20+ Countries That Have Enacted New Travel Restrictions Due To Omicron

Share The Article

Last Updated 3 years ago

As the world was opening up again, a number of countries have recently enacted some new entry restrictions for international visitors because of the new variant, Omicron.

This new virus strain, the B.1.1.5.29 variant, was first detected earlier this month and named Omicron by the World Health Organization on November 26.

And following the discovery, nations across the globe from Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and a number of EU member states have announced some new travel restrictions.

If you're wondering which countries have implemented any new entry requirements for travel, check out the list below to see if you might be affected in the near future.

Argentina

It was announced on Monday that all travelers who “arrive from or have been in the African continent or in the affected areas defined by the national health authority in the last 14 days” must quarantine upon arrival for 10 days. Those who have to self-isolate will be required to take an antigen test upon arrival as well as one at the end of their quarantine.

Australia

Australia banned all flights from/to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa and Zimbabwe for the next two weeks. Anyone (foreigner or national) who's been to any of those places in the last 14 days cannot enter the country.

At this time, only fully vaccinated Australian citizens and residents are allowed to travel in and out of the country without quarantine. And as of December 1st, fully vaccinated eligible visa holders are able to enter the country.

Bahamas

As of November 29, 2021, visitors from Botswana, Eswatini Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe; and South Africa will not be allowed entry into the Bahamas.

Canada

All non-citizens and residents who've traveled to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa or Zimbabwe from November 12 are temporarily banned from entering Canada.

Canadians who've recently visited any of those nations listed above must show a negative PCR test result before departure, test again upon arrival, quarantine in a hotel until the test result comes in and then self-isolate at home for an additional 14 days.

Canada has also implemented testing on arrival for ALL passengers (returning citizens or foreign tourists) with the current exception of the USA, as another layer of rules due to Omicron fears.

Denmark

Officials in Denmark are advising its citizens against travel to the region of southern Africa. Anyone whose traveled to the region from the previous 10 days must quarantine for 10 days and take a test upon arrival to Denmark.

Ecuador

Starting December 1, 2021, Ecuador will now require BOTH a negative 72-hour PCR test and proof of vaccination from all arriving passengers.

Similar to what most other nations are doing anyone coming from South Africa, Botswana, Egypt, Mozambique, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Namibia will not be allowed to enter Ecuador at this time.

France

The nation of France has temporarily suspended all direct flights from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Germany

Germany has also banned the same direct flights as France. The most recent travel restrictions apply for visitors to Germany in all other cases.

Greece

Essential travel will be allowed to visitors coming from the nations of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Those visitors will have to apply for a special permit for travel and will be required to quarantine. You can read the official guidance here.

India

All arrivals to India are required to submit a self-declaration form to show their travel history from the previous 14 days, as well as show a negative PCR test result for travel, starting December 1. Travelers from 12 regions will be subject to self-quarantine upon arrival.

Ireland

Travelers coming from the nations of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe will be required to quarantine upon arrival.

Ireland is also adding mandatory testing for all arrivals as of December 3, 2021.

Indonesia

Indonesia has banned arrivals from these 8 countries if they've visited in 14 days prior to travel. According to officials, these entry restrictions will be reviewed every two weeks.

Israel

All foreign travelers are currently banned from entering Israel. Fully vaccinated nationals will have to quarantine upon arrival.

Italy

Anyone whose visited the nations of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe over the previous 14 days are currently banned from entering Italy.

Japan

Despite having eased restrictions for business travelers, international students and workers only earlier this month, Japan imposed new restrictions this week due to the variant concerns. All foreign visitors will be banned from entering the country starting November 30.

Maldives

All travelers who've been in these 7 countries for over 12 hours from the previous two weeks won't be able to travel to the Maldives from November 28.

Morocco

It was announced this week that Morocco has suspended all flights into the country for at least two weeks, beginning November 30.

Netherlands

All arrivals to the Netherlands from the region of southern Africa will be required to quarantine at a government approved hotel. The country has also temporarily banned all flights from the region.

New Zealand

International travelers continue to be banned from visiting New Zealand at this time. New Zealand citizens arriving back from these 9 countries will have to stay in “managed isolation” for 14 days upon arrival.

Singapore

Citizens and residents of Singapore who've been to one of the 7 countries in the southern Africa regions will have to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival.

Spain

Most travelers arriving from 7 nations in the African continent will have to quarantine upon arrival for 10 days. Those with a negative test result taken during the quarantine can leave after 7 days.

Exceptions include all EU and Schengen residents, those from Andorra, Monaco, Vatican City, and travelers in transit from Spain to any of the these areas.

United States

White House officials confirmed on Tuesday that U.S. President Joe Biden will soon announce some tighter Covid entry restrictions for travelers, including a negative test result only one day prior to arrival.

United Kingdom

Officials in the UK added six nations to their “red list” this past Friday. Travelers from the UK as well as Irish nationals or permanent residents will be required to quarantine upon arrival for 10 days if coming from one of those countries.

You can read more about the UK's latest travel restrictions here.

This article is for general guidance only. Remember to always double check the latest local restrictions before traveling.

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19

10 Countries To Visit That Do Not Require A Vaccine Passport

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path's latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.