Heathrow and Gatwick: Latest travel advice for USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean

Summer is on the way and a lot of us are beginning to plan out a holiday. With the pandemic still looming in the backgrounds, there’s still more to consider this year than there has been in years gone by.

While Covid-19 restrictions have been eased in many parts of the world the coronavirus has not gone away and rules vary from country to country. MyLondon has compiled the latest travel updates for USA, Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean islands.

All information is from the UK Foreign Office and accurate as of publication. Restrictions and travel rules for journeys abroad may change at short notice.

READ MORE: Latest travel rules for Spain, Ibiza, Mallorca, Tenerife and Lanzarote

USA

Travellers to America will need to be able to show proof of their vaccination. The US government will accept vaccinations administered by AstraZeneca, BIBP/Sinopharm, Covishield, Janssen, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Sinovac.

All passengers will be required to show a negative Covid-19 test taken no more than 24 hours before departure. If you’re fully vaccinated then you will not need to quarantine. Those who are unvaccinated cannot enter the country unless they have an exception or are a US citizen, national or permanent resident.

Canada

The Canadian Government recently announced further relaxation of border measures. Those who aren’t vaccinated still require pre-entry tests but vaccinated travellers no longer need to test before arrival. Previously, vaccinated passengers were expected to provide a quarantine plan upon entry but that requirement has been scrapped.

Fully vaccinated travellers entering the country will no longer be required to wear masks in public spaces, though travellers after still expected to wear a mask throughout travels.

Mexico

Mexico has enforced some of the more relaxed rules in regards to international travel throughout much of the pandemic. There are currently no rules for travellers entering the country, such as quarantine requirements or vaccine expectations.

The land border between Mexico and the US is now open for travellers going to the US who have been vaccinated with WHO approved Covid vaccines. The closure will still be in effect for non-vaccinated travellers due to the USA’s rules, and applies primarily to tourism and recreational travel. Cargo, trade and healthcare workers will still be able to cross the border.

The only expectation that travellers should be aware of is that upon arrival in Mexico you will be asked to fill out a Health Questionnaire. This document is available in Spanish and English.

The Caribbean

In Barbados, masks will need to be worn throughout the journey to Barbados as well as when you arrive, with social distancing and hygiene protocols in place. According to the Foreign Office travel advice, all travellers wanting to enter Barbados will also need to present a number of tests. Fully vaccinated passengers will not need to quarantine but those without full vaccination status must quarantine in an approve facility.

The rules are similar for St Lucia where those who are vaccinated must present a negative rapid Covid-19 antigen test or a Rapid Covid-19 PCR test must be taken one day prior to entering. The St Lucia Tourism Authority website states: “Guests who are not fully vaccinated are required to remain on property for the duration of their stay for stays of up to 7 days, or for the first 7 days if their stay is 8 days or more, except to transfer to another Covid-19 certified property to continue their stay, or to participate in certified activities, tours, and excursions.

“After 7 days in COVID certified accommodation, international visitors who are not vaccinated may remain in COVID certified accommodation and continue to observe the protocols for stays in this type of accommodation, and they will also enjoy expanded access to the destination.”

Anyone travelling to Jamaica aged 12 years and above will need to present a certificate issued by a UKAS accredited laboratory showing a negative COVID-19 molecular or Antigen test result, with the test taken within the 72 hours prior to the date of travel. Fully vaccinated visitors presenting a negative test is exempt from quarantine or post-travel testing on arrival. Anyone may be screened for symptoms at the airport.

For those who are not fully vaccinated and want to travel to Jamaica whether it is for tourism purposes or if you are a resident, a quarantine process must take place.

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