The emergence of the coronavirus has created an unprecedented multifaceted crisis as global stocks have been hit, unemployment has skyrocketed and oil prices have plummeted. With the threat of a global recession imminent, it is no exaggeration to say that the global economy is currently in a generally dire situation.

The travel industry has been one of the biggest blows to this attack, with passengers canceling vacations and business trips due to airline blockades and border closures, and is currently facing challenges. At first glance, this is an insurmountable risk.

Tourism accounts for a significant proportion of any country's annual GDP, and losing such a large pie has proven to be very damaging. As a result, governments around the world are struggling to find creative ways to somehow recover inbound cash flow associated with tourism and travel abroad. This creates a small thing called a "travel bubble".

The Travel Bubble, also known as the Travel Corridor and Corona Corridor, is essentially an exclusive partnership between two or more countries, with great success in containing and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic within their respective borders.

These countries reestablish ties between them by opening their borders and allowing people to move freely in the area without being quarantined upon arrival.

Warning: Non-exhaustive list. This section is continually updated when new travel bubbles are identified.

When the world became aware of this initiative, many began to follow it, or at least seriously consider the possibility of forming a block with their neighbors. Most countries generally view the concept of travel bubbles as leading to business recovery in some sectors.

EU-third country

The EU publishes a list of third countries where residents can enter the Schengen area. However, this list only recommends that Member States have the right to approve or deny. As of June 3, the list of third countries includes:

• Albania
• Australia
• China region of Hong Kong and Macau
• Japan
• Lebanon
• New Zealand
• Republic of North Macedonia
• Rwanda
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• United States of America

Germany-Exempt country

Germany has released an official list of exempt countries and has established driving lanes in the following countries and regions:

• Albania
• Australia
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• Lebanon
• Macau
• New Zealand
• North of Medonia
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• America

We also plan to expand the list to include China (as soon as the possibility of mutual entry is confirmed).

In addition, citizens of Germany and Europe, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland and their close relatives (spouse, unmarried minor children, minor parents) are exempt from travel restrictions.

Spain-Exempt country

Spain has mutual travel agreements with Albania, Australia, Japan, Lebanon, China (mutual confirmation required), New Zealand, Northern Macedonia, Rwanda, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and the United States.

Travelers can also enter Spain if they come from countries in the European Union and the Schengen area. For critical travel, all travelers arriving from high-risk areas must test negative for COVID-19 before departure.

From June 7th, travelers from all over the world will travel again for sightseeing in Spain if they have a valid vaccination certificate showing that they have been fully vaccinated 14 days before the trip. can.

In any case, if you are traveling from a high-risk country or region, you are required to have a negative PCR test within 48 hours before arriving in Spain. In addition, travel to Spain from the European Union and Schengen countries is permitted.

Some countries have restrictions or quarantine periods for people arriving from Spain. We recommend that you always check the requirements and recommendations of your destination country. You can also refer to this map provided by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (only available in Spanish).

Unfortunately, the travel bubble in Australia and New Zealand has collapsed. Due to the increasing number of COVID cases across Australia, non-quarantine trips between the two countries were inevitably stopped.

The Prime Ministers of Singapore and Australia said they would work to set up an air transport bubble. Among other things, the planned travel bubble includes travel without quarantine, thanks to mutual recognition of health and vaccination certificates.

Details regarding the date and timing have not yet been revealed.

Bali, the island of the gods, undergoes a series of test races by allowing foreign tourists from certain countries to visit three designated green spaces: Ubud, Sanur and Nusa Dua.

The designated area welcomes tourists arriving from certain countries with favorable epidemiological conditions, such as the Netherlands, China, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and other countries in the Middle East, and arranges individual travel corridors. Form Tourists have a negative PCR test before leaving for Bali and will need to be retested upon arrival. The Indonesian government also requires foreign visitors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The trial is scheduled to start in July 2021. Learn more about Bali's international reopening.

A non-quarantine round trip from the Cook Islands to Auckland is available.

To be able to book "non-quarantine" flights, you need to do the following:

• I haven't been abroad in the last 14 days outside of New Zealand, Australia and the Cook Islands.
• There is no reasonable reason to suspect that you may be infected with COVID-19, as determined by a properly qualified medical professional. This may include contact with cases of COVID-19 identified in the last 14 days, symptoms of COVID-19, and waiting for COVID-19 test results.

One-way non-quarantine is available from Niue to Auckland.

To be able to book "non-quarantine" flights, you need to do the following:

• I haven't been abroad in the last 14 days outside of Niue and New Zealand.
• No contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days.
• You must maintain a physical distance of 2 meters (as much as possible) from people at New Zealand Airport who have not arrived from Niue.
• Face covers must be worn at New Zealand Airport.
• There is no reasonable reason to suspect that you may be infected with COVID-19, asdetermined by a properly qualified medical professional. This includes:
• Contact with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the last 14 days
• Have symptoms of COVID-19
• Waiting for COVID-19 test results.

Indonesia-United Arab Emirates: After the suspension in February, Indonesian travelers will be able to re-enter the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under the Safe Travel Corridor Arrangement (STCA).

The Travel Bubble Agreement is intended for important business trips, such as businessmen and diplomats, rather than tourists. The transaction exempts you from two weeks of quarantine when traveling between the two countries. Travelers still need to adhere to strict health protocols.

Indonesia-Malaysia: A mutual travel bubble between Indonesia and Malaysia could approach the horizon as Indonesia reportedly issued a green light. However, details such as the schedule are undecided.

In a recent update, the Indonesian government reportedly discussed the possibility of establishing a safe travel corridor with officials from Belgium, France, Russia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Vietnam.

Singapore-Countries arranging Green / Fast Lane and Air Travel Passes

The Singaporean government allows entry for the following travel purposes:

Travelers who only need a short business trip to Singapore can use the following routes: Only travelers who have traveled to the listed countries / regions prior to their arrival in Singapore can use their respective lanes.

• Australia (excluding Victoria)
• Brunei Dal Salaam
• Mainland China (excluding Guangdong)
• New Zealand Mutual green lane
• Brunei Dal Salaam
• Mainland China (only for travelers from Chongqing, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Tianjin, Zhejiang)

Short-term visits by foreigners are currently only permitted in countries/regions where the risk of COVID-19 imports is low. The following lanes are available to foreign travelers who are short-term travelers who have traveled to the following countries/regions within the last 21 days.

• Australia (excluding Victoria)
• Brunei Dal Salaam
• Mainland China (excluding Guangdong)
• New Zealand

New entry after increased COVID transmission until notification is given to all long-term passholders who have traveled to high-risk countries / regions (ie, all countries / regions except Australia, Brunei and Hong Kong) Approval has been reduced or suspended. , Macau, Mainland China, New Zealand, Taiwan).

The Prime Minister of Vanuatu has announced the creation of a security bubble between Vanuatu and New Caledonia. From April, the so-called "Bubble Tam Tam" will facilitate travel between Melanesian neighbors without Covid. Travel is limited to Efate, the main island of Vanuatu.

However, the bubble is currently pending as reports of new cases of coronavirus have emerged in both countries.

Caribbean

The Aruba government has announced the reopening of the border to travelers from all countries and regions. In addition, the US "hotspot" state classification will be invalidated. Therefore, residents of 50 states may undergo a PCR test on arrival as part of the required online boarding / disembarking pass process. .. Ability to provide certified negative test results before traveling to Aruba at Aruba Airport.

The Government of Saint Lucia has identified and recognized the following countries as designated travel bubbles due to the low risk of COVID-19 infection: Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Saint Lucia has recently relaxed several island protocols for vaccinated travelers. Includes the ability to book a rental car or dine at more local restaurants.

Visitors who have stayed in the bubble country for at least 21 days just before arriving in Saint Lucia are exempt from quarantine. However, PCR tests performed 5 days before arrival in Saint Lucia must be negative and are subject to mandatory screening upon arrival.

United Arab Emirates-Bahrain, Greece, Seychelles, Serbia.

United Arab Emirates has established vaccine bubbles in Bahrain, Greece, Seychelles and Serbia. The safe travel bubble is intended for travelers who have been fully vaccinated with COVID-19. This arrangement means mutual recognition of vaccination certificates issued by their respective health authorities, allowing travelers to enjoy their trip without controlled isolation.

A possible travel bubble between the United Arab Emirates and the Maldives is reportedly underway. The official date has not been disclosed, but it is expected that a travel corridor will be set up in early June. Fully vaccinated travelers should be able to take advantage of this arrangement once it is officially implemented.

United Arab Emirates and Italian authorities have decided to safely reopen the bilateral travel corridor for passengers of all categories between the two countries and end the quarantine requirements.

The creation of the travel bubble allows travelers from the Arab Emirates to the Italian airports of Rome / Fiumicino, Venice / Marco Polo and Milan / Malpensa to travel to Italy for any purpose.

Travel bubbles are far from the ideal solution, but they are definitely a step in the right direction. As these airlifts emerge more and more, we can be confident that countries around the world are doing a great job of flattening the curves.

So far, these travel bubbles have proven to benefit those who want to get the economy back on track. Rest assured that for us travelers, the travel bubble is a clear sign that we may soon be able to explore the world again.