It may seem counter-intuitive to the continuing onslaught of omicron across the globe, but many destinations are easing entry requirements for arrivals, from the opening of borders altogether to reduced testing and quarantine requirements. Last week, Israel and Ireland were among the countries making news, along with the likes of the Bahamas, Barbados, and England.

Bahamas

The Bahamas has suspended the mandatory RT-PCR testing requirement for vaccinated travellers, which had been expected to take effect on Jan. 07. Vaccinated persons, as well as children ages 2-11, may continue to present either a negative Rapid Antigen Test or negative RT-PCR Test. In addition, all persons remaining in The Bahamas for longer than 48 hours are now required to undergo a Rapid Antigen Test, regardless of vaccination status.

Details of the protocol changes are as follows:

• All those travelling to The Bahamas from other countries, whether fully vaccinated or unvaccinated, will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to the date of arrival in The Bahamas.

• Vaccinated travellers and children between the ages of 2- 11, can present either a negative Rapid Antigen Test or RT-PCR Test.

• All unvaccinated travellers, ages 12 and older, must present a negative RT-PCR Test (acceptable tests include NAAT, PCR, RNA, RT-PCR and TMA).

• Children under the age of two are exempt from any testing requirements.

• A Rapid Antigen Test is now required for all travellers staying in The Bahamas longer than 48 hours (two nights), regardless of vaccination status. Visitors departing on or before 48 hours will not be required to obtain this test. This test replaces the previous Day-5 Rapid Antigen Test.

An island-by-island list of approved testing sites is available HERE.

Barbados

The Government of Barbados’s latest update, effective Jan. 7, permits travellers entry to Barbados with a valid negative Rapid COVID-19 PCR test result done within one day prior to arrival in Barbados, or a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result done within three days prior to arrival on the island. Accepted tests include tests which were taken at an accredited or recognized laboratory by a healthcare provider via a nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal sample (or both). LAMP tests, self-administered tests or home kits and tests using saliva samples are not accepted.

Ireland

Tourism Ireland welcomed news about the lifting of additional pre-testing requirement for travel to the island of Ireland, effective Jan. 6:

• Vaccinated or recovered travellers into Ireland will be required to present evidence of a valid Digital Covid Certificate or other acceptable proof of vaccination/previous infection prior to travel.

• Travellers who are not vaccinated or recovered will be required to present evidence of a not-detected RT-PCR test carried out no more than 72 hours before their arrival into Ireland.

• Fully vaccinated travellers arriving into Northern Ireland need not present a pre-departure test certificate to the airline or ferry company, but will still need to present a passenger locator form. In order to complete this, the traveller must book a post-arrival (day two) test. Self-isolation will no longer be required while waiting for a negative result. Fully vaccinated travellers may take a faster, cheaper lateral flow test rather than a PCR, to be taken on the day of arrival or one of the two following days.

“Tourism Ireland very much welcomes the news that visitors will no longer be required to take a pre-travel COVID test before entry to the island of Ireland,” says Sandra Moffatt, Manager, Tourism Ireland, Canada. “This will boost visitor confidence when planning their holiday. The health and safety of all our visitors continues to be the priority, and we will ensure they are protected alongside a very warm Irish welcome and a great holiday experience.”

Israel

Effective Jan. 9, Israel reopened its borders to all international travellers, meaning Canadians can freely enter and depart the country.

Gal Hana, Israel’s Director of Tourism for Canada said, “The country has implemented numerous guidelines that aim to keep not only residents of Israel healthy but also all those who come to visit. We are looking forward to welcoming travellers back to Israel…”

Guidelines that were previously announced in November for entry into the country remain in place and include taking a PCR test 72 hours before an outbound flight, filling out a passenger declaration, and a taking a PCR test upon arrival in Israel (needing to quarantine in hotel until results return or 24 hours pass – the lesser of the two).

To enter the country, one must:

• Have been vaccinated with two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine (or one dose of Johnson & Johnson) at least 14 days prior to the day of entry into Israel (14 days must have passed since receival of second dose upon arrival into Israel, but no more than 180 days upon leaving Israel – i.e., if it has been six months since the second dose, a booster shot is required to enter).

• Those that have received the booster vaccine dose, and at least 14 days have passed since received, can enter Israel.

• Have recovered from COVID-19 and who present proof of the results of a positive NAAT test at least 11 days prior to the day of entry into Israel (no more than 180 days upon leaving Israel).

• Have recovered from COVID-19 and have received at least one dose of the WHO-approved vaccines.

RELATED STORY: England eases inbound restrictions

Ed. note: To keep up with often quickly changing rules, prospective travellers are advised to visit country websites for the most up-to-date entry requirements.