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The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has published updated information on new COVID-19 testing requirements for UK travellers arriving in Italy. Passengers must present evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result on arrival obtained a maximum of 72 hours prior to departure; alternatively, a free test may be taken on arrival, but passengers must self-isolate until the results are received, unless their arrival airport has rapid testing available.

The country’s health minister yesterday, 7 October, said that Italy will make testing for COVID-19 compulsory for people traveling from the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium and the Czech Republic.

The country's government has confirmed that a curfew has been imposed in its capital region of Tunis to slow a surge in COVID-19 cases. In the four provinces that make up greater Tunis the nightly curfew is between 21.00 and 05.00 (local time), and also includes a suspension of Friday prayers in mosques. The curfew will start at 19.00 at weekends.

The country's government has announced that rapid COVID-19 antigen tests will be rolled out at all South Africa’s ports of entry with immediate effect. Any passengers who arrive without an existing negative PCR test result will be screened for symptoms and sent for testing at a cost of R150-170 per person. Results of antigen tests are typically available within 15 minutes, and anyone testing positive must quarantine at a designated facility. However, any passengers who are 'red-flagged' for showing symptoms of COVID-19 may still be quarantined, even with a negative antigen test result on arrival.

The country’s government is reportedly planning to remove a ban on overseas travel to China and 11 other countries from next month, according to a domestic newspaper source today, 8 October. The 11 other countries and regions may include Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam and Malaysia; however, unnecessary and non-urgent visits to these destinations would still not be encouraged.

The country's government will put Lyon and Lille on maximum COVID-19 alert, according to French radio reports today, 7 October, paving the way for new restrictions to curb the spread of the virus in the two cities. Elsewhere, Paris and Marseille are already on maximum alert; this has resulted in bars in the capital having to close for two weeks, and restaurants having to set up new sanitary protocols to stay open.

The country’s government yesterday, 7 October, went ahead with plans to make face masks mandatory in outdoor settings nationwide in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. Several Italian regions including Lazio however, around the capital Rome, had already done so.

From 12 October, any passengers arriving in Latvia must complete and submit an electronic form no earlier than 48 hours before entry. Further information is available on the Latvian government’s COVID-19 website.

The country’s government has announced that from midnight (local time) today, 7 October, arrivals to Romania from the UK must quarantine for 14 days. However, travellers not showing symptoms after 8 days may be released early following a negative COVID-19 test result. In addition, passengers planning to stay in Romania for 3 days or less are exempt from quarantine, as long as they provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result obtained a maximum of 48 hours before entering the country.

The government of Cuba have announced that the popular resort town of Varadero will be the latest area of the country to re-open for tourism, officially permitting foreign tourists on 15 October. Local authorities have accordingly created a ‘tourism corridor’ that will restrict tourists to particular areas, reducing the chances of community transmission. The corridor will run from K Street to Punta Hicacos within Varadero, with limited tours and excursions available within the designated zone. Passengers landing at Varadero Airport will be tested for COVID-19, after which they will quarantine at their hotel for a maximum of 24 hours while awaiting test results. If the test is negative, they can proceed with their trip.

The country’s government has said that it will tighten COVID-19 restrictions at the end of this week, limiting groups to four people in any setting, private or public. The government has also introduced a traffic light system of high, medium and low-risk regions, with entry restrictions assigned accordingly.

Peru resumed international flights on 5 October; passengers must present a negative COVID-19 test result obtained a maximum of 72 hours prior to departure, when both leaving or entering the country. If they do not have this negative test result they will not be allowed to board, and must also present a sworn declaration confirming that they have been self-isolating between the time the test was performed and the time of travel.

the country’s government placed the Paris region on maximum COVID-19 alert level today, 5 October, invoking increased restrictions which will last for at least two weeks. Under the alert level, bars will be closed and restaurants will face strict conditions; indoor sporting facilities will be open only to children under 18 and most events in public settings will be banned.

The country's government has announced that from 08.00 (local time) on 5 October 2020, the new 'Managed Isolation Allocation System' will come in to force for all arrivals to New Zealand. The system is an online portal where passengers must obtain a voucher prior to travel that confirms their place in a managed isolation facility. There will be an initial one-month grace period before doing so becomes a legal requirement for all arrivals from from 00.01 (local time) on 3 November 2020.

Reports from a tabloid newspaper in Scotland suggest that the devolved UK nation’s government is due to shortly place the country under a full, two-week mini COVID-19 lockdown from 9 October. The country’s first minister has today though said that although new measures will be announced from 7 October, a full lockdown is not planned.

The country’s government has said that border restrictions on non-essential travel with the U.S., which have most recently rolled over until at least 21 October, will remain in place for some time to come, until the COVID-19 pandemic in both nations is much less serious. From 8 October, Canada will though allow the entry of certain extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, including those in an exclusive dating relationship of at least one year.

The country’s prime minister has announced that COVID-19 restrictions in the city of Auckland will be lifted from 23.59 (local time) on 7 October, when it will move to the reduced status of alert level one.

The government of South Africa has announced that the visa-free travel status of citizens from a number of countries and territories has been reinstated. The countries include: South Korea, Spain, Italy, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, USA, UK, France, Portugal and Iran - however, this visa-free status does not alter other current COVID-19 regulations. Immigration officers will be required to assess the movement and place of origin of the traveller and not the country of origin of the airline concerned. Transit travellers through South Africa by air will be allowed to connect to their destinations, subject to them complying with applicable health protocols but need not produce a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within the previous 72 hours.

The New York City Mayor has today, 4 October, announced that from 7 October he is moving to close non-essential businesses as well as schools in nine neighbourhoods identified as COVID-19 clusters.

The country's government has confirmed that national border regulations have been relaxed to international visitors, including passengers from the UK. As of now, travellers who do not require a visa can enter the country upon the presentation of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result obtained a maximum of 72 hours before departure. Passengers must also present either an invite issued by a Moroccan company, or an accommodation booking for the duration of their stay.