That assumes most of the traffic gets insurance. Many people are only crossing the border for a few hours.

It's also the wrong time of year for snowbirds to be heading south

Crossing a border unpatrolled is completely different than getting on a plane. In Australia when trying to get out of the country at the moment is impossible without property authorisation. All border force officers check that you have an exemption, then the airlines check. If you haven’t got these necessary documents, you don’t get on the plane.

When we were in France and the pandemic was announce our insurance became null and void. They then advised that everything except for health would be covered. Until the pandemic classification is changed, and the level reduced, travel insurance will be difficult to obtain.

Truly guys what is the rush. The last thing any country deserves is an avalanche of tourists who may spread this horrific virus.

I think some people think they are going to get a prize for being the first tourist to return.

Frankly, at this point I would rather not travel in September, but we have tickets to Paris and then on to Greece in the fall. Then returning to Marseille and flying home from Paris in mid-October. I can imagine getting caught up in a transition to more open travel while still having restrictions.

I have already canceled 2 trips this season and am dealing with the distress of getting refunds. I’m well aware that in the scheme of things, my concerns are small, but the lack of clarity is difficult. It will unfold over time, but I don’t assume anything right now.

Dealing with cancellations is very stressful, and the loss of money when you are retired is difficult to cop. However for us we thought could we afford to pay for possibly a long hospital stay uninsured. We know we would have received excellent care in France, it just wasn’t an option to stay.

kerouac I agree, and sadly the prize is not one that I would want.

I would like to visit my grandchildren too (it feels like a year, although in reality it's only been 2 months since we saw them last). And we both live in the US. We're not welcome yet - they are even more cautious than we are.

Greece is really anxious to get up and running with tourism and will be a big test in terms of whether covid 19 is as active in the heat of summer. Some experts think it will slow down (not go away) and others think transmission will be the same. With the weekend heatwave in Athens I saw this video and wondered how this will all go. Of course these are all locals and Greece did very well in terms of containment but uncorking all those flights from UK etc. seem unwise for quite some time...US even longer.

If my flight remains scheduled and my hosts in Greece still want me to come and the airports are open and I’ve met all the conditions in place required for traveling, I intend to go to Greece this summer. If I am unable to meet these standards, I won’t go. I’ve sheltered in place, worked from home, abided by social distancing, wear a mask as necessary and wash my hands meticulously and frequently. I’ve accepted all of the recommendations set forth by the government, so if the government loosens restrictions, I will continue to use their rules to guide me. It isn’t about being the first to travel or a wish to bring disease to a new favorite spot in the world for me. I’ve adjusted my plans (canceled 2 weeks in Spain preceding Greece) to minimize risk and am traveling alone. I’m not reckless, but as an adult I can make decisions for myself.

I just wanted to express myself. Hope I haven’t offended anyone with my position.

My concern would be that even if I had been meticulously careful for months, that going through airports and being on a crowded plane would negate all that I had done to stay healthy. As I said above, my son and his fiancée are moving to the big island of Hawaii on June 1 and will have to quarantine for 2 weeks before they can move about. I will be surprised if countries in Europe allow international flights this summer, but who knows? Hope it works out for you.

My only traveling for the rest of the year will be a 5 hour car ride to Bay Area from Santa Barbara to see granddaughter and new grandson in September. Car trips are definitely in my comfort zone until there is a vaccine.

They’re moving to the big island where there is pretty strict enforcement. I live in a tourist dependent town, Santa Barbara and I don’t think we’re going to get international travelers this summer, but maybe tourists from Los Angeles and NorCal. LA is shelter in place until July so who knows what will happen...

I also think individual comfort level with traveling varies greatly with your age. My husband and I will wait for a vaccine to get on a plane again, if you are younger you perhaps are not as concerned.

EU countries are beginning to plan for reopening their borders with each other, but I haven't heard much talk about when external EU borders will reopen for non-European travellers.

FROM most of the press today that will be the next action but I think much more difficult to put in place. Most international carriers have cancelled their direct flights to many cities...I note the DL flights from NYC to ATH are now connections....without good flights and considering risks negotiating airports etc. not so sure any but the most intrepid will be venturing to Europe this summer...most I know have cancelled plans or moved them well into the fall. I will be dialed in to see how all of this goes with a hope to travel in 2021.

I’d say most traffic is shut down. The parts that may not be patrolled heavily just aren’t good crossing points, usually for infrastructure/geography reasons. I suppose you could cross on foot but it’s hardly as if that’s a practical way for nonessential travelers to cross. Likely not a big concern on the part of border patrol, and certainly not worth the risk for most people.

Although my impression is that even the remote crossing points are patrolled more than usual right now. They’re being very strict about what is “essential”. There was an article recently about one of the Alaskan border towns being cutoff from the majority of their shopping—groceries—because they couldn’t go into the Canadian town next to them. Traffic on the more rural crossings here has been nonexistent when I’ve been near them. Weird for this time of year.


macdogmom—I may be younger, but I’m sure not getting on a plane anytime soon. Which is fine, honestly, because my usual domestic destinations are not places I would feel comfortable going anyway—which is a bummer. I’d been planning a trip to SB and LA this summer, maybe, but there’s just no way now. Same with most of the NPs on my list. Will be crowd shy for quite awhile, I think.

Can only speak to the border where I live in the lower mainland of B.C.
The border crossing points are closed to all but essential travel. The rest of the border near to me and east for at least an hour's drive has got plenty of places where someone could border jump however since 9/11 that is patrolled heavily with border guards in trucks and helicopters, heat sensors, cameras in the trees etc. I'm sure this would be similar in heavily populated areas in Ontario and Quebec along the border.
The rest of the border sure is probably quite crossable if one wanted to sneak across but most people aren't going to do that.

If there's a second wave in autumn (not at all unlikely) those countries that opened up early, will regret it.

Staying closed all summer won't stop an autumn wave.

All it takes is one person to start a new wave. Locally many/most of the new cases are happening within families. Keeping people locked up is keeping infected people near healthy ones.

As we come out of lockdown, people are pouring into stores and actually buying. Many of the shops are having record after record days of turnover which is good news. Walk around on a Friday or Saturday evening in Switzerland and you'll see young adults meeting up in groups, causing pedestrian streets to be crowded with life. Masks are seen less and less. Unless there is a second wave, there is no way the borders will stay closed for long. Our youth wants to congregate and see the world.

My thoughts on this: Yesterday was the first time I wished I had worn a mask to go shopping. It was surreal being in a crowd again. I sincerely hope there won't be a second wave but I can certainly see a risk of it happening.

By the way, 15 people new cases were registered yesterday. (a new low)

Italy will allow foreign visitors into their country again on June 3. I haven't found any restrictions concerning this announcement except that the Lombardy area may impose their own safety measures.

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavir...eased-11989275

There is simply not one medical expert that thinks there will not be a second wave in the fall/winter. As mentioned not so sure this wave has that much to do with open or close in summer but for sure the way things are going it will be stronger and probably earlier than if countries had at least maintained their closed borders this summer....domestic tourism is at least some revenue and in the long run would have been the wise course. I see few countries that will follow this as the short term $$$ incentive is too great. I had a great trip planned to Europe in July 2020 but would far prefer to stay home this summer and return when protocols are tested and in place for Covid 19...maybe a vaccine (maybe not) and not so much uncertainty. Also people making plans have to be ready that a shutdown can happen on short notice if the numbers get out of control again. I don't think many countries outside of Asia have contact tracing procedures in place and the ability to do this.

Aggressive tracing and isolating and people taking their responsibility as citizens will stop an autumn wave. But looking at how things are going now, I think a second wave in the autumn will be a certainty.