COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATES – Ep5 ASIA
Fact: missing Asia! But can we really travel again to this beautiful continent? Yes and no, as there are some serious travel restrictions to take into consideration before booking. Bear with me.
COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATES – Ep1 DESTINATION EUROPE
COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATES – Ep2 THE CARIBBEAN
COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATES – Ep3 AFRICA
COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATES – Ep4 NORTH, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATES – Ep6 SOUTH PACIFIC
Now let’s see how we really stand!
This is the up to date information on September 21, 2020.
Which Asian countries apply travel restrictions?
Brunei – entry is severely restricted. Visitors must take a COVID-19 test on arrival (cost 1.000 BND) and need to be able to cover the cost of a stay in a quarantine facility. All visitors must download the BruHealth app. Brunei is exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel. Be adivsed that Brunei is enforcing an exit travel ban.
China –no entry to foreign nationals with visas issued before March 27. A small number of international flights is currently operating between Europe and Shanghai, Guangzhou and Qingdao.
Hong Kong – any visitors who are not HK residents or the spouse or children of residents, will be denied entry. Hong Kong is on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list.
India – all international commercial flights are currently suspended. All land borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and Nepal are closed to everyone except returning Indian nationals.
Wonders of a train journey in India
Indonesia – no visitors allowed entering and transiting Indonesia except for essential travelers. These need to have a valid health certificate before being allowed to enter.
Israel – no visitors permitted to enter, except for citizens or residents.
Japan – no entry to travelers who have visited the UK or other affected countries, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Japan is on the UK Government’s quarantine exemption list.
Jordan – no commercial flights to/from Jordan. All land and sea borders are closed.
Kazakhstan – most travelers including those from the UK are currently prevented from entering Kazakhstan.
Kuwait – gradually reopening to international travel. Visitors coming from the UK can only enter if they have a residency visa and proof of a negative test no older than 72 hours.
Laos – currently no visas are being issued to people traveling from a country with cases of COVID-19, including the UK. Starting July 24, Laos is exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel.
Malaysia – no entry, except for Malaysian nationals and foreign nationals holding certain categories of residency and employment passes. Malaysia is exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel.
The Maldives – has reopened its borders and lifted its ban for anyone who has left or transited through the UK in the last 14 days. A form must be filled 24 hours before travel. Temperature will be checked on arrival. Showing symptoms or suspected positive cases will have to pay for a test. Tourists will not have to self-isolate. All visitors are advised to download the Trace Ekee app.
A Perfect Maldives Trip – 28 Tips
Mongolia – international flights are suspended until at least August 31.
Myanmar (Burma) – all commercial flights are suspended until at least 31 August.
Nepal – intention to deny entry to certain foreign nationals, including the UK visitors, also intention to lift the suspension of international commercial flights on 1 September.
Oman – no visitors allowed to enter, except for Omani nationals. Residents returning from the UK need to contact Oman Air’s UK office.
Philippines – currently neither visa on arrival not enter permission to UK visitors.
Qatar – borders closed to all visitors, except for Qatari nationals, permanent residents or specific family member. UK nationals with a Qatar residence permit are now allowed to enter. In case of showing symptoms, a 14-day isolation at a government facility is mandatory and visitors with no symptoms need to self-isolate for 14 days.
Saudi Arabia – no entry with a tourist visa from significantly affected countries, but some expats holding valid visas are now exempt. Please check the specific requirements here .
Singapore – all short term visitors are banned to entry. Those in extenuating circumstances need to submit a Form 14. If you’re given permission to enter Singapore, you will be issued with a 14-day Stay at Home Notice (SHN) and must pay $2,000 to carry out the quarantine at a government-designated hotel. Singapore is on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list.
Sri Lanka – no entry, except for nationals. However, numerous reports suggest Sri Lanka began reopening its borders to all visitors on August 1 , with strict restrictions in place.
Tajikistan – there are temporary restrictions on the entry of all visitors through all checkpoints.
Thailand – entry is not permitted for most foreign nationals. Thailand is on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list.
Turkmenistan – all international (scheduled) commercial flights to/from Turkmenistan are suspended.
Vietnam – foreign travelers are currently banned from entering the country. Vietnam is on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list.
Which Asian countries are open to visitors?
Bahrain – borders are now open again for UK visitors. Enhanced testing (for a fee) and self-isolation until the test results are required upon arrival. In case of a visit longer than 10 days, a new test is necessary (please download the BeAware app).
Bangladesh – in order to enter, UK visitors need to complete Health Declaration Forms and Passenger Locator Forms while on the flight. On arrival, all foreign travelers need to show proof of a COVID-19 negative test, no older than 72 hours prior travel.Visitors coming from the UK must self-isolate for 14 days. Starting July 26, all foreign nationals departing from Bangladesh are required to provide a COVID-19 negative test result, issued within 72 hours of travel, issued by one of the hospitals listed on the official Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh website. Exempt from this requirement – all travelers to have spent less than 14 days in Bangladesh and children under the age of 10.
Cambodia – currently open to all visitors with a proof of COVID-19 negative test proof of insurance on a minimum of US$50,000 medical cover and have a visa before arrival. Cambodia have introduced a $3,000 (USD) deposit for the COVID-19 service. Fees will be deducted for the test, an overnight stay in a waiting centre, plus meals at the waiting centre. The rest of the amount will be paid back. In case of one passenger positive tested, all other passengers on the same flight will be quarantined for 14 days. Starting July 24, Cambodia is exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel.
Iran – only holders of an Iranian passport or holders of a valid visa are permitted to enter at the moment.
Kyrgyzstan – borders are now open to British passport holders and no quarantine requirements. In case of symptoms, passengers will be asked to isolate at home. For any entry/exit questions,please contact the Kyrgyzstan authorities: +996 312 881 618.
Lebanon – all visitors must fill this health declaration form online and present a proof of an insurance policy that covers all costs of treatment for COVID-19 in Lebanon (there is the option to buy a policy at the airport). Visitors need to take 2 PCR, one before arriving and one on arrival, then self-isolate until the result (around 48 hours). FCO advises against all non-essential travel to Lebanon
South Korea – all foreign visitors will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival. They may be held in a separate facility for 24 hours until the test results.. In case of positive result, travelers will be transferred to the appropriate healthcare facility. South Korea is on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list.
Taiwan – foreign visitors will be permitted to enter on the condition they are not entering for study, tourism or to visit friends, also they need a negative COVID-19 test result, 3 days before the journey.. Apply for a visa before traveling. Taiwan is on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list.
UAE – visitors from the UK can only fly to Dubai. Everyone arriving in the country needs a proof of a negative COVID-19 test before they arrive. There are chances to be asked to take another test on arrival and to self-isolate.
Uzbekistan – borders open only for business visits. Visitors from the UK need to go into 14 day quarantine. The Government introduced a $3,000 COVID-free guarantee meaning that those who travel to Uzbekistan with a local tour operator or on a small tour will be compensated $3,000 in the unlikely case they get COVID-19.
