Thai health officials have issued public health alerts in response to an increase in rabies cases mostly tied to stray dogs and cats. Travelers should not interact with street animals and should seek immediate medical attention if bitten. Alerts have been issued throughout the country including in Bangkok and Pattaya.
Detours by Jim Byers
It was one thing when travel shut down due to COVID.
This was something else.
I was at home in Toronto in May 2025, feeling very sad about the death of my father two weeks earlier. I also was having sharp pains in my abdomen.
I Googled the usual ailments, but none of them seemed to match what I was feeling. When things got considerably worse, my wife whisked me to a nearby hospital.
Australia opened its borders to leisure travelers for the first time since March 2020 on Feb. 21, 2022. Both COVID-19-vaccinated and (with medical exemption) unvaccinated travelers are allowed to enter, though those unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated are required to quarantine at an approved hotel for 14 days upon arrival. Regardless of vaccination status, all travelers are required to take a PCR test no more than 72 hours prior to travel or a rapid-antigen test 24 hours before arrival.
Dear Globetrotter:
My wife and I flew to Rome, Italy, Jan. 2, 2022, in order to see the Torlonia Marbles exhibit (ending Feb. 27). We transited through Munich, Germany.
Shortly before we flew to Germany, the country changed its COVID testing requirements for those transiting and required a 24-hour rapid antigen or 48-hour PCR test. (The previous requirement was a PCR test taken within 72 hours.) This caused us to scramble because we had appointments for tests that would not meet the new requirements.
As of Jan. 23, all non-US citizens, including permanent residents, entering the US via land or ferry are now required to show proof of completed COVID-19 vaccination. At press time, the US did not require a booster shot in order to be considered fully vaccinated.
While US citizens are exempt from the vaccination requirement, anyone crossing the border, including US citizens, must present a negative COVID test taken within the last 24 hours, regardless of vaccination status.
How do you know when it’s safe to travel again? (Part 3 in a series)
This month I’m sharing the experiences of two people who took small-group tours.
Morocco adventure
Dear Globetrotter:
