The Nations Returning To Full Normality
After two years of travel nightmare, various countries have dropped all internal COVID-19 restrictions. That means no social distancing, no mask mandates, no limits on gatherings, and all indoor and outdoor entertainment and venues open without restrictions and curfews.
Therefore, these destinations are perfect for travelers in 2022:
(We will continue to update this article as new countries remove all internal covid restrictions, so be sure to check back often!)
1. The United Kingdom
The United Kingdom dropped all internal COVID-19 restrictions on July 19, 2021. The nation lauded it as ‘Freedom Day.’ After Omicron’s emergence, the British government enforced masks in shops and public transport and vaccine passports for events with over 10,000 people. As of last week, the British government has ended the mask mandate and vaccine passports.
- No laws on social distancing
- Zero vaccine passports
- No mask mandates in England
- Zero limits on social gatherings
- All tourist attractions open without restrictions
- No limits on opening hours
- All bars, nightclubs, and restaurants remain open
However, currently, you still have to self-isolate for 5 days (if you meet certain conditions) if you test positive for COVID-19. The British government will end this restriction in March. Therefore, if you test positive for COVID-19 in the United Kingdom—you won’t need to self-isolate anymore.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “As Covid becomes endemic, we will need to replace legal requirements with advice and guidance, urging people with the virus to be careful and considerate of others,”
“The self-isolation regulations expire on March 24, at which point I very much expect not to renew them.”
Current Entry Requirements:
From February 11, the British government no longer requires fully vaccinated travelers to take a test on or before arrival. Therefore, the U.K. is a test-free country. However, if you’re unvaccinated, you must book a PCR test before departure. You do not need to quarantine unless the test is positive.
2. Ireland
Ireland has ended most internal COVID-19 restrictions. From January 22, Ireland has ended the 8 pm curfew on bars, restaurants, pubs, and theaters. Visitors will no longer need to show proof of an EU Digital COVID certificate either. However, Ireland will still require masks in most buildings and public transportation. Ireland will reconsider its face mask laws on February 9.
- All tourist attractions are open
- No social distancing laws
- All bars, restaurants, and pubs are open
- Zero curfews
- No restrictions on travel within the country
Current Entry Requirements:
Ireland has scrapped most of its entry requirements. Fully vaccinated travelers no longer need to take a PCR test or an antigen test no longer than 72 hours before arrival. However, Ireland has recently added the booster shot to its fully vaccinated requirement. If you haven’t had your booster yet and your last dose was over 9 months ago, the Irish government classes you as unvaccinated.
3. Denmark
Denmark became the first EU nation to remove all COVID-19 restrictions last week. The Scandinavian nation—which has endured strict restrictions—has abolished all COVID-19 restrictions, including mask-wearing, social distancing, and the presentation of health passes for entry into places.
- All bars, restaurants, and cafes are open
- No social distancing laws
- Zero restrictions on gatherings
- No mandatory masks
- No restrictions on travel within the country
- Zero curfews
Current Entry Requirements:
Denmark doesn’t require fully vaccinated travelers to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test on arrival. Unvaccinated travelers from outside the EU must take a test within 24 hours of entry and stay in self-isolation for 10 days.
4. Sweden
Sweden has joined its Scandinavian neighbors today and removed all COVID-19 restrictions. The Swedish Prime Minister will announce an end to all restrictions on February 9. They will still recommend people stay at home if they’re ill and unvaccinated people should continue to apply special precautions.
- No mandatory masks
- Zero curfews
- No restrictions on travel within the country
- All tourist attractions are open
Sweden will remove all remaining restrictions, including minor restrictions on events and gatherings, next week.
Current Entry Requirements:
If you’re fully vaccinated, you can enter Sweden with no testing requirements from January 21. If you’re unvaccinated, you’ll need to take a test no more than 72 hours before departure. Sweden accepts PCR tests and antigen tests.
Countries That Almost Made The List
The following nations almost made the above list, but still have a few restrictions left, even if things have mostly returned to normal.
1. Mexico
Mexico removed all entry requirements, including the mandatory health form, on January 1, 2022. However, Mexico still has various internal restrictions—including mandatory masks in most indoor spaces, social distancing rules, and self-isolation rules.
So, despite the removal of entry requirements, Mexico doesn’t make this list because of internal restrictions.
2. El Salvador
El Salvador was the world’s first country to remove all entry restrictions and requirements in November 2021. Travelers to El Salvador no longer need negative COVID-19 tests or proof of vaccination.
However, El Salvador still has various internal COVID-19 restrictions. So it didn’t quite make the list.
3. South Africa
South Africa has become one of the first nations in Africa to remove almost all COVID-19 restrictions. This week, the government removed mandatory self-isolation for people with no symptoms and removal of self-isolation for people who come into close contact with someone who’s tested positive. If you have symptoms, you only have to self-isolate for 7 days instead of 10 days.
The only restrictions remaining in place are mandatory masks in public spaces and public transport. Although the nation is taking massive steps towards normality, there are still internal restrictions. So it didn’t quite make the list.
4. Norway
Norway removed most of its internal COVID-19 restrictions last summer, yet the government reintroduced some measures after Omicron emerged. As of February 2022, Norway has removed almost all of its COVID-19 restrictions once more. Therefore, there is no longer an 11 pm curfew on alcohol sales. They’ve also removed the capacity limits on indoor and outdoor events.
However, Norway still requires masks in indoor spaces and public transit, so it didn’t quite make the list.
