CHINA: Country launches COVID-19 vaccination certificates for citizens embarking on cross-border travel

The country's government has announced the launch of a digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate for its citizens planning cross-border travels. In a statement issued on China's foreign ministry website, it's stated that the certificates hold details about the holder’s COVID-19 vaccination information and test results; however, it's not immediately clear with which countries China is forming an agreement with for the use of these certificates. Domestically, China has not yet announced any relaxation of quarantine restrictions for people arriving in China who are vaccinated against COVID-19.
Mainland China
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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Dominican Republic entry requirements and travel restrictions

The Dominican Republic is fully open for tourism under its regular visa requirements. There are currently no restricted countries due to the pandemic. While visitors will face restrictions while on the island, entry requirements are relatively easy. There are currently no mandatory testing or quarantine requirements on arrival. Authorities, however, may randomly administer a quick Covid-19 breath test on selected travellers. All passengers must fill out an online E-ticket form before arriving.
Dominican Republic
Airline
Borders
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EL AL: Israeli airline launches COVID-19 testing pilot programme at check-in

The Israeli airline today, 8 March, launched a pilot programme at its Tel Aviv airport check-in counters to test unvaccinated passengers for COVID-19, before allowing them to board a non-stop flight to New York. Further testing is due to be carried out by the airline in New York within the next week, before a decision is made on whether to expand the initiative to other flight routes.
Middle East
United States of America
Airline
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El Al Israel Airlines
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NEW ZEALAND: Country's government to adjust COVID-19 alert levels from 7 March 2021

The country's government has announced an upcoming relaxation of COVID-19 alert levels in New Zealand from 7 March, following five days with no new community transmission of the virus. From 06.00 (local time) on 7 March, Auckland will move from alert level 'three' to 'two', and the rest of the country will move from alert level 'two' to 'one'.
New Zealand
Borders
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ZIMBABWE: Country removes quarantine requirement for arriving passengers

The country's government has announced that visitors to Zimbabwe, regardless of citizenship, are now no longer required to quarantine after arrival; passengers must however produce a qualifying, negative COVID-19 PCR test result.
Zimbabwe
Borders
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Leisure

SEYCHELLES: Country announces the re-opening of tourism from 25 March 2021

The country's government has announced that from 25 March it will re-open its borders to tourism from all destinations, with the exception only of passengers arriving from South Africa. Arriving passengers will now only be required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result obtained a maximum of 72 hours prior to departure; there will be also be no quarantine requirement nor restriction on movement upon entry into the Seychelles.
Seychelles
South Africa
Borders
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Leisure

PORTUGAL: Madeira to open new travel corridor for COVID-19 vaccinated or recovered passengers

The government of the Portuguese island of Madeira has opened a ‘green corridor’ to admit tourists who have been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19; the destination previously already allows visitors to enter with proof of a negative COVID-19 test result. To be eligible for the new travel corridor, tourists must prove their status through one of two documents – either proof of COVID-19 recovery in the last 90 days or an official vaccination certificate, which includes the date of the two doses taken and the immunisation period for each vaccine. Documentation in English must be submitted to the Madeirasafe.com app before the trip is taken.
Portugal
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MALAYSIA: Country launches 'safe travel' portal for business travellers from 3 March 2021

The country's government has announced that from 3 March it is welcoming business travellers with the launch of the 'safe travel' portal, which contains information and advisory services for both short- and long-term business travellers. Short-term business travellers staying in the country for 14 days or less may now be considered for exemption from mandatory quarantine, subject to the approval. Business travellers must however obtain relevant visas, if applicable, from the respective embassy or high commission prior to departure for Malaysia.
Malaysia
Borders
Business

JAMAICA: Country's government mandates COVID-19 testing for arriving passengers from 4 March 2021

The country's government has announced that all passengers entering Jamaica, both nationals and non-nationals, will now have to present a negative COVID-19 test result in order to enter the country. The test must be conducted a maximum of 72 hours prior to the date of travel, and the requirement will take effect from 4 March. Prior to this, only citizens of specific countries that Jamaica had classified as 'high-risk' for COVID-19 were required to provide a negative test result.
Jamaica
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AUSTRALIA: Country extends 'human biosecurity emergency period' until 17 June 2021

The country's government has confirmed that Australia's 'human biosecurity emergency period' will now be in place until 17 June 2021, giving them the powers to take any necessary measures to continue to prevent and control COVID-19. This represents a three month extension, which will total 15 months since the ban was first imposed in March last year. Powers currently in place under this initiative include restrictions on the entry of cruise vessels, restrictions on outbound international travel, pre-departure testing and mask-wearing for international flights. "These restrictions can be amended or repealed if no longer needed," Hunt noted, adding that in particular the Government was continuing to work with state and territory agencies, national health committees and the cruise industry "to develop a framework for the staged resumption of cruise ships in a manner that is proportionate to the public health risk".
Australia
Borders
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CYPRUS: Country updates COVID-19 entry requirements from 1 March 2021

The country's government has published updated COVID-19 entry requirements that come into effect from 1 March, introducing a new 4-tier colour-coded system allowing tourist visitors from over 40 countries to enter without requiring a quarantine period; passengers will however be subject to different levels of COVID-19 testing requirements based on the associated risk level assigned to their point of origin.
Cyprus
Borders
Business
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GERMANY: Country's government increases COVID-19 restrictions at French border

The government of Germany has announced that it has added France's eastern Moselle region to its list of COVID-19 'variant concern' areas, triggering tougher entry requirements at the border between the two neighbours. Under the new restrictions, almost all travel will be banned; there are only a few exemptions, including lorry drivers and certain key workers. Anyone crossing the border will have to provide a valid, negative COVID-19 test result.
France
Germany
Borders
Business
Leisure

SOUTH AFRICA: Country moves to COVID-19 alert level 'one' from 28 February 2021

The country's government has announced that South Africa will move to COVID-19 alert level 'one' from 28 February, with a curfew in place daily between 00.01 and 04.00 (local time). The 20 land border crossing points previously re-opened will remain fully operational, with an additional 33 remaining closed. International air travel will only be permitted from Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, King Shaka International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and Lanseria International Airport. All international travellers arriving at the aforementioned airports must produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test result on arrival obtained no more than 72 hours from departure. Passengers will also be subjected to health screening on arrival.
South Africa
Borders
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NEW ZEALAND: Country's government reinstates COVID-19 alert level 'three' in Auckland for seven days

The country's government has announced from 06.00 (local time) on 28 February, Auckland will be upgraded once again to COVID-19 alert level 'three' for a period of at least seven days; the remainder of the country will also move to alert level 'two'. The changes have been announced following the discovery of new community cases of COVID-19 in South Auckland.
New Zealand
Borders
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UNITED STATES: State of Vermont to lift COVID-19 quarantine requirement for vaccinated arrivals

Since November, people travelling in or out of Vermont have been subject to a strict, state-mandated quarantine; travellers must isolate for two weeks on entering or when preparing to leave the state, or for a week if they receive a negative COVID-19 test result. However, the rules are changing for people who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine - from 2 March, travellers who have been vaccinated may come or go freely without isolating.
United States of America
Borders
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GERMANY: Country's government to extend border checks until 3 March 2021

The country's government has announced that it is extending current, strict COVID-19 border checks at crossing points with the Czech Republic and Austria’s Tyrol province until at least 3 March. At these crossings, Germany is limiting entry to its own citizens and residents, truck drivers, health workers and a few others including cross-border commuters working in 'systemically relevant sectors'. All are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result.
Austria
Czech Republic
Germany
Borders
Business
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CHINA: Country's government introduces pre-departure quarantine for passengers from 'high-risk' destinations

The country's government has announced that it will now require passengers arriving from some destinations deemed 'high-risk' for COVID-19 to complete 14 days of self-quarantine prior to departure. The new rule applies to a number of African countries including the Republic of Congo, Seychelles, and South Africa, as well as other high-risk locations including Egypt, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, according to the respective Chinese embassy websites. Passengers will also now be requited to take COVID-19 PCR and antibody tests at designated venues within 48 hours of boarding to qualify for a green health code. Upon arrival in China, travellers will not be exempt from standard quarantine requirements.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Egypt
Indonesia
Mainland China
Middle East
Seychelles
South Africa
Borders
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Leisure

POLAND: Country's government eases COVID-19 entry restrictions for some arrivals

The country's government announced updated entry requirements for arrivals which took effect from 22 February; among them, quarantine requirements on arrival have been lifted for passengers arriving with certification that they have been vaccinated for COVID-19. The certification must show that the passenger has received a European Union-approved vaccine.
Poland
Borders
Business
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UNITED KINGDOM: Scotland to move back into COVID-19 level system from 5 April 2021

The government of the devolved UK administration of Scotland has announced that it's current COVID-19 stay-at-home order is set to end on 5 April, to be followed by a return to a level system to ease out of lockdown restrictions. The Scottish government has said that will be able to give more details in mid-March on how restrictions will be eased from the end of April onwards.
United Kingdom
Borders
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AUSTRALIA: State of Queensland to suspend quarantine-free entry to arrivals from New Zealand

The government of the Australian state of Queensland has announced that it will suspend quarantine-free entry to arriving passengers from New Zealand, effective as of 18.00 (local time) on 24 February; passengers who arrive after 18.00 will be required to complete 14 days of quarantine. The announcement is in response to escalating COVID-19 cases in New Zealand.
Australia
New Zealand
Borders
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