UNITED STATES: Tightening travel rules to and within the U.S.

The United States is tightening travel rules to and within the U.S., requiring all in-bound international passengers to test for Covid within 24 hours of departure. It’s also extending its mask requirement on all domestic flights and public transportation through March 18.
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AUSTRALIA: Tasmania closes international border

Overseas arrivals have been barred from entering Tasmania as a result of concerns over the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Public Health published a statement outlining that anyone who has spent time overseas since November 14 cannot enter Tasmania unless approved as an essential traveller. The only exception is for New Zealand's south island. The Tasmanian Government released a statement saying the decision amounted to a temporary suspension of the current process for international arrivals seeking to come to Tasmania.
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AUSTRALIA: Switzerland border update

Switzerland has tightened COVID-19 restrictions. If you're entering Switzerland from a country with a COVID-19 variant of concern (including Australia), you must present a negative PCR test result and quarantine for 10 days. When entering Switzerland you must complete a Public Health Entry form prior to arrival (unless exempt).
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SOUTH AFRICA: Countries applying travel bans and restrictions continues to grow

Due to the Omicron Covid-19 variant, new restrictions on travel between South Africa and further Southern African countries, have been put in place. The newly added countries applying either additional testing requirements, quarantine on arrival, travel for restricted exempt travellers or complete bans on travel for the affected countries include; Kuwait, Norway, Fiji, South Korea, Indonesia, Slovenia, Finland, the Bahamas, Mongolia, Macau, Brunei, Lithuania, Peru, the Ukraine, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba, Antigua and Barbuda, Ecuador, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Iceland, Chile, St Vincent and The Grenadine, Aruba, and Uzbekistan.
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Chile
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Fiji
Finland
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Iceland
Kazakhstan
Lithuania
Moldova
Norway
Peru
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
Ukraine
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AUSTRALIA: Hong Kong border update

Australia is now listed as a ‘high risk place’. If you're travelling from Australia, you can't enter Hong Kong unless you're a fully vaccinated Hong Kong resident. You also can't enter Hong Kong if you have been in Australia for more than 2 hours on the day of boarding or during the 21 days before that day. Fully vaccinated Hong Kong residents or a fully vaccinated Foreign Domestic Helpers with a valid employment visa can arrive into Hong Kong however they will be required to hotel quarantine for 21 days.
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CANADA: Reinstates foreign air travel testing

Canada is imposing new testing requirements on all air travellers coming from outside of Canada with the exception of the U.S., due to concerns over the Omicron variant. Air Travellers will be tested on arrival and self-isolate until they get their results.
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AUSTRALIA: Japan border update

Japan has suspended the entry of all non-resident foreign nationals. You are unable to enter Japan unless you're a Japanese citizen or permanent resident with a re-entry permit. This entry ban applies to travellers who have already obtained a visa in the past. The quarantine period for all international arrivals is 14-days, even if you're fully vaccinated.
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SOUTH AFRICA: Travel restrictions and bans continue for travellers from South Africa

In addition to country bans and restrictions in place in reaction to the emergence of the Omicron variant, as on 29 November, further countries have applied regulations of their own. The countries newly included are Zimbabwe, Gabon, Bangladesh, Panama, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Cambodia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Poland, Indonesia, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Reunion, Russia, Rwanda and Switzerland. Some of the restrictions would have immediate effect on travel from South Africa and other risk-designated countries, with complete bans or stricter entry regulations which may include mandatory quarantine. Travel regulations remain extremely fluid as government and airline regulations continue to be adjusted in response to the Omicron variant.
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Gabon
Indonesia
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Jamaica
Panama
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AUSTRALIA: Pause to further easing of border restrictions

On the basis of medical advice provided by the Chief Medical Officer of Australia, Professor Paul Kelly, the National Security Committee has taken the necessary and temporary decision to pause the next step to safely reopen Australia to international skilled and student cohorts, as well as humanitarian, working holiday maker and provisional family visa holders from 1 December until 15 December. The reopening to travellers from Japan and the Republic of Korea will also be paused until 15 December. The temporary pause will ensure Australia can gather the information we need to better understand the Omicron variant, including the efficacy of the vaccine, the range of illness, including if it may generate more mild symptoms, and the level of transmission. Australia’s border is already closed to travellers except fully vaccinated Australian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family, as well as fully vaccinated green lane travellers from New Zealand and Singapore and limited exemptions. All arrivals to Australia also require a negative PCR test and to complete Australian traveller declaration forms detailing their vaccination status and confirming requirements to comply with state and territory public health requirements.
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South Africa : leads red list additions as new Covid-19 variant identified

The government has reintroduced red list restrictions on arrivals from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia with immediate effect. The move comes in response to the discovery of a new variant of Covid-19. Variant B.1.1.529 has been declared a “variant under investigation” by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Officials said the variant includes a large number of spike protein mutations as well as mutations in other parts of the viral genome.
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SOUTH AFRICA: Countries further restrict SA travellers

Various countries, as listed below, have issued new travel restrictions on traffic originating from Southern African countries, including South Africa, due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 (these may include but are not limited to quarantine upon arrival, additional testing, vaccination requirements or a complete travel ban). The affected countries currently are listed as the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Singapore, the Czech Republic, Mauritius, Seychelles, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Croatia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Belgium, France, Spain, Malta, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Guatemala, Cyprus, Canada, the US, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Denmark, Egypt, India, Japan, the Maldives, Morocco, Qatar, Thailand, Pakistan, Israel, New Zealand, Angola. The situation is extremely fluid and changing constantly. Travel into a great number of the countries that imposed a travel ban or travel halt, is restricted to travel being allowed for citizens and permanent residents, with limited exemptions being allowed.
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Mauritius
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Pakistan
Philippines
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Spain
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Thailand
Turkey
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Fifth of destinations still completely closed to tourism

One out of five destinations continue to have their borders completely closed as new surges of Covid-19 impact the restart of international tourism. The latest research shows that 98 per cent of all destinations still have some kind of travel restrictions in place. According to the UNWTO Travel Restrictions Report, 46 destinations (21 per cent of all destinations worldwide) currently have their borders completely closed to tourists. Of these, 26 destinations have had their borders completely closed since at least the end of April last year. A further 55 (25 per cent of all global destinations) continue to have their borders partially closed to international tourism, and 112 destinations (52 per cent of all destinations) require international tourists to present a PCR or antigen test upon arrival. The research also shows how destinations are opening up to vaccinated international tourists: 85 destinations have eased restrictions for fully vaccinated international tourists, while 20 destinations have made a full Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for entering a destination for tourism purposes. However, just four destinations have so far lifted all Covid-19-related restrictions completely (Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Mexico).
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Saudi Arabia allows entry of all travelers who received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Saudi Arabia will allow direct entry to travelers from all countries who have received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine starting from December 4, the Ministry of Interior said on Saturday. Travelers allowed entry would have to quarantine for three days. The ministry did not specify a particular vaccine as a requirement. The Kingdom suspended on Friday flights to and from South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini over concerns of the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron. It allowed airports to operate at 100 percent capacity, cancelled the requirement of social distancing in public places, modes of transportation, restaurants, and cinemas, as well as lifting the requirement of wearing masks outdoors. The authorities also lifted the restrictions on the number of people at gatherings such as wedding halls and event venues.
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Israel : to accept Covid-19 antigen tests for travel

Israel has further relaxed Covid-19 health requirements for both returning citizens and foreign tourists looking to enter the country. From today, passengers arriving in the destination can present a negative antigen test from the previous 24 hours. This is instead of the previous requirement of a negative PCR test from the previous 72 hours. Passengers landing at Ben Gurion airport and Israel’s other border entry points will still be required to undergo a PCR test at the airport and remain in isolation until the results are received (within 24 hours).
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SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa remains on alert level one

Following President Ramaphosa's speech on the evening of 28 November and amidst developments surrounding the Omicron variant, South Africa will remain under alert level one. All international travellers arriving in South Africa must produce a negative PCR test, to be presented on arrival and not older than 72 hours from the date of departure from the country of origin, as well as a vaccination certificate. Masks must be worn for the duration of travel. A person entering the Republic must be subjected to screening on arrival at the point of entry, including the completion of a traveller health questionnaire. Some travel restrictions and travel bans have been placed on travel from South Africa and it is essential to check the entry requirements of the country you wish to travel to, inclusive of any transits, stop overs as well as the end destination.
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SOUTH AFRICA / UNITED KINGDOM: SA back on UK red list

A new variant of COVID-19 discovered in South Africa, B.1.1.529, has prompted the UK to place South Africa back on its red list, along with Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia from midday 26 November. Direct flights to the UK from these countries, both commercial and private, will be banned until hotel quarantine is up and running at 04h00, November 28. This excludes cargo and freight without passengers. Non-UK and Irish residents who have been in these countries in the last 10 days will not be able to enter England, and possibly the rest of the UK. UK and Ireland residents arriving in the UK between midday 26 November and 04h00 on Sunday, 28 November, must isolate at home for 10 days and take PCR tests on days 2 and 8. Residents arriving from 04h00 on Sunday, 28 November, must isolate in a government-approved facility, also for 10 days and with tests on days 2 and 8.
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FRANCE: France announces new COVID measures

On 25 November, French Health Minister Olivier Véran announced that from 15 January, booster shots will become a requirement for a valid health pass, which is required in France to enter restaurants, cafés, cinemas and museums, among other public venues. The announcement came as France has been tackling a recent surge in infections. The country is wary of entering a lockdown at this point.
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SOUTH AFRICA / ISRAEL: Israel bans entry from Southern African countries

Due to the newly-discovered SA variant of COVID-19, Israel has banned entry of travellers from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, and Eswatini, according to News18. Israeli citizens returning from these countries must stay in a designated quarantine motel for seven days, even if they are fully vaccinated. They will be released after two negative PCR tests. Those who refuse to be tested must stay in quarantine for 12 days, PM Naftali Bennett has confirmed.
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ITALY: Italy to introduce ‘super green pass’

Italy is to bar unvaccinated people from popular social and sports activities, with a 'super green pass' effective December 6. People must prove they are vaccinated or recovered from COVID to access cinemas, theatres, gyms, nightclubs, ski lifts and stadiums, and to be served indoors at bars and restaurants.
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CARIBBEAN: Grenada updates protocols for fully vaxxed travellers

Grenada has updated its ‘Pure Safe Travel’ protocols. Fully vaccinated travellers entering Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique with a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before travel, will no longer need to be tested on arrival, nor to quarantine for 48 hours upon arrival. Travellers will no longer need to fill out a Pure Safe Travel Authorisation Certificate, but must fill out a Health Declaration Form.
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