Okay...so maybe if you dive CCR, there aren't so many bubbles...
Anyhoo...am thinking about all the places we travel and thought about starting this thread to keep track of opening dates for locations around the globe. Thanks to Kamala for the suggestion - it was timely given that The Points Guy also provided a listing of Caribbean reopenings but they forgot places like...Bonaire.
So, I'm going to start tonight with 5 locations (not randomly selected). Feel free to add to the list, and I'll be back tomorrow night with 5 more!
But, first, I would be remiss if I didn't state that the US State Department sill has a Level 4 Global Health Advisory (DO NOT TRAVEL) - this means that you should have a plan in place if you are traveling internationally, and that plan should not rely on the US Government for assistance.
(1) Hawaii
Yes, I get that it is part of the US. It has also required residents and visitors to the islands to self-quarantine for 14 days on arrivals after 3/26. Shelter in place and self-quarantine has been extended to 5/31. Expect gradual relaxation of travel restrictions starting in June. Violations are criminal offenses with fines up of to $5000 and/or up to 1 year in prison. Dive shops are starting to open back up to business (as are other businesses as of 5/5). For more information: https://hawaiitouris...el-coronavirus/
6-25-20 Hawaii will start accepting negative COVID-19 results from within 72 hours prior to arrival to avoid 14-day quarantine starting on August 1.
(2) Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands have been extremely aggressive in management/prevention of COVID-19 spread, including shelter in place, curfew, and mandatory quarantine of people entering the country as of 3/16. Airports and cruise ports are closed through September 1. For more information: https://www.exploregov.ky/faqs
(3) Roatan
The Bay Islands have been fortunate in that they have had no cases of novel coronavirus. They remain under a state of emergency, with mandatory curfews and shelter in place. Recently, there has been some relaxation of restrictions in the last week. There are frequent updates by the Governor, who livestreams updates on Facebook nearly daily. I have not yet been able to find a projected date to reopen. For more information: https://www.facebook...bernacionislas/
(4) Bonaire
Businesses are starting to reopen as of May 15 (schools as of May 11), but airspace remains closed until June 15. For more information: https://english.rijk...cn.com/covid-19
(5) The Bahamas
The islands are in a progressive phase of reopening the islands. Some islands remain on 24 hour curfew with shelter in place, while several islands have been slowly reopening. This has been particularly important in preparation for hurricane season. Current projected opening date for commercial travel is July 1. For more information: https://opm.gov.bs
That's all for now. I'll post another 5 locations. In the meantime, I'll take suggestions, and if you know of a location/country reopening for tourism and diving, feel free to add on!
(6) COZUMEL
It was kind of difficult to find specific information for tourist locales in Mexico, but one of LDS owners on Cozumel (Adam from ScubaTony Cozumel) actually posted on r/scuba on reddit about a week ago. Link here. Specifically, Adam mentioned that the mayor of Cozumel notified them that they would up and running no later than June 12.
From official channels, June 1 seems to be a goal date for Quintana Roo, which is the state that includes Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, etc. The Cozumel Sun (which is in English) has information regarding current shelter in place and curfews, as of 5/13. Link here.
(7) Nautilus Explorer is resuming SOCORRO OPERATIONS as of Jun 22, 2020 stating:
Hotels in Cabo San Lucas are currently planning to reopen on May 17th. The lockdown in Mexico is due to finish at the end of May. Airline flights are running within Mexico and from the USA and Canada. San Diego is the meeting point for our Guadalupe trips. So yes, we are optimistic and keeping our fingers crossed that the mexican parks and ports will have reopened
(8) FLORIDA
- WPB/JUPITER & RIVERIA BEACH - OPEN FOR BUSINESS as of May 1, 2020 with no negative results from opening early
- KEY WEST - June 1, 2020
Florida Keys officials Sunday night announced they are targeting Monday, June 1, to reopen the Keys to visitors following the island chain’s closure to tourists March 22 to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19.
The easing of visitor restrictions is to coincide with the planned June 1 suspension of checkpoints on two roads leading from the South Florida mainland to the Keys. In addition, plans call for arriving passenger screenings at Key West International and Florida Keys Marathon International airports to be suspended as well.
(9) Thailand
As of 5/18, International flights to the Land of Smiles have been banned through June 30, which means earliest one could visit is July 1. Phuket International Airport remains closed until further notice. Checked a few operations in Koh Tao and Pattaya, without any updates related to opening.
Shelter in place + curfew remains in place through 5/31.
For more information: https://th.usembassy...19-information/
(10) Bali/Indonesia
Travel restrictions have been in place since 4/2; it appears that plans for Bali will open ahead of the rest of Indonesia, and that looks to be in October (though some news outlets had mentioned July.
For more information: https://www.balihote...s/thesituation/
(11) Belize
One of my favorite places for a bunch of reasons, travel restrictions has been in place since 3/14. Shelter in place continues, though there have been relaxing of strict 24 hour curfew and slow opening of businesses. Tropic Air has resumed flights between Belize City (Municipal as BZE is closed). Unable to find information for Maya Island Air.
Tentative reopening of BZE (and return of international flights to Belize) is planned for July 1, as indicated by the PM during his press conference on May 14.
For more information: https://www.facebook...GOBPressOffice/
6-25-20: BZE (source: Ambergris Today) is opening in August, planned 8/15.
(12) Washington State
The first US case of novel coronavirus occurred in Washington State, which, with the rest of the left coast, quick to employ measures to flatten the curve. The state has started to reopen with a 4-phase plan that began on May 5th. Travel is still restricted to essential travel only.
Many dive shops have remained open as an “essential business” in providing support to public safety agencies.
For more information: https://www.experien...travel-advisory
(13) Maldives
State of Emergency was declared on 3/12, and continues on currently. There have been statements made by the Ministry of Tourism to indicate potential for inbound travel to begin in July 2020, but this is tentative, pending the course of the pandemic.
For more information: https://visitmaldive...covid19-updates
6-25-20 Apparently the Maldives will reopen on July 15 with no testing/quarantine requirement.
(14) US Virgin Islands (St. Croix/St. John/St. Thomas)
The most recent update/news release from the government was on current restrictions is not where you'd think you'd find it. At that point, the islands were in a 5 phase plan to reopening, currently at level 3 or "safer at home". Phase 4 is reopen the country to booking travel and reopening of restaurants. This is anticipated for June 1, though restaurants will be allowed to open on 5/28. Earlier this month, the major carriers have resumed flights. For more information: https://doh.vi.gov/n...-virgin-islands and https://www.covid19u...ign=coronavirus
(15) Saba
Surprisingly, Saba has actually reopened amongst themselves as of May 11 with social distancing in place. Schools returned on May 18. But, little is known about when the country is going to reopen its borders - though it seems to be dictated by The Netherlands. They are in the same situation as Bonaire.
For more information: http://www.sabagover...ews_latest.html
(16) Costa Rica
The Costa Rican health authorities have taken the information regarding the worldwide spread of the COVID-19 pandemic very seriously and have implemented the necessary protocols to control the spread of the virus in the country, which is why the Decree to close the borders to prevent the entry of foreigners has been extended until August 1st.
For more information (updated 7/29/2020:https://www.visitcos...-board-covid-19
(18) Puerto Rico
Island-wide curfew remains through June 15, and travelers to this US territory may be asked to quarantine 14-days regardless of symptom presence. It was announced on 5/21 that today (5/26) beaches, reserves, and golf courses will gradually open, along with restaurants, malls, and shopping centers.
For more information: https://www.discover...travel-advisory
(19) Japan
The State of Emergency has been lifted for its citizens. Pretty much if you're from a country with a lot of coronavirus within the last 14 days, you're not allowed in unless it is an exceptional circumstance, and then you're subject to testing and quarantine while waiting for results. Airport restrictions are currently through the end of June, but may be extended. Many things have opened within the country.
For more information: https://www.japan.tr...en/coronavirus/
(20) Malaysia
Travel restrictions began on March 16 and are currently slated through June 9, though this may be extended. Current entry means 14 day quarantine on your dime +/- testing. Looks like malls have opened, and gatherings of less than 20 people are allowed.
For more information: https://my.usembassy...19-information/
(21) Madagascar
Travel in/out of the country remains suspended. Notably, the US government reported on 5/18 that the State of Emergency has been extended an additional 15 days. Difficult to find much regarding restrictions in Madagascar, and their tourism website hasn't had an update since mid-April.
For more information: https://mg.usembassy...19-information/ and https://madagascar-t...for-madagascar/
(23) Fiji
Nadi International Airport is closed through the end of this month. Interisland travel appears to have resumed, but there is still a curfew. Schools remain closed until June 12th, and social gatherings of 20 or fewer are still allowed. It does not appear that the government has released a plan for reopening at this point.
For more information: https://www.fiji.gov...VID-19/Speeches (Believe or not, the speeches are the most of up to date!)
(24) Spain
Travel to Spain is still restricted and is subject not only to its government but to those of the EU, which extended closure of its borders through June 15th. Within the country, they are also using a phased reopening approach, which was started on may 25.
For more information: https://www.spain.in...jar-espana.html
(25) Alaska
Alaska also has this option (will start accepting negative COVID-19 results from within 72 hours prior to arrival to avoid 14-day quarantine) that began on June 6. They also provide an option if you tested negative 5 days prior to arrival to take another test upon arrival (with quarantine until negative).
(26) Dominican Republic (DR)
Dominican Republic will reopen on July 1, but note that only about half of the hotels in the country will reopen.
(27) Bermuda
Bermuda, also scheduled to reopen on July 1.
