In the midst of the fast paced changes in travel globally, we take a look at the current status of travel hotspots and restrictions today – We all know how quickly things change, so please, check the FCO Website here for all of the most relevant and up to date information on your destination…
SOUTH AFRICA
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against “all but essential travel” to the whole of South Africa.
The country introduced measures to contain coronavirus, including closing its borders to people from a number of countries with confirmed cases, including the UK.
AMERICA
President Donald Trump confirmed a travel ban on foreign nationals from the countries in Europe’s Schengen area, including the UK and Ireland, are now prohibited from travelling to the US. This measure is for an initial period of thirty days and will be reviewed thereafter.
The ban will be effective for UK travellers from 4am March 17. FCO have reported restrictions on all but essential travel to the US.
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand has announced new restrictions requiring a quarantined of 14 days for travellers upon entry into the country. The restrictions apply to all countries excluding Pacific nations, and are already in effect as of March 15. Prime minister Jacinda Ardern also announced a cruise ship call ban until at least June 30.
MALTA
All new arrivals to Malta will be required to enter a 14-day quarantine period – or face a €1,000 fine. The government has said the decision will remain in force until further notice.
POLAND
FCO is advising against all but essential travel to Poland. Poland closed its borders from midnight on Saturday 14 March.
SPAIN
The FCO is advising against all but essential travel to the whole of Spain.
CZECH REPUBLIC
UK citizens without permanent or temporary residency are not permitted to enter the Czech Republic. New containment measures are expected to come into force today (March 16). The FCO is therefore advising against all but essential travel to the whole country.
MAURITIUS
Mauritius has extended travel restrictions to British nationals and anyone who has travelled to, or transited through, the UK in the past 14 days.
From midnight on 16 March, EU and British nationals, Irish and Swiss citizens and anyone who has travelled to, from or through Reunion Island in the past 14 days will be denied entry.
A ban is already in place for people who have travelled within China, South Korea, Iran and Italy.
SAINT LUCIA
The country’s Department of Health and Wellness do not allow anyone who has been in Spain, France, Germany, Iran or the UK in the last 14 days to enter Saint Lucia. Anyone who has been in the US in the last two weeks, and who develops symptoms of Covid-19, will take immediate isolation measures.
INDIA
India has suspended all existing visas for the country. The FCO is also advising against all travel to certain parts of the country:
- In the immediate vicinity of the border with Pakistan, other than at Wagah
- To Jammu and Kashmir, except for flights to the city of Jammu and within the city of Jammu and the Union Territory of Ladakh
- The state of Manipur, except the state capital Imphal and the Meiti Valley areas, which includes Loktak Lake, Keibul Lamjao National Park and the Imphal War Cemetery.
CHINA
The Foreign Office advises against all travel to China’s Hubei Province, which includes the city of Wuhan. It also advises against all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China (not including Hong Kong and Macao).
VIETNAM
The FCO is advising against all but essential travel to Vietnam after announcing it will close its borders to all foreign nationals from 5am on 15 March and for the next 30 days, if in the previous 14 days they have been to the UK or any Schengen country, even in transit.
ARGENTINA
The FCO has advised against all but essential travel to Argentina, due to travel restrictions implemented by the country.
This includes a 30-day suspension of all international flights from the UK, as well as the whole of Europe, the US, China, Japan, South Korea and Iran.
SRI LANKA
The FCO has updated its travel advice to advise against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka.
MALDIVES
The government of the Maldives has imposed a temporary ban on all cruise ships from entering and docking in the country, and banned anyone who has been to Mainland China, Iran, South Korea, Italy or Bangladesh in the last two weeks.
The FCO has lifted restrictions on travel to Kuredu, Vilamendhoo, Bathala and Kuramathi.
The Government of Maldives have banned everyone who have been to Mainland China (not including Hong Kong), Iran, South Korea (North Gyeongsang and South Gyeongsang Provinces), Italy and Bangladesh from entering or transiting through the Maldives within the past two weeks.
ISRAEL
Overseas arrivals will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. Travellers must be able to provide evidence of adequate accommodation to isolate other than in a hotel.
NORWAY
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is asking travellers who are not Danish, Finnish, Icelandic and Swedish, and who are not residents of Norway, to leave.
Anybody still wishing to go to the country will have to self-quarantine for 14 days, and travellers with symptoms of Covid-19 will be isolated. All visitors who arrived after 27 February will also have to self-isolate for 14 days.
AUSTRALIA
All arrivals will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival and foreign cruise ships have also been banned from docking in Australia for 30 days.
UAE AND QATAR
The United Arab Emirates and Qatar will suspend the issuance of new visas from early next week, with the exception of those who have already obtained visas before March 17.
The FCO warns various air, land and sea routes to and from the country have been suspended, while passenger cruise ships are not currently permitted to dock in the UAE.
MADEIRA AND AZORES
The Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to the Madeira and Azores archipelagos. Arrivals will be screened with a high likelihood of quarantine upon entry. Cruise ships and yachts are currently not permitted to dock at any port in the Azores, Madeira or Porto Santo.
CYPRUS
The FCO is advising against all but essential travel to Cyprus, in conjunction with various controls and restrictions imposed by the Cypriot authorities. British nationals will be required to vacate their tourist accommodation by 21 March.
