SOUTH AFRICA: Additional restrictions to be introduced from 13 July 2020

The country will introduce new measures from 13 July, including the re-introduction of a ban on alcohol sales, to help contain the spread of COVD-19 and take pressure away from its health system. A night-time curfew will also be in place, and the wearing of face masks outdoors is now mandatory.
South Africa
Borders
Business
Leisure

AUSTRALIA: All international arrivals to be capped from 13 July 2020

The Australian government have announced that from 13 July they will cap the number of international arrivals into the country, including returning citizens, at 4,175 per week. This represents a reduction of approximately 50% on current arrival numbers. It has also been indicated that passengers arriving into Australia will be required to pay their own government-provided quarantine costs in all states and territories shortly - thus far only the states of Queensland and the Northern Territory have done so.
Australia
Borders
Business
Leisure

NORWAY: Country to lift travel restrictions for 20 countries from 15 July 2020

The Norwegian government has today confirmed a list of more than 20 European countries from which it will lift travel restrictions on 15 July; this includes France, Germany and Britain as well as three of the 21 provinces of neighbouring Sweden. The list will be reviewed at least every 14 days based on data such as infection rates and hospital admissions in each country.
France
Germany
Norway
Sweden
United Kingdom
Borders
Business
Leisure

UNITED KINGDOM: Leisure and beauty facilities to re-open in July 2020

The UK government has announced that leisure and beauty related businesses and services will be permitted to re-open throughout the remainder of July. Among those included to be re-opened in phases until 25 July are outdoor and indoor swimming pools, grassroots sport, indoor gyms, sports facilities and beauticians.
United Kingdom
Borders
Business
Leisure

ST MAARTEN: Caribbean country postpones all commercial U.S. flights until 1 August 2020

The government of St. Maarten have announced that all commercial flights from the U.S. have been pushed back for a second time and are now tentatively scheduled for 1 August. The Island's Princess Juliana Airport was due to resume full operations on 1 July, but the introduction of U.S. flights was then previously delayed 15 July prior to this further extension.
United States of America
Borders
Business
Leisure

GREECE: Country toughens border restrictions for visitors from Bulgaria

The Greek government announced today that from 14 July, visitors arriving via its border with Bulgaria will be permitted entry only if they show a negative COVID-19 test. The test must be conducted within 72 hours of arrival.
Bulgaria
Greece
Borders
Business
Leisure

ITALY: State of emergency likely to be extended past 31 July 2020

The country's prime minister announced today, 10 July, that Italy is likely to extend a state of emergency beyond its current deadline of 31 July due to the current COVID-19 crisis. The state of emergency was originally declared in January.
Italy
Borders
Business
Leisure

UNITED STATES: Country suspends flights by Pakistan International Airlines

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced that it has revoked permission for Pakistan International Airlines to conduct charter flights to the United States, citing concerns over Pakistani pilot certifications. Pakistan last month grounded almost a third of its pilots after discovering they may have falsified their qualifications.
Pakistan
United States of America
Airline
Borders
Pakistan International Airlines
Business
Leisure

AUSTRALIA: State of Queensland to close border to arrivals from Victoria

The Australian state of Queensland has announced that from midday on 10 July it will close its border to anyone who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days; this includes any arrivals from the entire state of Victoria, which is classified as a hotspot. Anyone who enters is required to sign a border pass agreeing to mandatory testing if they develop symptoms within 14 days.
Australia
Borders
Business
Leisure

BANGLADESH: Airlines may require departing passengers to present negative COVID-19 test

The United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has reported that some airlines may now be requiring passengers departing from airports in Bangladesh to present negative COVID-19 test certificates prior to boarding. Passengers due to fly on departing services should confirm any such requirement in advance with their airline.
Bangladesh
Borders
Business
Leisure

NIGERIA: Country resumes domestic flights as airports re-open

Nigeria began to resume domestic flights on 8 July following a suspension of around three months. The airports for the capital, Abuja, and commercial hub Lagos have now re-opened for flights; a handful of other airports will open on 11 July, and the remainder of airports will resume flights on 15 July.
Nigeria
Borders
Business
Leisure

FINLAND: Easing of travel restrictions from 13 July 2020

The country's government has announced that on 13 July it will lift all travel restrictions for 17 European countries; also allowed will be both work-related travel and other essential trips to several countries on other continents. However, restrictions including a recommended 14-day quarantine upon arrival will be retained for travellers from 12 European countries - this includes Spain, Britain and France, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Romania, Monaco, Portugal, Poland and Sweden.
Finland
Borders
Business
Leisure

NEPAL: International and domestic flights to remain suspended until 22 July 2020

The country's government has announced that it will extend the suspension of all scheduled domestic and international commercial flights until at least 22 July. This also includes the denial of entry to Nepal to certain foreign nationals, as well as the closure of land-based entry crossings into the country for foreigners from third countries.
Borders
Business
Leisure

NETHERLANDS: Borders closed to Serbia and Montenegro for a second time

The Netherlands closed its borders to arrivals from Serbia and Montenegro on 8 July just a week after opening them, citing a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in both countries. Travellers from Serbia and Montenegro had regained access on 1 July when the Netherlands, following European Union guidelines, re-opened their borders to a list of 14 countries outside of the European bloc.
Montenegro
Netherlands
Serbia
Borders
Business
Leisure

SPAIN: Catalonia orders all residents and visitors to wear masks in public

The Spanish region of Catalonia, which includes the city of Barcelona, has ordered that from 9 July all residents and visitors must wear face masks in public at all times; this makes them the first Spanish region to toughen an existing national directive mandating their use when in close proximity to others.
Spain
Borders
Business
Leisure

AUSTRALIA: Country advises its citizens against travel to Hong Kong

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has warned its citizens against travel to Hong Kong. This follows the Australian prime minister's announcement that an extradition treaty with the Hong Kong is to be cancelled; this is due to Australia citing China’s national security law as ‘a fundamental change of circumstances’. Smartraveller warns that the new legislation for Hong Kong could be interpreted broadly, and travellers could be deported to mainland China for prosecution under mainland law for breaking a law in Hong Kong that they were not aware of, and without intention.
Australia
Borders
Business
Leisure

ESTONIA: Entry permitted for travellers from 14 non-EU and EEA countries

As of 6 July, Estonia will now permit entry to travellers from 14 countries outside of the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA), based on their low COVID-19 infection rates. Travellers without symptoms arriving from an EU Member State, Schengen Convention state or from the UK are allowed also permitted to enter the country. A requirement for self-isolation is dependent on the number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the passengers' country of departure.
Estonia
Borders
Business
Leisure

THAILAND: Proposed travel 'bubbles' for resumption of tourism to be delayed

The country's government have reportedly today, 8 July, said that plans to introduce travel bubbles in September are likely to be delayed following a spike in COVID-19 cases. Countries including Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong were set to be included. The country has thus far partially lifted a three-month ban on foreign visitors this month, allowing business travellers and tourists seeking medical treatment to enter.
Thailand
Borders
Leisure

AUSTRALIA: Country's government considering limiting numbers of returning citizens and residents

The country's prime minister said today, 8 July, that the government could restrict the number of people returning to the country, following the news of strict lockdown measures being re-imposed in the state of Victoria. The prime minister said he wants to reduce the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and foreigners exempt from Australia’s travel ban that are landing at Australian airports, in order to ease the strain on hotel quarantine.
Australia
Borders
Business
Leisure