Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required?

[epowell]

[My hope is that this thread can become a kind of REAL-TIME info-source where people on the ground in countries all around the world can post info pertaining to whatever we need to know with regard to making van trips to and thru different places.]

That time of the year again is approaching fast, - now planning:
1) Summer trip around the Balkans in GEorge
2) Late Summer trip to B.C. to visit my other van "Antonio"

I am sure we all have slightly different opinions regarding What the Henry has happen over the last 3 months - but I'll say right from the start that I strongly prefer not even to have to take a Covid test, so if that means just staying at home all Summer and not even making my annual trip to Canada to visit "Antonio" and my elderly Mom, then so be it.

Here is Czech the lockdown was never so strict but the borders all closed. Now they are re-opening and you can leave the country, but when you return you are REQUIRED TO TAKE A COVID TEST ($150US you must pay). So until this requirement drops I won't be leaving the country.

The good news is that we are now hearing that all the EU will be opening in June and all manditory COVID testing will also be dropped... if this is the case, we will be really happy because we intend to take off in GEorge for at least all of July - head from Czech thru Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, to Albania and maybe Greece/Kosovo etc.

My hope is that this thread can become a kind of REAL-TIME info-source where people on the ground in countries all around the world can post info pertaining to whatever we need to know with regard to making van trips to and thru different places.

For example if you know for a fact that your country is OPEN (and if COVID TEST will or will-not be required), this will be great. And once the Summer progresses people actually travelling can post here describing their experiences getting thru various border crossings.

- - -

Other info that would be very nice to have will be what is happening around the world regarding AIR travel. I personally am very concerned about this - I have 2 homes half way around the world from eachother, vans in both places as well as family and other assets. Again, I strongly prefer not to have to take any COVID tests, and Vaccination (should that become available and required for travel) - so I foresee a potential problematic future with regarding to visiting my elderly mom and van in Canada...

As we know this weird situation is very confusing and changing minute by minute - so when anyone gets updated info and better yet actually realtime experience flying around the globe - can you please post your info here as well.

Thanks a lot!
I hope this post will not be considered "off-topic" because if very much pertains to our ability to travel in our vans, and travel TO our vans around the world... what is the point in having a van if you can't make trips in them or TO them???

Thanks everyone!
Ed
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www.edwardpowell.com

[mikemtnbike]

Looks like Canada would require 14 days of self-isolation if you are asymptomatic. I wouldn't expect that to change this summer/year, personally.

https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/221

United States would not let you in right now.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/from-other-countries.html

And similar guidelines are why I'm not in Scotland right now.

https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control

Again, I wouldn't expect any of this to change this year, personally.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[epowell]

[crazyvwvanman]

I'm more optimistic I'd say. Various countries are already loosening up and talking about the pace of further steps to return to more normal travel conditions over the next few months.

I already put my money where my mouth is, rolled the dice, and bought round trip airline tickets to Northern Europe for very late summer. Non-refundable type.

I'm slightly more worried about the airline still being in business than virus restrictions.

Mark

[fishgo]

And similar guidelines are why I'm not in Scotland right now.

https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control

Again, I wouldn't expect any of this to change this year, personally.[/quote]

And I was to fly into Glasgow via Heathrow on June 8 for 2 weeks. That plan got cancelled and this is a nice reminder.

[Vanagon Nut]

epowell.

I think this might be helpful

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/di...dvice.html

as for BC drivers license, renewals are currently being done over the phone according to this page:

https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/getting-lice...gL-4vD_BwE

I did this recently. A temporary license was mailed to me.

Neil.
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[SCM]

One of the few places in the world with no cases, the Cooke Islands, is currently closed to entry and may be until 2022 - although the announcement I saw was pretty vague about how/when they will decide to reopen.

My fingers are crossed that all is well by 2024 when my wife and I hope to revisit the scene of our honeymoon during our 20-yr anniversary.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[epowell]

[epowell]

[epowell]

[Vanagon Nut]

[Jeffrey Lee]

[epowell]

[alaskadan]

I think you should all stay home and not come here. More fish for me. Oh sorry, you still gotta two week quarantine once you get here.

[epowell]

[J Charlton]

I hope that some folks start chipping in on this thread with reports about restrictions or lack of them for interstate travel in the US.
Currently in Canada, interprovincial travel is discouraged to a variety of degrees - from Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland Labrador having closed borders, 8 provinces having checkpoints, outright bans into some of the remote Northern areas and all of Canada operating with mandatory quarantine for 14 days for all travel from outside the country.
I'm particularly interested as we have a trailer load of NAHT hightops destined for Colorado, Utah, Oregon and Washington -
Pre pandemic shutdown plans had the shipment ready to roll about Ap. 1 - we slowed down production for anticipated May 1, then again for June 1 - right now our plan is to make a plan when there is some clarity - I think that we'd be crossing about 20 states and 5 provinces to make the trip.
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NAHT hightop availability May 18 2023 -
Bend Oregon - for Oregon, California- (7 tot , 3 available), Kennewick Wa (6 tot, 1 available), Small Car Performance Fife Wa. (7 tot 4 avail ), Fairbanks Alaska (1 tot 0 avail)
Future availability TBD : Springfield Mass. Staunton Va, Florida, Colorado, Grand Junction Co., SLC probably late 2024

[seventyfo]

We were planning a trip out to Oregon for Descend On Bend, now it’s cancelled. Have reservations at Moraine In RCMP in late August and had planned about three weeks of road trip through CO, ID, WY, OR and CA and back. Not so sure if this will be happening now.
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85 Vanagon GL Westy GW 2.2 (Rebuilt by YT)


"I don't know you well enough to care about your comments". Watkins Cravey

[thatbaldwinlife]

We were going to Colorado but have cancelled that and will be doing a tour of our home state, specifically the south east side. Luckily for us, Oregon is very diverse and has a lot to offer.
nate
_________________
1987 Westy
Insta: @Thatbaldwinlife
Vanagon Adventure and DIY videos:
That Baldwin Life YouTube Channel

[joetiger]

Our Denver to Yosemite and places between trip has been canceled so we're staying within Colorado this summer; however, everybody is staying in-state this summer so we haven't really figured out how to approach it. I've heard that even the 4-hours-from-Denver sweet spots are getting crowded.

There are mixed messages from mountain communities. Some want travelers to return due to the economic downturn; others don't want dirty city people spreading 'Rona in their towns. As a result I don't know what the hell to do, except kick myself for not having a house with a big backyard for home camping.

At least we're healthy, safe, and working.
_________________
Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[seventyfo]

We haven’t canceled yet still a couple months off for us
_________________
85 Vanagon GL Westy GW 2.2 (Rebuilt by YT)


"I don't know you well enough to care about your comments". Watkins Cravey