The Countries that are Open for Travellers in 2021

Countries all over the world had put travel and tourism on pause due to the pandemic. However, after an year, borders seem to be gradually re-opening, albeit with restrictions in place. With vaccine drives taking off, it is quite likely that international travel would commence from around mid 2021.

Many countries are, in fact, planning on lifting restrictions on travelling abroad. However, there could still be health risks and uncertainty, pertaining to the new and emerging strains of the coronavirus.

Read How to Navigate Travel Restrictions During the Pandemic

If the cases surge again, tourists may have to adhere to stricter norms of curfews, safety protocols and quarantine rules.

Here's a rundown of countries who are in various stages of welcoming international tourists, or are planning to in the near future.

Austria Austria had opened its borders for tourists on June 16, 2020. Although, due to a new wave of coronavirus, it is experiencing restrictions right now. EU and third party nations were visiting the country freely since then. However, it had enter into lockdown from November 3, and a partial lockdown from December 6.

Bali (Indonesia) Only travellers with business visas are allowed in the country with some protocols and expenses to boot. The country is closed for general tourism. It was anticipated that it would open its borders for the general public from September 11, 2020, however, the decision was retracted. It is not likely that Bali would open its borders before May 2021.

Brazil It is open for tourism with certain restrictions. It is mandatory to have a negative PCR test report of coronavirus not before 72 hours of arrival. Its borders had been open since July 30, 2020.

Read China Announces Visa Rider for India and 19 Other Countries

Egypt All visitors need to carry a negative PCR test report not longer than 72 hours prior to departure. The country has been reopened for tourists since July 1, 2020.

France The country reopened its borders from June 15, 2020, and for some third party nations, it was re-opened from July 1. Travellers need to carry a 72 hour prior negative PCR report.

Germany&nbspIt's not open for tourists right now. The country had reopened on June 15, but is currently under a five-step phased plan lockdown. The restrictions may ease after May.

Greece It had lifted the lockdown from June 1, and tourists were also welcomed. From July 1, even tourists from third party nations were allowed in. One can easily visit Greece, however there are a certain restrictions in place - such as, citizens would need to carry a 72 hours prior negative PCR report and would also need to quarantine for seven days.

Italy&nbspThe country started accepting visitors without restrictions from June 3 onwards. Only selected third party nations were allowed here from July 1. Now, a 48 hour prior PCR test or antigen is mandatory for arrival.

Malaysia It had opened borders for some select travellers from July, 2020 such as expat property owners, reciprocal green lane passengers and some other categories.

Maldives&nbspMaldives has been open since July, and it is ready for the post-vaccination travel boom. The country also plans to roll out a vaccine tourism initiative. Tourists need to have a 96-hour prior COVID-19 report. People from any part of the world are welcome. According to a PTI report, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has witnessed over 55,000 passengers fly to Maldives from Mumbai since the commencement of air services on the route, under the air bubble agreement, from August last year. The ease in travel restrictions have made Maldives a preferred destination among leisure travellers, CSMIA said. CSMIA is witnessing a steady increase in passenger traffic from Mumbai to the Maldives, with 56,000 passengers flying between the two destinations on around 410 flights operated till date, the private airport operator said in a statement. The country has even set a record for the most tourist arrivals.

Nepal&nbspOur Himalayan neighbour opened its borders from December 2020. Tourists need to have a 72 hours prior COVID-19 negative report to enter. According to reports in Kathmandu Post, all tourist visas have been restored, and foreign visitors are now free to fly into the country, the Department of Immigration said.

Russia A select few countries were allowed to visit from July 15. A negative COVID-19 PCR report is mandatory from 72 hours of departure.

South Africa It opened for tourism from October 1, announcing free visa for tourists from 11 countries. Tourists need to show a 72 hour prior COVID-19 negative report.

Spain It had reopened for tourists within the European Union on June 21, 2020. A negative PCR report of COVID-19 is necessary to enter the country.

Sri Lanka&nbspOur neighbour reopened borders from January 21, 2021 with a pretty relaxed set of rules for the first two weeks of their stay. Under these, tourists can free go where they choose provided they stay in approved hotels, visit approved sites at specific times, travel via independent transportation, undergo frequent testing, and refrain from intermingling with the local population. Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando referred to it as a &ldquonew concept&rdquo developed by the tourism authority &mdash which allows tourists to travel the country in &ldquobio bubbles,&rdquo or roving semi-isolated groups that let travellers sightsee without mixing with the local population. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has set a target of 800,000 foreign tourist arrivals for 2021. And we hear that the tourism department is working with the health authorities to recognise vaccinated travellers, who are encouraged to take PCR tests upon arrival and then continue to join the community with strict regulations in place. Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism, said that Sri Lanka is currently working with the Indian government on a travel bubble agreement to host destination weddings in Sri Lanka.

Switzerland It reopened its borders for 30 countries, from June 15, 2020. Passengers are to show their negative PCR report of COVID-19 to enter the country.

Thailand A few areas are open for selected tourists. Allows visitors under strict entry preconditions, which also includes a 14 day quarantine. For vaccinated visitors, it plans on shortening the quarantine to 7 days.

UAE (Dubai) Travel restrictions are not much in Dubai, UAE. It had officially opened its borders on July 7, 2020. A negative PCR report prior 96 hours is mandatory. Bookings for flights from India started in August last year.

UK The country is not open for international travel at the moment, it may resume from May onwards. The UK had opened its borders from June 2020.

USA Passengers coming from Europe, UK, Brazil, China and Iran are not allowed in the country at the moment. It is mandatory for all the citizens to carry their negative COVID-19 PCR report, even for residents who are returning home.

Zimbabwe It is open for tourists since October 1, 2020. Tourists must carry their negative PCR report taken within 48 hours.

Check out the dates for countries reopening for tourism

Albania &ndash July 1

Andorra &ndash July 1

Anguilla &ndash August 21

Antigua and Barbuda &ndash June 4

Armenia &ndash August 12

Aruba &ndash July 1

Austria &ndash June 16

Bahamas &ndash July 1

Bali (Indonesia) &ndash September 1

Barbados &ndash July 12

Belarus &ndash July 15

Belize &ndash August 15

Belgium &ndash June 15

Bermuda &ndash July 1

Bosnia and Herzegovina &ndash July 16

Brazil &ndash July 30

Bulgaria &ndash June 1

Cayman Islands &ndash October 1

Colombia &ndash Sept 21

Costa Rica &ndash August 1

Croatia &ndash June 1

Cuba &ndash July 1

Cura&ccedilao &ndash July 1

Cyprus &ndash June 1

Czech Republic &ndash June 15

Dominica &ndash August 7

Dominican Republic &ndash July 1

Egypt &ndash July 1

Estonia &ndash June 1

Finland &ndash July 15

France &ndash June 15

French Polynesia &ndash July 15

Georgia &ndash July 31

Germany &ndash June 15

Ghana &ndash September 1

Greece &ndash June 15

Grenada &ndash July 15

Guadeloupe &ndash July 1

Guatemala &ndash Sept 18

Haiti &ndash July 1

Honduras &ndash August 16

Iceland &ndash June 15

Ireland &ndash July 21

Italy &ndash June 3

Jamaica &ndash June 15

Jordan &ndash September 8

Kenya &ndash August 1

Kosovo &ndash June 28

Latvia &ndash July 1

Lebanon &ndash July 1

Luxembourg &ndash July 1

Maldives &ndash July 15

Malta &ndash July 1

Mexico &ndash June 8

Montenegro &ndash June 1

Netherlands &ndash June 15

Nepal &ndash September 1

Nicaragua &ndash October 1

Nigeria &ndash September 5

North Macedonia &ndash July 1

Panama &ndash Oct 12

Pakistan &ndash Oct 5

Poland &ndash June 13

Portugal &ndash June 15

Romania &ndash July 7

Russia &ndash July 15

Rwanda &ndash June 17

Serbia &ndash May 22

Seychelles &ndash June 1

Slovenia &ndash July 17

Spain &ndash June 21

Sri Lanka- postponed

St. Barths &ndash June 22

St. Kitts and Nevis &ndash October

St. Lucia &ndash June 4

St. Maarten &ndash July 1

St. Vincent and The Grenadines &ndash July 1

Sweden &ndash June 1

Switzerland &ndash June 15

Tanzania &ndash June 1

Thailand &ndash August 1

Tunisia &ndash June 27

Turkey &ndash June 10

Turks and Caicos &ndash July 22

UAE (Dubai) &ndash July 7

Uganda &ndash October 1

Ukraine &ndash June 15

U.S. Virgin Islands &ndash June 1

Zambia &ndash July

Zimbabwe &ndash October 1