COVID-19 updates: Thailand and Antigua/Barbuda loosen restrictions and CDC relaxes cruise guidelines
Popular vacation destinations are continuing to loosen their COVID-19 protocols as many people are making spring and summer travel plans. While we continue to track the latest changes around the world in our country-by-country guide to coronavirus reopenings, below are the latest changes announced.
Thailand easing pre-travel testing requirements
Thailand is making a key change to the protocols for its three schemes for entering the country. Visitors entering Thailand under the Test & Go, Sandbox and Alternative Quarantine programs will no longer have to present a pre-travel negative COVID-19 test.
The changes, announced by Thailand’s Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration, take effect April 1.
It’s important to note that visitors will still have to undergo testing after arriving in the country, but this newest development does eliminate the pre-travel test requirement.
For both the Test & Go and Sandbox schemes, visitors (who must be vaccinated) will have to undergo a PCR test upon arrival to Thailand. Then travelers will be expected to complete an antigen self-test five days after arrival.
Thailand’s Test & Go scheme involves testing and then spending a night in a government-approved hotel while awaiting the result, and then testing again five days later.
The Sandbox program allows visitors to roam freely in certain designated regions for a period of time, before being allowed to travel throughout Thailand. As part of the changes, the time in the "sandbox" will be reduced from seven days to five, beginning April 1.
Related: Planning a trip to Thailand
Thailand is also opening an eighth airport to international arrivals. Beginning April 1, international flights can arrive at Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) in the Songkhla Province.
The relaxed requirements come even as the CDC continues to caution about travel to Thailand. In its guidance on March 7, the CDC placed Thailand at “Level 4” on its travel health notice, which said: “Avoid travel to Thailand. If you must travel to Thailand, make sure you are vaccinated and up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before travel.”
In its announcement about the changes, the Tourism Authority of Thailand said these modifications are taking effect “as the kingdom prepares a four-step phase plan to downgrade the COVID-19 pandemic to an endemic disease.”
Antigua and Barbuda lifting COVID-19 restrictions
There’s been more good news in recent days for travelers hoping to vacation to the Caribbean. The twin island nation of Antigua and Barbuda announced late last week, it will lift testing requirements for fully vaccinated visitors.
Related: Aruba drops all restrictions
The changes, announced Thursday, took effect immediately. Previously, visitors had to present a negative test result regardless of vaccination status.
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority said this will reduce costs for travelers, and may prove to be a compelling incentive for fully vaccinated visitors to book travel to the country. The organization said it hopes this will help tourism rebound.
Leaders declared the nation “fully open” as part of the announcement.
“Our aim is to continue to ensure travelers have a safe vacation in Antigua and Barbuda, in adherence with the COVID-19 protocols created by the Government to responsibly manage the various stages of the pandemic and maintain the health and safety of the population,” Antigua and Barbuda’s minister of tourism and investment Charles Fernandez said in a statement.
Fully vaccinated passengers who do show potential COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival may be required to submit a test at their own expense.
Changes to some cruise protocols
The CDC also quietly made some changes on Friday to its technical instructions for cruise ships operating within its COVID-19 program.
They are not major, sweeping changes, but could certainly have an impact on your experience while on board or if you were exposed to COVID-19 on your trip.
Cruise ship operators can now resume interactive experiences. According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the change means ship operators can host experiences like galley tours and cooking classes.
Related: Will I need a COVID-19 Vaccine to Cruise?
The other change by the CDC allows passengers who came in contact with someone who has COVID-19 to quarantine in their own cabin, with two caveats: they must be the only person in their cabin and the ship must be within 36 hours of disembarkment.
CLIA called these modifications by the CDC, “welcome changes."
The new guidance comes days after the CDC also lowered its travel health notice for cruise ships from "Level 3: High" to "Level 2: Moderate." This means the CDC advises travelers going on a cruise be up to date on COVID-19 vaccines before the trip, and to avoid travel only if they are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Bottom line
While some countries, territories and industries are shedding COVID-19 restrictions more quickly than others, there continues to be a noticeable shift toward fewer requirements. As you plan international travel, be sure to keep a close eye on the rules as protocols continue to change daily.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.