Login

Main page >
Coronavirus: Travel restrictions, border shutdowns by country

26/05/2020

Countries around the world have taken drastic measures, including border closures, in an attempt to curb COVID-19.

Below is a list of countries that have taken such measures in recent days. Travellers should visit government websites for updated information and more details.

1.

Hungary

All foreign citizens are barred from entering the country – except for commuters who can cross the border at three specific border checkpoints with Serbia. Budapest airport remains open and everyone is free to depart. Measures do not apply to Hungarian citizens. All individuals entering Hungary are obliged to undergo a medical examination at the border to check for signs of COVID-19 infection. Those individuals suspected of infection will be put into officially designated quarantine for 14 days. If there is no suspicion of infection, individuals will still be required to quarantine at home for 14 days.

2.

Maldives

The Maldives has restricted the entry of all travelers who are tourists or airline crew who have been in Bangladesh, China, Iran, Italy, Malaysia, Spain, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, or in North Gyeongsang and South Gyeongsang Provinces in South Korea, Ile-de-France and Grand Est (regions of France), and Bavaria, North Rhine Westphalia, and Baden-Wuerttemberg (regions of Germany) in the past 14 days. All visas on arrival are suspended. All travelers arriving in the Maldives for a purpose other than tourism will be quarantined for 14 days at a place designated by the government. All travelers must present a completed “Health Declaration Card” and an “”Immigration Arrival Card” upon arrival. Velana Airport (MLE) is closed, and is only available for medevac, humanitarian, or non-scheduled flights with minimum 3 hours prior notice and approval. International restrictions: Entry (including for transit purposes) will be denied to all foreign travel. ll arriving passengers must complete a Health Declaration Card and undergo screening. While Male airport is closed to commercial services, essential flights, such as medical evacuations, are allowed to operate. Several flights operate daily to deliver cargo from the capital to other islands. Cruise ships are also not allowed entry into the country.

3.

Morocco

Morocco has suspended all international flights and ferries until further notice. The border crossings between Morocco and Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla are closed. A state of emergency was extended until 10 June, until when: All domestic and inter-city travel is suspended.

4.

Netherlands

Passengers are not allowed to enter the Netherlands. This does not apply to passengers in transit.

This does not apply to :

– family members of nationals of Switzerland, EEA Member States and of British nationals;

– healthcare personnel;

– frontier workers;

– transport of goods personnel;

– diplomats;

– personnel of international and humanitarian organizations,

– military personnel;

– passengers traveling for emergency family reasons;

– passengers in need of international protection or for other humanitarian reasons.

5.

Oman

Oman has restricted the entry of all travelers except for nationals of Oman. International restrictions: All international and domestic passenger flights (including transit) are suspended until further notice. All non-Omani nationals are barred entry until further notice.

6.

Saudi Arabia

Flights to Saudi Arabia are suspended. – This does not apply to technical stops, humanitarian, medevac and repatriation flights. These flights are subject to prior approval from GACA. International restrictions: The suspension of all international flights to/from Saudi Arabia is extended until further notice.

7.

Seychelles

Seychelles (SEZ) is closed.

8.

Spain

Government will lift quarantine for foreign tourists from 1 July. Government will reopen to international travelers from July. (Reuters, 23.05.2020) Spain lifts direct ban on flights from Italy. This does not apply to: – Immediate family members of a national of Spain traveling together or traveling to join the national of Spain; – Transport of goods personnel; – Diplomats, international organizations, military personnel and members of humanitarian organizations in the performance of their duties. Passengers are required to self-quarantine for 14 days.

9.

Sweden

Passengers arriving from outside EU are not allowed to enter.

10.

Ukraine

Representatives of official international missions, diplomatic missions and their families will be exempt from the inbound travel ban.

11.

Cyprus

Cyprus will reopen its airports for flights from 19 countries on June 9 and will allow hotels to reopen as of June 1.International restrictions: International commercial flights are suspended until at least 28 May

12.

Greece

The government has decided to open Greek borders for tourists from the European Union, the Schengen area and Israel by July 1 at the latest, but possibly even earlier, from mid-June. International restrictions: Most travelers are subject to a 14 day quarantine upon arrival in the country.

13.

Turkey

Kazakh and Turkish airlines may resume passenger flights between the two countries in late June. All international flights have been suspended for an indefinite period. All international passengers are screened with a thermal camera. Those displaying signs of higher-than-average temperature will then be referred to a medical adviser for further examination

14.

India

India has restricted the entry of all travelers until at least May 31, 2020.

15.

Israel

Passengers are not allowed to transit or enter Israel.

16.

Poland

Poland to extend ban on international flights until June 6.Government may reopen borders 15 June, lift remaining COVID-19 restrictions 1 July

17.

Portugal

Flights to Portugal are suspended.

18.

Belgium

Belgium has restricted the entry of all travelers who are not arriving from EEA Member States, Switzerland or the United Kingdom. orders have been closed for any non-essential movement. The restrictions apply at ports, airports, international train stations and other border points.

19.

Brazil

Brazil has restricted the entry of all travelers who are not citizens, residents, government employees and their family members, immediate family members of citizens, diplomats, travelers with authorization from the government, travelers with a National Migration Registry, or travelers in transit who do not leave the international area of the airport. Until 28 May all foreign travelers are banned entry into the country.

20.

Egypt

Government extends halt to all international passenger flights until further notice. Egypt has suspended all international flights except humanitarian, repatriation, and United Nations flights with a pre-authorization from the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority.

21.

Indonesia

Indonesia has restricted the entry of all travelers who are not Indonesia nationals, Temporary Stay Permit (ITAS) and Permanent Stay Permit (ITAP) holders, airline crew, diplomats, humanitarian aid workers, and foreigners working on strategic national projects.

22.

Republic of Korea

South Korea’s major airlines are cautiously preparing to restart a handful of international flights from June, starting with countries which have not imposed entry bans, but only quarantine measures. All visas issued on or before 5 April are invalidated. All passengers arriving in South Korea from overseas will be required to undergo two weeks of self-isolation. Exemptions can also be made for travelers who receive permission from a South Korean Embassy to travel for the purposes of business, humanitarian work or participation in an academic forum.

23.

Singapore

Authorities to allow travelers to transit through Changi Airport starting 2 June (Bangkok Post, 20.05.2020). Singapore will gradually reopen its borders with safeguards in place to allow Singaporeans to conduct essential activities abroad and for foreigners to enter and transit through the country. (CNA, 19.05.2020) International restrictions: Transit through Changi Airport for foreign travellers will be allowed from 2 June.

24.

Slovenia

The first passenger flights to and from Slovenia are expected to resume on May 26. Hungarian, Slovenian Governments agree on gradual reopening of the border by 1 June. Tourism to gradually resume from 18 May. Airports in Slovenia reopened on 12 May. Several airlines have announced plans to resume flights to/from Ljubljana in early June.

25.

Bulgaria

Government to allow entry of visitors from European Union, Schengen visa zones.

26.

Canada

Passengers are not allowed to enter Canada. – This does not apply to nationals of Canada. – This does not apply to passengers arriving from the USA. They must travel for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose. – This does not apply to permanent residents of Canada and their immediate family members. – This does not apply to diplomats. – This does not apply to seasonal agricultural workers, fish/seafood workers, caregivers and all other temporary foreign workers. – This does not apply to international students who held a valid study permit, or had been approved for a study permit.

27.

Czechia

Czech government will open border crossings with Austria, Germany from 26 May; foreign tourist travel remains restricted (Reuters, 25.05.2020) Passengers are not allowed to enter Czechia.

28.

Denmark

Passengers are not allowed to enter Denmark.

29.

Dominican Republic

Major US airlines plan to resume flights to the Dominican Republic as soon as the end of May and the beginning of June. All borders are closed until 1 June.

30.

France

France has restricted the entry of all travelers arriving from non-Schengen Member States.

31.

Germany

Berlin’s busiest airport will close on June 15 for at least two months, though authorities say the closure may be permanent. All flight traffic will be handled by Berlin Schonefeld Airport. Passengers are not allowed to enter Germany.

32.

Hong Kong

Passengers are not allowed to transit or enter Hong Kong SAR, China. – This does not apply to passengers with a Hong Kong SAR, China passport

33.

Iceland

Foreign nationals are banned from entering the country until at least 15 June, except for EU/EEA, EFTK and UK nationals.

34.

Japan

State of emergency for Tokyo lifted. Entry for foreign travelers who have been to the following countries in the 14 days prior to arrival remains prohibited until at least 31 May (Kazakhstan include the list of countries). The application of visa exemption arrangements for the following countries are temporarily suspended (Kazakhstan include the list of countries)

35.

Norway

Passengers are not allowed to enter Norway

36.

Serbia

Government to lift all entry restrictions from 22 May

37.

Slovakia

A ban on inbound international flights is in place until at least until 28 May. Only Slovak citizens and permanent residents are allowed into the country and they are required to enter a 14-day self-quarantine. Non-citizens can enter Slovakia for work reasons pending approval and a negative COVID-19 test.

38.

Switzeland

Switzerland has closed its land and air borders, and only Swiss citizens, residents, citizens of Liechtenstein, family members of Swiss citizens or EU/EFTA citizens living in Switzerland, EU/EFTA citizens travelling for work reasons and those claiming “causes of force majeure” can access the country. Transiting at Swiss airports is permitted if the traveler does not leave the transit zone.

39.

China

The mainland of China has decided to temporarily suspend the entry into the mainland of China by foreign nationals holding visas or residence permits still valid to the time of this announcement

40.

Finland

Passengers are not allowed to enter Finland.

41.

Ireland

Anyone coming into Ireland (apart from Northern Ireland) is advised to self-quarantine on arrival for 14 days. This includes Irish residents.

42.

Italy

All land, sea and air borders will remain partially closed until 3 June

43.

Kosovo

Land borders are closed to entry for non-Kosovo citizens

44.

Kuwait

Flights to Kuwait are suspended. – This does not apply to diplomatic, humanitarian or repatriation flights approved by the DGCA Air Transport Department.

45.

Kyrgyzstan

Government will lift most of remaining COVID-19 restrictions during the next few days, reopening public transportation and hotels. All foreign nationals are barred entry into the country.

46.

Latvia

Passengers are not allowed to enter and transit Latvia. Tourists are allowed to leave. Borders are closed to entry except for citizens and residents.

47.

New Zealand

All travelers, except New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, family of citizens and permanent residents, diplomats, and air and marine crew, are barred from entering.

48.

UAE

Government announces gradual reopening of business activities, easing of movement restrictions in Dubai from 27 May. All international air traffic remains suspended until further notice

49.

USA

All international travelers who are permitted to enter should expect heightened screening measures and will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days after their return.

50.

Austria

Passengers arriving from a non-Schengen Member State are not allowed to enter Austria.

51.

Giorgia

Georgia is working to resume flight connections with the Baltic states after tourist bans will be lifted starting July 1.

52.

Malaysia

Passengers are not allowed to enter Malaysia.

53.

UK

Government to introduce 14-day quarantine for almost all international travelers from 8 June

54.

Azerbaijan

Baku GYD Airport closed until 31 May 2020 (Qatar Airways) 1. Passengers are not allowed to enter Azerbaijan.

55.

Russia

All international flights, including charter flights and transit flights have been suspended. Exceptions will be made for diplomatic/humanitarian flights and government authorized aircraft and special flights repatriating Russian citizens. An entry ban for foreign travelers is in place until further notice. CIS citizens as well as those who live in the breakaway separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are exempted from the travel ban.

56.

Thailand

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has opened up more airports for special international flights. Passengers will be subject to a 14-day quarantine and will be transported by an allocated vehicle to a government-designated facility upon arrival. Foreigners are banned from entering Thailand until 31 May.

57.

Uzbekistan

Authorities extends COVID-19 quarantine measures until 1 June. All borders are indefinitely closed to people movement, with the exceptions of foreign nationals who wish to leave the country. People are required to wear masks in public places.

58.

Malta

Malta has suspended all flights. All travelers arriving into the country will be required self-quarantine for 14 days.

59.

Armenia

Government extends state of emergency until 13 June.

Passengers are not allowed to enter Armenia.

This does not apply to:

  • nationals and residents of Armenia;

  • immediate family members of nationals of Armenia;

  • diplomats and their immediate family members.

2. Passengers who are allowed to enter Armenia are subject to a 14 day quarantine. International restrictions: A state of emergency has been extended until 17.00, 13 June. Most foreign travelers are banned from entering Armenia, regardless of the country they are travelling from or the point of entry into the country.

60.

Australia

Government plans to lift COVID-19 restrictions by July. Australia will keep its international borders closed for at least three to four months to protect itself from the coronavirus pandemic. Passengers are not allowed to enter Australia.

61.

Mongolia

Passengers are not allowed to enter Mongolia. – This does not apply to nationals of Mongolia.

62.

Belarus

Belarus has not implemented any entry restrictions, but arriving travelers will be screened, and those showing symptoms may be quarantined. A completed awareness questionnaire must be presented on arrival and passengers must self-isolate for 14 days.