• Borders

          SOUTH KOREA: Country updates its COVID-19 entry requirements from 8 January 2021

          The country's government has updated its entry requirements and announced that, from 8 January 2021, all international travellers entering South Korea (with the exception of citizens) must present a COVID-19 negative PCR test result issued a maximum of 72 hours prior to departure; those who do not have a negative test result will be denied boarding. All travellers, regardless of visa type and nationality, are required to be re-tested at a government-designated facility within three days of arrival and a 14-day quarantine is required for all travellers, except for those holding a quarantine isolation exemption certificate. Transit travellers must transit within 24 hours and are not permitted to leave the airport under any circumstances.
          South Korea
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          AUSTRALIA: Area of Greater Brisbane to enter COVID-19 lockdown from 8 January 2021

          The government of the Australian state of Queensland has announced that residents and visitors in the city of Brisbane's Metro North, Metro South and West Moreton Hospital and Health Services - the council areas of Brisbane, Ipswich, Moreton Bay, Logan and Redlands, will be required to stay at home during a three-say COVID-19 lockdown due to start today, 8 January at 18.00 (local time). The measures are currently set to end at 18.00 (local time) on Monday 11 January.
          Australia
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          UNITED KINGDOM: South Africa ban extended and further countries removed from 'travel corridors' list

          The UK government has announced that entry into England will be banned to those who have travelled from or through any southern African country in the last 10 days including Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, Mozambique and Angola – as well as Seychelles and Mauritius. This does not include British and Irish Nationals, longer-term visa holders and permanent residents, who will be able to enter but are required to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival along with their household. The government has therefore also removed Botswana, Seychelles and Mauritius from the travel corridor list, with the changes coming into place from 04.00 (local time) on Saturday 9 January 2021. The measures will be in place for an initial period of 2 weeks before being reviewed. The country's government has also removed Israel (and Jerusalem) from the 'travel corridor' list.
          Middle East
          South Africa
          United Kingdom
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          SAUDI ARABIA: Country set to re-open to tourism from 31 March 2021

          The country's government has announced that Saudi Arabia is to lift its travel ban and begin re-opening for tourism on 31 March. Currently, in accordance with restrictions in force as of 8 January, only non-Saudis who hold valid exit and entry, work, or residency visas are permitted to enter; travelers with tourist visas are barred from entry. Non-Saudis arriving from the UK, South Africa, India, Brazil, Argentina, and other countries where the new variant of the COVID-19 virus has been detected must currently remain outside of these countries for 14 days before entering Saudi Arabia. Saudi nationals are currently permitted to enter the kingdom from countries where the new variant has been found but must quarantine for 14 days and submit to two COVID-19 tests.
          Middle East
          Borders
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          UNITED KINGDOM: Country's government imposes COVID-19 'Tier 5' lockdown measures nationally

          The country's government announced yesterday evening a return to a national COVID-19 ‘lockdown’ for England following a rise in infections, which came into effect from 00.01 (GMT) today, Tuesday 5 January. Among the restrictions are a blanket closure of all non-essential retail and most leisure facilities nationwide, the closure of schools, and an increased emphasis on staying home at all times with the exception of a small number of exemptions. The devolved administrations of the UK have also made similar announcements, with a similar full ‘lockdown’ announced in Scotland; schools have also closed to most pupils in Wales and Northern Ireland.
          United Kingdom
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          GERMANY: Country's government increases COVID-19 testing requirements for arrivals from risk areas

          The country's government has announced that international arrivals from COVID-19 risk areas will now be required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result prior to arrival, in addition to undertaking a second test five days after arrival following a mandatory quarantine period.
          Germany
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          SUDAN: Country extends restrictions on arrivals from South Africa, the UK and Netherlands

          The country's government has extended a ban on entry previously imposed on passengers arriving from the UK, the Netherlands and South Africa; the measure is now set to expire no earlier than 13 January, after previously being set to expire on 7 January. The restriction has been in place since 22 December following the emergence of new and more infectious strains of COVID-19 in the UK and South Africa.
          Middle East
          Netherlands
          South Africa
          United Kingdom
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          TAIWAN: Country's government suspends international airport transit from 1 January 2021

          The country's government announced on 30 December that it will impose additional entry restrictions and quarantine regulations for non-nationals, effective from 00:01 (local time at the airport of departure) on 1 January 1, 2021. Among the updates measures is a temporary suspension on transiting through Taiwan.
          Taiwan
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          AUSTRALIA: States & Territories commence closing borders

          Victoria will close its border with New South Wales (NSW) from 11:50pm on Friday, 1 January 2021. Those who arrive in the 24 hours before the border closure will still need to take a COVID-19 test. Victorians who arrive back from NSW after the deadline will need to go into hotel quarantine. Western Australia (WA) has also announced it will close its border with Victoria from midnight on Thursday, 31 December. Anyone who has entered WA from Victoria since December 21 will have to go into quarantine immediately for 14 days from their date of arrival. South Australia (SA) will close its border with New South Wales from 12:01am on Friday, 1 January. Travellers from NSW will be banned from entering SA unless they are essential travellers, returning South Australians or permanently relocating. The Northern Territory will close its border to travellers from greater metropolitan Sydney from midnight tonight. Those who arrive after midnight will go into mandatory quarantine at either Howard Springs in Darwin or in Alice Springs.
          Australia
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          INDONESIA: Country updates entry requirements for permitted travellers

          The country's government has published updated requirements, restricting entry for foreign nationals to those already holding a valid stay permit (KITAS/KITAP) until at least 14 January 2021. However, all such travellers must undergo hotel quarantine and also require a negative COVID-19 PCR test result obtained a maximum of 48 hours prior to departure. Passengers will be required to undergo a further COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in addition to quarantine requirements.
          Indonesia
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          PHILIPPINES: Country restricts entry to visitors from 20 countries

          The country's government has announced that it will close its borders to international arrivals from 20 countries, including South Africa, until at least 15 January, citing the discovery of a new COVID-19 variant internationally. In addition to the UK, locations with lower rates of COVID-19 including Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore also fall under the restriction. International passengers who transit through these locations are also not exempt from the restrictions. However, Filipino citizens will still be able to return to the country; they are required to undergo 14 days of quarantine upon arrival, regardless of COVID-19 test results.
          Philippines
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          CUBA: Country's government updates entry requirements for foreign visitors

          The country's government has announced that from 10 January, all foreign tourists travelling to Cuba will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test result obtained a maximum of 72 hours prior to departure. The certificate must be issued in two languages - the language of the passenger's country of origin, and English. Upon arrival, tourists will also have to take a second test, the result of which will be ready in a day during which time they must quarantine in hotel accommodation. Visitors must also have medical insurance with coverage for treatment for COVID-19, or purchase a Cuban medical coverage for $30USD.
          Cuba
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          SOUTH AFRICA: Country moves to adjusted COVID-19 alert level 'three' with immediate effect

          The country's government has announced that it has entered an adjusted COVID-19 alert level 'three' with immediate effect, from 29 December until at least 15 January. Among the amended restrictions, all indoor and outdoor gatherings will be prohibited for 14 days and a nationwide curfew will be extended and will be in place between 21.00 and 06.00 (local time) each night. Non-essential establishments must close by 20.00, and it is compulsory for every person to wear a mask in a public place. All beaches, dams, lakes, rivers, public parks and public swimming pools in hotspots will also be closed from 29 December.
          South Africa
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          SAUDI ARABIA: Country's government suspends entry for foreign nationals

          The country's government has announced that to curb the spread of COVID-19, it has temporarily suspended international flights and entry of foreign nationals to Saudi Arabia. Subject to certain restrictions, some airlines may allow foreign nationals to exit the country, however this excludes countries with the new strain of COVID-19. Passengers should contact their airline for the latest updates and follow the advice of local authorities.
          Middle East
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          CZECH REPUBLIC: Country imposes COVID-19 state of emergency and increased restrictions

          The country's government has declared that a COVID-19 state of emergency is now in force until at least 22 January, with virus-related restrictions raised to their highest (fifth) level. Updated measures include shop closures and nightly curfews between 21.00 and 05.00 (local time). Health and travel restrictions are also changing frequently, and regions may differ according to the rate of infection.
          Czech Republic
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          ANGOLA: Country's government imposes border restrictions due to concerns over variant COVID-19 strains

          The country's government has announced the closure of Angola's air, land, and sea borders to passenger travel to and from Australia, Nigeria, South Africa, and the UK from 23.59 (local time) on 26 December due to the emergence of a variant strain of COVID-19; it is currently unclear how long this measure will be in place. Regardless of the travel ban, entry into Angola remains highly restricted as part of the nation's pandemic-related state of calamity, which is in effect until at least 10 January 2021. International travel and internal restrictions therefore remain in place.
          Angola
          Australia
          Nigeria
          South Africa
          United Kingdom
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          TURKEY: Country's government restricts entry for foreign nationals from the UK, Denmark and South Africa

          The country's government has announced that only Turkish citizens, foreign nationals with a residency permit for Turkey, state officials or diplomatic personnel will be now permitted to travel from South Africa, the UK and Denmark to the country on direct flights; passengers must also present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result obtained a maximum of 72 hours prior to their arrival. Passengers will be required to quarantine and will be subjected to a further COVID-19 PCR test seven days later. Weekday and weekends curfews also apply while in-country.
          Denmark
          South Africa
          Turkey
          United Kingdom
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          SOUTH AFRICA: Country's government suspends direct flights to the UK from 24 December 2020

          It has been announced that in response to the new variants of COVID-19 in both South Africa and the UK, from 09.00 on 24 December direct flights from South Africa to the UK have been suspended; visitors arriving into England who have been in or transited through South Africa in the previous 10 days will also not be permitted entry. British and Irish Nationals, visa holders and permanent residents will still be able to enter upon completion of a passenger location form but are required to self-isolate for ten days along with their household.
          South Africa
          United Kingdom
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          SEYCHELLES: Country increases entry restrictions for passengers from South Africa from 31 December 2020

          The country's government has announced that from 31 December, South Africa will no longer feature on the list of countries from which visitors may travel to Seychelles. In addition, between 23 December and 31 December all visitors arriving from South Africa will not be permitted to stay in their private residence, but will have to book in to a category 'two' establishment for at least 10 days before being tested for COVID-19, and if negative can complete the remaining four days at home or in a category 'one' establishment.
          Seychelles
          South Africa
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          CZECH REPUBLIC: Country's government extends UK flight suspension until 31 December 2021

          In an update to a previous alert, the country's government has now confirmed that it has extended the suspension of all passenger flights from the UK travelling to the Czech Republic until midnight on 31 December. The restrictions have been introduced in response to the discovery of a new strain of COVID-19 within parts of the UK.
          Czech Republic
          United Kingdom
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