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Media sources in the country have said that Japan is likely to ease restrictions on business travellers from 30 countries and regions from next month, who are visiting for stays of up to three days. Under the plan, business travellers will be required to take a COVID-19 test, avoid public transportation and submit an itinerary of their activities during their stay; however, they will not be required to quarantine in their hotels, according to the media source.

The UK government have announced that the Canary Islands, the Greek island of Mykonos, the Maldives and Denmark have been added to their travel corridor list following a decrease in confirmed cases of COVID-19. From 04.00 (GMT+1) on 25 October, passengers arriving to the UK from these destinations will no longer need to self-isolate, so long as they haven’t been in or transited through any other non-exempt countries in the 14 days preceding their arrival. People arriving into the UK from Liechtenstein from 04.00 (GMT+1) on 25 October, however, will need to self-isolate for two weeks as the country is removed from the travel exemptions list.

The country's government has continued to ease COVID-19 restrictions on Grand Bahama Island , following its recent move into 'phase three' on 15 October. From 1 November, visitors will be permitted to explore the island more freely; however entry requirements still entail both COVID-19 PCR pre-testing and a further two tests, on and after arrival.

The country's government has announced a further relaxation on the movement of international visitors, including an expansion of their 'Safe Corridor' to include a wider range of hotels, tour operators, restaurants, tourism sites, gift shops, car rentals and taxis; these can be viewed on the Belize Health App for tourists to select. An application to enter Belize is also no longer necessary, and residents and tourists who arrive with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result or who test negative at the airport are no longer need to quarantine for 10 days.

The Namibian government has removed the five-day mandatory COVID-19 test requirement for international visitors; its president has announced that all travellers arriving with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, not older than 72 hours, may proceed to their final destination in the country. Meanwhile, returning Namibian citizens or permit holders may enter the country with or without a COVID-19 PCR test result. However, if they present a positive test result or no result at all, they will be subjected to mandatory quarantine and testing or isolation, after arrival.

The country's government has announced that from tomorrow, 22 October, it will close its borders to all international tourism once again, in response to a rise in COVID-19 cases. The ban on tourism will remain in place until at least 3 November, when it will be reviewed again for potential extension. Essential travellers will still be permitted to enter if they fit into specific categories including the purposes of business, essential family travel, medical reasons or to attend a wedding or funeral.

The country’s government yesterday, 19 October, introduced some of Europe’s toughest COVID-19 restrictions by closing non-essential retail, limiting restaurants and pubs to take away service and telling people not to travel more than five kilometres from their home. The restrictions will initially stay in place for at least five weeks.

The government of the UAE has confirmed that 'Ok to Board' pre-approval is no longer required for passengers travelling to Dubai from India or Pakistan. Any such approval process will now be managed and updated by airport teams directly at the time of check-in.

The government of the devolved UK nation have announced that Wales will go into a circuit break-style lockdown from 18.00 (GMT+1) on 23 October, lasting until 9 November; a number of restrictions apply which ultimately mean that residents will be told to stay home in most circumstances. The BBC has published a guide to these restrictions, which also includes a summary of current restrictions in all other UK nations.

The country's government has announced updated COVID-19 restrictions as part of a declared 'epidemic' alert level, which came into effect today, 20 October; among the new measures, most gatherings are limited to six people, and all larger public gatherings are prohibited. A curfew will also be imposed every day from 21.00 (local time) to 06.00.

London Heathrow Airport has today, 20 October, started trialling one-hour rapid COVID-19 testing for passengers departing from the UK to Hong Kong and Italy, to allow them to avoid quarantine with a negative result. The facilities have reportedly been initially set up for four weeks, but could be extended depending on demand.

The government of South Africa has today, 19 October, issued a revised list of countries designated as 'high-risk' for the purposes of international travel. As a reminder, international travel for business and leisure purposes resumed on 1 October 2020 in South Africa with restrictions in place; travel is currently restricted from countries with infection rates deemed to be high, and travel for leisure purposes from 'high-risk' countries is not permitted. Only high skill visa holders, investors in the economy and diplomats are allowed entry into South Africa from 'high-risk' countries with the necessary approvals in place.

The country's government has announced that from today, 19 October, it is making the wearing of face masks mandatory in public and ordering clubs, bars and places of entertainment to close at 23.00 (local time). In addition, rapid testing for COVID-19 will also be rolled out for airport arrivals, and at schools and clinics where cases of the virus are suspected.

The government of Canada has confirmed that the US-Canada land border closure has once again been extended for a seventh time, for at least another 30 days until 21 November. The extension means the land border will remain closed for all non-essential traffic, including US tourists wanting to enter Canada. Separately, Canada also previously announced 8 October that it would shortly re-open to selected international travellers arriving by air.

The government of Belgium has opted to re-introduce a COVID-19 curfew effective from today, 19 October; the curfew will be in effect from 00.01 to 05.00 (local time). Belgium already has a mandatory mask requirement on public transport and in all indoor public places. All cafés and restaurants are currently closed.

The country’s government is set to impose increased COVID-19 restrictions following an increase in cases; among the restrictions, gatherings will be limited to a maximum of six people indoors and 12 people outdoors. Professionally organised events will also have higher limits combined with requirements such as assigned seating.

The government of the Australian state of Victoria has from yesterday evening, 18 October, eased COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in the city of Melbourne as cases of the virus continue to decline. Among the changes, Melbourne residents will no longer face limits on the time they can spend away from their homes for education or recreation. Previous restrictions allowing residents to travel only 5 kilometers (3 miles) from home have also increased to 25 kilometers (15 miles). Regulations are due to be lifted even further by 2 November with the partial re-opening of shops, bars and restaurants.

The country’s government yesterday, 18 October, announced tighter COVID-19 restrictions including a nation-wide obligation to wear masks and a ban on large scale public gatherings; gatherings of more than 15 people in public places will be banned from today, 19 October, and masks must be worn in all indoor public places.

South Africans and citizens of nine other African countries will be able to visit Seychelles as tourists from today, 19 October, according to the latest official Seychelles Travel tourism travel advisory published on 16 October. The list of category one countries has been updated to include Botswana, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Category one permitted countries are considered low and medium risk.

The country’s government yesterday, 15 October, announced new restrictions aiming to curb a rise in COVID-19 infections within Poland; this includes limits on opening hours for bars and restaurants, sports events and schools in some areas. Sports events will be held without audiences and gyms and swimming pools will close. The capital Warsaw will also be downgraded to a ‘red’ zone.