13 Areas Free of COVID-19 (for now)

*5-Minute Read*

Last week, I mentioned the approximate percentiles of people diagnosed with the Coronavirus in some countries according to Worldometer. And then, I realized. There are some countries and territories free of COVID-19 (for now, at least). Where are they? And can we go there?



1) Anguilla

(Photo Credit: travelagentcentral.com)

Anguilla is a British territory in the Caribbean Sea. It consists of one major island with around a dozen offshore islets. This territory takes the prize for the least number of Coronavirus cases worldwide: three. All recovered by April 26th. However, all ports are closed and there will be no commercial inbound flights until July 30th. When this date arrives, all travelers will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three days prior.   


2) British Virgin Islands

(Photo Credit: ABC News)

Unsurprisingly, the British Virgin Islands are another British territory that lies just west of Anguilla. Sixteen of its islands are inhabited, while the remaining 40+ are not. Only eight people in this area contracted the illness, seven of whom survive. The islands will be reopening for tourism on September 1st. This includes all of its private islands, except for Guana Island (reopening on October 1st).  


3) Brunei

(Photo Credit: BBC)

Brunei is a tiny country on the island of Borneo, which also consists of Indonesian provinces and Malaysian states. Only 141 people out of 437,688 caught the Coronavirus, which resulted in just three deaths. The nation doesn't plan to reopen its borders on August 1st. They have not even been discussing this with other countries yet.   


4) Cayman Islands

(Photo Credit: Departures)

The Cayman Islands are yet another British territory in the Caribbean. 203 people tested positive for COVID-19. All but one survive. The islands have set up a "Reopening of Borders Committee" (consisting of governments and ministries) to work on allowing foreigners back in. The tentative reopening date is September 1st. At that point, every traveler must show proof of a negative test that was taken no longer than three days before departure. They will then spend five days in isolation and then are free to enjoy themselves, as long as they test negative again and wear a health monitoring device. 


5) Dominica

(Photo Credit: cbiu.gov.dm)

Dominica is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea. There are 71,996 people, 18 of whom recovered from COVID-19. The country is currently closed to commercial and private flights and boats until, at best, August 7th and, at worst, December. All travelers will be required to sign a health declaration form and get their temperatures checked. If necessary, they will be quarantined for two weeks.  


6) Falkland Islands

(Photo Credit: travellocal.com)

Though the Falkland Islands are near Argentina, they are governed by the United Kingdom. 13 out of 3,484 people came down with the disease but, even though 13 is usually an unlucky number, no one succumbed to the Coronavirus. Still, its commercial flights and tourism from cruise ships have been halted indefinitely. 



7) Grenada

(Photo Credit: Sandals Resorts)

Like Dominica, Grenada is a nation in the Caribbean. Unlike Dominica, it consists of several islands. All 23 people who caught the Coronavirus survive. On August 1st, the country will accept international travelers from medium-risk nations (which may include the US) under several conditions. These visitors must provide proof of a negative test that was taken no more than a week prior. Each guest also has to sign a health declaration form, and download and register on Grenada's contact tracing app. She/he must undergo a rapid test at the airport. If this test comes back positive, she/he must undergo a swab test. As results are pending, she/he will be quarantined for 2-4 days. If this test comes up positive, she/he will be in quarantine for up to two weeks.   


8) Isle of Man

(Photo Credit: Star Insider)

The Isle of Man is a self-governing British Crown dependency in the Irish Sea between the United Kingdom and Ireland. Only 336 people out of 85,056 came down with COVID-19, with 93% of them surviving. The isle is currently on level four (started at level five and will end at level one) for gradually reopening the area. It is not open to every single traveler until level one. At this point, everyone will be required to fill out a declaration of health and personal information for contact tracing purposes.   



9) Macau

(Photo Credit: Global Times)

Even though China is the birthplace of the Coronavirus, its region Macau is free of the disease. It is across the South China Sea from Hong Kong. 46 caught the virus, but there were no fatalities. As of now, it is only open to people coming in from other regions of China.   


10) New Caledonia

(Photo Credit: World Politics Review)

New Caledonia is a French territory in the southwest Pacific Ocean. The group of islands has just reached the ideal goal of zero active cases, as the 22nd person to catch the Coronavirus has recovered. Its borders remain closed to foreigners. No boats may sail to the premises and all international flights have been postponed to October 24th. 

 
11) San Marino

(Photo Credit: Wikipedia)

Even though it is a small area surrounded by Italy, San Marino is its own country. One out of every 50 people in this mountainous nation was diagnosed with COVID-19. 47 out of every 50 people who caught the virus have recovered. As of now, the microstate is only open to some of the other European nations.  



12) Timor-Leste

(Photo Credit: Portugali News)

Timor-Leste is an Asian country that occupies the east side (and a small portion of the west side) of Timor Island. It is south of Indonesia and north of Australia. Over 1.3 million people live here, yet there were only 24 cases and zero deaths. It appears that the border is closed indefinitely. 


13) Vatican City (Holy See)

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Yes, the Vatican of the Roman Catholic Church is its own country, even though it is an enclave of Rome with a population of just 801. A dozen of this small population came down with the virus, but they all survive. Italian citizens and visitors who make reservations in advance and get their temperatures checked have been allowed in since June 1st.    



Let us all be united, even while apart, and rid COVID-19 throughout the entire world (or, at least, develop a vaccine).



- Liv