We are implementing the following procedures to keep everyone informed:

• Any change that directly impacts an assignee will first be addressed immediately by our Relo Specialist with our client relocation case manager for the file.
• On this blog, we will place the latest  updates from our countries as we receive them
• Once a week we will be sending our by-country update  (Sample) via email, posting to our blog and sharing via our social sites.

If you would like to join the email list, please email info@relonetworkasia.com.  If you have questions at any time, please also reach out directly for answers to your specific needs and challenges.

June 6, 2022 Update

CHINA:

It has been announced that the PU letter will no longer be a requirement for the application of work “Z” visa or the dependent “S1” visa.  PU letter will still be required in other visa types.

KOREA:

Starting June 8^th 2022, South Korea will lift a 7-day quarantine requirement for all travelers entering from abroad regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not.

However, all travelers will still be required to take a PCR test or RAT before entering the country and another PCR test will be required within 3 days of arrival as before. Please see below.

1. Testing before entry (PCR or RAT are both accepted)

– PCR test within 48 hours prior to the departure date OR

– RAT within 24 hours prior to the departure date

1. Testing after entry (PCR test within 3 days)

– PCR test within 3 days of entry
– Additional test: recommended RAT on the 6 or 7 days

April 25, 2022 Update

BRUNEI: Starting 6 May, the Travel Green List will be ended.  On the same date for fully-vaccinated entrants the quarantine and on-arrival testing requirements will be lifted.  Fully vaccinated travelers will be able to enter Brunei for any reason.

CHINA: Continues zero-covid policies and lockdowns in Shanghai have been strengthened.

HONG KONG: Starting 1 May, non-resident travelers may enter but must follow the same rules as residents when crossing the border including 7-14 days of quarantine.  There will also be an easement of the flight arrival rules with a policy of 5 passengers or 5% of a flight test positive results in a 5 day suspension of the route.

SINGAPORE:  Starting 26, April, Fully vaccinated arrivals may enter without a pre-departure test.  Local restrictions will also be lifted including contact-tracing apps including Trace-Together and SafeEntry.  Contact tracing for larger events will still occur.

THAILAND:  Starting 1 May, fully-vaccinated arrivals will no longer be required to take a PCT test and will be able to travel to any part of the country.  Unvaccinated arrivals must quarantine for 5 days at designated facilities, although exemptions are available if a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure is uploaded into the Thailand Pass system.

April 13, 2022 Update

CHINA:  Local restrictions in Shanghai are being lightened while stricter protocols are being implemented in Guangzhou.

PHILIPPINES:  Local restrictions have been extended through 30 April.

MYANMAR:  Beginning 17 April,  all arrivals must show proof of full vaccination and a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival.  Upon arrival, an additional PCR test, health declaration are required and travelers must quarantine at a designated facility until test results are returned.

 

April 5, 2022 Update

KOREA:  As of 2 April, most fully-vaccinated arrivals will be permitted to forgo quarantine.  Arrivals should register a vaccination and obtain a Q-code prior to arrival.  More information on the Q-code:  https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr/cpassportal/biz/beffatstmnt/main.do;jsessionid=Orqm3RrozXhKFwwGi17L-bhABFIGfdGIWauTgFtN.prd-cpass-was92?lang=ko

 

April 1, 2022 Update

BRUNEI: As of today, the Travel Green List scheme is reactivated.  Participating countries currently include: Australia, Cambodia, China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Korea, UK and UAE.  Travelers arriving from these locations will no longer need an Entry Travel Pass and will need to quarantine at residence or a designated facility to await the results of the on-arrival test.  Arrivals from other locations will need to quarantine for at least 5 days.  Citizens and Residents who are fully vaccinated will be permitted non-essential travel to Travel Green List countries.

CHINA:  Testing program in Shanghai continues.  Grids containing Covid infections will be locked down for an additional 10 days (surrounding areas, additional 4 days) with a home quarantine and testing for an additional seven days.

PHILIPPINES:  Level 1, the least restrictive precautions have been extended in Metro Manila and surrounding areas until 15 April.

March 30, 2022 Update

BRUNEI:  Domestic restrictions have been extended through 15 April, except the nightly curfew which will end 1 April.

INDONESIA: Domestic restrictions outside of Bali and Java have been extended through the 11 April.

March 29, 2022 Update

CHINA:  China continues to do mass testing and movement restrictions to maintain the zero-covid policy.  The latest is in Shanghai where half the city is currently under lockdown until Friday when the other half of the city will enter lockdown through the following Tuesday.

PHILIPPINES: Starting April 1, fully-vaccinated international arrivals, including tourists will be permitted to enter the country without quarantine requirement.  Arrivals must provide proof of vaccination and either a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours or a RAT taken within 24 hours of departure.  They will be asked to self-monitor for symptoms during the initial 7 days after arrival.

March 22, 2022 Update

HONG KONG: Starting 1 April, the current flight ban will be lifted for Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, US and UK.  Also, the hotel quarantine requirement will be reduced to 14-days if the traveler received a negative PCR test on day 5 and negative antigen test on days 6 and 7.

MALAYSIA:  Starting 1 April, quarantine will no longer be required when entering the country.  Arrivals will need to provide a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure as well as pass a RAT test within 24 hours of arrival.  Unvaccinated travelers will still need to quarantine for 5 days.  Presentation of the digital travelers card via the MySejahatera app will be required prior to boarding.

MYANMAR:  Restrictions are being eased and starting 17 April, international flights will be permitted to arrive.  Travelers must be fully vaccinated, quarantine for 7 days and undergo 2 PCR tests.  More details are anticipated.

THAILAND:  Starting 1 April, pre-arrival testing requirements will be lifted.  The Alternative Quarantine program will have the mandatory quarantine reduced from 7 or 10 days to only 5 days.  The number of days travlers must remain in the Sandbox area will also be shortened to now 5 days from the previous 7.

 

March 15, 2022 Update

BRUNEI: Local restrictions through 31 March including a nightly curfew and requirement for unvaccinated individuals to show negative ART test to enter government facilities.

CHINA:  Continue “zero covid” policies have resulted in strict restrictions in Shanghai.  Residents are not to leave unless necessary, negative test is required to enter or leave the city, schools are closed and lockdowns are occurring in certain areas of medium risk locations.  This can be 14 days of lockdown or 2 days lockdown + 12 days of monitoring.

KOREA:  Starting 21 March, fully-vaccinated travelers with a vaccination history registered in Korea will no longer need to quarantine for 7 days upon arrival.  Starting 1 April,  those vaccinated abroad and without registration in Korea will also be exempt from quarantine.  Also beginning 1 April, arrivals will be permitted to use public transportation upon arrival instead of specified or private transport.

VIETNAM:  Travel restrictions have eased and visa-free travel of up to 15 days is now permitted for citizens of the following countries: Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

February 28, 2022 Update

INDIA:  A nightly curfew in Delhi has been lifted as well as in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

PHILIPPINES: Starting 1 March, local protocols are being eased in Metro Manila and 38 other areas to Level 1 – or the least restrictive measures.  Proof of vaccination status may be required to attend work or public places.

VIETNAM:  Staring 15 March, the suspension of visa issuance and visa exemption will be lifted for nationals from 100 countries, permitting tourism to resume.  Full-vaccination will be required accompanied by a set of arrival protocols including testing and quarantine for 1 day at a designated facility while awaiting the results of an on-arrival PCR test.

February 16, 2022 Update

INDONESIA:  Existing restrictions have been extended at least through 21 February.

JAPAN:  After rumors that the border opening process will begin shortly, we await an official announcement which will hopefully come iwht the Prime Minister’s press conference tomorrow.

KOREA:  Proof of vaccination status is now required before entering public places including restaurants and multi-use facilities.

MALAYSIA: A vaccinated travel lane (VTL) will open between Malaysia and Brunei.  Fully-vaccinated travelers will not need to quarantine when arriving via one of the four-weekly VTL flights.

SINGAPORE: The 50% cap on VTL arrival quotas has been lifted.  New VTL’s with Hong Kong, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE will start 25 February.  Starting 4 March, VTL’s will begin for Israel and Philippines.   This will provide quarantine-free travel between the listed countries.  Starting 22 February, arrival protocols for VTL travelers from low-risk countries change to replace the on-arrival PCR test with a supervised ART.  Starting 21 February, arrival protocols will be simplified: Travel history requirement will be reduced to 7 days, SHN will be 7 days for all, vaccinated LTP holders will no longer need a VTP or Entry approval to arrive in Singapore and pre-departure tests for those transferring or transiting through Singapore airport will no longer be required.

VIETNAM:  All restrictions on the frequency of international flights to Vietnam have been removed.

February 8, 2022 Update

INDONESIA:  Local restrictions are being raised to the highest level in several locations including Bali and Jakarta through at least 14 February.  During this time, there will be a curfew from midnight through 4am in Jakarta.

TAIWAN:  Beginning 15 February, the entry ban for migrant workers from Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam will be lifted.  Local restrictions have been extended through 28 February.  Workers must be fully-vaccinated and must complete 14 days of institutional quarantine, followed by 7 days of self-monitoring health.

January 31, 2022 Update

HONG KONG: Starting 5 February, the 21-day quarantine is being shortened to 14 days followed by 7 days of self-monitoring.  Additional testing during self-monitoring period will be required.  A flight ban has been extended through 18 February for arrivals from Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, Philippines, US and UK.

INDIA: Domestic restrictions and a suspension of inbound and outbound international flights have been extended through 28 February.

PHILIPPINES:  Beginning 1 February, fully-vaccinated arrivals from all locations will no longer be required to quarantine.  Starting 10 February, fully vaccinated arrivals from non-visa required countries will be allowed entry for any purpose, including tourism. A full list of countries can be viewed here:  https://dfa.gov.ph/list-of-countries-for-21-day-visa

 

January 26, 2022 Update

AUSTRALIA:  The Australian government has advised pre-entry testing is qualified as a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure or a nucleic acid test taken within 72 hours prior to departure.    Arrivals are also subject to state-specific requirements for arrival protocols.

CHINA:  Tight restrictions are in place in advance of the Olympic games.  Arrivals must take a Covid test within 72 hours of arrival in Beijing.  Flights from high-risk locations to Beijing are currently suspended.

INDONESIA: Local precautions have been extended in Java and Bali through 31 January.

JAPAN:  A quasi-state of emergency has been declared in the following prefectures through 20 February: Aomori, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Kagoshima, Kyoto, Nagano, Oita, Okayama, Osaka, Saga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi and Yamagata.  It has also been extended for the same timeframe for Okinawa and parts of Yamaguchi and Hiroshima.

MACAU: The ban on international arrivals from locations outside Mainland China has been lifted.

MALAYSIA:  Fully-vaccinated arrivals who have received their booster shot who have a reduced quarantine to five days.

TAIWAN:  Local and international travel restrictions currently in place have been extended through 7 February.  Inbound passengers must continue to quarantine 14 days  followed by 7 days self-monitoring until 14 February.  Those arriving from high-risk locations must quarantine in  specific group facilities.

THAILAND:  Applications for the quarantine-free Test & Go scheme are again being accepted for travel beginning 1 February.  All travelers are eligible for the program.  Domestic restrictions are also being eased in locations across the country.  Bangkok has been designated a blue zone and is now subject to the lightest restrictions.

 

 

January 19, 2022 Update

HONG KONG: Quarantine exemption for those entering via Zhuhani Port is suspended.  Applications to enter through the Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macau bridge checkpoint under the Return2kh and Come2hk schemes are suspended indefinitely.  Arrivals with previously approved applications must undergo mandatory quarantine until further notice.

INDONESIA:  A ban on foreign arrivals has been lifted despite rising cases of Covid infections.

JAPAN:  The quarantine period for international arrivals has been reduced to 10 days unless arriving from a high-risk country.  Starting Friday through 13 February, a quasi-state of emergency will be put into place for Tokyo and a dozen additional prefectures including Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa, Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Nagasaki, Humamoto, Miyazaki, Kagawa, Niigata and Gunma.  Dining establishments will be asked to shorten business hours, but the suspension of serving alcohol is optional.

KOREA:  Travelers pre-departure Covid testing has been revised to require that the swab be taken within 48 hours before departure.

VIETNAM:  The government has requested that provincial authorities no longer require an entry permit requirement and immigration approval for foreigners, overseas Vietnamese and their relatives holding permanent resident card, temporary residence card, visa or visa exemption certificate.  Other foreigners will still need to obtain an entry and immigration approval.

January 17, 2022 Update

CHINA: New restrictions are in place for parts of Shanghai.  Travel to along the Yuyuan Road in Jing’an District.  Residents are advised against traveling out of Shanghai and increased health screenings are likely for domestic movement into this area.  Beijing entry requirements will be strengthened from 22 January – 31 March.  Arrivals must take a Covid test within 72 hours after landing in addition to the pre-departure Covid test required 48 hours prior to departure.  The “Green” code is also required.  Flight ticket sales from medium or high-risk locations to Beijing remain suspended.

HONG KONG:  Domestic measures have been extended through 3 February.  Travelers who have past 21-day travel history in 150 of the high-risk locations under Group A will be barred from transit through Hong Kong from 16 January – 15 February.  Flight bans now include Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, Philippines, US and UK through 4 February.

INDONESIA:  Existing domestic restrictions have been extended through 31 January.  A flight ban on arrivals from Angola, Botswana, Denmark, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Norwary, South Africa, UK, Zambia and Zimbabwe has now been lifted.

January 11, 2022 Update

JAPAN:  The ban on entry of non-resident foreigners has been extended at least until the end of February.  The cap for the number or arrivals into Japan has been reduced to 3,500 per day.

TAIWAN: Local Level 2 Covid-19 Alert has been extended through at least 24 January.  Passengers arriving from Europe, the America’s, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand will need to wait for Covid test results prior to departing the airport.  Positive test results will require ambulance transportation to a nearby hospital for treatment, negative test result arrivals will be taken to quarantine facility.

January 10, 2022 Update

BRUNEI:  Nightly curfew will be shortened to 12am – 4am beginning 14 February, however tight border restrictions will remain in place.

CHINA: Areas with Covid infections continue strict lockdowns.  Tianjin, Hebei Province has recently restricted departure from the area to only approved persons with a negative Covid test result.  Testing is underway.  Transit at the busy Port may be impacted negatively.

INDIA:  Maharashtra State is imposing a nightly curfew until further notice.    Starting 11 January, all entrants to India must have a negative pre-departure Covid test and quarantine 7 days at home.  Quarantine can be lifted on day 8 once the negative Covid tests have been uploaded to the Air Suvidha online platform.  Passengers from high-risk locations, currently China and Europe, will be subject to additional self-paid on-arrival testing.    Domestic travel requires either negative Covid test result from within 72 hours or proof of full vaccination.

THAILAND:  An entry ban on African countries including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe will be lifted as of 11 January.  Applications for the quarantine-fee Test and Go travel scheme have been suspended indefinitely.

January 5, 2022 Update

AUSTRALIA:  South Australia will no longer require arrivals to submit EntryCheck SA applications and fully-vaccinated international arrivals will no longer need to quarantine.  Instead, they will complete daily health checks for 14 days and avoid high-risk settings.  Unvaccinated international arrivals must still quarantine for 14 days at a designated hotel.  Some states have also implemented additional domestic travel controls.

CHINA: Tightened restrictions are in place in Zhejiang Province including Ningbo City.  Entry and exit controls have been implemented and flights and train tickets sales have been suspended between the area and Beijing and flights to Shenzhen have been cancelled.  New testing requirements are in place for those who wish to leave the area.  Local restrictions prohibiting indoor dining, tourist and non-essential businesses have been enacted in Henan Province.

HONG KONG:  A two-week flight ban will be implemented on 9 January through 21 January for passenger flights from Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, Philippines, UK and the US.

INDIA: Delhi and Punjab State are implementing new nightly curfews from 8 January and 4 January respectively.  Non-essential activity will be prohibited.  Additional precautions are expected if cases continue to rise.

INDONESIA:  Quarantine requirements for international arrivals have been shortened to 7 days at a designated facility and PCR testing upon arrival and prior to ending quarantine for most arrivals.  Domestic precautions have been extended through at least 17 January.

PHILIPPINES:  The provinces surrounding Metro Manilla have been placed under a higher-level of restrictions, Level 3 of 5 levels.  The locations as well as Metro Manilla will remain under the status until at least 9 January.

SINGAPORE:  Starting 14 February, in order to qualify as “fully-vaccinated” status, a booster shot taken after 270 days from the final dose of the primary vaccine.

January 2, 2022 Update

MYANMAR:  Border entry restrictions have been extended through the end of January.  Also, the issuance of all types of visas and visa exemption services will also be suspended during the same timeframe.

December 31, 2021 Update

BRUNEI:  Starting 1 January the current ban on arrivals from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe will be lifted.  At the same time all countries will be removed from the Green List.  Nationals and approved foreigners will need to seek government approval for all non-essential international travel.

JAPAN: Tight border controls are in place indefinitely. The maximum number of inbound international arrivals has been limited to 3,500 per day.

PHILIPPINES:  Level-2 local measures have been extended through 15 January.  Bans on foreign nationals with a recent travel history to high-risk / red list locations has also been extended to the same date.  Countries include Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, and Spain.

KOREA: Local restrictions are enhanced to require proof of vaccination or PCR test to enter most public places at least through 16 January.  Arrivals from several African locations remain banned and arrivals from countries must quarantine for 10 days except those arriving under Travel Bubble arrangements. New bookings for quarantine-free travel have been suspended until 20 January for travel to Singapore and 20 February for travel from Singapore.  Starting 13 January, arrivals must have negative PCR test results from samples collected within 72 hours prior to departure, a slight shortening of the current timeframe which requires test results received within 72 hours.

Vietnam: Plans by Hanoi to require quarantine for arrivals from high-Omicron infected countries has been cancelled.

December 29, 2021 Update

CHINA: Stay at home orders have been implemented in Xi’an, Baota District, Yan’an city.

MALAYSIA: An entry ban has been lifted on arrivals with travel history to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.  All countries now fall under the highest risk level.

TAIWAN: Existing measures have been extended at least through 10 January.

VIETNAM: Starting 1 January, arrivals to Hanoi will need to quarantine in designated facilities.  Fully vaccinated arrivals quarantine for 3 days, unvaccinated 7 days.

December 27, 2021 Update

INDIA: States are implementing different precautions.  Delhi will perform random sample collection for arrivals from locations with high cases.  International arrivals must submit a self-declaration form on Air Suvidha portal and upload negative PCR test taken within 72 hours.  Arrivals from high-risk locations will need to wait for arrival tests before departing and if positive, quarantine 7 days followed by a second test.  If the second test is positive, an additional 7 day quarantine will be required.  Maharashtra will require an arrival PCR test and mandatory 7-day institutional quarantine with additional testing for arrivals from high-risk locations.  Domestic travelers must be either fully-vaccinated or have a PCR test no more than 72 hours old.  Mumbai requires 7 days home quarantine on arrivals from Dubai, but no arrival PCR testing if fully-vaccinated. Arrivals who live in locations outside Mumbai cannot take public transport and will be escorted to their quarantine location.  Local restrictions are being enhanced in several locations with nightly curfews, social distancing, capacity restrictions and face-masks.

SINGAPORE:  Adjustments for international arrivals and local measures have been made.  As of 27 December, the ban on entry and transit of arrivals with travel history to Botswana, Eswatini, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe and will now fall under Category IV border measures.  Starting 15 January, unvaccinated employees will no longer be able to use the pre-event testing to work onsite.  Only fully vaccinated or recently recovered employees may return to the workplace.  Starting 1 February, new applicants and renewals of long-term passes, work passes and permanent residents will be required to be vaccinated.  Revisions to international arrival categories (https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/shn-and-swab-summary)  Category 1: Travelers must now take an ART or PCR test within 48 hours before departure and those who test negative upon arrival will be exempt from quarantine.

TAIWAN: Level 2 Covid alert has been extended through 10 January at least and will likely be extended through the end of Lunar New Year.  Starting 4 January, all arrivals will be required to submit a negative Covid test taken within 2 days prior to departure.  Arrivals without the required test results will face fines of NT $10,000 – 150,000.

December 22, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA: Western Australia has tightened border restrictions with Queensland while Queensland has eased local restrictions for fully-vaccinated or exempted residents statewide.  Unvaccinated individuals without an exemptions are prohibited from visiting non-essential businesses and starting 23 December, face masks will be required in indoor settings.

BRUNEI:  The UK has been removed from the green travel list.  Australia, China and Singapore retain their green travel list status.  The country has also shortened the timeline for booster shots from 5 to 3 months.

HONG KONG:  The UK was added to the list of Highest-Risk countries.  Arrivals from Highest Risk countries are required to quarantine for 4 days at the Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre if they have a reservation at a designated hotel for the remainder of the 21-day quarantine.  Arrivals with only a 14 -day quarantine booking made under previous policy, can still enter 21-27 December, but till stay 7 days at the government quarantine center.  All non-residents and unvaccinated residents who visited high-risk locations within 21 days are banned. Starting 24 December, all arrivals and transiting passengers through Hong Kong must hold proof of negative covid test taken within now 48 hours of travel, a decrease from the previous 72 hours.

INDONESIA:  UK, Norway and Denmark have been banned from entering the country.  The ban on Hong Kong arrivals has been removed.

JAPAN:  Existing tight border measures have been extended until at least early January.  On Monday, a mobile app to showcase proof of vaccination was launched.  The Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate Application showcases vaccination information through the “My Number” national identification system by scanning their My Number card. Instructions for the app are currently only available in Japanese.

KOREA:  Residents over 18 years of age must show proof of vaccination or negative PCR test to access many indoor public events including sporting events and movies.  Social distancing and gathering limits to no more than 4 people will continue through 2 January at least.

MALAYSIA:  The sale of vaccinated travel lane (VTL) plane and bus tickets to Singapore has been suspended from 23 December through 20 January, 2022.

PHILIPPINES:  The wait time to receive a booster shot has been shortened to 3 months.

SINGAPORE:  New ticket sales for vaccinated travel lanes (VTL) programs including air and bus travel will be suspended between 23 December – 20 January, 2022.  When the program resumes next year, the VTL quotas and ticket sales will be begin with a reduced capacity.  Travelers who have already purchased VTL tickets can still proceed with travel plans.

THAILAND:  Quarantine-free travel for foreign nationals has been suspended.  The Test & Go quarantine exemption and the Sandbox entry scheme have temporarily stopped acceptance of new applications, with the exception of the Phuket Sandbox program.  Existing applicants with a Thailand Pass QR Code can enter under the programs and those who do not yet have a QR code, will be reviewed and permitted entrance under the paused programs.  Additional PCR testing will be required at a government testing site for free.  New applications to enter Thailand can apply for the Alternative Quarantine (AQ) or Phuket Sandbox programs only.  The AQ program requires arrivals to undergo a mandatory 10 days quarantine in a specified hotel in Bangkok, Phuket or Samui.

VIETNAM: Starting 1 January, quarantine requirements for full-vaccinated or recently-recovered international arrivals will be reduced.  Qualifying passengers must show negative Covid test taken 72 hours prior to entry, submit health declaration and install the PC-Covid app and will self-isolate at home or place of accommodation for 3 days.  Arrivals not fully-vaccinated must quarantine for 7 days.  Additional testing is required.

December 15, 2021 Update

CHINA: Non-essential interprovincial travel is currently banned.

TAIWAN: From 14 December – 14 February, all arriving passengers must quarantine 14 days, followed by 7 days of self-monitoring.  Individuals in Program A must spend 14 days in hotel quarantine.  Program B must spend at least 10 days of quarantine in a hotel and the remainder at home only if all household members are fully vaccinated.   Program C fully vaccinated must quarantine 7 days at government hotel followed by 7 days at home if all household members are also fully vaccinated.  Pre-arrival PCR tests must now be taken within three days prior to departure and submit an online Quarantine System for Entry form.

VIETNAM:  Starting 1 January, commercial flights to the following locations will resume: CAmbodia, China, Japan, Laos, Singapore, Korea, Thailand and the US.

December 9, 2021 Update

HONG KONG:  Existing domestic restrictions have been extended through at least 22 December.

December 6, 2021 Update

CAMBODIA:  Entry bans on arrivals from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been ended.

PHILIPPINES:  Changes to the requirements for arrivals from green and yellow list countries.  Fully vaccinated individuals must provide negative RT-PCR test obtained within 72 hours of departure, quarantine at a designated facility and on the 5th day, take another PCR test.  With a negative result, quarantine can be resumed at a private residence through day 14.  Unvaccinated passengers are subject to the same, however quarantine at the designated facility will go through day 7, followed by a 7 day home quarantine upon negative test results.

November 16, 2021 Update

BRUNEI: Domestic restrictions are being eased starting 19 November and workplaces can reopen with 50% or 200 people, all vaccinated and whichever is lowest.  The Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) with Singapore is open again.  Returning travelers under the program can avoid quarantine, but must pass a Covid test upon arrival and remain isolated up to 3 days until the test results are returned.

CAMBODIA: Fully vaccinated arrivals will no longer be subject to mandatory quarantine, applicable to all land, water and air arrivals.  A negative pre-departure Covid-19 test and arrival rapid antigen test (RAT) will be required.  Unvaccinated arrivals will need to quarantine for 14 days and take a PCR test upon arrival.  Flights from Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines are permitted as of 15 November, to be followed by Thailand from 1 December.  Residents of Phnom Penh are required to show vaccination cards to enter most public places.

INDIA:  Fully-vaccinated travelers and those arriving from countries not considered a risk will not be required to quarantine.  This will also apply to tourists arriving on commercial flights. A negatice test taken within 72 hours will be required and those arriving from locations without mutual recognition of vaccination certificates will also undergo an arrival Covid test before being permitted to leave the airport for their destination.   Updated arrival protocols are found here:  https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalArrival11thNovember2021.pdf

JAPAN:  Reports from Nikkei Asia are that Japan will include J&J’s vaccine as an acceptable vaccination for the shortened quarantine requirement available through the business traveler program.

PHILIPPINES: The government is implementing a new alert level for Covid measures.  It ranges from level 1 – level 5 and details are found here:  https://mirror.pcoo.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/20211111-IATF-Guidelines.pdf  Metro Manila will fall under level 3 where fully-vaccinated individuals may participate in dining, social and entertainment at capacity ranges below 50%.

SINGAPORE: Arrival and transit requirements have changed for a few countries.  Moving from Category 3 to Category 2: Chile, Ethiopia, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka.  Moving from Category 4 to Category 3: Morocco.  Both changes become valid as of 18 November.  Changes to pre-arrival testing requirements for arrivals or transits from Category 2 & 3 countries:  Antigen Rapid Test professionally administered within 2 days for departure replaces the PCR test requirement.  New Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL): India and Indonesia from 29 November, plans to extend to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE from 6 December.  Air Travel Pass (ATP) scheme with China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan is in place.  Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) are in effect with Brunei, Chongquing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhenjiang provinces of China.  Local measures have been relaxed to permit dining of up to 5

TAIWAN: Level-2 local restrictions have been extended through 29 November.  Entry for foreign migrant workers with approval from the Ministry of Labour are slowly resuming, but arrivals must quarantine for 14 days in a group facility and participate in testing.

VIETNAM: Quarantine-free travel for fully-vaccinated tourists will begin in stages starting 16 November with restrictions including negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of departure, participation in an organized tour to only authorized locations.  More domestic flights are now in operations.  Flights routes including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang must present negative Covid results taken 72 hours before departure.  Arrivals from other domestic locations must either provide the negative test, proof of full vaccination or document showing recovery within the past six months.

November 9, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA:  New South Wales (NSW) has eased local restrictions for vaccinated residents.  Eased rules also apply to those under 16 years or holding a medical exemption.  Tighter measures remain in place for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated residents above 16 years including bans on visiting other homes, limit of 2 persons gathering outdoors and bans on in-restaurant dining.  Essential visits like grocery stores are permitted, but unvaccinated individuals must work from home.

CHINA:  Reports indicate a consensus has been reached to begin opening the border between China and Hong Kong for quarantine-free travel by June of 2022.  The process will start slowly, perhaps in February with a small quota of travelers, focusing on business travel first.  The initial permitted crossing appears to be planned only for Shenzhen land crossing with no indication yet of any agreement for air travel.

SINGAPORE:  From 11 November, Cambodia, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Maldives, Qatat, Rwanda, Samoa, South Africa, Tonga, UAE and Vietnam have been moved to Category 2.  Also, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Kuwait, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Ukraine will move to Category 3.  Also updated, travelers from Categories 2 and 3 will not longer be required to take a pre-departure PCR test.  Instead they must present a professionally administered Antigen Rapid Test (ART) taken within 2 days of departure.  Starting 10 November, gatherings of up to 5 people from the same household can dine together in most location.  The cap of 2 people remains for vaccinated customers from different households.

November 8, 2021 Update

SINGAPORE:  Singapore and Malaysia have opened a Vaccinated Travel Lane between the two countries.  Currently, border crossings are only between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Changi Airport.  Talks are underway to create a scheme that will again permit land crossings between the two countries.

November 2, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA:  Restrictions in New South Wales (NSW) including Sydney, have been greatly reduced for fully-vaccinated residents and those with medical exemptions.

INDONESIA: Domestic long-distance travelers by air must provide a vaccination card showing at least one vaccine dose plus negative PCR test results taken within 72 hours of departure / fully-vaccinated travelers may provide negative rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours instead.

KOREA:  Domestic restrictions have been lightened, however proof of vaccination at some high-risk locations will be required starting 7 November.

THAILAND: With the opening of borders to vaccinated travelers as of 1 November, Thailand is relaxing domestic restrictions on most locations.  Colour categories remain, however most dark red zones have shifted to less-restrictive ones.  Several tourist locations including Bangkok have been designated Blue zones with the least restrictions.

October 25, 2021 Update

THAILAND:  From 1 November, fully-vaccinated travelers from 46 low-risk countries to enter without quarantine.  Countries include: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, U.K., and U.S.   Travelers will need PCR test pre-departure, must have specified amount of insurance and book a 1 night stay in quarantine location to await the arrival PCR test results.

October 19, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA:   New South Wales (NSW) will remove quarantine requirements for full-vaccinated international arrivals, starting 1 November.

PHILIPPINES:  Quarantine requirements have been revised to include differentiated paths for vaccination and unvaccinated arrivals and also by country level (Green, Yellow, Red).  Arrivals from GREEN countries: vaccinated must present negative PCR test from within 72 hours of departure and no quarantine upon arrival / unvaccinated must quarantine for 6 days at pre-booked quarantine facility.  YELLOW countries: vaccinated must quarantine for 6 days at pre-booked quarantine facility / unvaccinated must quarantine for 8 days at pre-booked quarantine facility.  RED: entry is banned.

SINGAPORE: From 1 November 2021, all pass holders (including construction, marine and process sector workers, and helpers and confinement nannies) with travel history to all countries/regions must be fully vaccinated before arrival, except those under 18 years of age and those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical conditions.  New Entry lanes for fully vaccinated travelers:

1. Existing employment pass (EP) holder already in Singapore, for travelling purpose (departing/returning) – apply through vaccinated travel lane (VTL), if travelling from VTL countries.
2. Existing employment pass (EP) holder already in Singapore, for travelling purpose (departing/returning) – apply through safe travel portal for MOM entry approval, if travelling from non-VTL countries
3. New employment pass (EP) applicant holding in-principle approval (IPA) holder, yet to arrive Singapore – apply through safe travel portal (https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/STO/) for MOM entry approval, under work pass holder general lane (WPHL)

TAIWAN: Levle-2 local restrictions have been extended through 1 November.

October 18, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA:  New South Wales (NSW) has eased local restrictions for fully vaccinated residents and those with medical exemptions.

CAMBODIA: Business and gathering restrictions have been extended through 28 October, with a slight increase of gathering numbers from  15 to now 50 people.

KOREA: Nationwide restrictions have been extended through 31 October with Greater Seoul under Level 4 and the rest of the country under Level 3 restrictions.  Gatherings of more than 4 unvaccinated people is not permitted, but in Greater Seoul fully vaccinated residents may now gather in groups of up to ten people as long as at least 6 of them have been vaccinated.

MALAYSIA:  Local restrictions in place for several states including Melaka and Penang have been lessened.  Face-to-face meetings are permitted as well as conferences at 50% capacity.

THAILAND eases local restrictions in each of the color-coded “zones” and moves some locations from more to less-restrictive categories.  Bangkok remains in the Dark Red zone which will increase public gatherings to 50 and shorten the night time curfew.

October 12, 2021 Update

INDIA:  Starting 15 October, India will permit international arrivals on tourist and e-visas.  Existing visa’s remain suspended and travelers will need to apply for new visas which will be for single entry for 1 month.  Flights are still restricted to chartered flights only.

KOREA:  Vaccinated travelers will be allowed quarantine-free border crossings with Singapore starting 15 November.

MALAYSIA:  Restrictions on interstate and international travel have been lifted for fully vaccinated travelers.

SINGAPORE:  Additional vaccinated travel lanes starting 19 October for 9 new countries including: Canada, Denmark, Korea (15 November), France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, the UK and US.  Covid-19 tests are still required.  There have been several disruptions recently that require attention:

• The VTL’s state that no quarantine is required, participants must remain in isolation until the arrival PCR test results are returned, which is typically 24 hours.  We are awaiting clarification.
• Singapore has also changed the category for several countries which has also altered the required SHN time.  Countries that have moved from Category III into Category II had SHN shortened from 10 days to 7 days.  Unfortunately, the SHN hotels that provide the 10 and 14 day SHN, do not support 7 day SHN and new arrangements must be made.
• Category II countries (up to 40 from 20 countries and now including the US), have further complication due to the change from mandatory SHN hotel for quarantine arranged by the government to now having to make arrangements on their own to serve the SHN in either a residence, self-sourced hotel or serviced apartment. The government assigned SHN also provided full-service including meals, which is now the responsibility of the traveler.
• Under existing differentiated measures, proof of vaccination via the TraceTogether app is required for entry into restaurants and grocery stores, making it more challenging for those who will quickly need to shift from the full-service of government SHN to self-located,
• There is also a lack of clarity around associated requirements.  We are identifying any changes to policies for what transportation can be used and under what circumstances.  For example, do VTL arrivals need to use specified transportation?

THAILAND:  Plans are set to permit quarantine-free travel for fully-vaccinated visitors from low-risk countries beginning 1 November.  The list of countries is expected to expand further in December.  The initial list of countries include China, US, Singapore, Germany and the UK.

 

October 7, 2021 Update

CAMBODIA:  Local control measures in Phnom Penh have been extended through 14 October

INDONESIA:  Domestic controls have been extended through 18 October.  Next week, international flights to Bali from China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the UAE are expected to resume.

MACAU:  Domestic controls are being tightened requiring all those who leave Macau to produce a negative covid test taken within 24 hours.

October 4, 2021 Update

BRUNEI:  Local restrictions are tightened through 17 October.  No more than 2 people may leave home for essential reasons only.  All employees except essential are required to telecommute.

SINGAPORE:  Travelers from Category 3 and Category 4 countries will have their quarantine time reduced from 12 to 10 days starting 7 October.  Those fully vaccinated travelers from Category 2 countries can apply to quarantine at a personal residence.  Also new on 7 October, recent travel history considerations will be shortened from previous 21 days to the previous 14 days.  All workpass holders, students and dependents must be fully vaccinated prior to arrival in a policy being implemented 1 November.  Approval processing for migrant workers, S Pass and work permit holders working in several sectors including construction and arriving from high-risk countries will begin processing again as of 15 October. Full vaccination will be a requirement.

September 28, 2021 Update

MACAU:  Those leaving Macau will now be required to present a negative Covid test taken within the previous 24 hours.

THAILAND: Starting 1 October, quarantine for fully-vaccinated travelers will be reduced to 7 days from the current 14 days.  Unvaccinated travelers arriving by air or sea will quarantine for 10 days and those by land, for 14 days.

September 16, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA:  Lockdown measures in the Australia Captial Territory have been extended through 15 October.

CAMBODIA:  Siem Reap has been placed under lockdown through 18 September.  The Province is enforcing a curfew from 21:00 – 03:00, exempting essential services.

CHINA:  Areas located in parts of Putian, Quanzhou and Ziamen, Fujian Province have been placed under enhanced restrictions.  Restrictions have been lifted in Ruili City, Yunnan Province.

HONG KONG:  Local restrictions are extended through 29 September.  Most non-essential business can operate, but public gatherings are limited to 4 persons.

INDONESIA:  The government has reopened the border.  Offshore applications are permitted with applicants who have proof of completed vaccination, agree to follow all local health protocols and have either insurance to cover costs of Covid-19 related healthcare costs, or pay for the costs personally.

MACAU:  The list of medium and high-risk areas of mainland China where travelers face a quarantine requirement upon arrival has be revised to now include Fujian Province: Putian, Xiamen, and Quangang District, Quanzhou / Guangdong Province: Jianshe and Nanhuaxi subdistricts, Guangzhou / Jiangsu Province: Yangzhou Yunnan Province: Ruili, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture.  Starting 20 September, it is planned to permit non-resident to enter from Hong Kong, provided they have remained in Hong Kong the previous 21 days and obtain permission.  Covid test within 24 hours and 14 days quarantine will still be required, followed by 7 days of additional health monitoring.

PHILIPPINES:  Metro Manila has been placed under Alert Level 4 through 30 September.  Nightly curfew is in place and the most vulnerable populations must remain at home.

THAILAND:  Local restrictions in Bangkok under the Dark Red Zone have been extended through 30 September.  The nationwide state of emergency is in effect through 30 September.  Some locations require 2 weeks quarantine for travelers arriving from Bangkok.

VIETNAM:  Local restrictions have been extended through 30 September for Ho Chi Minh City.

September 7, 2021 Update

INDONESIA:  Existing restrictions in Bali and Java are extended through 13 September.

KOREA:  Level 3 restrictions across Korea have been extended through 3 October.  Local gathering restrictions are in place and numbers are impacted by the vaccination status of the gatherers.  Greater Seoul continues under Level 4 restrictions with stricter limitations.

SINGAPORE:  Starting 9 September all arrivals except Category 1 which includes: Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China and Taiwan will be required to take a COVID pre-arrival test within 48 hours of departure, a change from the current 72 hours.

TAIWAN: Level 2 local restrictions have been extended through 30 September.  Some entertainment businesses remain closed including internet cafes and karaoke bars.  Other businesses operate with indoor and outdoor capacity limits.

VIETNAM:  The lockdown in Ho Chi Minh city has been extended through 15 September. Hanoi has been divided into three districts based upon covid cases with the highest stay-home restrictions in Zone 1 and the lightest with schools open in Zone 3.

September 1, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA:  Lockdowns in Australia Capital Region have been extended through 17 September and in Victoria through 23 September.

INDIA:  The flight ban on incoming international commercial flights has been extended through 30 September.

INDONESIA:  Restrictions for Java and Bali have been extended through 6 September.

MACAU:  Arrivals from Mainland China can now submit proof of negative Covid-19 test taken within the previous 7 days, a longer timeframe than the previous 48 hours.

MYANMAR:  Local restrictions have been extended through 30 September.

PHILIPPINES:  MECQ restrictions in place for much of the country including Metro Manila are extended through 7 September.

THAILAND:  Dark Red Zones, including Bangkok are seeing containment measures easing from 1-14 September.  Gathering restrictions and curfews will still be in place.

 

August 25, 2021 Update

BRUNEI:  Local restrictions have been extended through 4 September.

CAMBODIA:  The national local COVID restrictions have been lifted, however local governments may implement new ones as needed.

CHINA:  Restrictions have been lifted across most of Beijing and are easing in other locations as infection rates decrease. Some hyper-local spots in Shanghai have added restrictions as cases were found there.

KOREA:  Local restrictions nationwide and in Seoul have been extended through 5 September.

MYANMAR:  Federal holidays are further extended through 31 August as a preventative measure.

TAIWAN: Level-2 local measures have been extended through 6 September with slight easing of gathering totals.

VIETNAM:  Hanoi’s ban on non-essential movement has been extended through 6 September.  Ho Chi Minh City has escalated measures, now requiring all residents to stay at home and closing most businesses.

August 18, 2021 Update

JAPAN:  Local emergency measures are extended through 12 September.  This includes Tokyo, Chiba, Kyoto, Okinawa, Osaka and others.  Less restrictive rules in several prefectures are also extended through 12 September.

THAILAND:  Enhanced restrictions in Bangkok and several other provinces defined as “Dark Red Zones” through 31 of August.  Non-essential travel outside the home is prohibited.

VIETNAM: Lockdown measures are being put into place for Da Nang City through 23 August.  Travel outside the home is restricted to essential reasons, non-essential businesses are closed and entry/exit rules are in place.  Ho Chi Minh City has extended their existing social distancing measures through 15 September.  Essential businesses can operate at a reduced capacity, but accommodations must be made for workers to remain on-site.   Restrictions are being strictly enforced and violations can incur a VND 3 million fine.

August 17, 2021 Update

HONG KONG:  Starting Friday,  quarantine and arrival requirements will increase as 15 countries are moved from medium-risk to high-risk category.  Countries include: Bangladesh, Cambodia, France, Greece, Iran, Malaysia, Netherlands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, the UAE and the USA.  Arrivals from high-risk locations (Group A specified places) must be fully vaccinated and hold a recognized vaccination record, provide negative PCR test taken within 72 hours and provide a confirmed reservation at an approved quarantine hotel for 21 days.  There are 4 mandatory tests taken during quarantine, 7 days of subsequent self-monitoring and compulsory testing on the 26th day in Hong Kong.

August 11, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA:  Lockdown measures are being lifted in several areas including 11 local government areas of Queensland including Brisbane as well as in Regional Victoria including Melbourne.  Some restrictions remain including limited travel to Melbourne.

BRUNEI:  Restrictions have tightened locally with the closing of several public facilities including mosques and child care centers.  On-site education has also been halted and only take-away orders are available from restaurants.

CHINA:  Multiple locations have implemented travel restrictions and residents are instructed to avoid all nonessential interprovincial travel.

JAPAN:  Emergency measures have been extended to 8 more prefectures through 31 August.  These now include Aichi, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Kumamoto, Shiga, Shizuoko, Tochigi.

KOREA:  Busan is now under the highest restrictions until 22 August. Level-4 restrictions limit gatherings to four people during the day and two at night  Greater Seoul is under the same level restrictions while the rest of Korea remains under less restrictive Level 3 protocols.

SINGAPORE:  Some gathering restrictions are being eased, especially for vaccinated people.  Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) cap gatherings at 5 for vaccinated individuals, and 2 for unvaccinated.  Telecommuting is still required, but additional easement may take place later this month.

TAIWAN:  Local measures have been extended through 23 August, with some easing for schools and daycare facilities.

VIETNAM:  Hanoi’s nonessential movement and business operation restrictions have been extended through 23 August.  Residents must remain at home except for essential reasons and domestic arrivals to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are subject to mandatory institutional quarantine.  Both locations are experiencing a shortage of space at quarantine facilities.

August 8, 2021 Update

KOREA:  Level-4 restrictions currently in place for Greater Seoul have been extended through 22 August.

August 3, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA:  Sydney is under tighter restrictions through 28 August.  Local governments have enhanced restrictions in  Brisbane where a stay-home order is in effect.

CAMBODIA:  A nightly curfew is in effect for Phnom Penh from 21:00 – 03:00 until 12 August.

CHINA:  Several areas in China have been placed under new or expanded restrictions.  This includes: areas of Hunan Province, Hubei Province, Haijou, Hainan Province, Henan Province, areas of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Dalian, Liaoning Province, and in Xiamen, Fujian Province, Additional restrictions and movement controls are impacting Changping District in Beijing.  Flights to and from Nanjing Lukou Airport (NKG) and Yangzhou Taizhou Airport (YTY) are currently suspended.

HONG KONG: Starting Monday, new entry requirements are in place.  The current five-tier system will be reduced to three to categorize departure locations into: High, Medium, and Low Risk.  Fully vaccinated non-residents from medium risk countries will be permitted entry, including Singapore, Japan and the United States.  Revised and in some cases, reduced quarantine requirements will be applicable however all arrivals must provide a negative Covid test.  More details should be available soon.

INDIA:  The ban in inbound international commercial fights has been extended through 31 August.  Charter, repatriation and approved commercial flights under bilateral “air bubble” agreements can still operate but may experience disruptions.

INDONESIA:  Existing restrictions PPKM have been extended through 9 August at least.  The highest restrictions, Level 4 are in place in most cities, including Jakarta.

JAPAN:  The state of emergency has been expanded to Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama and Osaka prefectures through 31 August.  The emergency order for Tokyo and Okinawa will also remain in place through 31 August.  “Quasi” Emergency measures are in place for Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ishikawa and Kyoto prefectures through 31 August, letting local governors control restrictions necessary.

MACAU:  Requirements for entry and quarantine have been tightened.  Citizens of Macau, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan can enter if they have not been elsewhere for 21 days.  Travelers from Mainland China must present a negative Covid test taken within 48 hours and if coming from a medium – high risk location, must quarantine 14 days at designated hotels.  Additional requirements depend on exposure to specific locations.  All travelers must present a negative Covid test, but those from Taiwan quarantine for 21 days at a designated hotel and from Hong Kong, quarantine for 14 days at designated hotel followed by 7 days of self-management.

MYANMAR: Public holidays have been extended through 8 August with stay home rules in effect.  International passenger flights are suspended through 31 August.

PHILIPPINES:  Travel to and from Metro Manila is restricted and tighter Enhanced Community Quarantine restrictions will be in place from 6-20 of August. Employees must telecommute and travel between cities or districts is limited to those who are fully vaccinated or can produce a negative Covid test result.  Several other locations have been placed under General Community Quarantine.  Modified ECQ is in effect through 15 August in locations including Cebu City and Province.

THAILAND:  Dark Red Zones have extended enhanced restrictions through 17 August.  Locations include Bangkok  and several other provinces.

VIETNAM:  Enhanced restrictions have been extended through 15 August in southern locations including Ho Chi Minh City.

July 27, 2021 Update

CAMBODIA:  Existing local preventative measures have been extended through at least 6 August.

CHINA:  Restrictions have been implemented in Mianyang, Sichuan Province and some airlines are requiring passengers from the area to present negative Covid tests before flying.  Local restrictions have also been placed on Shenyang, Liaoning Province.

INDONESIA:  The public activity restrictions (PPKM) have been extended through at least 2 August.  The highest level of restrictions (Level 4) are in place for Jakarta, and Yogakarta.

KOREA: Most provinces have been placed under the second-highest form of restrictions, Level -3 through 8 August.  Public gatherings are limited to 4 people, although for non-vaccinated persons.

PHILIPPINES: Manila’s curfew has been lengthened to 22:00 – 04:00 in Metro Manila.  Metro Manila is now also under a heightened community quarantine restriction along with several other locations.

VIETNAM:  A daily curfew from 18:00 – 06.00 is now in effect for Co Chi Minh City.  Hanoi has imposed Directive 16 through at least 8 August under which residents are required to remain home except for essential purposes.  Individuals traveling to Hanoi from other locations in Vietnam are subject to mandatory quarantine, resulting in limited movement due to quarantine facility availability.

July 14, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA:  Restrictions are eased in Queensland including Brisbane, with the lifting of gathering restrictions.  Masks remain mandated.  Western Australia restricts arrivals from medium risk locations which include New South Wales and Queensland.

KOREA: Starting 15 July, all arriving passengers must present a negative PCR test taken within 72- hours.  Travelers without tests will be banned with few exceptions.

July 13, 2021 Update

KOREA: Greater Seoul is under increased restrictions through 25 July.  Residents are advised to restrict activities and gatherings as much as possible.

THAILAND:  Domestic flights are suspended and a 14-day lockdown has been issued for several Dark Red zones including Bangkok.  People are to stay home except for urgent reasons.

VIETNAM: Non-essential activities are restricted in Hanoi until further notice.

June 29, 2021 Update

PHILIPPINES:  Local covid rules have been extended through 15 July.

TAIWAN:  All arrivals are now required to quarantine in government facilities for 14 days.

THAILAND:  Local restrictions inside Red Zones have been tightened through 27 July.  Red zones include Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom, Narathiwat, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Songkhla, and Yala provinces.

VIETNAM:  Ho Chi Minh City has extended local restrictions indefinitely including a ban on gatherings of more than 3 people and suspension of public transport.  Non-essential businesses are also closed.    Also in Vietnam, fully vaccinated international arrivals into Quang Ninh Province will have mandatory quarantine shortened to 7 days at a designated facility from 1 – 31 July.

 

June 28, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA:  The travel bubble with New Zealand has been halted temporarily.  Sydney and Darwin were both back under lockdown with more likely to come accompanied by a return to mask mandates.

HONG KONG:  Passenger flights from the UK are banned starting 1 July.  Travelers who have been in the UK for more than 2 hours will be prevented from boarding flights to HK.

MALAYSIA:  The lockdown has been extended indefinitely until new daily cases fall below 4,000.

June 21, 2021 Update

HONG KONG:  Fully vaccinated travelers from most locations will have mandatory hotel quarantine shortened to 7 days, down from 21 days.  The new rules come into effect for HK residents starting 30 June and later the next month for foreigners.  Participants will need to test positive for Covid-19 antibodies and take tow Covid tests during quarantine, followed by testing on days 12, 16 and 19.

INDIA: Free vaccinations to those above age 18 has been started in India.

INDONESIA:  Local restrictions have been tightened for the next two weeks in 29 “red zones” including Jakarta.  Vital services can operate, but curfews are being implemented and limitations on other businesses to 25% capacity are in place.

KOREA:  Plans are to permit gatherings of up to 6 people by 1 July in Seoul, then rise to 8 people by 15 July.

June 15, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA: The band on travelers from Victoria has been lifted in Western Australia.

INDIA:  Northern states are extending local precautions, including Delhi.

INDONESIA:  Local restrictions have been extended through 28 June across the country.

MALAYSIA:  The existing movement control orders (MCO) have been extended through 28 June.    Only 2 people per household can leave home and must stay within 10 km.

PHILIPPINES: The general community quarantine rules (GCQ) will be enforced through 30 June.  Metro Manila will have a shorter ngihtly curfew as of 15 June lasting now from 00:00 – 04:00.

VIETNAM: Local protocols have been extended through 28 June in HCMC.

June 14, 2021 Update

KOREA:  Starting July 1, fully vaccinated foreigners will not longer need to serve the mandatory 2-week quarantine.  Individuals who have received vaccines approved for emergency use by WHO and do not show any symptoms and are coming to Korea for business or are overseas Koreans coming to meet family members will qualify.  Arrivals from high-risk locations will not be included.  The inviting organization needs to apply for the isolation exemption certificate on behalf of the traveler, then the traveler must apply for the actual certificate at the nearest Korean Embassy.

SINGAPORE:  Local restrictions are easing as of 14 June and gathering limits will increase from only 2 to now 5 people.  Employees are still encouraged to work from home.

June 9, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA: Lockdowns in Victoria will be eased in 31 areas including metropolitan Melbourne.  A travel limit of 25km from home remains in place. Employees are still encouraged to work from home.

HONG KONG: Local restrictions have been extended through June 23.  Public gatherings remain limited to 4 people and facemasks must be worn in all public places.

June 8, 2021 Update

CHINA:  Areas in Guangdong Province have been declared either medium or high risk locations.  Anyone leaving Guangzhou for another area of China will be required to have a negative nucleic acid test within now 48 hours of departure.  (Previous timeframe was 72 hours).  Travelers departing Shenzhen’s Bao’an airport (SZX) and interprovincial rail passengers must present a green health code and negative covid test taken within 72 hours of departure. Flight disruptions are likely in the coming days.

INDIA:  Northern Regions including Delhi and several Southern Regions have extend restrictions and limit nonessential activities.

MACAU:  Arrivals from Brazil, India, Nepal, Pakistan and the Philippines or those who have been in these countries within the previous 28 days prior to arrival, must now present 3 negative covid test results within y days of arrival.  They must be taken at least 24 hours apart with the last test occurring 72 hours before departure.

PHILIPPINES:  Those who have been fully vaccinated in the Philippines will have the mandatory quarantine shortened to 7 days.  A PCR test upon arrival will no longer be required unless the individual is experiencing symptoms.  A verified vaccination card must be presented.  Flight traffic to Cebu City is currently diverted to Metro Manila through 12 June.

SINGAPORE: Short-term visa holders who have been in Guangdong Province within the pervious 21 days will be barred entry.  Singapore citizens, residents and LTP holders will be tested upon arrival and again after 7 day stay-home-notice.

TAIWAN: Local restrictions have been extended through 28 June.  Residents are asked to avoid all non-essential travel outside the home and many non-essential businesses are closed.  Masks must be worn in all public places.

 

June 1, 2021 Update

HONG KONG:  Vaccinated senior executives from about 500 companies can avoid the quarantine requirement with special permission.   can seek permission to travel in and out of the city without needing to follow the current quarantine requirement

INDIA:  National domestic controls are extended through 30 June at least.  Several regions also extend restrictions.

MALAYSIA:  From 1 June – 14 June, non-essential sectors nationwide will be required to suspend on-site activities.  There is no stay at home order, but people are requested to remain at their residences.

MYANMAR: The ban on international flights has been extended through 30 June.

PHILIPPINES: Metro Manila moves to a more relaxed GCQ starting 1 June.

SINGAPORE: Authorities are ramping up testing, tracking and vaccination rates.

THAILAND: Local restrictions in Bangkok have been extended an additional 14 days.

VIETNAM: Tighter domestic controls have been implemented in HCMC.  Nonessential businesses are closed and gatherings are capped at 5 persons.  Both the Hanoi and HCMC International airports are closed.  Hanoi is closed through 7 June and HCMC through 14th June.

May 28, 2021 Update

JAPAN: The state of emergency has been extended through to 20 June.  43% of Japan’s population will be under the order including Hokkaido, Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Okayama, Hiroshima, Fukuoka.  Priority measures are also extended for Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Gifu and Mie.

MALAYSIA: A nationwide total lockdown will begin in June.

VIETNAM: Incoming international flights to HCMC are banned until June 4th while Hanoi is still operating as per normal.

May 24, 2021 Update

INDIA:  Several states have extended local restrictions through anywhere from the end of May to the beginning of June.

JAPAN:  The State of Emergency has been implemented in Okinawa Prefecture through June 20

MALAYSIA: Stricter MCO controls have been implemented nationwide May 25-June 7.  40% of private and 80% of public employees will be required to work from home.

May 18, 2021 Update

BRUNEI:  Foreign nationals arriving from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be banned through 13 June.

HONG KONG:  Authorities have continued local measures through 26 May, including a public gathering limit of 4 persons.

MACAU:  Travelers from Taiwan will now need to quarantine for 21 days.  Travelers from medium-risk locations in mainland China now must quarantine 14-days at designated hotels.

May 17, 2021 Update

HONG KONG:  Singapore and Hong Kong put their travel bubble on hold indefinitely, again. The hold will be in place at least until the end of Singapore’s recent round of containment measures, 13 June.  Travel between the two countries will continue, but prevailing requirements for testing and quarantine will apply.

INDONESIA: The country is planning for a sharp rise in covid cases following the flouting of bans prohibiting Eid al-Fitr holiday travel.   Checkpoints have been put into place to check traveler’s histories and health.

JAPAN:  Online Covid-19 vaccination bookings for 65+ persons at mass vaccination sites have begin in central Tokyo and Osaka.  Both mass vaccination centers are scheduled to open on 24 March with an eventual capacity of 10,000 shots per day in Tokyo and 5,000 in Osaka.  Bookings for the mass vaccination centers can be made via:  https://www.vaccine.mrso.jp/sdftokyo/VisitNumbers/visitnoAuth/        https://info.vc-osaka.liny.jp/

SINGAPORE:  On Sunday, new rules went into effect to reduce gathering sizes to 2 people, close dine-in service and require employees to work from home.  Monday, it was announced that schools would revert to remote leaving until 28 May due to concerns that the B.1.617 strain affects children more than other variants.

TAIWAN:  Schools in Greater Taipei below University level are closed for two weeks starting Tuesday through May 28th as the government calls on people to reduce activities to manage a spike in cases.  Non-residents will be banned from entering Taiwan from 19 May to 18 June.  Two weeks of movement restrictions in Greater Taipei went into effect on Saturday and will last for 2 weeks.

May 12, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA: Several territories are imposing requirements on arrivals and visitors from Victoria and Melbourne.  Testing and quarantine requirements vary by state and by the exposure location and timing.

HONG KONG: Starting 12 May, fully vaccinated arrivals from low-risk countries (Australia, New Zealand, Singapore) must quarantine for 7 days, then self-monitor an additional 7 days.  Unvaccinated arrivals from this country must quarantine for 14 days, then self-monitor an additional 7 days.  Other quarantine requirements:

• Extremely High-Risk = Banned Entry
  • Brazil, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa
• Very High Risk = 21-day quarantine in government facility
  • Ireland, UK
• High Risk = Fully vaccinated arrivals quarantine 14-days in government facility, followed by 7 days self monitoring / Unvaccinated arrivals quarantine 21 days at government facility
  • Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE and US.
• Hong Kong residents arriving from Macau and mainland China can avoid quarantine through testing and special entry portals and procedures in HK airport.
  • Other arrivals from mainland China, Taiwan = Fully vaccinated quarantine 7-days followed by 7 days self-monitoring / Unvaccinated arrivals 14-days.

INDIA: Most areas continue to implement and extend movement controls and gathering restrictions.

TAIWAN: Local restrictions are being tightened through 8 June including lower numbers permitted for gatherings.

THAILAND: Non-citizens arriving from Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh join India as being barred from entry.  The ban includes all foreign national arrivals with recent travel history or transit through these countries.

May 10, 2021 Update

JAPAN: The state of emergency has been extended to 31 of May, now including Tokyo, greater Osaka, Aichi and Fukuoka prefectures.

MALAYSIA: Movement Control Order (MCO) will begin nationwide and run from 12 May – 7 June.  Social activities including diving out are banned and interstate travel is banned except for medical or work reasons.  Educational institutes will remain closed and there will be gathering restrictions, including number of people in one car.  Many aspects of Eid festival have been banned.

VIETNAM: Schools are closed across the country and local restriction on business operating hours have been implemented due to a rise in Covid cases there.

May 5, 2021 Update

CAMBODIA:  Inter-provincial travel restrictions in Phnom Penh and Takhmao have been eased, however local sections are still being classified into three areas of risk.  Checkpoints will continue to help monitor the spread.

INDIA:  States continue to enact preventative measures to stop the spread of Covid.  Curfews are in place in several locations and non-essential activities are banned under slightly differing local policies in locations around the country.

MALAYSIA: Several areas of Selangor State have increased restrictions through 17 May, placing restrictions on the number of people who can leave the home for essential purposes to two and limiting the distance to 10 KM.  Nonessential inter-state and inter-district travel is banned.

MYANMAR:  Restrictions in locations around Yangon Region continue including stay-home orders.  The level of enforcement is unclear.

SINGAPORE:  Beginning 7 May, local restrictions are being tightened to reduce the size of gatherings, limit where gatherings occur and reduce occupancy limits for business.  Most arrivals will be required to undergo a 21-day mandatory Stay Home Notice at a dedicated facility, up from 14-days.  Arrivals who have spent the previous 21 consecutive days in Australia, Brunei, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan or New Zealand can quarantine for 7 days in their residences.  Arrivals from Fiji and Vietnam must undergo 14-day SHN at dedicated facilities followed by 7-day self-quarantine.

TAIWAN: The entry of foreign nationals with recent travel history to India have been banned from arriving.  Returning Taiwan residents with a recent travel history to the country will be subject to mandatory 12-day quarantine at a government facility followed by an additional 7-days of self health management.

VIETMAN:  Cities around the country, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, are implementing stricter gathering and business operation restrictions.  The closure of many nonessential businesses have been ordered and in Hanoi, in-person school is suspended.

May 3, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA: Arrivals including Australian nationals who have been in India during the previous 14 days are banned from arrival until 15 May.  NSW officials are maintaining local restrictions indefinitely and Western Australia have tightened facemask mandate and are limiting indoor gatherings to 30 people.

INDIA: Several more states have implemented or expanded local controls including bans on travel and non-essential activity.

INDONESIA: Targeted restrictions have been extended in most locations nationwide through 17 May.  From 25 May, testing for domestic movement is required, but varies based upon form of transportation and destination.  Check before planning movement.

MALAYSIA: Longer quarantines requirements of 14-days at government facilities are in place for arrivals from: Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Mozambique, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, UAE, UK and US.  Arrivals must take a covid test three days prior to flight.  Flights from India have been suspended and Indian citizens with Malaysian work permits are banned from entering Malaysia.   Existing domestic measures have been extended at least through 17 May.  Some short business travel with Singapore may be permitted under the Reciprocal Green Lane scheme.

PHILIPPINES: The entry ban is being eased in some categories.  Foreign nationals under most visas will be able to enter the country including investor visas and visas issued by state agencies such as Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority.  Tourist visas remain suspended.

SINGAPORE: Local restrictions for business and gatherings have been tightened through 14 May.  New entry bans are now in place for arrivals from or with recent travel to Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka in addition to India.  This applies to long-term pass holders and short term visitors.  Arrivals with a recent travel history in Thailand must now undergo 14-day SHN at designated facilities.

KOREA: Local domestic restrictions have been extended through 23 of May.

 

April 21, 2021 Update

CAMBODIA:  Non-essential travel between provinces is banned through 28 April.

HONG KONG: Authorities have banned flights from India, Pakistan and Philippines.  Also banned is any traveler who has spent more than 2 hours in any of the three countries within 21 day prior to arrival.

INDIA: Delhi has issued a series of lockdown rules restricting gatherings and transportation through 26 of April.  Residents must remain at home except for essential or medical reasons.  Chhattisgarth State is banning non-essential activities until further notice.  Other northern states are expected to follow.  Across India, there are varying degrees of curfews, limits on nonessential travel and business operations and controls on movement between certain locations in place.

INDONESIA: The Public activity restrictions (PPKM) have been extended through 3 May including for Jakarta.  Restrictions are also being implemented in other locations across the country.

THAILAND:  Additional gathering and business restrictions have been enacted through 2 May nationally with additional restrictions in place on a provincial level.  Nationwide, nonessential gatherings are banned and any gathering of over 50 people required official permission.  Non-essential businesses are closed and schools have suspended in-person classes.  Work from home is strongly encouraged.

MALAYSIA:  Interstate travel is now permitted only for essential reasons including work and education from Mondays to Thursdays.

SINGAPORE: Travelers from India will now need to undergo a 14-day Stay Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated facilities followed by a 7-day SHN at their place of residence.  Testing at the end of SHN will also be required.  Authorities are also reducing the number of approvals for entry of non-citizens and permanent residents traveling from India.  SHN is being reduced to 7-days for travelers from Hong Kong.  Approved travelers from the UK and South Africa are now again being permitted arrival to Singapore, but must serve 14-day SHN at dedicated facilities followed by 7-day SHN at residence.

April 14, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA: Victoria no longer requires nonresident travelers from Greater Brisbane and the Gladstone region in Queensland and Byron Shire in New South Wales to quarantine and test upon arrival.   A permit to enter the state is still required.

PHILIPPINES:  Metro Manila rules have been eased  to Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine.  There may be variations locally.

SOUTH KOREA: Current measures have been extended through at least 2 May.  Nonessential public gatherings remain banned for groups of more than four people.

April 6, 2021 Update

INDIA: Officials in northern regions maintain existing containment measures while Delhi imposes a curfew from 22:000 – 05:00 until April 30.  Other area with nightly curfews include Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

INDONESIA: Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM) are extended through April 19.  Impacted areas include all Jakarta and Yogyakarta Province.  The local government continue enacting PPKM at the local level using color coded systems based upon the number of infections.

JAPAN: Restrictive measures are imposed on business and gathering in Osaka through 4 May.  Companies are encouraged to permit telecommuting where possible.

PHILIPPINES:  Metro Manila and surrounding provinces have local stay at home orders extended through 11 April.  There are more than 1,000 checkpoints around Metro Manila to enforce the restrictions.

THAILAND: Bangkok’s entertainment venues have been ordered to close for 2 weeks in an attempt to slow the spread due to the upcoming New Year holiday, Songkran Festival.

March 30, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA:  Australian States banned non-resident travel from greater Brisbane which is currently under lockdown.  14-day quarantines for domestic travel may be required.

HONG KONG: Residents stranded in Britain will be allowed to return on selected flights later this month.  They will be required to undergo quarantine and multiple additional testing.  Travelers from low-risk countries will have the quarantine requirement reduced from 21 days to 14 days.  Fully vaccinated travelers arriving from middle-risk countries such as Japan, will have quarantine requirements matching those for travelers from low-risk countries. Travelers from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore who are not HK residents will be permitted to enter Hong Kong again with 14 days quarantine and additional testing.

INDIA: Ongoing increases in containment measures across the country.

KOREA: Existing domestic restrictions have been extended through 11 April at least.  Non-essential public gathering of more than 4 people remain banned nationwide.

PHILIPPINES: Enhanced  Community Quarantine Rules are in place through the next week in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.  Residents must stay home except for essential reasons.  There is a nightly curfew from 18:00 – 05:00.

March 23, 2021 Update

INDIA: Restrictions are ongoing across India.  In Mumbai, those in crowded public spaces including transportation hubs and shopping areas will be subject to random rapid tests for Covid.  Noncompliance with a test will result in denial of entry and potential legal action.

INDONESIA: PPKM (public activity restrictions) have been extended through 5 April.

PHILIPPINES: Nonessential travel in and around Metro Manila are in place through 4 April.  Non essential travel to and from Greater Manila is banned.

March 10, 2021 Update

BRUNEI: Some domestic controls and social distancing has been eased.

JAPAN: The ongoing state of emergency in Greater Tokyo including Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama prefectures has been extended through at least 21 of March.

March 2, 2021 Update

INDIA: Covid-19 measures have been extended through 31 March.  Inbound passenger flights remain limited to charter or approved flights under bilateral air-bubble agreements.  Containment zones and local domestic measures also continue.

JAPAN: The state of emergency has been lifted in six prefectures including Aichi, Gifu, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka.  State of emergency continues in Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama until 7 March.

KOREA: Existing domestic restrictions have been extended through 14 March.  Travel restrictions remain in place with the ban on flights from the UK in place at least through 11 March.

MYANMAR: The entry ban on arrival of most foreigners has been extended through 31 March. Stay home orders continue in place including Yangon Region.

PHILIPPINES: Most foreign nationals remain banned from entry and existing local measures have been extended through 31 March.  General Community Quarantine (GCQ) is in place for Luzon (including Metro Manila), Mindanao and Visayas while all other locations are under the least-severe Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ)

THAILAND: Starting 1 March, foreigners can transit at local airports in Thailand.  A Nationwide state of emergency remains in place through 31 March.

February 24, 2021 Update

HONG KONG: Gathering restrictions have been relaxed and up to 4 people can gather together in public, up from 2 people.

THAILAND: Bangkok moves to the second-strictest controls starting March 1.  The Nationwide state of emergency has been extended through March 31.

TAIWAN: The entry of most nonresident foreigners remain banned from entry.

February 2, 2021 Update

INDIA: Local restrictions have been extended across the Western and Southern Regions through 28 February

KOREA: Officials have extended local measures through 14 February.

February 1, 2021 Update

CHINA:  Travelers from Canada have been temporarily banned from arrival including those with valid residence permits for work.

INDIA: The UK air travel ban has ben extended unto 14 February

JAPAN: The government has extended the existing state of emergency which includes Tokyo, through 7 March.

PHILIPPINES: Announcement has been made that current restrictions on over 30 countries with covid variants will be relaxed next month.

SINGAPORE – SOUTH KOREA – MALAYSIA:  The Reciprocal Green Lane between Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia has been temporarily suspended through 30 April.  Singapore’s agreement with Germany is also paused.

 

January 26, 2021 Update

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM:  The existing travel and transit ban has been extended through 10 February.

January 25, 2021 Update

HONG KONG: Strict lockdowns have been implemented in parts of Yau Tsim Mong District.

PHILIPPINES: An order preventing children aged 10 – 14 from going outside has been reinstated.  The Bureau of Immigration makes way for foreign diplomats, spouses and children of Filipinos who come from 35 restricted countries to enter the country subject to health and quarantine protocols.  Entry visas will be required.

 

January 20, 2021 Update

HONG KONG: The travel ban has been extended to include Ireland and Brazil.

PHILIPPINES:  The travel ban on foreign national arrivals from 34 countries has been extended until 31 January.

January 17, 2021 Update

SINGAPORE: Border control measures have been increased.  In addition to current measures, all Singapore Citizens and Residence Pass holders will be required to take a PCR test upon arrival, starting 24 January at 23:59.  From 18 January, those returning from the UK or South Africa will be subject to an additional 7-day self-isolation at their place of residence, following their 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities.  A PCR test following the additional 7-day isolation will be required.  31 January 2021, 2359 hours, visitors applying to enter Singapore under the ATP and RGLs will need to have travel insurance for their COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalization costs in Singapore, with a minimum coverage of S$30,000.

 

January 13, 2021 Update

JAPAN: Business travel has been temporarily suspended from Thursday through 7 February.

TAIWAN: A 7th 30-day visa extension has been granted to foreigners stranded in the country due to Covid.  No application is required.

January 11, 2021 Update

INDONESIA: The entry ban on most foreigners and domestic travel rules have been extended through 25 January.

HONG KONG: The ban on all commercial flights from the UK and South Africa has been extended until further notice.  A 21-day quarantine for arrivals from anywhere outside China remains in place.  Both policies will be reviewed every two weeks.

MALAYSIA: Is placing five states, including Penang, Selangor, Melaka, Johor and Sabah, and the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan will be placed under Movement Control Order (MCO) again for two weeks until Jan 26.  Interstate travel is banned and travel between districts is not allowed for states under MCO.

January 6, 2021 Update

CHINA: Travel restrictions and gathering bans are in place in the capital city of Hebei province.

PHILIPPINES: Additional countries have been added to the entry ban.  From 8 January – 15 January, foreign nationals who have been in the following countries within 14 days of travel will be barred entry: Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan, Brazil.

VIETNAM: Although all inbound international commercial flights have been banned since March 2020, all other flights from countries with the new COVID-19 variants will be suspended.

January 4, 2021 Update

HONG KONG:  Schools are to remained closed until after the Lunar New Year holiday while existing social distancing measures have been extended through 20 January.

KOREA:  Beginning 8 January, all foreigners arriving into Korea, including ARC holders will need to provide a negative PCR test result issues within 72 hours prior to boarding their flight.  Violators will not be permitted into the country.

THAILAND: 28 provinces, including Bangkok, have been upgraded to “red zones,” implementing the highest level of restrictions.  Group gatherings are not permitted, schools are closed and venues selling alcohol are closed.

January 2, 2021 Update

AUSTRALIA: Different states are implementing more local control measures including masks in NSW, while Victoria has closed the border between the two states and ACT will also restrict access.

KOREA: Extends existing domestic measures through 17 January.

MALAYSIA:  Recovery MCO has been extended nationwide through 31 March, except for Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Sabah as well as other localities placed under conditional or enhanced MCO

MYANMAR: Extends entry and international flight ban through 31 January.

PHILIPPINES: 3 January through 15 January, travelers from the US or having been in the US over the prior 14 days will not be permitted entry.  During this same timeframe, all visa issuance will be suspended.

SINGAPORE: 3 January starting, new ban on travelers from South Africa goes into effect.  Long-term pass holders and short-term visitors who were in South Africa within the past 14 days will be ban from arrival and transiting, including those who have been approved for entry.  Residents and citizens will need to take a PCR test at the start of the 14-day SHN.

TAIWAN: All foreign visitors are banned from entering with exceptions for resident visa holders, those with special entry permits and spouses and children of citizens.  Planes will not longer be permitted to transit through the country’s airports.  Starting 15, January travelers will need to provide at flight boarding proof of a booking at an approved quarantine facility and a negative PCR test result returned within 3 days of the flight.  The quarantine facility is limited to one person only.

 

December 29, 2020 Update

INDIA: Has extended it’s ban in scheduled international flights through the end of January 2021.

INDONESIA: Borders will be closed from Jan. 1 to Jan. 14, for foreign nationals from all countries.  Exceptions are in place for diplomatic visa holders arriving for official visits, current residence permit holders and citizens.

PHILIPPINES: Officials have extended the travel ban on UK arrivals to include 18 additional countries:  Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Israel, Lebanon, Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, and Canada.  Travelers arriving prior to 30 December will undergo strict quarantine at government facilities.

December 28, 2020 Update

JAPAN:  (Further clarification of the new rule): Between Dec 28-Jan 31, only the following categories of foreigners may enter Japan. All others are barred from entry.  NOTE: UK and South Africa are subject to this ban until further notice and lifting of the ban will be at the government’s discretion.

• Those under the applicable Residence Track system between Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Taiwan, Singapore, Brunei, South Korea, China
• Those who have already been issued a visa (exception being those coming from South Africa, UK or any country that has been raised to “Level 3” status)
• Those who left Japan with return permissions (UK and South Africa however subject to additional restrictions)

Also just a note that even if one is coming from a “Level 2” country where a PCR test would not be required, if the new version of the virus is found in that country the status will automatically be raised to Level 3 and a negative PCR test result required. This will likely change day by day as things evolve.

Government Source (ENG): https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/cp/page22e_000925.html

Government Source (JP): https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ca/cp/page22_003380.html 

The most up-to-date list of countries impacted can be found here: https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html

 

December 27, 2020 Update

HONG KONG: Authorities have extended the hotel quarantine period for all arrivals from foreign countries to 21 days, except arrivals from China.

December 26, 2020 Update

JAPAN:  New entries of all non-Japanese nationals from around the globe in principle will be banned entry from Dec. 28 through the end of January. Japanese and non-Japanese nationals living in Japan making short-term business trips abroad will be permitted re-entry.

UK TRAVEL IMPACT:  Please continue to check with local authorities as things change quickly.  Transiting passengers through Singapore and Hong Kong may impact other, final destinations.

• South Korea has temporarily suspended flights from the UK through the end of December
• Philippines has barred flights from the UK and those who had visited in the past 14 days
• Singapore Has banned all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to the United Kingdom within the last 14 days.  Transit is also banned for those passengers.  There are changes to arrival protocols for long-term residents and citizens.
• Hong Kong: Has banned flights from the UK and travelers who have been in the country over the past 14 days.  Transit through Hong Kong is also banned.
• China has banned flights to and from the UK
• India has banned flights between their country and the UK at least until the end of 2020
• Indonesia has a temporary ban on entry of those flying in from the UK and has also implemented stricter health protocols for those arriving from Europe and Australia.

 

December 24, 2020 Update

HONG KONG: Entry requirements for people who have stayed in the UK for more than two hours on the day of departure or visited the country within the previous 21 days have been tightened and a 21-day mandatory quarantine at a quarantine-approved hotel will be required.  Existing local measures extended through January 6th.

MACAU:  Enhanced entry restrictions for people from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, as of Dec. 24. Arrivals from those locations who have traveled to foreign countries within the preceding 21 days will not be permitted to enter the territory; the previous limit was 14 days. The quarantine period has also been extended to 21 days for all arrivals, except from Taiwan and most of mainland China, Dec. 21.

PHILIPPINES: Flights from the UK are suspended from 0001 Dec. 24-Dec. 31.  Arriving passengers who have visited the UK within the past 14 days will also be restricted.  Any arrivals prior to the implementation period will be required to quarantine at a government facility in New Clark City.

SINGAPORE:  Arrivals from Korea or with transit or travel within the past 14 days, regardless of nationality will, starting 26 December be required to serve Stay-Home-Notice at a government mandated facility.  From 2359 Dec. 23, an entry ban will go into place impacting long-term pass holders and short-term travelers who have been in the UK within the previous 14 days. Restrictions on those who have been in New South Wales are being tightened – Short-term travelers who have been to that location within the previous 14 days will be banned from entering while Singaporean citizens, permanent residents, and long-term pass holders with recent travel history will be required to undergo a stay-at-home notice for seven days.

TAIWAN: Dec. 24. Authorities tightened entry requirements for travelers who have visited the UK within 14 days of arrival Dec. 23. All affected arrivals must quarantine at designated government facilities for 14 days and take a COVID-19 test before release. Airline crew and pilots from the UK must self-quarantine for 14 days and test negative for COVID-19 before leaving home. The number of flights between Taiwan and the UK have been halved and there will be only 1 flight per week until further notice.

December 21, 2020 Update

MALAYSIA: Officials have extended stricter protocols, termed the conditional movement control order (CMCO), in Kuala Lumpur, Sabah State, and specific localities in other regions through Dec. 31

December 14, 2020 Update

MALAYSIA: Quarantine period for arrivals will be shortened to 10 days starting 14 December.

SINGAPORE: Revision to arrival process for travelers from Hong Kong.  Arrivals from Hong Kong will now be required to serve Stay Home Notice for 14 days and starting 18 December, arrivals except Singapore citizens, will be required to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before their trip.  Travelers from Taiwan will be permitted entry from 18 December and may avoid 14 day SHN if they have remained in Taiwan the 14 days before travel, register online via the Save Travel Portal at least one week before entry and self-isolate until the arrival test results are back.  The Trace Together app will remain a requirement.

December 9, 2020 Update

AUSTRALIA: The ban on overseas travel for Australians without an exemption from the government has been extended to March 2021.

CAMBODIA: The visa by sponsorship scheme that permitted some travelers to quarantine at a location of choice has been cancelled.  All foreigners must quarantine in government facilities.

HONG KONG: Tighter local restrictions continue, including a return to Work from Home for civil servants which may cause delay in some services.

MALAYSIA: Despite rising cases, interstate travel is resuming.

THAILAND: The Special Tourist Visa that became available to a limited number of countries earlier has now been made available to travelers from countries worldwide.

December 1, 2020 Update

CHINA & JAPAN: Business travel has resumed between China and Japan via a bi-lateral agreement.

INDIA: Suspension of international flights has been extended through December 31.

PHILIPPINES: The National Capital Region (NCR) and 7 other locations will remain under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) through December 31st.

SINGAPORE & HONG KONG: The delayed travel bubble has been postponed again until at least 2021.  Talks to set a date are planned to occur later in December.

November 23, 2020 Update

INDIA: Many northern areas are implementing curfews and other restrictive measures due to rising cases.

MALAYSIA: Preventative measures in Sarawak State are extended until further notice.

PHILIPPINES: Existing measures will be in place until at least November 30.

SINGAPORE:  Arrivals from Japan and Malaysia will now need to quarantine in designated government facilities.  This applies to those arriving directly from Japan and Malaysia as well as those who have recently traveled to either.   Starting 27, November, with the exception of Singapore citizens and permanent residents, arrivals with a recent travel history in Malaysia must test negative for Covid-19 not more than 72 hours before departing to Singapore.  This applies to both  Periodic Commuting Arrangement and Reciprocal Green Lane arrangements.

November 2, 2020 Update

CHINA: Restrictions for inbound passengers, including Chinese nationals arriving from specific countries will now be required to produce both a nucleic acid test and a IgM antibody test taken within 48 hours prior to boarding flights.    Additional COVID-19 tests will be required in each country transited through.  Expansion of impacted countries is expected, but the current of pending list to be implemented this week include: Iran and Kazakhstan (active now) and later this week: Italy, US, Thailand, France, Spain, Poland, UK, Iraq, Finland, Bulgaria and Switzerland.

JAPAN: An entry ban has been lifted on 8 countries: Australia, Brunei, mainland China, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. A COVID-19 test is no longer required before entering, however official permission will still be required before travel.  Quarantine requirements for returning Japanese nationals and foreign residents who were on short-term trips have been reduced when specific new set of criteria are met.

SINGAPORE: Starting 6 November, the areas of mainland China and Australia’s Victoria State are now included in the scheme permitting leisure travel for under conditions whereby travelers have remained in their location for the past 14 consecutive days, register online for the Safe Travel portal 7 days before entry and self-isolate until arrival COVID-19 tests are returned.  A negative test will result in an exemption from Stay Home Notice.

October 27, 2020 Update

INDIA: Relaxed measures in place outside containment zones will continue through 30 November.

MYANMAR: The international flight ban has been extended through 30 November.  Domestic flight suspension has also been extended through 15 November.

PHILIPPINES: Metro Manila will implement the third-strictest level of controls (GCQ) 1 – 30 November.  Most workplaces can operate with strict distancing protocols.  The measure will be in effect for Luzon, Mindanao, and Visayas.

SINGAPORE: Starting 4 November, arrivals from Estonia, Fiji, Finland, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Turkey can serve their two week stay-at-home notice (SHN) at their residence.  To qualify, the traveler must have spent the previous 14 days in the departure location listed above and serve SHN either alone of with other travelers with the same history.

THAILAND: The country’s state of emergency has been extended through 30 November.

October 26, 2020 Update

CHINA: Officials have enacted movement and gathering restrictions on the far western Kashgar Prefecture following a recent outbreak.  Travel to the area is currently restricted.

INDONESIA: Jakarta’s social distancing restrictions have been extended by two weeks through 8 November.

MALAYSIA: Controls (CMCO) has been extended until 9 November for Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Selangor State.

PHILIPPINES:  Staring 1 November, foreigners with investor visas may enter the country as may foreigners with valid visas issued by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authroity and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

October 19, 2020 Update

AUSTRALIA: Restrictions across the state of Victoria are easing.  Metropolitan Melbourne remains in Step 2 and is unlikely to move to Step 3 with lessoned movement controls in the near future.  A fine of AUD 4,957 (USD 3,632) for Melbourne residents discovered in regional Victoria without permission is in place and police are stopping motorists to check.

October 7, 2020 Update

HONG KONG: Is extending existing restrictions through 15 October.  These include limits on public gatherings to 4 people and mandated facemasks in public.

JAPAN: Starting 8 October, short-term business travel from South Korea will be permitted under the Business Track scheme which limits or remove quarantine requirements under strictly monitored conditions.

MALAYSIA: Travel to and from Sabah State is banned from 12 – 25 October

 

September 30, 2020 Update

PHILIPPINES: Nationwide restrictions remain in place until at least October 31.  The country remains under Code Red Sublevel 2, indicating ongoing local virus transmission in greater numbers than can be addressed by the government.

THAILAND: The nationwide state of emergency has been extended through 31 October.  Starting 8 October, special tourist visas will begin being issues for those from low-risk countries.  Short-term visas for foreigners already in Thailand are extended through October 31.

September 23, 2020 Update

CHINA: Starting 28 September, foreign nationals holding valid residence permits will be permitted entry to China without applying for a new visa.

JAPAN: From 1 October, Japan plans to permit more foreigners to enter for stays of 3 months or more.  This will increase the number of foreigners permitted entry daily to 1,000.

SINGAPORE: A pilot program for a business travel pass has been announced.  The program would permit senior executives based in Singapore but with regional or international responsibilities more flexibility by removing the Stay Home Notice upon return to the country.  The pilot will be limited in number of travel passes and number of participating countries, and does not exempt holders from other country’s testing and quarantine requirements.

 

September 22, 2020 Update

AUSTRALIA: Starting 22 September, the government is designating Brisbane, Ipswitch, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, and South Burnett as restricted areas. Officials are limiting social gatherings to 10.

KOREA:  A Level 2 restrictions, the second-highest level in a three-tier response, has been enacted until at least 27 September. Residents are requested to stay at home as much as possible, except to attend work or purchase essential items.

September 21, 2020 Update

AUSTRALIA: The quota for travelers will gradually rise starting 28 September.  The number of international passengers permitted into the country will gradually increase from 4,000 to 6,000 people weekly through mid-October.  Queensland and Western Australia will not substantially increase their intake, rising to 500 new arrivals weekly in mid-October.

JAPAN: Gathering restrictions have eased, and up to 50% capacity at cinemas and sporting events is now permitted. Tokyo has lowered its alert to Level 3, the second-highest level.

MYANMAR: Stay-home orders for all townships in Yangon Region (except Cocokyun) are in place from 21 September.  Entry and exit is restricted and only one person from each household may leave to gather food and essentials.  Residents are banned from travel outside the region.

TAIWAN: Authorities have removed Myanmar from the list of medium-risk countries.

 

September 15, 2020 Update

CHINA:  Strict movement controls have been put in place in Ruili near the border with Myanmar after three new COVID-19 cases were discovered in the area.  Individuals are barred from entering or leaving the city for nonessential reasons.  All businesses are closed except food markets and pharmacies.

INDONESIA: Jakarta: Measures are in place until at least 25 September with extensions likely.

JAPAN & SINGAPORE: have reached a business track arrangement.  Starting 18 September, essential business travel between Japan and Singapore will be allowed.  The program will permit short-term visitors to enter with limited quarantine time.  Other protocols must also be followed.

KOREA: Restrictions in Greater Seoul are easing with eat-in services can now proceed with contact logging of patrons and distancing guidelines.

MALAYSIA: Foreigners who hold work or permanent residency permits including spouses of Malaysian citizens will be allowed to enter if they come from 23 countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Iran, Iraq, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

VIETNAM: International flights have resumed from Guangzhou, Seoul, Taiwan and Tokyo.  Flights with Cambodia and Laos will restart from 22 September, however the entry ban for most foreigners remains in place.

September 10, 2020 Update

INDONESIA: Controls are tightened in Jakarta.  Only essential business can operate and nonessential businesses must apply to the government to remain open.  Public transport will be limited in operating hours as well as capacity.

MYANMAR: An additional 21 townships in Yangon Region have been placed under stay-home orders.

SINGAPORE: Travelers from India will now be required to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of travel.

 

September 8, 2020 Update

AUSTRALIA: Melbourne / Victoria: From 13 September, restrictions will ease gradually.  Childcare will resume and public gatherings up to 5 people from a maximum 2 households can gather. Restrictions on residents continue including leaving home for only certain reasons such as work, school, essential goods, healthcare and only exercising within 5 km from their residence.

HONG KONG: Starting 11 September, restrictions will ease.   Up to 4 people will be permitted to gather in public and to be seated in restaurants while other recreation facilities can reopen.

INDIA: Southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana states; Andaman and Nicobar, Puducherry are lifting most restrictions as of 8 September.  Strict controls remain in locations of the highest outbreaks.

MALAYSIA: Announced that starting 8 September, those under the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) scheme with Singapore, only those traveling to Johor State are permitted quarantine at their residence for 7 days upon arrival.  Anyone under the PCA traveling to other states must quarantine at government-designated facilities.

PHILIPPINES: Locations facing high infection rates continue to implement measures stronger than the national Cod Red Sublevel 2 alert.  Lanao del Sur Province and Cacolod City have enacted modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) through 30 September.  Residents can leave homes for essential supplies or emergency care.

VIETNAM: Measures to control the recent outbreak are being relaxed in Da Nagn and Quang Nam Province.  Up to 20 people may gather in public and food establishments may now serve take-away.  Residents are still encouraged to stay home.

August 31, 2020 Update

AUSTRALIA: Queensland: Restrictions on gatherings have been extended until further notice, with social gathering of 10 – 30 depending on location.

INDIA: Starting September 1, Metro trains may restart in a calibrated manner.  Starting September 21, gatherings of up to 100 people and reopening of open-air theaters will be permitted.  There is no relaxation of measures inside containment zones.

KOREA: Greater Seoul: Modified restrictions until September 6th include suspended dine-in services, closure of indoor recreation facilities.  The government will work with a maximum 2/3 workforce and private offices are encouraged to do the same.

MACAU: From September 1, arrivals must pay for quarantine fees (equal to $700 USD).  Locals are exempt for their first entry, but must pay for subsequent quarantine purposes unless traveling for select purposes.

MYANMAR: The entry ban on most foreigners has been expended through September 3oth.

 

August 24, 2020 Update

INDIA: Several north Indian states are maintaining nightly and weekend curfews as well as limited bans on nonessential activity.  Movements are being restricted to select points and for essential purposes.  Delhi – Non containment zones are reopening businesses, markets and transport except Metro trains.  Neighboring Uttar Pradesh State is allowing travel to and from Delhi except on weekends.

KOREA: Level 2 restrictions originally put in place around Seoul have been expanded across South Korea.  Officials request people stay at home except to attend work or purchase essential items.  All businesses designated high-risk  (nightclubs, buffet restaurants, private schools with over 300 students, etc.) must close and the government is asking that companies allow employees to work from home if possible.

SINGAPORE: Travelers from New Zealand and Brunei who were in those countries for 14 days before arrival will not be required to serve Stay Home Notice (SHN).  Applications for the Air Travel Pass (ATP) will be required 7 – 30 days before travel and acceptance of applications will begin September 1.  COVID-19 testing at the airport will still be required.  For those traveling from Australia (except Victoria State), Macau, Mainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia, the length of SHN has been shortened to 7 days followed by a COVID-19 test.

THAILAND: A nationwide state of emergency has been extended through September 30th.  Businesses can operate on-site with social distancing and conferences and concerts can take place with health controls.  Officials in several provinces are enforcing localized measures including screening arrivals with some locations quarantining symptomatic passengers and other areas isolating all incoming travelers regardless of symptoms.

VIETNAM: New testing, screening and quarantine procedures are being implemented.  Domestic travelers arriving to HCMC originating from Hanoi, Hai Duong, Bac Giang, Da Nang, Quang Nam and Quang Nai are subject to increased tracking.  These travelers may be required to self-quarantine, be tested or may be directed to proceed to centralized government quarantine / treatment centers upon arrival.  For international arrivals into Hanoi and further travel to HCMC, there is a potential to be required to serve a 14-day quarantine upon arrival in-country after landing in Hanoi and then be required to serve a 14-day quarantine upon arrival into HCMC.

August 17, 2020 Update

KOREA: Seoul: Social distancing measures in Seoul and the surrounding province have been tightened through at least August 30th.  Authorities have mandated that companies allow employees to work from home if possible and for residents to delay travel for 2 weeks.

JAPAN: Okinawa: The state of emergency declaration has been extended until at least August 29th.   Citizens are requested to stay home except for essential reasons.

INDONESIA: Jakarta: Restrictions have been extended until at least August 27th.  Schools remain closed until further notice as do cinemas, but shopping malls can operate and public transport has resumed at 50% capacity.

HONG KONG: Restrictions have been extended until at least August 25th including the ban on public gatherings of move than 2 people.  Residents are required to wear protective face coverings in all outdoor and indoor public spaces.

 

August 10, 2020 Update

AUSTRALIA:  Domestic travel is being restricted by new cases in Victoria and New South Wales.   Restrictions or bans as well as quarantine requirements have been put into place by most States for residents of those two areas.  For example, Queensland has banned all residents from designated hots spots of Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory from entering the state.  Western Australia has banned travel to it’s state form all other parts of Australia.

INDONESIA: Jakarta: Restrictions have been extended through at least August 13th.

MACAU: Tourist travel from Zhuhai, Guangdong Province is permitted from August 12 in both directions.  Testing requirements have been tightened for travelers from Hong Kong and going forward, evidence of negative COVID-19 test results taken within 24 hours or arrival must be provided.  Arrivals from or with recent travel to Hong Kong, and “high-risk” locations in mainland China must undergo 14-day quarantine at designated facilities.

TAIWAN: Passengers arriving from the Philippines will be required to quarantine for 14 days in government-designated facilities starting August 12.  Foreign nationals will be required to pay TWD 1,500 per day for quarantine costs, although those with an ARC card, resident visa or Taiwan citizenship are exempt.  Foreign nationals (except ARC and resident visa holders, arriving from the Philippines will need to provide a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure in order to board flights to Taiwan.  COVID-19 testing will also be done on all arriving passengers from the Philippines regardless of symptoms.

August 5, 2020 Update

AUSTRALIA: Sever states have tightened measures as of August 5th.  Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has declared non-residents are banned from traveling from Victoria and quarantine requirements are in place. Travelers from New South Wales (NSW) will quarantine upon arrival as well.  NSW plans to require those arriving from Victoria to quarantine starting August 7th.  Queensland is banning travelers from NSW and ACT starting August 8th.

CAMBODIA: Some foreign business travelers are permitted to enter the country with exemptions from the 2-week self-isolation requirement.  Arrivals must isolate at designated facilities for several days while waiting for COVID-19 test results and may still be required to quarantine for 14 days if any passengers in their flight test positive.  Other protocols will need to be followed.

HONG KONG: Ongoing restrictions have been extended through at least August 11th.

INDIA: Has outlined entry guidelines effective August 8th.  Arrivals must undergo paid institutional quarantine for 7 days followed by a week of home quarantine.  Arriving passengers must register online within 72 hours before travel.  Different states continue imposing variable rules and quarantine and testing requirements.  There remain limited flights to the country.

INDONESIA: Jakarta: Restrictions have been extended through at least August 13.  Schools remain closed.

JAPAN: A state of emergency has been declared in Aichi Prefecture through August 24, Mie Prefecture until August 16.

SINGAPORE: Authorities will accept applications for work and business travel from Malaysia starting August 10th with the first crossing likely to start from August 17.

THAILAND: Additional categories of foreigners can enter including permanent residents and work permit holders with their spouses and children and frequent business travelers under special programs such as Thailand Elite Card holders.  Health protocols will need to be followed.

 

August 3, 2020 Update

AUSTRALIA: Melbourne & Victoria: From 1800 August 2, Melbourne a curfew from 2000 -0500 will be in place until at least September 13.  A state of disaster will be in place for Victoria State from 1800 August 2.

JAPAN: Okinawa: A state of emergency for the prefecture has been announced through August 15.  All residents are requested to stay home and business hours may be reduced.

PHILIPPINES: Restrictions have been tightened throughout the National Capital Region and surrounding provinces from August 1.  Public transport is suspended and residents can only leave home for essential supplies, medical care or to work in those approved sectors.

MALAYSIA: Applications for limited cross-border travel with Singapore will open August 10th.  Within Malaysia, as of August 3, wearing a facemask is compulsory on public transport and in public.

 

July 29, 2020 Update

MYANMAR: The international flight ban has been extended through August 31st on most flights.  A “fast lane” arrangement allowing business trips for essential sectors such as oil, gas and power from mainland China and Japan has been arranged as of July 29.  Health, testing and quarantine requirements are in place.

CHINA: Dalian, Liaoning Province: Transportation and business restrictions have been tightened.  Residents in high- and medium-risk areas may not depart the city, all others are encouraged to limit travel and will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test before departure.

July 28, 2020 Update

VIETNAM: Da Nang: All travel to and from the city is now banned until at least August 11.

July 27, 2020 Update

CAMBODIA: Plans are in place to suspend flights from Indonesia and Malaysia from August 1.

HONG KONG: Restrictions are increased to ban public gatherings of more than 2 people.  Residents must wear face masks in all outdoor public areas as well as indoor and din-in services at all restaurants have been suspended.  These changes are expected to last until August 7.

VIETNAM: Da Nang city has tightened restrictions as of July 27th.  Nonessential businesses such as karaoke bars are closed and public gatherings are limited to 20 people.  Authorities have suspended international flights to Da Nang until further notice and domestic tourists cannot visit the city through at least August 8th.

July 21, 2020 Update

INDIA: Most northeastern India states are maintaining or extending restrictions through at least July 31.

MALAYSIA: From July 24, all arrivals will need to quarantine at designated facilities and download the MySejahtera mobile app.

July 20, 2020 Update

CHINA: Beijing is reopening businesses including markets and cultural and tourist attractions.  Meeting events up to 500 people may take place but masks must be worn and temperatures checked.  Residents of medium-risk areas including Huanxian subdistrict and Fengtai District, may not leave Beijing.  All others may travel freely.

CHINA: Xinjiang: Restrictions have been introduced locally.  Public transportation has been suspended and flights into and out of Urumqi Diwopu Airport have been cancelled.

HONG KONG:  Restrictions have been tightened including an extension of rules for restaurants and closure of specific venues including gyms and amusement parks.  Non-essential civil servants have been instructed to work from home all masks are required in indoor public spaces.

INDIA: Commercial flights with India from France and the US can now operate with limitations through at least August 1.  Entry to currently permitted categories remains in place.

KOREA: All foreigners arriving from high-risk nations must submit a certificate showing COVID-19 negative test results.  Countries include Bangladesh, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Philippines and Uzbekistan.

PHILIPPINES: From August 1, authorities plan to permit long-term visa holders to reenter the country.  Mandatory protocols include pre-booking a quarantine facility and a CI+OVID-19 testing provider in the Philippines.  A two week quarantine at a government designated facility will be required, at the expense of the traveler unless an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW).  Long term visa holders must have visas already in place, officials are not issuing new visas.  A ban on nonessential outbound travel has been lifted and travelers must comply with protocols include travel health insurance and a signed acknowledgement of travel risks.

SINGAPORE:  Starting July 20, all passengers arriving from some high-risk areas must serve their Stay Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated facilities.  Those who have visited or transited through the following locations must sty at the SHN facility for 14 days at their own cost and pass a COVID-19 test before release: Japan, Hong Kong, Victoria State (Australia).

 

July 15, 2020 Update

MACAU: Quarantine requirements for residents of Beijing, China have been lifted.

MYANMAR: Domestic gathering and international movements have been extended until at least July 31.

THAILAND: Most incoming international flights are banned through July 31.

July 14, 2020 Update

INDIA: From June 14th, several regions in southern India will curb nonessential activity.

CHINA: All high-risk areas in Beijing have now been downgraded to medium risk or below.

SINGAPORE & MALAYSIA: The two have released a joint announcement on their agreement to implement a “Reciprocal Green Lane” and Periodic Commuting Arrangement.  Within certain requirements and restrictions, the RGL will enable essential business and official purpose border crossings.  The PCA will allow residents holding long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes into each other’s country.  They are working to implement hopefully by August 10.

July 13, 2020 Update

HONG KONG: Through July 24th, social distancing restrictions are being tightened, reducing seating at restaurants and other venues.  Classes for most students have been temporarily suspended.

JAPAN: Domestic restrictions have been lifted on all inter-prefectural travel and nonessential businesses are permitted to reopen.

TAIWAN: The CECC has eased additional restrictions on entry of foreign nationals and some quarantine requirements.  Foreign nationals with an ARC card, Hong Kong and Macau citizens wiht residence permits can enter the island without a negative Covid-19 test.  The list of low-and medium risk countries has also been expanded.

July 8, 2020 Update

INDIA:  Rules vary by location inside India, but most regions in Southern India have relaxed restrictions outside the containment zones.  According to location, some or all of the following may be employed: quarantine upon arrival (foreign country or other state), curfew, restrictions on movement, advance permission to travel to a location and limits or restrictions on non-essential travel.

MACAU: Travel to eight more cities in Guangdong Province are now permitted to forgo quarantine requirements.  Travelers must still receive approval from the Macau health authorities via an online application, complete a travel and health declaration, hold a green health code and provide evidence of a negative nucleic acid test valid for seven days.

KOREA: Officials plan to intensify enforcement of self-quarantine compliance due to reports of several violations.

July 7, 2020 Update

AUSTRALIA: Stay at Home orders for 32 locations in the Melbourne metropolitan area from July 8th for six weeks.  Due to concerns regarding quarantine capacity, international flights into Melbourne (MEL, AVV) have been halted and flights are being diverted to other locations or cancelled.  Sydney, also concerned about quarantine capacity is limiting arriving international flights.

CHINA:   Restrictions in 54 subdistricts of Beijing have been eased.  Only Huaxiang subdistrict in Fengtai is still labeled as high risk.

 

July 6, 2020 Update

AUSTRALIA:  New South Wales is closing it’s border with Victoria starting July 8th.  Residents with exceptions to cross the border in either direction will be required to quarantine for two weeks.

PHILIPPINES: From July 7 -11th, Manila is suspending Line 3 of the MRT due to positive tests on employees.

June 30, 2020 Update

AUSTRALIA: Testing measures are being enhanced in some states as of June 29th.  Arriving travelers in quarantine may be required to take COVID-19 tests before being released from confinement in some locations.

JAPAN: Officials lift most domestic restrictions, but add 18 countries to the entry ban list including: Costa Rica, Cuba, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Vincent, Georgia, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Eswatini, Mauritania and Senegal.

June 29, 2020 Update

CHINA: Beijing continues measure to contain the recent outbreak including restrictions on gatherings and requests for all workers who can work from home to do so.  Travel from Beijing to other locations for essential reasons will require a negative COVID-19 test and several provinces including Shanghai are implementing a 14 day quarantine from travelers from the are.  Hubei Province authorities have locked down Anxin county as of June 29th requiring residents to stay home.

MYANMAR: Domestic restrictions have been extended until July 15th and international flights are banned now until at least July 31.

THAILAND: Authorities plan to ease domestic and international restrictions from July 1.  Some businesses and education facilities will be permitted to open and some categories of foreigners, including business people will be permitted to enter the country.  Inbound commercial flights remain banned and the nationwide state of emergency has reported to be extended through July although a definitive announcement has yet to be made clearly.

June 24, 2020 Update

MACAU: Has lifted quarantine requirements for nonresident workers that live in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, as of June 24

CHINA: Authorities continue to take precautions to control an outbreak in Beijing including tightening restrictions on those leaving the city.  Travelers from Beijing may face 14-day quarantine requirements in other Chinese cities.

VIETNAM: The Department of Labor Invalids and Social Affairs (DoLISA) in HCMC recently published on their official website a list of 1,245 foreigners “approved” by the HCMC People’s committee to enter Vietnam in July for nearly 500 companies.  Applications are still being accepted and more approved foreigners may be announced in the coming weeks.  All individuals authorized will still need to stay at their expense at one of the strictly controlled designated quarantine hotels for 14 days.

June 22, 2020 Update

CAMBODIA: Authorities are permitting some cross-border travel with Vietnam for non-tourism purposes only and with health protocols in place.  Tourist visas, e-visas and visa on arrival services as well as visa exemptions remain suspended.

JAPAN:  All domestic travel limitations have been lifted, international travel restrictions remain in place.

KOREA: Additional visa and entry restrictions for passengers traveling from Pakistan and Bangladesh are being put into place starting June 23.  Exemptions will be made for diplomats and urgent business reasons.

 

June 17, 2020 Update

MACAU:  Visitors to Macau who have been in Beijing within 14 days of arrival are required to quarantine at designated locations for two weeks.

June 16, 2020 Update

CHINA: Authorities have expanded local controls and transportation restrictions in Beijing.  Residents are to defer all nonessential travel outside of the city.

INDIA: Strict restrictions are imposed upon Chennai as well as parts of Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts from June 19 – 30th.  Residents will not be allowed to travel more than 2 km from their home and only for essentials.  On June 21 and June 28, authorities will not permit any movement except to buy milk and visit medical facilities.

PHILIPPINES: Cebu City has reintroduced the strictest controls until June 30 and residents must say in their homes.  Talisay City has the second strictest level through June 30th and some key industries including real estate can operate under restrictions.  Metro Manila is implementing general community quarantine through June 30th.

 

June 15, 2020 Update

AUSTRALIA:  As of June 15, restrictions have eased.  Most states or territories are now at least at Step 2 which allows public gatherings up to 20 people and permits the reopening of non-essential businesses such as gyms, salons and cinemas.

CHINA: Eleven sub-districts near Xinfadi wholesale food market in Beijing’s’ Fengtai district have been placed under quarantine due to recent cases.

KOREA: Restrictions are tightened in the Greater Seoul area including Incheon and Gyeonggi Province indefinitely due to a rise in cases.

MACAU: Applications for quarantine exemptions for residents to enter Zhuhai, Guandong Province have temporarily been halted due to high demand.  It is unknown when the applications will resume.

MYANMAR: The government has extended domestic restrictions through at least June 30th.

SINGAPORE: Is moving into Phase 2 starting June 19th.  Gathering and some commercial restrictions will ease, we are inquiring further guidance if openings will apply to real estate and DSP since today’s announcement.  Non-Singaporeans or non-permanent residents entering or leaving Singapore from Wednesday at 11:59 will need to pay the cost of their own Covid-19 tests.  Tests cost up to $200 SGD and a 14-day stay at a dedicated facility costs up to $2,000 SGD.

 

June 8, 2020 Update

June 3, 2020 Update

INDIA:  The Indian government is permitting entry of foreign nationals with a fresh or renewed business visa as of June 3. Authorized travelers include those with the managerial and technical expertise required by a foreign entity located in India, or an Indian entity providing a letter of invitation. Fresh visas are required and non-scheduled flights must be used until the ban on international passenger flights ends on June 30th.

SINGAPORE: Officials are accepting applications for new visas, however acceptance of the applications will be limited and subject to a Ministry of Manpower (MOM) officer.  It is not clear how the applications will be prioritized

VIETNAM: Officials have announced paths forward for companies and organizations to seek approval for the re-entry or new entry of foreign investors, business managers, specialists and skilled workers.  Official requests must be made to the provincial department of Labor Invalids and Social Affairs based upon the date requirements of each province.

June 2, 2020 Update

INDIA:  Accompanied services are now available in cities located outside containment zones.  Services are deliverable in Bengaluru and Dehli, but not yet in Mumbai, Hyderbad, Pune or Chennai.

THAILAND: Foreigners who hold a valid work visa and can demonstrate they are a long-term resident may now return to Thailand after obtaining a Health Certificate.

June 1, 2020 Update

PHILIPPINES: Several locations including Metro Manila have extended restrictions through at least June 15.

May 27, 2020 Update

VIETNAM: Starting July 1, Vietnam will begin issuing electronic visas to foreign nationals from 80 countries including Australia, Canada, mainland China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, the UK and the US.  A complete list can be found here:  https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnam-to-resume-e-visa-issuance-in-july-4105848-p2.html

May 26, 2020 Update

THAILAND: The nationwide state of emergency has been extended through June 30th.

JAPAN: The state of emergency order has been lifted for Tokyo Metropolitan Area including Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba prefectures and Hokkaido Prefecture.  An entry ban has been extended to include 11 more countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and South Africa.

May 20, 2020 Update

CAMBODIA: The government has lifted entry restrictions for foreign nationals traveling from France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Spain, and the US.  Visa on arrival and visa waiver programs remain suspended, and visitors will need to apply for a visa at their nearest Cambodian Diplomatic Mission.  Health, health insurance, testing and quarantine are required for arrival.

INDIA: Starting May 25th, limited domestic flights will resume with social distancing measures in place.

INDONESIA: Officials have extended restrictions until June 4th

JAPAN: The Japanese government lifted a state of emergency order for Osaka, Hyogo, and Kyoto prefectures May 21

May 19, 2020 Update

MALAYSIA: Malaysia My 2nd Home (MM2H) visa holders are now allowed to enter Malaysia.  Air Asia is increasing key domestic flight routes this week.

THAILAND: Accompanied services are now possible with strict protocols in place.  Limited domestic flights are now operating via select airlines.

VIETNAM: Schools have reopened.  School tours remain limited and permitted on a case-by-case basis.

May 18, 2020 Update

INDIA: Efforts to contain the virus have been extended through at least May 31st, including flight bans.

JAPAN: Many local schools will begin opening May 25th in locations where the state of emergency has been lifted.

THAILAND: The ban on inbound flights has been extended through June 30th.

May 14, 2020 Updates

JAPAN: The state of emergency has been lifted in some prefectures.  The state of emergency will remain in place for Hokkaido, Hyogo, and Kyoto prefectures; the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, including Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba prefectures; and Osaka through at least May 31.  Authorities recommend individuals practice social distancing.

THAILAND: The state of emergency has been extended until May 31.

May 12, 2o2o Updates

INDIA: Some train services are being restored.  Rail services will operate from New Delhi Railway Station to 15 destinations, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Howrah, and Chennai.

PHILIPPINES: High-risk areas, including Metro Manila, Cebu City, and Laguna Province, will implement modified, enhanced community quarantine measures May 16-31. Residents in these locations will have to stay at home, except to obtain essential supplies and for emergencies. Most on-site work remains suspended, except for essential services.  Low-risk areas have started easing restrictions.

May 11, 2020 Updates

MALAYSIA: Nationwide movement controls have been extended until June 9.

May 7, 2020 Updates

VIETNAM: No area of Vietnam remains under the “high-risk” classification and most social distancing measures have been lifted.  Public transportation and planes can operate at full capacity, however the wearing of masks remains compulsory.

May 6, 2020 Updates

INDIA: Starting May 7, foreigners stranded in India may apply to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to buy seats on Air India flights travelling to countries on repatriation missions. 

MALAYSIA: Officials in Malaysia will require foreign workers nationwide to undergo testing for coronavirus disease (COVID-19); authorities have not specified the start date. The policy affects low- to semi-skilled employees in construction, food and beverage, manufacturing, and other sectors and requires employers to pay for the cost of testing. Authorities plan to begin testing workers in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor State.

May 5, 2020 Updates

HONG KONG:  Schools will begin to reopen May 27 for senior secondary students, followed by younger secondary students June 8 and June 15.    Social distancing measures will be eased starting May 8th, however borders remain closed indefinitely.

CAMBODIA:  The Cambodian government has renewed all immigration emergency decisions as of 2 May for an undetermined duration.

May 4, 2020 Updates

INDIA: Restrictions on movement, business and both domestic and international commercial flights has been extended until May 17.

PHILIPPINES:  As of May 3, a ban of all international and domestic flights has been ordered for an indefinite period of time.  

SINGAPORE: The restrictions in place, including a ban on non-essential business has been extended until June 1.

April 29, 2020 Updates

HONG KONG: Travel restrictions for teachers, students and some business people from mainland China are easing, permitting some crossings. 

VIETNAM: Major international schools to resume limited in-school classes from May 4.  Restrictions on new leases in expat-areas have eased and new leases are being allowed again.

April 28, 2020 Updates

JAPAN: Japanese officials are extending international travel bans to foreign nationals who have traveled to 14 additional countries from 0001 April 29. Foreigners with recent travel history in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Djibouti will be barred from entering Japan

THAILAND:  The ban on inbound international flights has been extended through May 31st.

April 23, 2020 Updates

INDONESIA: From April 24 – June 1, all commercial international and domestic flights are banned.  Cargo shipments are exempted.  A nationwide public health emergency declaration remains in effect. 

MALAYSIA: The movement restrictions and bans on inbound and outbound international travel have been extended unto May 12.

THAILAND:  Multiple Thai airlines intend to resume domestic flights from May 1.  Bans on inbound international flights has been extended through April 30.  

VIETNAM: Social distancing measures in place since April 1 have been relaxed and the risk assessment has been lowered to Medium. Immigration departments (except Dong Nai) have resumed operations.  New work permits and new visa applications remain suspended, but many renewals are able to be processed.

April 21, 2020 Updates

SINGAPORE: The government has extended domestic gathering and business restrictions through June 1

HONG KONG: Social distancing measures are extended until May 7.  Violators face a fine of HKD 50,000 (USD 6,450) and six months in jail.

April 20, 2020 Updates

SOUTH KOREA: Authorities have extended an ongoing social distancing campaign across South Korea through at least May 5

MYANMAR:  The central government has ordered the extension of movement control measures in Yangon’s Bahan, Hlaingthaya, Insein, Mayangon, Pabedan, Shwepyitha, and South Okkalapa townships as of April 20. Residents must stay at home in these areas

April 16, 2020 Updates

AUSTRALIA: Has extended its national domestic movement restrictions until May 14th.  Several states are also restricting movement across with bordering states.

JAPAN: The nationwide state of emergency has been extended until May 6th.

VIETNAM: The stay at home requirement has been extended until April 22.

April 15, 2020 Updates

THAILAND: The ban on inbound flights has been extended through April 30.

MYANMAR: The government has closed the border with Bangladesh until further notice for all except returning citizens.

April 9, 2020 Updates

CAMBODIA: All arrivals into the country across any border will now be quarantined for 14 days at a government facility.

April 8, 2020 Updates

KOREA:  From April 9 – authorities have cancelled existing visas, requiring travelers to apply for entry documents.  Visa-free and visa-waiver programs with countries who have entry bans for Koreans citizens, will be halted, impacting 88 countries including Australia, Canada and most European countries.

April 6, 2020 Updates

THAILAND: Those whose visa has expired face a B500 fine per day to a maximum of B20,000.00 per person.  A 30-day emergency visa from Thai Immigration is required to avoid the fees.  A letter must be obtained from their Embassy.

THAILAND: All international arrivals are suspended through April 18th.

BRUNEI: Is now requiring all arriving travelers to undergo quarantine at designated facilities as of April 6.

April 2, 2020 Updates

THAILAND: All international schools have been closed and all destination services have been suspended.  Urgent immigration cases are still being managed when necessary.

April 1, 2020 Updates

INDONESIA: April 2, all foreign visitor arrivals or transit through the country will be banned. Exceptions include foreigners with work permits and diplomats.  Indonesian nationals will need to undergo stricter screening, although that has not been defined.  

JAPAN:  Japan will deny entry to foreign nationals travelling from a total of 73 countries and regions, or about a third of the world, expanding its ban to include the Americas and Africa to address the continued rise in global coronavirus infections. The new ban will be imposed from Friday and remain effective until the end of the month. Foreign nationals who have been in those parts of the world within 14 days of their arrival in Japan will be refused entry.

Australia, Britain, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, Taiwan, Morocco and the United States are among the 49 newly added countries and regions, along with most of Europe and many countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Japan will also broaden its ban to the whole of China and South Korea from selected areas of its two Asian neighbors hit by the new coronavirus outbreak. The government will ask Japanese nationals returning from the listed countries to undergo virus tests, while all incoming travelers will be requested to self-quarantine and refrain from using public transportation for 14 days, Abe said. The Foreign Ministry had already raised its travel advisory to Level 3 for the 49 countries and regions on Tuesday, which means that all travel should be avoided.

 

March 30, 2020 Updates

AUSTRALIA: Public gatherings, excluding household members has been reduced to a maximum of 2 people.  There are mandatory closures of all non-essential businesses and stay at home requirements in place except for essential shopping, medical care, exercising or travelling to work or education

CAMBODIA: Is expected to adopt a State of Emergency and we are awaiting the details.

INDONESIA: Is expected to adopt additional measures soon and an extension of the state of emergency is expected through April 19.

JAPAN: We are looking to confirm news reports that a new entry ban is coming soon and will impact those from the US, China and South Korea

VIETNAM: On the good news front, now resumed after a Temporary suspension: Temporary Residence card/long term visas for work purpose for foreign nationals already in Vietnam are being processed as normal again.

March 26, 2020 Updates

CHINA: Critical Alert: China bans entry of foreign nationals from March 28, curtails international flights from March 29. China has decided to temporarily suspend the entry into China by foreign nationals holding visas or residence permits still valid to the time of this announcement, effective from 0 a.m., 28 march 2020. Entry by foreign nationals with APEC Business Travel Cards will be suspended as well.

KOREA: South Korea to require passengers from US to self-quarantine from March 27 over COVID-19 concerns. Measure in place for European arrivals.

March 25, 2020 Updates

AUSTRALIA: No school visits are possible, however we can still arrange virtual visits with registrars.

BRUNEI: All international schools are able to implement online learning and children are to stay at home until further notice.

HONG KONG:The following changes will be implemented March 25 and will remain in effect for at least 14 days. Hong Kong’s COVID-19 entry restrictions will be as follows: 

•   –Non-Hong Kong residents traveling from overseas by plane will be denied entry.  
• –Non-Hong Kong residents traveling to Hong Kong from Mainland China, Macao and Taiwan will be denied entry if they have been to any overseas country or territory in the last 14 days.  
• –Transit services at Hong Kong International Airport will be suspended.  
• –Travelers coming from Mainland China, Macao and Taiwan will be subject to a 14-day home quarantine upon arrival in Hong Kong.  
• –Exemptions are available for spouses and minor children of Hong Kong residents, air crew, sea crew on goods vessels, government officials and personnel involved in fighting the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The full list of exemptions is available here..  

TAIWAN:  Taiwan has banned foreign nationals from visiting the island starting Thursday March 19.  Exemptions will be granted to Alien Resident Certificate holders, personnel on diplomatic or official business, persons who can prove they are fulfilling commercial and  contractual obligations, and persons requiring special permission. The exempted foreign nationals listed in the previous paragraph must observe a 14-day home quarantine upon arrival.   

Foreign nationals who are eligible for visa-free entry or hold a visitor or resident visa and wish to enter Taiwan from March 19 must hold relevant documents to qualify for exempted status. These documents must be presented to the National Immigration Agency (NIA) personnel at the port of entry for approval. Those holding special entry permits issued by R.O.C. (Taiwan) overseas missions, valid Alien Resident Certificates, or MOFA ID Cards will be allowed entry following inspection by NIA personnel. Foreign nationals unable to determine whether their documents meet the criteria for exempted status may visit an R.O.C. (Taiwan) overseas mission prior to departure to apply for a special entry permit. 

March 24, 2020 Updates

BRUNEI:  Effective midnight 24 March 24th, the entry ban to Brunei and transit ban at Brunei International Airport has been extended to all countries except for citizens of Brunei. For clarity foreign nationals will not be allowed into Brunei and those foreign nationals that have previously been granted re-entry visas, travel visas, student visas and dependent visas who are still residing in their own country are to delay travel to Brunei.   In addition, all visitors arriving into Brunei, will be required to undergo a 14-day self-isolation period immediately at appointed monitoring centers or if specific criteria are met at home in accordance with the Infectious Diseases Act (204).  

KOREA:  Anyone from EU countries and entering Korea will move to a designated facility and undergo COVID-19 test (as of March 22).  (1) If COVID19 positive: The passengers will be transferred to a hospital and treated immediately. (2) If COVID19 negative 

• Korean nationals or foreign nationals of long-term stay (more than 90 days) will be quarantined for 14 days at their residence. 
•  Foreign nationals of short-term stay (less than 90 days) will be monitored by enhanced active quarantine for 14 days. 
• All passengers from all countries must have an available phone number and mobile device for installing app. (as of Mar 19)
  Visa exemption entry applied to nationals of Japan will be suspended. (as of Mar 9) 
•  All types of Korean visas issued by Consulate General in Japan before Mar 9, 2020 will be invalid.
• The following passengers are not permitted to enter South Korea.  
•  •  Chinese who have a passport issued by Hubei Province, anyone who has visited Hubei Province in the past 14 days. 
• • Korea visa issued by Wuhan Consulate in Hubei province will be invalidated immediately. 
  • Visa exemption entry to JEJU Island will be temporarily suspended. 
  • Passengers who are not eligible for visa waiver of Korea are not permitted to transit in Korea if traveling from China.  

MYANMAR:   Effective 25 March 2020, 0000 hours (Myanmar Standard time)  

• All incoming Myanmar nationals from any country will be subject to a 14–day facility quarantine on their arrival in Myanmar.  
• All foreign nationals travelling to Myanmar are required to present the laboratory evidence of absence of COVID-19 infection issued no more than 72 hours prior to the date of travel before boarding any airline destined for Myanmar. will be subject to a 14-day facility quarantine on their arrival in Myanmar. 
• All diplomats accredited to Myanmar and United Nations officials working in Myanmar are also required to present the laboratory evidence of absence of COVID-19 infection issued no more than 72 hours prior to the date of travel before boarding any airline destined for Myanmar. They will be subject to home quarantine for 14-day on their arrival in Myanmar. 

SINGAPORE:  From 27 Mar, 0900hrs, all incoming travelers will have to submit a health declaration online. Travelers, residents and long-term pass holders included – will have to submit their declaration via the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) e-Service. Singaporeans are advised to defer all travel abroad immediately. 

VIETNAM:

Travel restrictions and Entry Bans: 

• Temporary entry ban for all foreigners holding ordinary passports and valid Vietnamese visa (Category Business, dependent, visiting relatives) and Vietnamese origin nationals with 5 years/3 years visa waiver, effective from March 22,2020. Diplomatic passport holders and ordinary passport holders with Temporary Residence Card or long–term visa for work purpose, when entering Vietnam, must provide a mandatory health check-up and quarantined for 14 days in designated quarantine zone. 
• Vietnam Airlines to suspend all International flights. All flights from South East Asian countries, China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, France, Russia, Malaysia, and Taiwan have already been suspended. Today March 23: flights from Japan and UK and on March 25, the last international flights from Germany and Australia will also be suspended. 
• The Vietnamese PM ordered the suspension of all international flights to Vietnam amidst restricted entry into the country, but no timeline has been provided to date. 
• Since March 22, Vietnam has required passengers on domestic flights to fill up mandatory health declaration forms before departure.  

 Immigration: 

• Temporary suspension of Temporary Residence card/long term visas for work purpose for foreign nationals already in Vietnam. Instead a 1-3 months single entry stay stamp only will be granted until further notice.

March 23, 2020 Updates

INDIA:  The government has announced a lockdown in at least 75 districts and four states across India until at least April 1.   This includes several cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderbad and states including Punjab, Maharashtra, Assam and Kerala. Domestic flights have been cancelled on top of an existing ban on international flights which began earlier.

KOREA:

1. Visitors who have been in the Hubei Province (China People’s Rep.) in the past 14 days are not allowed to transit or enter Korea (Rep.).  
2. Nationals of China (People’s Rep) with a passport issued in the Hubei Province are not allowed to enter Korea (Rep.).  
3. Korean visas issued by the Wuhan Consulate in the Hubei Province are invalidated.  
4. A visa is required to transit through Korea (Rep.) for: – nationals of China (People’s Rep.) arriving from China (People’s Rep); and – visa required nationals arriving from China (People’s Rep.).  
5. Visitors arriving from Japan who have been in the cruise ship ‘Diamond Princess’ are not allowed to transit or enter (Korea Rep.).  
6. Visas issued to nationals of Japan (at Korean Diplomatic Missions in Japan) before 9 March 2020 are invalidated.  
– This does not apply to visas issued outside Japan. Such visas remain valid.  
– This does not apply to airline crew.  
7. Nationals of Japan who do not hold a Korean visa issued on or after 9 March 2020 will not be allowed entry.  
8. Passengers arriving from any country will be subject to quarantine procedures. They must install a self-diagnosis application in their personal device and a completed Health Declaration Form and a Special Quarantine Declaration Form must be presented to the quarantine desk upon arrival.

MALAYSIA:  Our office has been closed down, real estate viewings have also been banned, and all movement outside is restricted by the government. All accompanied services have been suspended until further notice 

MYANMAR:

Myanmar still claims to not yet have any Covid-19 cases. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday temporarily stopped issuing visa-on-arrival and e-visa for all countries, as part of new restrictions to foreign visitors. Likewise, all travelers including Myanmar nationals, who have passed through or visited the United States, Switzerland, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, during the past 14 days, will be subject to a 14-day facility quarantine. Diplomats accredited to Myanmar and resident UN officials, are encouraged to take a 14-day home quarantine upon arrival. 

All travelers will be required to present medical certificate, from a recognized health authority, of not having symptom of acute respiratory sickness, before boarding flights heading to Myanmar. 

PHILIPPINES: Service provision is halted until further notice due to the string home quarantine measures in place.

 

March 20, 2020 Updates

INDIA: A ban has been placed on international flights to any airport from 0001 hrs GMT of March 22, 2020 until March 29, 2020. All incoming travelers, including Indian nationals arriving from any destination and having visited 36 countries on the “Excluded List” in Europe, the Middle East and Asia are banned from entering India, and 6 countries on the “Partially Excluded List” shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days.