International Travel Update

Entry restrictions

Travellers from all countries are allowed but must fill in a Public Health Passenger Locator Form within the 48 hours before their arrival.. Certain regions, categories and countries would be exempt from filling the form.

Key tourist attractions

Partially open – depending on region
For e.g. In England, many attractions such as shopping markets, museums, galleries, parks and restaurants are allowed to open but requirements differ according to a new tier system depending on the area.

Quarantine upon arrival

10 days self-isolation. Travellers from countries on the ‘travel corridors’ list, such as Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain, are exempt. Those in some special categories and regions are also exempt. Others may be allowed to spend only 5 days in quarantine if they test negative on the fifth day.

COVID-19 test

Not required before travel or upon arrival, but most travellers are required to submit a Public Health Passenger Locator Form and self-isolate for 10 days.

Entry restrictions

Travellers from all countries are allowed entry. An overnight curfew is in place from 3am to 5am.

Key tourist attractions

Malls, restaurants, cinemas and theatres are open. A nationwide overnight curfew will apply from 3am to 5am. Malls, cinemas and theatres will be allowed to operate until 11pm and restaurants until 3am.

Quarantine upon arrival

Quarantine duration and rules depend on the country the travellers are arriving from and whether they are nationals or foreigners. Travellers from select countries may need to quarantine at designated hotels.

COVID-19 test

Travellers must have a negative PCR test result issued no more than 96 hours prior to arrival. The test must be from an accredited laboratory recognised by authorities in the country they are coming from. A second PCR test may be conducted for some categories after arrival.

Entry restrictions

Commercial passenger flights are open. However, travellers from a few countries are not allowed to enter.

Key tourist attractions

Partially open – Shops, markets and restaurants have resumed operations and are slowly transitioning to normal hours.

Quarantine upon arrival

Travellers are required to quarantine for 14 days.

COVID-19 test

All foreign nationals who are not of Bangladeshi origin should have a negative COVID-19 certificate issued within 72 hours of travel.

Entry restrictions

Travellers from all countries are allowed entry but non-Egyptians arriving in Egypt must fill out a travel declaration form and have a valid international medical insurance.

Key tourist attractions

Many attractions across Egypt such as shopping malls, museums, historical sights, parks and restaurants are open, but some are limited.

Quarantine upon arrival

Travellers arriving in Egypt from abroad are required to self-isolate for 14 days as well as commit to precautionary COVID-19 isolation guidance.

COVID-19 test

A negative certificate for a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours (96 hours in select cases) before departure is mandatory for all passengers aged 6 and above. Those flying directly to Sharm El Sheikh, Taba, Hurghada and Marsa Alam airports can take a test upon arrival instead.

Entry restrictions

International travel is open for Moroccan nationals & residents, and nationals of visa-exempt countries (such as UAE, KSA & Kuwait) who either have an invitation from a Moroccan company or a confirmed hotel reservation. Flights to and from the UK have been suspended as of 20 Dec until further notice. Domestic travel to most cities is also open.

Key tourist attractions

Partially open – depending on location. Shops & markets are operating at limited capacity with shorter timings. From 23 Dec, a nationwide curfew will be imposed from 9pm to 6am for three weeks.

Quarantine upon arrival

Travellers arriving in Morocco are required to self-quarantine for 14 days.

COVID-19 test

A negative result of a COVID-19 test taken not more than 72 hours before departure is required to enter Morocco.

Entry restrictions

International flights to and from the Kingdom have been suspended for another week starting from 28 December. Travel may be allowed in exceptional cases.

Key tourist attractions

Partially open – depending on attraction. For e.g. many attractions across Saudi Arabia such as malls, museums, historical sights and restaurants are open, but the number of visitors have been capped for safety reasons.

Quarantine upon arrival

All arriving passengers must spend three days of quarantine at home/their accommodation. After 48 hours, they should take a PCR test for COVID-19.

COVID-19 test

All non-Saudi travellers must provide a negative result of a PCR (COVID-19) test that has been conducted by a verified laboratory no more than 72 hours before departure. They will also undergo thermal screening at the airport.

Entry restrictions

Nationals of the Philippines, their spouses & children are allowed to enter. From 1 November, some foreign nationals will also be allowed entry, but not for tourism purposes. The government has suspended entry from 20 countries, including the UK, until 15 January.

Key tourist attractions

Partially open – depending on attraction and the quarantine classification. For e.g. many attractions such as hotels, shopping malls, supermarkets, restaurants and cafes in regions that fall under some quarantine classifications are open, but they remain closed in some others.

Quarantine upon arrival

14-day quarantine is mandatory for all travellers.

COVID-19 test

All travellers are required to undergo a PCR test upon arrival at the airport.

Entry restrictions

Indonesian nationals, foreign nationals holding valid residency permits and select categories are allowed entry. From 1 Jan, international visitors will be not allowed to enter for two weeks. Indonesian citizens, residency permit-holders and high-level government officials will be exempt. Learn more here.

Key tourist attractions

Open – depending on attraction. For e.g. many attractions such as shopping malls, markets and restaurants are open.

Quarantine upon arrival

All passengers travelling to Indonesia will be quarantined for 14 days.

COVID-19 test

Travellers must either get a PCR test done 7 days before heading to Indonesia or get tested for COVID-19 at the airport upon arrival.

Entry restrictions

Only passengers who are nationals, permanent residents and their immediate and extended family members are allowed to enter. In some cases, foreign workers and international students are also permitted.
Non-essential travel to Canada has been suspended until further notice. Flights from the UK have been suspended until 6 January.

Key tourist attractions

Partially open – depending on the provinces, cities & attractions. Ontario will go into a lockdown on 26 December, which will last for 14 days in the northern region and 28 days in southern region.

Quarantine upon arrival

All travellers (except those belonging to certain categories) are required to quarantine for 14 days after arriving in Canada.

COVID-19 test

Although a COVID-19 test is not required, passengers must undergo heath checks before boarding the flight as well as upon arrival at the airport.

Entry restrictions

All commercial flights to and from Kuwait International Airport have been suspended from 21 Dec and will resume on 2 Jan 2021 (at 4:00am local time).

Key tourist attractions

Partially open – depending on attraction.
For e.g. many attractions such as retail stores, shopping malls, public parks, and restaurants are open.

Quarantine upon arrival

All passengers arriving in Kuwait are required to quarantine at their accommodation for 14 days. From 10 Dec, domestic workers will be allowed to return and must spend 14 days in institutional quarantine.

COVID-19 test

Travellers must present a negative PCR test that has been valid for 96 hours since the date it was taken. Those travelling for four days or less are exempt.
Around 10% of passengers will be randomly tested upon arrival too. Travellers must also have travel health insurance that covers treatment for COVID-19.

Entry restrictions

Sri Lanka has postponed the resumption of international flights. The confirmed date will be announced later. The government has also suspended all flights from the UK until further notice.

Key tourist attractions

Partly open – Attractions are now open but with entry restrictions and safety measures in place.

Quarantine upon arrival

Travellers who bring a negative COVID-19 test result do not need to quarantine.

COVID-19 test

Travellers must submit a negative COVID-19 test result to enter and take another test upon arrival.

Entry restrictions

The government has partially re-opened Khartoum International Airport to international and domestic flights. The civil aviation authority has suspended entry for travellers from the UK, the Netherlands, and South Africa until 5 January.

Key tourist attractions

Partly open – Cafes, hotels, restaurants, markets and some other places are open with social distancing measures.

Quarantine upon arrival

Travellers who present a negative COVID-19 test result do not need to quarantine. Those who show symptoms of COVID-19 will be quarantined in isolation centres across Sudan.

COVID-19 test

Travellers arriving in Sudan will need to bring a valid, negative COVID-19 test result that has been taken within 96 hours. Those who are 6 years old or younger are exempt.

Entry restrictions

Only nationals, permanent residents and non-nationals who fulfill certain eligiblilty criteria are allowed to enter Malaysia until the end of 2020. Tourists are banned until then.

Key tourist attractions

Partially open – depending on the attraction. For e.g. many attractions such as retail stores, shopping malls, hotels, theme parks and restaurants are open.

Quarantine upon arrival

All passengers are required to undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine at a facility designated by the Malaysian government.

COVID-19 test

All passengers are required to undergo a COVID-19 test at the airport upon arrival.

Entry restrictions

Thailand is allowing citizens of 56 countries including UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain to enter without a visa.

Key tourist attractions

Partially open – depending on attraction
For e.g. many attractions including zoos, historical and religious monuments, restaurants and cafes are currently open while practising social distancing safety measures. Authorities have extended the state of emergency until 30 November.

Quarantine upon arrival

Most travellers are subject to a 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

COVID-19 test

Travellers must submit a negative COVID-19 test result issued no more than 72 hours before travelling.

Entry restrictions

Regular international flights have been suspended until 28 December. Only cargo, charter and select flights are allowed.

Key tourist attractions

As part of a special quarantine regime, shopping malls, cinemas, theatres and entertainment centres remain closed until 28 Dec. Restaurants & cafes are operational for a limited time and dine-in will not be allowed on weekends.

Quarantine upon arrival

Travellers may be subject to a 14-day quarantine depending on health screening upon arrival.

COVID-19 test

Travellers must submit a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 test result to enter.

Entry restrictions

Regular commercial flights to Jordan have now resumed for all travellers. However, flights from and to the UK have been suspended until 3 Jan 2021.

Key tourist attractions

Many attractions such as restaurants, cafes and public markets have re-opened. A total lockdown will be imposed in Jordan every Friday until 31 December. A night curfew has been implemented from 10pm to 6am.

Quarantine upon arrival

Minimum one-week quarantine is mandatory for all travellers. The duration will depend on the classification of the country the passengers are arriving from.

COVID-19 test

Travellers must provide a negative PCR test certificate issued within 72 hours of travel. Additionally, they must undergo another test upon arrival.

Entry restrictions

Pakistan has re-opened for travel with commercial flights flying to all airports, except for Gwadar and Turbat. Flights from the UK have been suspended until 4 January.

Key tourist attractions

Partially open – depending on region or attraction.
Shopping malls and small markets are mostly allowed to open. In some regions, few areas or attractions may be restricted.

Quarantine upon arrival

14 days of self-isolation at home/accommodation. Travellers from Category A countries do not need to quarantine upon arrival.

COVID-19 test

Travellers must present a negative certificate of a PCR test taken no more than 96 hours before departure. Those from select countries defined as ‘Category A‘, such as Saudi Arabia, are exempt from the test requirement.

Entry restrictions

International flights have resumed for all passengers including tourists. However, flights to and from the UK have been suspended until further notice. Domestic airlines are allowed to operate flights to all destinations across the country.

Key tourist attractions

An earlier lockdown has been eased for Kathmandu valley and a number of other cities. Many attractions such as hotels and restaurants have re-opened.

Quarantine upon arrival

7 days of quarantine at home/a local hotel accommodation, according to recent updates. Earlier on, quarantine was supposed to be at a hotel acommodation and only those with a negative test result were allowed to spend this period at home. More details are expected to be shared in the coming days.

COVID-19 test

Travellers must provide a negative COVID-19 test certificate obtained no more than 72 hours before departure. Children under 5 years are exempt.

Entry restrictions

International commercial flights to India have been banned until the end of 2020. Currently, only Indian nationals & foreign nationals belonging to certain categories are allowed to enter.

Key tourist attractions

Partially open – depending on the attraction and the city. For e.g. many attractions such as retail stores, shopping malls, hotels, and restaurants are open in Bangalore, but the malls and shopping centres are closed in Mumbai.

Quarantine upon arrival

14 days. According to federal rules, travellers who present a printed, negative RT-PCR certificate of a test taken no more than 72 hours before travel are exempt from quarantine upon arrival. However, each state or city has specific requirements and regulations, so the requirements may change based on your port of landing.

COVID-19 test

Currently, each state or city has specific regulations. Based on your port of landing, the requirements may change. As per federal rules, travellers who present a printed, negative RT-PCR certificate of a test taken no more than 72 hours before travel are exempt from quarantine upon arrival.

Entry restrictions

All Emirates of the UAE are welcoming tourists from around the world.

Key tourist attractions

Availability varies across emirates. Most attractions such as shopping malls, restaurants, beaches, parks and entertainment centres are open in Dubai. A range of attractions are open across other emirates too.

Quarantine upon arrival

Travellers to Dubai & Sharjah who take PCR tests upon arrival need to quarantine until test results come out. If they test positive, they must quarantine at their accommodation until 14 days. Travellers arriving in Abu Dhabi from ‘green countries’ are not required to quarantine, but others must spend 10 days in quarantine.

COVID-19 test

Test requirements depend on the Emirate the traveller is arriving at. Typically this involves a negative certificate of a PCR (COVID-19) test taken no more than 96 hours before departure, and in some cases, another test upon arrival.

Entry restrictions

International flights to and from Oman will resume on 29 Dec (at 12am local time).

Key tourist attractions

Shops, commercial outlets, malls, restaurants and public places have been re-opened, but beaches have been closed until further notice.

Quarantine upon arrival

7-day quarantine is mandatory for all travellers entering Oman.

COVID-19 test

A negative result of a PCR test taken not more than 72 hours before arrival is required to enter Oman. Travellers must also take a test upon arrival at the airport and another one at the end of their 7-day quarantine.

Entry restrictions

Citizens and residents of EU countries are allowed entry, as well as residents of Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Uruguay and Singapore. Travellers in some special categories may also be allowed. Learn more here. Travellers coming from high-risk areas must register for entry before arriving in Germany. Flights from the UK have been banned until 6 Jan 2021. However, travellers with residency permits will be allowed to enter from 1 Jan.

Key tourist attractions

A nationwide partial lockdown has been imposed until at least 20 December. During this period, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, tourist attractions and recreational facilities are closed. A new lockdown is expected to be in effect from 16 Dec.

Quarantine upon arrival

Travellers coming from or those who have visited risk reas in the past 10 days before entering Germany must quarantine for 10 days. On day 5, they will be tested for COVID-19 and may end their quarantine if they test negative.

Learn more about risk areas here and here.

COVID-19 test

Travellers entering Germany from risk areas and those who have visited those areas in the past 10 days before entering Germany will be tested for COVID-19 on the fifth day of their 10-day quarantine.

Entry restrictions

There has been no update on regular international flights resuming yet. However, travellers from Germany, France, Latvia, Lithuania & Estonia are allowed to enter Georgia. Citizens of EU states that have put Georgia on a ‘green list’ are also allowed with mandatory quarantine upon arrival.

Key tourist attractions

A 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM curfew has been imposed until 31 January 2021. For more details, please click here or here. During curfew hours, public and personal transportation (which includes walking) is not permitted.

Quarantine upon arrival

Those who arrive from or have recently travelled to a country other than the 5 approved EU nations will be required to quarantine for 8 days. Quarantine requirements may vary depending on different categories. More info is available here.

COVID-19 test

Travellers will undergo PCR testing upon arrival at the airport.

Entry restrictions

Bahraini nationals & residents, travellers from GCC countries who do not need a visa, those with valid eVisas or eligible for visa on arrival, and categories with special exemptions can enter the kingdom. Transit passengers and travellers holding a letter of prior permission can also enter.

Key tourist attractions

Shopping malls & beaches have opened with safety requirements. Restaurants have also re-opened, but while outdoor dining is permitted, dine-in services haven’t been allowed yet.

Quarantine upon arrival

No quarantine required for those who test negative for COVID-19 upon arrival. All passengers must sign a declaration that they will follow self-isolating regulations until their test result is confirmed to be negative.

COVID-19 test

No prior testing required, but all arriving passengers will be tested for COVID-19 at the airport, which will cost around BHD 40. Those staying for over 10 days need to take another test on the 10th day at their own expense.

Entry restrictions

Visitors from around 50 countries, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are allowed entry. Countries have been divided into two categories: Category 1 (low and medium risk) and Category 2 (‘special status’ list).
A Health Travel Authorization (HTA) is mandatory to enter Seychelles.

Key tourist attractions

Many attractions and activities such as sightseeing and tours, island hopping and excursions are available again.

Quarantine upon arrival

Visitors from Category 2 countries must quarantine for 6 nights at designated establishments. Nationals arriving from Category 1 countries can quarantine at home; otherwise, the quarantine must be at an approved facility.

COVID-19 test

Travellers from Category 1 countries must have a negative test result for a PCR (COVID-19) test taken at an accredited laboratory no more than 72 hours (48 hours for those from Category 2 countries) before departure. Those who stay for more than 6 days need to take a second PCR test 6 days after their arrival.

Entry restrictions

Travellers from all countries are allowed to enter. Tourists must have a confirmed booking at a registered tourist facility/hotel and fulfill visa requirements.

Key tourist attractions

Many attractions and excursions have resumed.

Quarantine upon arrival

Tourists who do not display COVID-19 symptoms will not be required to quarantine upon arrival.

COVID-19 test

All tourists and short-term travellers must present a negative result of a PCR test taken no more than 96 hours before departure.