Holiday hotspots off-limits: Where you can and can’t go overseas

International travel destinations have been grouped into four risk categories for Australians eager for an overseas holiday, but some holiday hotspots are still off-limits. SEE THE LIST

South Australians looking to holiday overseas are being urged to check travel advice, as the federal government warns residents to reconsider travel to some hot tourist destinations.

After Australia’s global “do not travel” restrictions were lifted on November 1 and the international border has begun to progressively reopen, many eager travellers were reaching for their passports after a long 18 months.

But travellers have been warned some favourite holiday destinations including Thailand, New Caledonia, Vietnam, Mexico and Solomon Islands are still off limits.

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They have been placed on the “reconsider your need to travel” list by Smartraveller as Australia transitions towards opening up.

International travel is back on but you’ll need to choose your destination carefully.

Russia and the Philippines have also been placed on the list.

Travelling to these countries may not be covered by some travel insurance.

Previously, every country was placed on “do not travel” during the pandemic, but Smartraveller has now transitioned their advice for 177 countries into four levels.

The levels include “exercise normal safety precautions (level 1)”, “exercise a high degree of caution” (level 2), “reconsider your need to travel” (level 3) and “do not travel” (level 4).

There are currently no countries listed at level 1.

More than 100 countries have been listed on level 2 including Indonesia, France, Fiji and Italy.

Other countries on level 2 advice include the US, New Zealand, Hong Kong, UK and Malaysia.

Residents travelling to these countries are urged to exercise a high degree of caution as the pandemic continues around the world.

New York City is back on the travel list.

There were 53 countries the government listed under level 3 advice, and 14 remain on the “do not travel list”.

Iraq, Syria and Myanmar were some countries on the “do not fly” list while the holiday hotspots of Mexico and Thailand were on level 3 “reconsider travel”.

You may need to put that Mexico holiday on hold until the travel advice changes. Picture: Velas Resorts

Safety advice levels were made on information about safety, health, local laws, travel and local contacts.

From November 1, NSW and Victoria allowed fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents to return from overseas without having to quarantine.

Fully vaccinated domestic travellers will be able to enter South Australia on November 23, and there are differing rules about quarantine depending on how much transmission there is in their local government area.

How far can we go?

The South Australian government has said borders to overseas travellers will open on November 23. Vaccinated arrivals will need to quarantine for seven days on arrival, while unvaccinated travellers will have to quarantine for 14 days. Returning South Australians will be able to quarantine at home.

When 90 per cent of the state aged 12 and over are vaccinated, expected some time before Christmas, international travellers with both jabs will not have to quarantine on arrival.

The UK has been listed on Level Two advice, meaning it is safe to travel to.

Originally published as Holiday hotspots off-limits: Where you can and can’t go overseas