Coronavirus travel advice: Restrictions and limitations

[Updated 04/08/2020]

It's already July, but COVID-19 is still affecting many countries and the total number of cases keeps growing. Fortunately, international travel is slowly starting to grow again, although many countries are still keeping some restrictions in place. Are you planning holidays or business trip? See our list of country restrictions to see whether you will be allowed to travel to your destination.

Countries updates on Covid-19 restrictions

Australia

Foreigners are not allowed to enter Australia at this moment. The only exceptions are New Zealand citizens residing in Australia and other countries in Oceania in transit to their country of origin, permanent residents and their families, airline crews and diplomats.

Until July 17, the number of international passengers arriving in Sydney are limited to 450 per day, and all flights are limited to 50 passengers. All travellers must be quarantined for 14 days at government-designated facilities. Quarantine is free, except in the Northern Territory and Queensland.

Azerbaijan

Foreigners cannot travel to Azerbaijan until August 31st, and must carry a medical certificate with the negative in COVID-19.

Bahrain 

Suspension of the visa at the arrival facilities, this does not apply to passengers with diplomatic, official, service or United Nations passports. Passengers are not allowed to enter except for nationals and residents of Bahrain, nationals of Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, passengers with an electronic visa obtained prior to departure, and military personnel. In addition, passengers are subject to a medical examination on arrival and to a 10-day quarantine.

India

India has suspended almost all flights to the country until at least 31 August. Certain categories of Indian citizens and residents are allowed to enter the country on repatriation flights organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. However, all travellers are required to undergo 14 days of mandatory quarantine on arrival in India, must install "Arogya Setu" on their personal device and must submit a completed self-declaration form.

Japan

Japan has banned the entry of travellers who have been to Chile, China (People's Republic), Chinese Taipei, Comoros, Congo, Congo (Dem. Rep. ), Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Rwanda, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Germany, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Eswatini, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR of China), Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya and Liechtenstein. 

It has also banned those who have been in Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Macao (SAR of China), Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova (Rep. Republic of Korea, Romania, United Republic of Tanzania and Ukraine. ), Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian Territory, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Republic of Korea, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Vatican City (Holy See), Venezuela and Vietnam in the last 14 days.

New Zealand

New Zealand has suspended entry to all foreigners, except Australian citizens residing in New Zealand, as well as citizens of Samoa and Tonga making essential trips. Thanks to its fast reactions, New Zealand was one of the few countries that managed to tackle the coronavirus, read our article to see how New Zealand managed the COVID-19 and how it affects its tourism.

Russia

Russia has limited the entry of all travellers, except for Russian citizens, permanent residents, residents with residence permits, airline crew members, diplomats and travellers whose visit concerns the death of an immediate family member.

Passengers must have a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus PCR test result (COVID-19) issued no more than 72 hours before arrival. The medical certificate must be issued in Russian or English. A notarized Russian translation is accepted.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has no entry bans, but does have a 14-day quarantine for travellers arriving in the country.

Singapore 

Singapore has suspended entry and transit for all short-term visitors who are not Singapore residents, including Singaporean citizens and permanent residents, or holders of long-term passes (work passes, student passes, dependant's passes and long-term visit passes). Travellers to Singapore must undergo the COVID-19 test and be isolated for 14 days in a isolation facility (SHN) at a cost of $2,000. 

United States

The United States has restricted entry to all foreigners who have transited or have been in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China (People's Rep.), Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom in the past 14 days. They are not allowed to enter and transit.

This does not apply to U.S. nationals and permanent residents, spouses of U.S. nationals and permanent residents, parents/guardians of an unmarried U.S. citizen or permanent resident under the age of 21, and passengers with the following visas: A-1, A-2, C-1, C-1/D, C-2, C-3, CR-1, CR-2, D, E-1, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, IR-1, IR-4, IH-4, NATO-1 through NATO-4, or the NATO-6 visa.

In addition, all passengers who are able to enter the country must spend a 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

Vietnam 

Vietnam has restricted all entry to travellers, except citizens, diplomats and highly skilled workers, experts, business managers and others who have been approved by the National Steering Committee for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19. All passengers will be quarantined for 14 days.

Canada

Canada has restricted entry to all foreigners until August 31 except for Canadian citizens, residents and passengers arriving from the United States for purposes other than tourism.

Egypt

Egypt has opened the airports to international travellers, who will have to undergo a temperature test and fill in a tracking card with their personal details. In addition, foreigners must have health insurance to cover their expenses in Egypt.

Cuba

Cuba has cancelled all flights to the country, except for humanitarian aid. People visiting Cuba will have to spend a 14-day quarantine.

Turkey

Turkey has removed its travel restrictions on COVID-19. All travellers must wear a mask at all times within the airport during all flights to and from Turkey.

They must also fill out a Passenger Locator Form before arriving in Turkey. All travellers arriving in Turkey must undergo a medical examination to check for symptoms of coronavirus, such as fever.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka doesn't allow the entry to non-residents and foreign nationals.

Uganda

Uganda has banned all flights. Emergency, humanitarian and security operation planes can still enter the country. Crews of these planes will have to go through mandatory quarantine.

Djibouti

All flights to the country are cancelled, passengers will be subject to medical tests upon arrival.

Where to spend summer 2020?

As the rules are changing all the time, we are keeping this list updated so you can check if you will be allowed to enter the country you plan to visit.
If you are looking for an inspiration, check our Top 10 countries to visit this summer, best destinations for solo travelers, the cheapest countries to visit during and after coronavirus and a list of countries opening their borders in July 2020.

Tips for a trip in a coronavirus-affected area

If you are travelling to an area affected by coronavirus we recommend you to monitor the news while the outbreak is still active, read all the travel advice about your destination and follow the instructions of the authorities. 

You should always sanitize your hands in airports and planes. Hand sanitizers are great or antiseptic hand wipes are useful to wipe down armrests, remote controls at your seat and your tray table.

The WHO advises washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be used when soap and water are not available.

Travellers should disinfect their seats, avoid touching their face, nose and ears and try to stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing, regardless of where they travel to. Most viruses don't spread easily on airplanes because of how the air circulates and is filtered.