Just when you thought you left the pandemic behind, things are slowly taking a U Turn as 17 countries have introduced flying guidelines and PCR tests for its international arrivals. As we enter 2023, the world is grappling with a steadily increasing pace in positive cases. Nothing to panic about yet though. Simply hang in there and take a look at the 17 countries that are reintroducing PCR tests for international arrivals:
Also read: Free Things To Do In Dubai For Tourists & Locals
1. India
As Covid-19 cases continue to rise in certain countries around the world, India has implemented updated protocols for international travelers arriving in the country.
These guidelines state that a random 2% of passengers on incoming flights will be tested for the virus upon arrival. Additionally, anyone exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19 during travel will be isolated in accordance with standard protocols. Children under the age of 12 are exempt from testing, but may be tested if they show symptoms of the virus either upon arrival or during the self-monitoring period.
India’s Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, has also announced that RT-PCR testing will be mandatory for international arrivals from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand.
Travelers who test positive for the virus or display symptoms will be placed in quarantine.
Also read: Must-Have Apps In Dubai For Tourists & Those Who’ve Just Moved In To Make Your Life Easier
2. Pakistan
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority announced in a tweet that 2% of passengers arriving into the country by international flights will undergo screening. All travellers are expected to keep their vaccination certificates handy.
Owing to the Covid-19 situation in the region, screening of 2% of passengers arriving in Pakistan by int'l flights has started at country's major airports. Where needed, RAT and PCR tests are being conducted too. Please keep your vaccination cert. handy while at airport. pic.twitter.com/KbmUP34eud
— PCAAOfficial (@official_pcaa) December 31, 2022
3. Australia
As of January 5th, travelers from China, Hong Kong, and Macau will be required to present negative Covid-19 test results in order to enter Australia.
The Australian government is also considering implementing additional measures, such as testing wastewater from airplanes and voluntary sampling at airports, to further protect against the spread of the virus. These measures come as cases of Covid-19 continue to surge in various parts of the world.
Australian Health Minister Mark Butler stated that, due to a lack of epidemiological information and genomic sequencing data from China, the government has decided to implement these measures out of an abundance of caution.
Also read: Watch This Video Of An Australian Duck Saying ‘You Bloody Fool’
4. Qatar
As of January 3, 2023, all travelers from China arriving in Qatar will be required to present a negative PCR test for Covid-19 at the check-in counter. The test must have been taken within 48 hours of departure.
This requirement was announced by the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar.
5. Canada
Starting at 12:01am ET on January 5th, all travellers two years of age and older arriving in Canada on flights from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, or Macao will be required to present evidence of a negative Covid-19 test taken no more than two days prior to departure.
This requirement will be in place for 30 days and will be reassessed as more information becomes available. The Canadian government has implemented this temporary measure in order to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
Also read: There’s An Official UAE 8 Day Long Weekend 2023 ; Details, Where To Go & More
6. Morocco
Effective January 3, Morocco will ban all travelers, regardless of nationality, from arriving in the country from China in an effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19. This ban will remain in place until further notice.
Morocco is a popular destination for Chinese tourists, with thousands visiting the country each year.
7. Taiwan
As of January 1, 2023, Taiwan will require all travelers arriving on direct flights from China, or by boat to two offshore islands, to take PCR tests for Covid-19 upon arrival.
These measures, which will be in place until January end and do not apply to travelers arriving from Hong Kong or Macau. Those who test positive for the virus will be allowed to isolate at home.
Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Centre will also conduct virus sequencing for positive cases arriving from China in order to track new variants of the coronavirus. This testing requirement has been implemented in response to the recent surge in cases in China.
8. Japan
As of December 30, Japan will once again require travelers from China and those who have visited China in the past seven days to undergo mandatory Covid-19 testing upon arrival in the country.
This measure has been implemented due to the recent increase in confirmed cases in China. Those who test positive for the virus will be quarantined for a period of seven days. This testing requirement applies to travelers from mainland China.
Also read: Pack Your Bags! Emiratis Can Now Visit Japan Visa Free From November 1st
9. Italy
Italy is now requiring visitors from China to undergo mandatory coronavirus tests in response to the recent surge in cases in China.
The country’s Health Minister, Orazio Schillaci, has ordered mandatory antigenic swab tests, as well as related virus sequencing, for all passengers coming from China and transiting through Italy. This measure is intended to ensure the surveillance and identification of any new variants of the virus in order to protect the Italian population.
The region of Lombardy, which was the first to implement a lockdown in early 2020, has already been screening arrivals from China at Milan’s Malpensa airport, and this measure will be in place at least until January 30. Swabs collected at the airport in recent days are being analyzed by the national health ministry in order to identify any new variants of the virus.
10. Malaysia
Malaysia will be screening all inbound travelers for fever and testing wastewater from aircraft arriving from China for Covid-19, according to a statement from Minister Zaliha Mustafa.
These measures have been implemented in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus within the country.
11. South Korea
Effective January 5, South Korea will require all travelers from China to submit a negative result from either a PCR test taken within 48 hours or a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure.
In addition, these travelers will be required to undergo another PCR test upon arrival in South Korea starting January 2. The country is also restricting the issuance of short-term visas for Chinese nationals until the end of next month, and temporarily halting the increase in flights from China, with Incheon International Airport serving as the only gateway for flights from China.
These measures have been implemented in response to Beijing’s decision to lift its strict zero-Covid policies.
12. United States of America
Effective January 5, all air travelers over the age of two from China, Hong Kong, and Macau will be required to obtain a negative Covid-19 test within two days prior to their departure and present the negative test result to the airline before departing, according to health officials.
This requirement comes in response to the recent increase in coronavirus cases in Beijing.
13. Phillipines
The Philippines Transportation Secretary, Jaime Bautista, has advised the country to be “very cautious” when receiving travelers from China due to the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.
Bautista stated that the Philippines may consider implementing measures such as testing requirements for visitors from China, but not a complete ban.
14. France
France has announced that as of Friday, all travelers from China will be required to present a negative Covid-19 test result that was conducted within 48 hours prior to their departure.
This requirement applies to all flights from China, including those with layovers. In addition, travelers on planes arriving from China will be required to wear masks.
These measures have been implemented by the French health and transport ministries in order to prevent the spread of the disease.
15. Israel
On Friday, the Israeli health ministry announced that it will require Covid-19 tests for foreigners traveling from China, where cases of the virus have recently increased.
Health Minister Aryeh Deri stated in a statement that foreign airlines will only be allowed to accept foreign citizens on flights from China to Israel if they can provide a negative Covid-19 test result. This measure has been implemented in order to prevent the spread of the disease.
16. Spain
Spain’s Health Minister, Carolina Darias, has announced that travelers from China will be required to present a negative Covid-19 test or proof of a completed vaccination course upon arrival in the country.
17. United Kingdom
The UK has announced that starting on January 5, passengers arriving in England from China will be required to present a negative Covid-19 test result that was taken no more than two days prior to their departure.
This measure is being implemented in order to prevent the spread of the disease.
