Laura Gohl - Jun 17, 2020
A few weeks ago, it felt like we would be stuck at home forever. But now, slowly but surely, destinations are reopening as they figure out how to welcome visitors back. Though most governments currently advise against non-essential travel, vacation possibilities for those chomping at the bit to get back out into the world are looking good this summer. Before you book any trips, we recommend you research local travel restrictions to follow the guidance of health and government officials.
The Sunshine state is increasingly open for business, with Florida beaches, bars, restaurants, retail stores and museums opening up as they meet social distancing guidelines. The Florida Keys began welcoming visitors on June 1st, and Walt Disney World theme parks will open on July 11th. Disney Vacation Club properties at Walt Disney World and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will begin to reopen to members and guests a little later, on June 22nd.
The lights are coming back on at the Las Vegas Strip, or at least they’ve started to! Many hotels, restaurants and casinos have reopened, along with their pools (albeit with reduced capacity), for those looking to brave the summer heat. The famous Bellagio fountains started up again on June 4th, as did the High Roller observation wheel and the New York-New York roller coaster.
Most local municipalities lifted restrictions and allowed hotels and vacation rentals to begin accepting guests from May 1st. Zoos and museums are open again in Myrtle Beach, and Charleston’s famous restaurants were approved for outdoor patio service at the beginning of May. Though hotels were never officially ordered to close, the majority made the decision to shut down throughout spring to regroup and focus on safety. Happily, they are now taking bookings again, just in time for the summer beach season.
As of May 27th, Utah entered the “yellow, low-risk phase” of the state’s reopening plan. That means hotels, restaurants, and bars are all open for business, but with extra vigilance when it comes to social distancing. Even better news: Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks are also open to visitors once more, so you can get that nature fix you’ve been craving.
Towards the tail end of May, Santa Barbara County was approved for the “accelerated stage 2 path to opening” by the California Department of Public Health. Hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses who want to reopen must first review state and local guidance, complete a COVID-19 Prevention Plan and self-certify that they can open safely. As of right now, many hotels and resorts have taken the appropriate measures and are welcoming tourists back.
With Santa Fe making strides towards flattening the curve, despite the loosening of some restrictions during the spring, the city was given the go-ahead to begin a more thorough reopening as of June 1st. At this time, hotels are able to operate at 50% capacity, and restaurants may offer indoor and outdoor dining with 50% capacity and a maximum of six diners per table.
Wyoming, the country’s least populous state, has managed to keep the virus at bay so far. Though medical resources are worryingly limited, the state is reliant on tourism to support local businesses, so the authorities approved a tentative plan to begin hosting visitors this summer. Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks opened on Memorial Day weekend, with reduced facilities and access. Nearby, Jackson Hole is asking for all visitors to read and abide by its Clean, Careful, Connected guidelines. Find out more about being “responsibly wild” here.
Iceland is a pandemic management success story; the island nation has virtually eliminated the virus, and with just one entry point – Keflavik airport in Reykjavik – and strict rules, the government believes it will be able to offer tourists memorable vacations without risk. Visitors have three options: present results from a recent COVID-19 test, quarantine for two weeks, or take a test on arrival at the airport (results should take less than 24 hours, during which you’ll be asked to shelter in place at your hotel). If the test comes back positive, you — and anyone you’ve been close to — will be notified and required to self-quarantine until you’ve recovered. If it’s negative, you can travel as normal.
Mexico’s most beloved beach destinations, including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Riviera Maya, Akumal, and Tulum, are officially open – though primarily for domestic visitors at the moment. International flight schedules are expected to resume by the beginning of July, with health screenings like temperature checks for visitors when they arrive. Be aware that the Mexican government has struggled to keep the virus under control, and the reopening has been judged by many as premature.
St. Lucia, which closed its borders to visitors on March 23rd, has less than 20 confirmed cases and no deaths. Keen to restart its visitor economy, the Caribbean island began a phased reopening on June 4th, with a few stipulations. Upon arrival, tourists must present “certified proof” of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the last 48 hours. They will also undergo a temperature check and should be prepared to wear masks and maintain social distancing during their trip. Hotels and local businesses have been allowed to open, provided they take appropriate measures to enforce proper sanitization and social distancing.
Greece seems to be one of the only European nations that’s considering allowing US citizens to visit this summer. From June 15–30, the country will implement a similar protocol to Iceland: international arrivals at Athens and Thessaloniki airports will take a COVID-19 test and await the results at a hotel. Those who test positive will quarantine for two weeks. However, as of July, all of Greece’s airports will reopen, and authorities will be conducting spot tests on new arrivals. The government has yet to confirm whether American tourists will be welcomed just yet.
The reopening date for Turks & Caicos is slated for July 22nd, though details on pandemic protocol still haven’t been outlined. From mid-June, hotels, restaurants, retail stores, and churches will begin a slow reopening, ahead of opening to foreign tourists. The tourism board has hinted that tourists can expect the usual precautions once they arrive: PPE, social distancing measures, and increased cleaning protocols.
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