Travel Week in Review – December 3rd, 2021

The White House announced this morning via a fact sheet posted on its website that the United States would strengthen testing protocols for incoming international travelers, regardless of citizenship status, vaccination status, and regardless of the country of origin. Starting “early next week,” according to the release, all international travelers will be required to present proof of a negative test taken within one day of travel. The current requirement designates a three-day testing window. Read More…

New temporary requirements for entrance into the U.K. came into effect on Nov. 30 to help prevent the spread of omicron, the new Covid-19 variant. All international arrivals must take a PCR test on their second day in the U.K. and self-isolate until they receive a negative test result. Anyone who has come into contact with a suspected omicron case must self-isolate and will be contacted by the NHS Test and Trace, a body that tracks Covid-19 with the intent to prevent its spread. Read More…

Israel closed its borders on Monday, exactly a month after reopening to vaccinated visitors, due to the emergence of the omicron variant. The country has now barred entry to foreigners and has implemented a mandated quarantine returning for Israeli citizens, The Associated Press reported. Domestic travel has not been restricted however a contact tracing program is in place. “Restrictions on the country’s borders is not an easy step, but it’s a temporary and necessary step.” Read More…

A United Airlines flight from Chicago’s O’Hare airport to Washington Wednesday will make aviation history as the first commercial flight carrying passengers that is operating on 100% sustainable fuel in one of two engines. The jet engine is fueled with non-petroleum feedstocks. The 737 Max 8, carrying more than 100 passengers, is scheduled to land at Reagan National Airport at 4 p.m. Wednesday. United says it has agreed to purchase nearly twice as much sustainable aviation fuel as any other airline. Read More…

Caribbean islands have reopened to international tourism. But many islands have adopted different restrictions and requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers, and protocols can change quickly. Here are the latest developments for travel from the U.S. to each Caribbean country. A negative Covid test is required for re-entry to the U.S., with the exception of U.S. territories Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Read More…