another country, you will need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test (or documentation of recent recovery from COVID-19) before you can board a plane back to the United States.