Europeans Travelling to These World Countries Still Face COVID-19 Restrictions
While almost all European Union countries have already lifted their Coronavirus-related restrictions and now permit restriction-free entry to all travellers, some world countries continue keeping measures in place.
The list of world countries that still keep entry restrictions in place includes New Zealand, Japan, China, Singapore, and Thailand, among others. This means that all Europeans reaching these countries must follow certain rules, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Below you may find the current COVID-related entry restrictions that some world countries that are popular among Europeans have.
New Zealand
New Zealand requires all European travellers to present proof of vaccination. Only some special categories of travellers, such as those transiting through New Zealand, as well as those who have recently recovered from COVID-19, are exempt from the requirement to hold valid vaccination proof.
“If you are not a New Zealand citizen, resident or Australian citizen who lives in New Zealand, you must be vaccinated to enter New Zealand — unless you have an exemption. You do not need to be vaccinated if you are transiting through New Zealand,” the statement of the government reads.
The government further explains that to be eligible to enter New Zealand, travellers must have had a full course of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. Nonetheless, it has been pointed out that travellers do not need a booster shot.
In addition, vaccination proof is also accepted if the traveller has completed the vaccination process with two different vaccines, provided that that combination is approved in the country in which the traveller was vaccinated.
Travellers reaching New Zealand by air need to upload their proof of vaccination to the New Zealand Travellers Declaration, and there is no need to translate the document into English.
Japan
Travellers who are permitted entry to Japan must hold a COVID-19 test result obtained within 72 hours before their departure. In addition, they need to register the result with the government and get a QR code for immigration.
Travellers must note that Japan does not accept rapid antigen tests, meaning that everyone must take a PCR test. In addition, since June, all travellers have been required to book a tour guide with a company registered with the government and buy travel insurance.
Despite keeping such strict restrictions in place, the Japanese authorities said that they would soon remove the testing requirement for all travellers who have received a booster shot.
Thailand
Similar to the countries mentioned above, Thailand continues to keep entry rules in place for incoming travellers.
The authorities explain that travellers from Europe need to show a vaccination certificate or a negative COVID test result in order to be permitted entry.
The requirement to hold a vaccination certificate applies to all persons over the age of 18, and the document must prove that the holder has been administered the last dose at least 14 days prior to travel.
As for the negative test, Thailand accepts PCR tests taken within 72 hours before departure. Unvaccinated travellers that enter Thailand without a negative test must follow the guidelines and instructions as deemed appropriate by the Health Control officer at the point of arrival.
Indonesia
Indonesia also requires European travellers to present a vaccination, recovery, or test certificate.
Travellers who hold a valid vaccination or recovery certificate do not need to follow additional rules. On the other hand, those who don’t hold any of these two certificates must take a PCR test upon arrival and undergo quarantine.
In addition to the above-mentioned, travellers must also use the PeduliLindungi application and have downloaded the application before departure.
Singapore
All European travellers over the age of 12 need to be vaccinated against the virus to be permitted entry to Singapore. Those who are not vaccinated cannot currently enter the country. However, the authorities have said that from August 29, they will allow entry even to non-vaccinated travellers provided that they hold a negative COVID-19 test result.
Apart from keeping in place entry rules, Singapore also continues to apply domestic measures to control the spread of COVID-19. Travellers, as well as citizens of the country, need to wear a face mask and use the TraceTogether app in high-risk settings.
China
China has the strictest entry requirements. All travellers are required to hold a vaccination certificate as well as a negative test result taken within 48 hours before arrival.
In addition, international travellers reaching China also need to undergo a compulsory three-night quarantine and undergo daily rapid antigen tests during the quarantine period.
Some other world countries that were not mentioned above also keep restrictions in place for incoming European travellers.
South Africa
South Africa also continues to keep Coronavirus-related restrictions in place. The South African government explains that all international travellers must hold a vaccination, recovery, or test certificate upon their arrival.
South Africa recognises recovery certificates provided that the holder tested negative within the last 90 days. On the other hand, test certificates are recognised only if the holder obtained the document within 72 hours before arrival.
Travellers who do not hold any of the above-mentioned certificates can also enter South Africa. However, they must undergo testing upon arrival.
“If the traveller tests positive for COVID-19 in the antigen test, the traveller will still be admitted into the Republic, but if the traveller is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, the traveller must self-isolate for ten days after admission into the Republic,” the government notes.
United Arab Emirates
Travellers from Europe reaching the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are permitted restrictions-free entry as long as they present a vaccination certificate containing a QR code
“Those who are vaccinated against COVID-19 must present the vaccination certificate containing a QR code. They are not required to present a negative result of RT-PCR test for COVID-19 at the airport of departure,” the UAE authorities state.
Those who have not been vaccinated can also enter UAE provided that they present a recovery certificate issued within 30 days before departure or a negative PCR test results conducted within 48 hours before arrival.
Other countries that were not mentioned above also still have COVID restrictions in place for Europeans. Thus, it is advised that travellers check the entry rules of their destination country before leaving.
