Coronavirus COVID-19 Travel-Ban Updates

Coronavirus COVID-19 Travel-Ban Updates

With the outbreak of Coronavirus COVID-19, international travel is coming to a hault. If you are student planning to study in UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or others, you are likely to postpone your plans until the situation is under control. This news article intends to update you on travel restrictions imposed by different countries and data has been pulled from official government reports.

The United Kingdom

the UK has not implemented any entry restrictions, but it is “advising against “all but essential travel to some countries, cities and regions,” the country’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office said. On March 14, President Trump expanded the travel ban on foreign nationals to the United Kingdom.

Officials in the United Kingdom are also monitoring direct flights into the country from certain areas, according to the U.S. Embassy, and informing incoming passengers about how to report any symptoms.

Ireland

As of March 16, there are no entry restrictions in Ireland, according to the Irish government. The country has closed schools, museums, galleries and tourist sites, and the Trump administration’s ban on travel from European countries extended to Ireland, effective Monday.

Canada

On March 16, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada was blocking the entry of anyone who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, except for airplane crews, diplomats, immediate family members of Canadian citizens and “at this time,” United States citizens. Mr. Trudeau made the announcement during a news conference.

Beginning March 18, only four Canadian airports will continue to accept international flights, Mr. Trudeau said. The airports include Toronto Pearson International Airport, Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Vancouver International Airport and Calgary International Airport; domestic flights and those arriving from the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and Saint Pierre and Miquelon will be exempted.

Australia

On March 15, the Australian government announced that all international arrivals will have to self-isolate for 14 days and that cruise ships arriving from foreign ports will be banned for 30 days. Foreign nationals, except for Australian permanent residents, will be refused entry for 14 days after visiting mainland China, Iran, South Korea and Italy.

New Zealand

New Zealand announced tight border control measures on March 14 that include requiring all incoming travellers, including its own citizens, to self-isolate for two weeks.

United States

On March 11 the United States barred the entry of all foreign nationals who had visited China, Iran and a group of European countries during the previous 14 days.

The ban applies to countries in the Schengen Area, which are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Effective March 16, the ban will apply to foreign nationals departing from the United Kingdom and Ireland.

As of March 13, all American citizens and legal permanent residents who have been in high-risk areas and return to the United States are required to fly to one of the following 13 airports:

• Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS), Massachusetts
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas
• Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Michigan
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Hawaii
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
• Los Angeles International Airport, (LAX), California
• Miami International Airport (MIA), Florida
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Washington
• Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia

Singapore

As of March 15, “all new visitors with recent travel history to France, Germany, Italy and Spain within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry into or transit through Singapore,” according to officials.

Singapore residents and pass-holders who have been to those countries in the past 14 days will be issued a “Stay-Home Notice,” which will require them to quarantine for two weeks.

China

Starting March 16, most new arrivals in Beijing, China’s capital, have had to undergo a 14-day quarantine at a designated hotel or other assigned location. Previously new arrivals could spend their quarantine at home, but officials said the new rules would only allow that option for limited cases.

Some other places, including Anhui Province, the Inner Mongolia region and the city of Sanya on Hainan Island, have announced similar measures.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong, a semiautonomous Chinese region, says that starting on March 19, the city will require travelers from all countries to self-quarantine for 14 days.

India

As of March 13, the Indian government suspended most travel and tourism visas, with the exception of “diplomatic, official, U.N. or International Organizations, employment and project visas” until April 15.

Additionally, the country is enforcing a two-week quarantine on all passengers, including Indian nationals, “arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany” after Feb. 15.

Japan

As of March 15, Japan had banned entry for foreign travelers with Chinese passports issued by Hubei and Zhejiang provinces as well as those who had visited regions in China that have affected by the virus, South Korea, Iran or Italy within the last 14 days.

Malaysia

As of March 16, all foreign nationals, “with very limited exceptions,” are prohibited from entering or transiting through Malaysia until March 31, according to the United States Embassy in Malaysia. The date could be extended at the discretion of the Malaysian government.

All passengers arriving from international destinations — including Malaysian citizens — must undergo 14 days of quarantine and a health inspection. Foreign nationals are allowed to leave the country, but flight options are limited.

Philippines

The Philippines has shut down all travel into and out of the capital of Manila until April 14, according to the U.S. Embassy there. On March 14, the government said it had “implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures” and that some areas in Manila were under a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Thailand

As of March 12, travelers from China, Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Italy and Iran who are headed to Thailand need to present a health certificate confirming a negative coronavirus test when checking in before their flight. These travelers must also show proof of insurance with coverage of at least $100,000.

All passengers arriving in Thailand will need to answer a questionnaire and their temperatures will be taken. Anyone transiting the restricted countries for less than 12 hours will not have to present a certificate or fill out the questionnaire, but they will be subject to enhanced screening.

As of March 13, according to officials, “travelers entering the Kingdom of Thailand who have been in the United States within the prior 14 days are subject to self-monitoring and reporting requirements.”

Europe

On March 17, European Union leaders announced they were closing off at least 26 countries — with more than 400 million people — to nearly all visitors from the rest of the world for at least 30 days. European Union citizens, permanent residents, medical professionals and scientists are exempt, though some countries were asking those returning home to self-isolate for two weeks.

The restrictions are likely to be extended to four countries of the Schengen Area, which allows European nationals to travel in the region without a passport.

The 26 countries part of the European Union include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

Ireland is the only member of the European Union not covered by the border closings because it has a passport-free agreement with Britain, which left the bloc earlier this year and has never been a part of the open-border zone.

Britain has said it “is not planning” to implement these border restrictions.

Austria

Citizens from countries outside the European Union who have been in coronavirus hot spots, which the Austrian Foreign Ministry currently lists as France, Iran, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and parts of China in the past 14 days will have to present a medical certificate confirming a negative test result for the new coronavirus upon entry to the country. The Austrian government also announced that all passengers, regardless of citizenship, will also have to provide a certificate confirming a negative test result if they’re entering Austria from Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein (from March 16).

The certificate, which must be dated within four days of arrival, needs to be signed by a licensed medical practitioner and be in English, German, Italian or French.

Belgium

For the time being, there are no travel restrictions imposed by the government of Belgium, according to the United States Embassy in Belgium. At this time, the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends against all trips abroad.

Travelers arriving in Belgium from abroad are not currently being asked to quarantine.

Croatia

Travelers arriving in Croatia from specific hard-hit areas, such as Italy, Iran and China’s Hubei province, must spend two weeks in government quarantine facilities at the expense of the traveler, according to officials.

The Croatian government also implemented health monitoring for passengers from several countries affected by the virus like Spain, the United States and Sweden. Travelers from these countries should self-isolate for two weeks, according to officials, “and report their condition to the nearest epidemiologist for further instructions.”

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic, which declared a state of emergency, has banned passengers from “high risk countries” and prohibited Czech citizens from visiting these places.

As of March 14, bus, train and boat transport from the Czech Republic to Germany and Austria was also banned. Air travel was also partially restricted, according to officials.

Denmark

Denmark closed its borders to most foreign travelers for the next month as of March 14.

“All tourists, all travel, all vacations, and all foreigners who cannot demonstrate a credible reason to enter Denmark will be denied entrance at the Danish border,” Mette Frederiksen, the prime minister, said at a news conference, according to Reuters.

France

The French government has not issued any travel restrictions as of March 16, according to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in France, but travelers returning to the country on government evacuation flights will be quarantined. Medical professionals at the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris will meet flights from China, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, South Korea, Iran and certain regions in Italy to check passengers for symptoms and answer questions.

Germany

Starting March 16, Germany will close its borders with Austria, Denmark, France, Luxembourg and Switzerland, the country’s interior minister said on March 15.

Greece

On March 16, Greek authorities announced all international travelers who arrive in the country must undergo a 14-day mandatory self-quarantine, according to theUnited States Embassy in Greece.

Greece closed its borders with Albania and North Macedonia. Flights from Italy and Spain are suspended; ferry service from Italy to Greece is also suspended. Cruise ships and tourism boats cannot dock in Greece as of March 15.

Hungary

The Hungarian government has asked its citizens to avoid any travel to infected areas, according to the U.S. Embassy in Hungary.

Arriving passengers of Iranian citizenship, as well as passengers landing from Seoul, Italy, Israel and China are getting their temperature taken by staff at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport.

Italy

In Italy, where the virus has taken hold and already killed more than 1,000 people, government officials implemented strict orders placing the country on lockdown in an attempt to stop the spreading infection.

As of March 3, passengers with a temperature higher than 99.5 degrees were not allowed to board flights to the United States.

All travelers flying into Italy are subject to temperature screening in Italy’s major airports, and the country has suspended flights from China and Taiwan.

Latvia

At midnight on March 17 (6 p.m. Eastern time), Latvia will close its borders to anyone who is not a citizen or legal resident, according to the U.S. Embassy in Latvia. There are no restrictions on leaving the country.

Lithuania

Lithuania declared a two-week nationwide quarantine on March 14, which includes closing the country’s borders to all foreign nationals, the government announced. Anyone returning from abroad will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Netherlands

On March 13, the Dutch government announced the suspension of flights from “risk countries” — mainland China, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy and South Korea. The ban is in place through at least March 27.

North Macedonia

The government of North Macedonia has said it is denying entry to foreigners who, in the last 14 days, have traveled to “high- or medium-risk countries” listed on its Ministry of Health website. The United States is listed as a high-risk country.

Citizens and legal residents of North Macedonia who traveled to a medium- or high-risk country in the past two weeks are allowed to enter but are subject to quarantine, according to the U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia.

Norway

On March 12, the Norwegian Directorate of Health said that regardless of whether they have symptoms or not, anyone coming into Norway from outside Nordic countries should be quarantined at home for two weeks from their arrival. The measure is set to last through March 26.

On March 13, the municipality for Oslo, the nation’s capital, said on its website that “foreign travelers from countries outside the Nordics arriving at Oslo airport will have to return home,” Reuters reported.

Poland

As of March 15, Poland will ban foreigners from the country, suspend international air and rail services for citizens and border controls will be temporarily restored, the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland said on Twitter. All Polish citizens returning from abroad must voluntarily quarantine for two weeks, according to officials.

Russia

The Russian government banned entry of Chinese nationals, except for transit, on Feb. 20, and on Feb. 28 it banned the entry of all Iranian citizens. On March 1, Russia restricted travel by South Koreans, mandating they enter the country only via Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow. As of March 13, the government banned Italian citizens from entry into Russia.

“Effective March 16, air travel between Russia and countries of the European Union, Norway, and Switzerland will be limited to flights between Moscow and capital cities,” according to officials.

On March 14, Russian officials announced plans to close the country’s land border with Poland and Norway to foreigners, according to Reuters.

Serbia

Serbia declared a state of emergency effective March 15, which prohibits all foreign nationals, excluding diplomats and legal residents, from entering the country. Some airports and land border crossings are closed, according to the U.S. Embassy in Serbia, and the government ordered a mandatory 14-day quarantine for anyone entering the country. Travelers from certain countries — Switzerland, Iran, Romania, Spain, Germany, France, Austria, Slovenia and Greece — will be quarantined for 28 days.

Slovakia

The Slovak Republic closed all three international airports on March 12, and since March 13, “all the persons coming to Slovakia from abroad are obliged to remain in quarantine for 14 days.”

Additionally, international bus and rail travel have been suspended, according to officials.

Spain

On March 16, the Spanish government announced the closing of its land borders, allowing only citizens, residents and others with special circumstances to enter the country.

Direct flights from Italy to Spain are banned until March 25, Spain’s health minister announced on March 10. The country’s Imserso Tourism Program, which offers travel opportunities for older adults, was also suspended on March 12.

Switzerland

As of March 14, travelers at the Swiss border with Italy will be refused entry with some exceptions, including anyone who lives or works in Switzerland, according to the U.S. embassy there.

Turkey

As of March 15, Turkey has suspended all flights to and from Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and South Korea. Foreign travelers “who were physically present in these countries in the last 14 days” are also barred from entering the country. Turkish citizens, including dual citizens, are exempt, but they could be subject to a quarantine requirement, according to officials.

On March 16, the health minister Fahrettin Koca said in a news briefing the country would also suspend flights to and from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates. The flights will be stopped as of 8 a.m. local time on March 17.

The Turkish government also closed its land borders with Iran and Iraq, as well as the Dilucu border crossing with Azerbaijan and the Sarp border crossing with Georgia.

Ukraine

On March 14, Ukraine announced the suspension of all commercial passenger travel, including flights, trains and buses, to and from Ukraine, starting March 17. The Ukrainian government said all foreigners would be barred from entering the country starting March 16.