Holiday months are getting closer, and everyone is excited for a holiday at its finest despite the global pandemic. There are different requirements and restrictions for travelers these days and they are changing almost all the time. As Asia is known to be the epicenter of COVID-19 outbreak, Asian countries were the first countries to peak in terms of number of cases and, naturally, became the first countries to defeat the virus & start reopening. Among many countries and islands in Asia, while some countries like Taiwan avoided full-lockdown thanks to its sufficient preventative measures, some countries are still struggling with the highest numbers of cases, like India. Fortunately, influencers who consider traveling to Asia has an ultimate travel rules guide now according to the latest announcements from the Asian authorities. Check our guide to find your next wanderlust destination, and create the content of your dreams while keeping yourself & the people around you safe.
China
The initial place of COVID-19 outbreak, China, already began reopening in May 2020 before any country did. In November 2020, the government announced new requirements to all travelers.
These travel rules are:
- Travelers must take Nucleic acid test and lgM antibody test within 48 hours before boarding
- Travelers have to submit the negative test results to the Chinese Embassy, and require a certified health declaration form or a green health code from the Embassy.
- All travelers should prepare themselves to full quarantine at selected facilities.
You can find more details and updates on the Chinese Embassy website. Don’t forget to check it out before visiting China.
Japan
Japan has not opened its borders yet because the number of cases are increasing, and the capacity of hospitals are becoming insufficient. From the 1st of September, only citizens residing in Japan can enter the country, with the condition that they have negative COVID test results. The test must be taken within 72 hours before the flight. Besides, the incoming travelers need to self-quarantine for 14 days.
The Maldives
The Maldives were one of the earliest countries that reopened. Until September, the only requirement that travelers had to meet was to book in government-selected hotels and to stay in only one hotel during their trip. After September, with the rise in the number of cases, all travelers have to take COVID test within 96 hours of their flights, and the negative result has to be submitted to the government within 24 hours of arrival.
India
Although India had many difficulties in managing the outbreak, and had the second highest number of COVID cases, touristic places reopened in September 2020. Negative test result were not required for travelers but they had isolate themselves for 14 days. In the latest announcements, it is stated that the borders are closed in the country until 31st of March, 2021. The flight restrictions are not applied to the citizens of India, Nepal, Bhutan and the relatives of Indian residents as long as the proof of relevancy is submitted to the government.
Taiwan
Taiwan is one of the most successful places in struggling with the COVID pandemic. Since the end of June 2020, travelers with a proper reason can enter the island. This reason can be school, business or family related but not tourism. Travelers are required to submit negative COVID test result within 3 days of flight and need to self-quarantine for 14 days. You can follow all the updates regarding post-COVID travel restrictions of Taiwan on the government website.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is one of the few countries that doesn’t require strict quarantine rules for travelers. As of February 2021, Sri Lanka is open to travelers in “bio-bubbles”. Meaning that they can sightsee the country without any interaction with the locals. However, “Bio Bubble” has some rules. Travelers need to stay in selected hotels, need to visit approved places at specified times, and need to take COVID-19 test frequently. These rules are only required in the first two weeks of arrival in the country. After two weeks, travelers can be in interaction with the local population, and they are free to stay, and visit wherever they want. In this website, you can read the details of travel rules and you can also find the list of government-approved hotels.
Russia
In Russia, travelers are partially allowed. Meaning that Russian citizens and nationals of some countries can travel to Russia if they departure from their country of nationality. This countries are listed as the UK, Armenia, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, Greece, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Singapore, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. Negative test results within 72 hours and self-isolation for 14 days are required as in many Asian countries.
These are the latest restrictions from some of the Asian countries that you may want to travel for next months. Enjoy your trip and stay safe! Don’t forget to follow us on our socials for all the updates!