The pandemic did manage to spare a few countries around the world, and though most of them are countries you've probably never heard of in the far Oceania and Pacific Islands, now is a good to time to know/visit them! Some of the countries in this list closed borders at the right time and took the necessary precautions to flatten the curve, hence giving them the COVID free status as of today. If you're planning your next vacation, here are some countries you should consider.
Where can you travel right now?
COVID-Free Countries
1. Vatican City
While Vatican is close to Rome which was heavily impacted by the virus, as of June 6, 2020, Vatican was declared COVID free after all its 12 patients recovered. There has been no relapse of cases at the Holy See since.
2. Kiribati, Oceania
Kiribati has had no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within its borders. Entry restrictions were announced for travelers to Kiribati originating from countries with ongoing local transmission of COVID-19 in early March. Kiribati medical officials have issued a travel advisory requiring travelers from countries with ongoing local transmission of novel coronavirus to spend at least 14 days in a country free of the virus before traveling to Kiribati, and to provide a medical clearance to confirm that they are virus-free.
3. Micronesia, Oceania
Micronesia, made up of the island states of Pohnpei, Kosrae, Chuuk and Yap banned entry to anyone (airline crew excluded) who has been in any country with a confirmed case of coronavirus as of February. No one who has been in China since January 2020 is allowed to enter Micronesia, quarantine or not. Micronesia has also banned its own citizens from traveling to affected countries, essentially sequestering itself from the rest of the world. All of these stringent measures in place, the island nation has managed to stay COVID free through the pandemic.
4. Saint Kitts and Nevis
The West Indies nation was declared COVID free on May 19, when all of its confirmed cases recovered. Saint Kitts and Nevis has a population of just 52,441 and recorded its first cases on March 24. In order to contain the spread, the state closed its airports, schools and non-essential businesses, besides ordering a curfew and mandatory wearing of masks.
5. Nauru
Nauru is a country so small that you can walk around it in one day and holds the record for being one of the least visited countries, alongside Tuvalu. It has managed to stay coronavirus-free since the beginning.
6. Pitcairn Islands
Pitcairn Islands is a a group of four volcanic islands located in the Southern Pacific Ocean. A British overseas territory inhabited by Euronesians, currently has zero recorded COVID-19 cases. The govenrment has taken strict measures to protect the Pitcairn community (approximately 50 inhabitants) from the ongoing pandemic.
7.North Korea
North Korea was the first country to close its borders as soon as the first few cases trickled around
the world. Being a neighbour of China, the country closed its border on January 21st and hasn't reopened
since. Stringent measures have been set in place for those entering the country, even a 2-month
quarantine.
8. Saint Helena
Another British overseas territory with a poplulation of roughly 4500-5000 people, is located thousands of miles off the coast of Rio De Janeiro. The goverment of Saint Helena has also been succesful in giving 60-65% of the population their first dose of the vaccine.
9. Tonga, Oceania
Tonga has been strict with travel rules since February, especially when the bordering island of Fiji first reported cases of coronavirus. Borders were sealed to foreigners. Tonga was on a complete lockdown since the end of March, until they started repatriation flights for Tongans in mid-July to get Tongans back from Fiji. The flight was limited to less than 60 people, all of who were put under strict quarantine at the same hotel in town.
10. Palau, Oceania
Palau, one of a handful of countries globally with zero cases of coronavirus closed its borders on 22 March and ever since, the country has grappled with how to bring home its citizens, trapped abroad, particularly in the US, without importing the virus. There was previously one person under investigation for having coronavirus after having travelled from Guam, however, he tested negative. At the onset of the pandemic, the government beefed up health services, building in less than a week quarantine facilities, an isolation unit and a virus laboratory that completed its first 31 locally-administered tests on Tuesday, in a first for any Pacific nation.
11. Tuvalu, Oceania
Tuvalu often ranks among the least visited country in the world and sees fewer than 200 tourists per year. This is possibly why it remains COVID free and thankfully so as the country's population is no more than 11,807.
12. Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan, a country in Central Asia bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran, and
Afghanistan - all countries with reports of coronavirus infections. However, most of the land borders
were closed early on, and in early February Turkmenistan cancelled many flights and all flights to and
from China. The country also diverted all incoming international flights to Turkmenabat, the country's
second-largest city where a special quarantine zone was created to check passengers for symptoms. There
were rumours about the country masking its numbers and that Turkmenistan had allegedly "banned" the word
Coronavirus (obviously not true), there is no evidence backing their claims.
COVID Safe Countries to Visit in 2021
A study by the Deep Knowledge Group, a consortium of commercial and non-profit organisations reveals the safest countries in the post COVID world. The rankings were decided basis a total score of 752 points against all 130 parameters under categories of quarantine efficiency, healthcare readiness, risk management among others. Switzerland topped the list as the ‘Safest Country to Travel’ in the post COVID world while South Sudan finished at the bottom of the list of 200 countries.
It's interesting to note that in mid-April, Israel and Germany held the top two slots, while Switzerland ranked 11th.
The 250-page report is based on 500 data sources, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Johns Hopkins University, Worldometers and the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Here is a list of countries open for travel.
As of June 2021, here are the top 20 safest countries in the post-COVID world:
1
Switzerland2
Germany3
Israel4
Singapore5
Japan
6
Austria7
China8
Australia9
New Zealand10
South Korea
11
United Arab Emirates12
Canada13
Hong Kong14
Norway15
Denmark
16
Taiwan17
Saudi Arabia18
Hungary19
Netherlands20
Vietnam
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If you're looking to travel within Europe, here are the top 5 COVID safe destinations in Europe.
1. Georgia
No quarantine required
Georgia was one of the world's least-affected countries by coronavirus. The capital city of Tbilisi is an
ideal destination for culture, gastronomy, diversity and architecture. The country has taken special efforts
for safe tourism and there's no better time to visit this hidden gem.
2. Austria
Health certificate required
Vienna in Austria is one of the most favoured travel destinations in the world and also boasts the best
quality of life in Europe. From nature lovers to museum buffs, there's plenty to do in Vienna. Its Christmas
markets are also ranked among the best in Europe, so you know where to head for a safe experience this
December!
3. Croatia
No quarantine required
Croatia has been rather preserved by coronavirus with up to 20 times fewer infected people than in any other
European country. It is well-equipped in healthcare and also has more hospital beds per inhabitant than most
European countries. The handful of cases that cropped in the country were taken care of well and now it ranks
high among the COVID safe countries in the world. The fact that it has a large selection of private villas,
tourist apartments and is a melody of gastronomy, culture, nature and water sports is a cherry on top!
4. Portugal
No quarantine required
Certain regions in Portugal - Algarve, Lagos and the Alentejo are almost corona-free. From beaches framed by
golden rugged cliffs and lapis lazuli waters, to traditional architecture and vibrant streets, the country is
an exquisite getaway and not to mention COVID safe too.
5. Greece
Conditional quarantine policy
Greece is one of the least affected countries in Europe (up to 50 times less people infected than in the most
affected European countries). The paradisiacal Greek island of Corfu is just the place for sun bathing and
relaxing - not to mention it's completely COVID safe. However, except for tourists from certain countries, all
others are required to go through quarantine.
Quarantine Free Countries Checker
Traveling to a new place and staying in quarantine is no fun. However, there are quite a few countries that are now quarantine-free, which means you do not have to be cooped up in your resort for the first 14 days! Here's our Quarantine Checker which tells you what the quarantine rules for each country are. Simply search on our live table (updated daily).
Head here for a complete list of Countries without Quarantine.
Before you pack your bags and set off to your favourite COVID-free destination, here's our essential post-COVID packing checklist for a safe trip.