After more than 6 months of border closures, Belize prepares to reopen for leisurely travel on October 1. However, at reopening, where can Belizeans visit for non-essential travel? While Belize currently has no travel bans on countries for non-essential travelers to enter starting October 1, the same does not apply for many countries around the world. At time of writing, Belizean tourists are currently allowed into 17 countries, while 56 countries are partially allowing tourists which includes the United States of America. Additionally, 121 countries have a complete travel ban on Belize, whether due to border closures or other entry restrictions. For Belizean citizens wanting to continue with their international travels at reopening, here is everything you need to know about traveling to the US, EU, and beyond, during COVID-19.
What are the 17 Countries allowing Belizean tourists?
Countries that are currently allowing Belizean tourists are not mandating quarantine upon arrival, although some form of health screening is required. For many, this includes a PCR test, either presented on arrival within specified travel window or administer at the airport:
- Albania
- American Samoa
- Azerbaijan
- Djibouti
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Macedonia (FYROM)
- Maldives
- Mexico
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Serbia
- St. Lucia
- Turkey
Find an interactive map of where Belizeans can travel here.
As a Belizean tourist, can I travel to the USA starting October?
The most important thing to know is that the U.S did not close its borders to all countries. Tourists, including Belizeans, are partially allowed into the US, which includes a recommended self-quarantine for 14-days depending on state, though not mandated by the federal government or CDC.
After travel, the CDC recommends all travelers should take these actions to protect others from getting sick:
- Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from anyone who is not from your household. It’s important to do this everywhere — both indoors and outdoors.
- Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth when you are outside of your home.
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
- Watch your health: Look for symptoms of COVID-19, and take your temperature if you feel sick.
- See CDC’s After Travel webpage to learn if you should take additional precautions.
Follow state, territorial, tribal, and local recommendations or requirements. When returning from Belize, the CDC recommends to:
- Stay home as much as possible.
- Avoid being around people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
- Consider getting tested for COVID-19.
However, foreign nationals who have been in China, Iran, Schengen Area, UK, Brazil & Ireland during the past 14 days may not enter the United States. No date has been set or projected for when European countries will be able to travel to the U.S. again, which are currently under a travel ban.
Are Belizeans allowed into the EU for non-essential travel?
Only the 14 countries on the EU’s approved non-essential travel list can currently travel within its 27 member states, as well as to the Schengen-associated nations of Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. This includes Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay. Residents from Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican are also allowed to enter Europe, as they have been considered EU residents for the purpose of COVID travel. Below, you’ll find exemptions.
The countries allowed into the EU for non-essential travel have to meet a set of criteria outlined by the European Council. One important condition is that countries allowed into Europe must be close to or below the EU average for COVID cases per 100, 000 inhabitants. The country must also have a stable or decreasing trend of cases, which is reviewed every two weeks. For more on how the EU decides which countries are allowed in, see the Council’s official recommendation.
Are there any exceptions to the EU travel bans?
The restrictions do not apply to any long-term EU residents and their family members. Travellers with “an essential function or need” are also exempt. This includes health and humanitarian workers, diplomats, students, and seasonal farm workers, among others. For a full list of exemptions, see the EU’s Council Recommendation. The list of countries allowed into the EU is reviewed every two weeks, with any changes regularly updated on the European Union’s website.
Source: COVID Control
