The 8 top international destinations and COVID-19 restrictions for Charlotte travelers
Travel just isn’t what it used to be. In the days before the pandemic brought international travel to a complete standstill, U.S. citizens who were desperate to satisfy their wanderlust could go wherever they wanted without regard to travel restrictions.
Now, COVID-19 is the foremost concern for most travelers while planning trips. International travel isn’t entirely impossible now that many regions, such as Hong Kong, are easing restrictions and dropping travel bans. It just means adjustments must be made before traveling to countries you may have otherwise visited without trouble before the pandemic.
According to pre-COVID data from the data research site Statista, Mexico; Canada; United Kingdom; Italy; France; Dominican Republic; Spain; and Germany are the top international destinations for U.S. travelers.
Here are each of those countries’ most recent COVID-related travel restrictions:
Mexico
Quarantine: Not required.
Negative test: Not required.
Vaccination: Not required.
U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory: Level 3 – High risk
Flight information: Multiple airlines offer flights (with stops) to various cities in Mexico from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. American Airlines offers direct, nonstop flights to Cancún from Charlotte.
Canada
Quarantine: Not required.
Negative test: A negative PCR test administered within 72 hours of arrival or a negative antigen test administered within 48 hours of arrival is required for visitors over the age of 5. Some travelers will be selected for random testing upon arrival. Children under the age of 5 are exempt from random testing. After April 1, visitors who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required to show a negative test result.
Vaccination: Required, unless qualified for an exemption or under 12
U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory: Level 4 – Very high risk
Flight information: Multiple airlines offer flights (with stops) to various cities in Canada from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. American Airlines offers direct, nonstop flights to Toronto from Charlotte.
United Kingdom
Quarantine: Not required.
Negative test: Not required.
Vaccination: Not required.
U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory: Level 4 – Very high risk
Flight information: Multiple airlines offer flights (with stops) to various cities in United Kingdom from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. American Airlines and offer limited direct, nonstop flights to London’s Heathrow from Charlotte.
Italy
Quarantine: Not required.
Negative test: A negative PCR test administered within 72 hours of arrival or a negative antigen test administered within 48 hours of arrival is required before entry can be granted. Travelers who have proof of vaccination are exempt from this requirement.
Vaccination: Required. Travelers who have a negative PCR test administered within 72 hours of arrival or a negative antigen test administered within 48 hours of arrival are exempt from this requirement.
U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory: Level 4 – Very high risk
Flight information: Multiple airlines offer flights (with stops) to various cities in Italy from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. American Airlines offers limited direct, nonstop flights to Rome from Charlotte.
France
Quarantine: Not required
Negative test: A negative PCR test administered within 72 hours of arrival or a negative antigen test administered within 48 hours of arrival is required before entry to France can be granted. Travelers who have proof of vaccination are exempt from this requirement.
Vaccination: Required. Travelers who have a negative PCR test administered within 72 hours of arrival or a negative antigen test administered within 48 hours of arrival are exempt from this requirement.
U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory: Level 4 – Very high risk
Flight information: Multiple airlines offer flights (with stops) to various cities in France from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. American Airlines offers nonstop flights to this destination.
Dominican Republic
Quarantine: Not required
Negative test: Some travelers will be selected for random testing upon arrival. Children under the age of 7 are exempt from random testing. Travelers who are fully vaccinated or have a negative PCR or antigen test administered within 72 hours of arrival are also exempt from random testing.
Vaccination: Not required, but travelers must complete an electronic travel form ahead of arrival. Temperatures will be checked upon arrival.
U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory: Level 3 – High risk.
Flight information: Multiple airlines offer flights (with stops) to various cities in the Dominican Republic from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. American Airlines offers limited direct, nonstop flights to Punta Cana from Charlotte.
Spain
Quarantine: Not required
Negative test: A negative PCR test administered within 72 hours of arrival is required for travelers aged 12 to 18 unless they are fully vaccinated. Children under the age of 12 are exempt from this requirement.
Vaccination: Required unless a certificate of recovery that has not surpassed 180 days can be presented. In order for a vaccination to be considered valid, the final dose must be administered within the nine months leading up to arrival.
U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory: Level 4 – Very high risk
Flight information: Multiple airlines offer flights (with stops) to various cities in Spain from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. American Airlines offers limited direct, nonstop flights to Madrid from Charlotte.
Germany
Quarantine: Not required.
Negative test: Not required.
Vaccination: Required, unless the visitor is under the age of 12 and can provide a valid certificate of recovery from within six months leading up to arrival or a negative PCR or antigen test administered within 48 hours of arrival. Children under the age of 6 are fully exempt from this requirement.
U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory: Level 4: Very high risk.
Flight information: Multiple airlines offer flights (with stops) to various cities in Germany from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Lufthansa and American Airlines offer limited direct, nonstop flights to Frankfurt and Munich from Charlotte.
