Pandemic travel news update: Europe, Anguilla and Abu Dhabi relax restrictions

Come here to learn about the countries relaxing entry rules, the attractions reopening the doors, and the places that have sadly shuttered due to Covid.

Openings

We can almost smell the sunscreen.

An approved list of “safe” destinations is due to be signed off this week, although there’s still no confirmation as to when these changes will be implemented.

Some EU bloc members have been announcing their own restriction-easing.

Croatia is also welcoming vaccinated travelers, as well as those who present a negative PCR test or proof that they’ve recovered from Covid-19 test within the past 180 days, and no less than 11 days before they arrive.

Earlier this month, Cyprus reopened to vaccinated travelers from 65 countries, including the US and the UK, while Portugal began allowing entry to visitors from England, Scotland and Wales after being added on to the UK‘s “green” list of countries where quarantine-free travel is permitted.

The EU Digital Covid Certificate — a “vaccine passport” that would facilitate internal travel within the bloc — is expected to come into effect on July 1.

Britain — famously no longer in the EU — lifted its ban on residents taking foreign vacations on Monday. However, its “amber list” of countries is already causing confusion among travelers and resentment in the travel industry.

There are deterrents to travelers other than an officially sanctioned “tut tut.” Anyone who goes to a country on the amber list will have to take a Covid-19 test on their return, quarantine for 10 days, book and pay for two additional tests, and fill in a passenger locator form.

MSC Cruises took off from the English port of Southampton on Thursday for a four-day jaunt around the British coastline.

In Washington DC, the American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Holocaust Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture have all reopened, while the Smithsonian Zoo will welcome visitors from May 21.

Over on the west coast, LA‘s Broad Museum is back in business on May 26.

Over in Hong Kong, Art Basel is on until May 23. The multi-day celebration of modern and contemporary art is the region’s first in-person event since the pandemic.

That might help make up for the disappointment this week when a travel bubble linking Hong Kong and Singapore was postponed from its upcoming start date of May 26 due to new Covid cases in Singapore. No date yet for rescheduling.

Looking ahead

Elsewhere in the UK capital, The Windmill strip club was once the jewel in Soho’s sleazy crown. The district has long been cleaned up and now the club has had a polish too — after a £10 million ($14 million) revamp, it’ll reopen as a glamorous drinking and dining venue in June. Nude dancers, however, are off the menu.

A few days later, Disney’s first hotel with Marvel Characters — Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel — will open June 21.

In the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi will end mandatory quarantine for international travelers on July 1.

In Paris, the Eiffel Tower — which in happier times welcomed 7 million visitors a year — will reopen on July 16. Visitor numbers will be limited to 10,000 a day.

Lockdown pastime of the week

Feel like you wasted 2020 bingeing on “Tiger King” and developing a beer and donuts habit? Prepare to feel that bit more regretful.

Says Napper, “I don’t think I’ve been bored once in the last 14 months.”

CNN’s Tamara Hardingham-Gill, Lilit Marcus and Francesca Street contributed to this report.