COVID-19 Travel Regulations — What to expect for each country before travelling again

Last update: 31 Jul 2020

Countries after starting to open up to international travellers again, yay! But not all is back to normal just yet. To help curb the spread of the virus, most countries will require travellers to submit forms and test results to prove that they’re not infected with the coronavirus before entering.

If you’re planning to travel in the near future, here’s a handy checklist of what to prepare and expect before departing for these countries.

 

DUBAI (from 7 Jul 2020)

 

Pre-entry: Test negative for COVID-19 within 96 hours of departure. Complete the health declaration form (provided by the airline) before boarding the flight to Dubai. Travellers need to verify that they have valid health insurance and download Dubai’s COVID-19 DXB app to register their details before arrival — this will be used to communicate with health authorities if you experience COVID-19 symptoms.

Upon arrival: Travellers who no not have the documentation of a negative COVID-19 test will be charged for a testing done at Dubai airport. Travellers who test positive for COVID-19 are required to isolate at an institutional facility provided by the government for 14 days at their own expense.

While Travelling: Travellers are recommended to download the contact tracing app COVID-19 DXB app. Face masks are required to be worn at all times in public. Social distancing rules will be enforced.

Since May, Dubai has begun reopening businesses such as restaurants, waterparks, and other attractions. The 2020 World Expo has been postponed to 1 October 2021.

Official website: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/articles/coronavirus-advisory

 

HAWAII (before 31 Aug 2020)

 

Upon arrival: All passengers (visitors and returning residents) arriving in Hawaii before 31 August 2020 will have to serve mandatory quarantine for 14-days at a designated hotel or motel.

Postponing your trip to Hawaii after 31 August 2020 is highly recommended.

Official website: https://www.gohawaii.com/special-alerts-information

 

ICELAND (from 1 Jul 2020)

 

Pre-entry: Before departing to Iceland, travellers are required to fill out a pre-registration form. The form will require your personal details, contact information, flight information, travel dates and address(es) during your stay in Iceland. The form also includes a declaration of health as well as information on countries you have visited before arrival, whether you have any symptoms of COVID-19, whether you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 before your arrival, or if you’ve been in close contact with an infected individual. 

Upon arrival: Travellers have the option to be tested for COVID-19 (free of charge until 1st July) or serve a quarantine for two weeks.

From July 1, passengers will have to pay ISK15,000 (~S$150) to test for COVID-19. Children born in 2005 or later do no need to be tested or serve a quarantine.

Those who test positive will be offered to undergo further tests to determine whether they have an active infection. In the case of an active infection, the passenger must self-isolate.

While travelling: Travellers are strongly recommended to download the contact tracing app Rakning C-19.

Official website: https://www.covid.is/english

 

MALDIVES (from 15 Jul 2020)

 

*Only for tourist resorts, liveaboard vessels and hotels on uninhabited islands. The opening of tourist guesthouses and city hotels have been delayed and will be reviewed again after 15 Aug 2020.

Pre-entry: A confirmed booking in a tourist establishment registered with the Ministry of Tourism, is mandatory. Travellers will not be subjected to any quarantine measures or be required to submit any medical test results.

Upon arrival: Passengers are required to submit a health declaration card upon arrival, completed onboard the aircraft. Masks should be worn at the airport.

Random testing may be conducted on arriving passengers at no cost. However, those who display symptoms of COVID-19 will have to take a PCR test at at their own cost at a designated facility for isolation or their designated resort (depending on resort’s policy) until the results are out.

While travelling: Travellers must book their entire stay in one registered establishment. Travellers should inform the resort if they test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of departure from the resort.

Official website: https://www.tourism.gov.mv/

 

THAILAND (from Oct 2020)

 

Pre-entry: Currently only required for travellers entering Koh Samui

Upon arrival: Those arriving in Phuket will be required to undergo a swab test.

While travelling: Travellers are strongly encouraged to download the contact tracing app Thai Chana. Masks have to be worn in all public areas (except for the beaches, although social distancing rules apply)

Some National parks and islands (like Krabi) remain closed until further notice.

Travellers can expect countrywide hygiene and safety measures (e.g. Social distancing, increased cleaning, move to online payments, health screenings, limiting the amount of people in indoor spaces, wearing masks).

This page will be updated as more countries reopen and update their protocols for travellers.

 

PORTUGAL (from 1 Jul 2020)

 

Pre-entry: All travellers must complete the Regional Health Authority’s (IASAÚDE) form between 48 and 12 hours before boarding the flight — you can also submit your negative PCR test for the COVID-19 disease, carried out within 72 hours prior to departure through the form.

Upon arrival: Travellers who present a negative PCR test for COVID-19 disease, carried out within 72 hours prior to departure, in laboratories certified by national or international authorities, upon disembarkation, may proceed to their destination.

Those who have not done so will be subjected to a free test upon arrival at the airport. After the PCR test, travellers can proceed to their destination but must be in confinement until the negative results have been received (~12hrs).

Those who test positive will be directed to a designated hotel be subject to mandatory confinement for seven days before taking a new test for COVID-19 disease. Costs of treatment, accommodation and meals will be covered by the Government of the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

While travelling: Travellers are highly recommended to download the “Madeira Safe to Discover” app while travelling in the region. Masks have to be worn at all times indoors and within confined spaces.

Official website: http://www.visitportosanto.pt

 

TURKEY (from 18 June 2020)

 

Pre-entry: Currently, travellers do not need any specific health documentation to enter/exit Turkey unless they are arriving for medical treatment.

Upon arrival: Arriving passengers displaying symptoms of COVID-19 will be transported to a hospital for examination. If found to have COVID-19, others identified to have been in contact will also be subject to 14-day isolation/quarantine.  

While travelling: Masks must be put on at all public areas — outdoor spaces as well as shops and restaurants. Strict fines of ₺900 (~S$175) are imposed on those caught without a mask.

Official website: https://tr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-2/

 

US VIRGIN ISLANDS (from 1 June 2020)

 

Pre-entry: Not mentioned

Upon arrival: All passengers must wear masks upon disembarking the aircraft or vessel. Travellers will have to complete Traveler Screening Questionnaire and have their temperature taken.

Travellers with temperature readings below 100.4°F (38°C) and answers “NO” to all questions on the COVID-19 Traveler Screening Toll will be given a Virgin Islands Department of Health (VIDOH) Health Alert Card and be free to enter.

Travellers who answer “YES” to any of the questions or have a temperature over 38°C will be required to go directly to their accommodation for self-quarantine while waiting to be tested within 24 hours.

While travelling: Wearing of mask will be compulsory whenever you are out of your accommodation (no mask, no service). Advanced reservations at restaurants and bars are highly recommended as they are capped at 50% capacity and require each table to be sex feet apart. Vans and Safaris will cap their seating capacity at 50%.

Gatherings are limited to no more than 10 individuals, this includes retail stores with the exception of grocery stories, “big-box” stores, pharmacies and petrol stations.

All businesses are open except for casinos, gaming facilities and nightclubs.

Public beaches are open with social distancing rules applied.

Official website: https://usviupdate.com/