COVID-19 Information for Globetrotting Destinations

In the spotlight

With the COVID-19 situation evolving on a daily basis and so much variation in countries’ travel rules and restrictions, we decided to create this article as a resource for those who are considering (or have booked) a horse riding holiday. Here you’ll find all the relevant information and updates on COVID-19 in all of our Globetrotting destinations, as well as links to trustworthy websites for more detailed information.

We will do our best to keep this article updated with current information over the coming months, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding your holiday.

*DISCLAIMER: while we will try to update this article as regularly as we can, information and regulations are changing by the hour. To ensure you’re getting the most accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend checking the relevant government websites and/or the reputable sources we have listed for each country.

Worldwide

The IATA (International Air Transport Association) has created an incredible interactive map showing the travel restrictions in every country at a glance, with details for every country available at a click. Check it out here.

Argentina

The Argentine Government announced that effective November 1, 2021, foreign tourists are permitted to enter, but must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before their arrival in Argentina. Along with proof of vaccination, travellers must present a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to their flight, fill out an electronic health declaration form no more than 48 hours prior to their flight, and have medical travel insurance that includes hospitalisation, quarantine, and transportation coverage of COVID-19.

For more information in English, the U.S. Embassy website is a good place to start.

Australia

Covid related restrictions and regulations vary state by state, but as of February 21st, Australia is open to international tourists who are fully vaccinated. Those who aren’t fully vaccinated must qualify for an exemption. Before flying to Australia, all travellers must submit a Digital Passenger Declaration within the 72 hours prior to their departure. This also involves uploading negative PCR or NAAT test results from within three days prior to the scheduled departure, or a negative result from a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of departure.

Some state borders are still closed and/or require travellers to quarantine on arrival. For health advice and links to each state’s COVID-19 website, visit the Australian Department of Health.

Botswana

International visitors can now travel to Botswana as long as they provide either proof of vaccination or negative PCR test results from no more than 72 hours prior to departure. Those who are unvaccinated must be willing to be vaccinated by trained staff upon arrival at the airport.

There is little information available on the government website, but the U.S. Embassy and the Australian Smartraveller website are both quite helpful.

Brazil

Foreigners can now travel to Brazil by air or overland (not by sea) for stays of up to 90 days as long as they provide a Traveller’s Health Declaration (DSV), proof of vaccination, and a negative COVID test result from no more than 72 hours prior to departure. Those who are exempt from vaccination may need to self-quarantine for up to 14 days.

For more information in English, we recommend the U.S. Embassy website.

Canada

Canada is now allowing fully vaccinated international travellers who have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19 to enter the country without quarantining. You will need to use ArriveCAN to log your vaccination details and your quarantine plan (don’t worry, if all goes smoothly, you won’t need to quarantine), and on arrival you’ll need to present a negative PCR or molecular COVID test from within 72 hours of your flight’s departure (or your planned entry into Canada by car).

For more information and health advice, visit the Canadian Government website.

France

France has created four categories in its approach to international travel: scarlet, red, orange and green. Travellers coming from green and orange countries can enter France with proof of vaccination and a sworn statement that they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 nor contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, while unvaccinated travellers must have a compelling reason for travel, have a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours of departure or a negative antigen test 48 hours before departure, and may be retested upon arrival. The red and scarlet categories are not currently in effect.
Proof of vaccination is required for restaurants, hotels, long distance transportation and cultural venues. Most places accept CDC cards, but it’s recommended that visitors attain a digital French health pass, which is universally accepted.

For more information, you can visit the French government’s coronavirus webpage, the U.S. Embassy or Australia’s Smartraveller website.

Iceland

To travel to Iceland, you will need either proof of vaccination or proof of full recovery from COVID-19, along with a negative PCR or antigen test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure. Unvaccinated travellers will need to qualify for an exemption and undergo testing and quarantine.

Iceland’s official COVID-19 website has a lot of helpful and clear information.

Indonesia

Indonesia is now open to international tourists, but at the time of writing, quarantine periods of 3-7 days still apply. Those who are fully vaccinated must show proof of vaccination; those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical conditions will be exempted as long as they present supporting documentation. Visitors must also present a negative PCR test from within 48 hours of departure.

For more information, we suggest heading to the Indonesia Travel website or the U.S. Embassy website.

Ireland

All visitors to Ireland must fill out a Passenger Locator Form prior to departure. Proof of vaccination, proof of recovery from COVID-19 or proof of a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours of departure are also required.

For health advice and detailed information, visit the Irish government website or Citizens Information website.

Italy

Italy has opened its borders to tourists from almost all countries; for the full up-to-date list, visit the Italia COVID-19 website, which explains the restrictions and requirements for each country. Generally speaking, visitors from most countries do not need to quarantine, but must fill out a Passenger Locator Form prior to arrival and present proof of vaccination, proof of full recovery from COVID-19 in the past 180 days, or proof of a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours of departure.

For more information, visit the Italia COVID-19 website.

Kenya

Kenya has now reopened its borders to tourists who are either fully vaccinated, have recovered from COVID-19 within 90 days of arrival, or are medically exempt from vaccination. Travellers need to fill in a health declaration and take a PCR test no more than 96 hours before your flight to Kenya departs. On arrival you’ll need to present negative PCR test results from within 72 hours of departure alongside your health declaration. As long as you don’t have a temperature higher than 37.5° C or show symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival, you will not need to quarantine.

The Kenyan e-visa website offers clear information.

Mongolia

This website is updated daily with the latest information in English, and the U.S. Embassy website has useful information, too.

Morocco

Morocco reopened its borders to international tourists on the 7th of February. To visit Morocco, you must present proof of vaccination and negative PCR test results from within 48 hours of departure.

For more information, visit the Moroccan Tourism website or the U.S. Embassy.

Namibia

All foreign travellers to Namibia must present a negative PCR test result from their country of departure that is not older than 72 hours. Only COVID-19 certificates obtained from providers participating in the Trusted Travel platform or verified on the Global Haven system are valid for entry into and exit from Namibia.

The Namibian U.S. Embassy is the best source of detailed information.

New Zealand

International travel is closed to everyone except citizens and residents of New Zealand and those who can prove they have a critical purpose to enter New Zealand. New Zealand’s borders will gradually be opening over several phases from March until October.

For detailed and up-to-date information, visit New Zealand’s official COVID-19 website or the Immigration website.

Portugal

Travellers from most parts of the world must present a negative test no more than 24 hours old (Rapid Antigen Test) or 72 hours old (RT-PCR test) at the time of their flight’s departure, regardless of their vaccination status. However, travelers with an EU Digital COVID Certificate or proof of vaccination issued in one of several approved countries are exempt. All travellers must also fill out a passenger locator form.

The rules vary by country of origin, so please visit Portugal’s tourism website for more details.

Spain

Spain is welcoming travellers regardless of their vaccination status, provided they comply with any requirements that may be in place depending on the risk factor of the country they are coming from. Those coming from a country/area considered at high risk for COVID-19 must present a certificate or document certifying vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 and negative test results.

For more information in English, visit the Spanish government website or TravelSafe Spain.

Tanzania

Foreign visitors to Tanzania need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test performed no more than 96 hours prior to departure, fill in an online health statement when checking in to their flight, complete a Traveler’s Surveillance Form and present it to the Port Health Authorities upon arrival and take a COVID-19 rapid test upon arrival.

Explore Tanzania and Tanzania Visas are two excellent sources of information in English.

United Kingdom (Scotland and England)

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have their own health policies, but at the moment England, Scotland and Wales are welcoming international travellers. In England and Wales, vaccinated visitors only need to complete a passenger locator form in the 48 hours before arrival. Unvaccinated travellers must take a COVID-19 test in the two days before departure, book and pay for a PCR test to be taken in the first 48 hours after arrival, and follow public health advice if the test result is positive or unclear. In Scotland, the rules are the same, except unvaccinated travellers don’t need to take a PCR test after arrival.

For more information, visit the UK government website.

United States

Visitors to the United States are welcome, but those over the age of 18 must provide evidence of full vaccination unless they qualify for an exemption. US states have their own quarantine requirements for new arrivals from overseas and/or for domestic travel from other US states. Further information can be found on the websites of the individual states.

For more information, visit Travel.State.Gov or the CDC COVID-19 website.