Global Travel Restrictions Due to COVID-19 Omicron Variant

Last Updated on February 23, 2023

 

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On 26 Nov. 2021, the World Health Organization named the new B.1.1.529 variant Omicron. In response to this new variant, a number of countries have reintroduced travel restrictions and entry requirements. For up-to-date information on the newest travel restrictions see the list below, which will be updated as more country information is announced. Prior to traveling, contact your Envoy Global Account Manager or trusted representative for up-to-date information.  

 

Andorra 

 

Overview  

Effective 1 Dec 2021, the government of Andorra will require all travelers arriving from the countries of South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe to complete a mandatory 10-day quarantine upon arrival and submit a negative COVID-19 test a maximum of 72 hours prior to arrival. After arrival, travelers who submit a negative PCR or TMA test after seven days are permitted to end the quarantine period early.  

Looking Ahead  

The government of Andorra has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on travelers arriving from the above-mentioned countries. 

 

Australia  

Overview  

Effective 29 Nov. 2021, the government of Australia has paused the next phase of reopening the country until 15 Dec. 2021 and introduced additional travel measures. This pause will apply to international skilled and student cohorts, humanitarian workers, working holiday makers and provisional family visa holders and travelers from Japan and South Korea.  

All travelers arriving in Australia must have a negative PCR test and complete an Australian traveler declaration form detailing their vaccination status and confirming requirements to comply with state and territory public health requirements.  

Anyone who has been in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi or Mozambique in the last 14 days who is not a fully vaccinated Australian citizen, permanent resident or immediate family member, will not be permitted to enter Australia. Fully vaccinated Australian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members arriving from any of the above-mentioned countries will be required to enter a supervised quarantine for 14 days subject to jurisdictional arrangements. Travelers who have already arrived in Australia and who have been in any of the above-mentioned countries within the past 14 days must immediately isolate themselves, get tested for COVID-19 and adhere to jurisdiction quarantine requirements.  

Looking Ahead  

These new measures will remain in place until at least 15 Dec. 2021. 

 

Austria 

Overview  

Effective 27 Nov. 2021, the government of Austria announced a COVID-related travel warning, placing the countries of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa at a security level 6. As a result, entry into Austria from these countries is restricted unless the travel is for business purposes, the traveler is an Austrian permanent resident, citizen, EU or EEA permanent resident or citizen, or Swiss citizen. For a complete list of exempt travelers from the above restrictions click here. Under this security level, travelers returning to Austria from any of the above-mentioned countries will be required to: 

  • Register return travel prior to departing for Austria; 
  • Present a negative PCR test upon arrival; 
  • Enter a 10-day quarantine; and 
  • Take a PCR test on day 5 of the quarantine 

Looking Ahead  

The government of Austria has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on the above-mentioned countries. The government of Austria has advised its citizens to avoid travel to the above-mentioned countries.  

 

 

Brazil 

Overview   

Effective 21 Jan. 2022, the government of Brazil removed travel restrictions for foreign nationals who have traveled through the countries of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.  

All travelers arriving from these countries must fill out the Traveler’s Health Declaration form and will be required to present a negative antigen test issued no more than 24 hours prior to departure or a negative RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure.   

Looking Ahead  

The government of Brazil has removed all travel restrictions prohibiting foreign nationals from the South African region from entering the country. Entrance requirements, including testing and quarantine measures will remain in place.  

 

Brunei  

Overview  

Effective 1 Jan. 2022, the government of Brunei will not permit travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe to enter the country. Citizens and permanent residents of Brunei will not be permitted to travel to any of the above-mentioned countries.  

Looking Ahead  

The government of Brunei has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on the above-mentioned countries.

 

Bulgaria  

Overview  

The government of Bulgaria will no longer allow travelers arriving from Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia or Zimbabwe to enter the country effective 28 Nov. 2021. Bulgarian citizens and persons with the status of permanent, long-term or continuous residence in Bulgaria will still be permitted to enter Bulgaria but will be required to undergo additional entrance requirements. These travelers will be required to: 

  • Provide evidence of a negative PCR COVID-19 test performed within 72 hours prior to departure; and  
  • Provide proof of an EU Digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a recovery certificate 

Bulgarian citizens and other eligible long-term residence of the country who cannot provide proof of vaccination or proof of recovery will be required to undergo a 10-day quarantine period at a residence location.   

Looking Ahead  

The government of Bulgaria has yet to announce the duration of these travel restrictions.  

 

Canada  

Overview   

Effective 18 Dec. 2021, the government of Canada will lift travel restrictions for travelers arriving from or who have transited through the countries of Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe in the last 14 days. These travelers will no longer be required to obtain a valid negative pre-departure molecular test in the third country or stay at a designated quarantine facility upon arrival. 

Looking Ahead   

Due to evolving information on the omicron variant, the government of Canada has lifted restrictions on travelers arriving from countries with documented cases of the variant.  

 

Cayman Islands  

Overview  

Effective 26 Nov. 2021, the government of the Cayman Islands introduced additional entry requirements for travelers who have resided in or transited through the countries of Belgium, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe within 21 days prior to their inbound flight. Upon arrival, travelers will be required to: 

  • Present a copy of the traveler's travel authorization or travel declaration; 
  • Provide a copy of a vaccination certificate; 
  • Provide evidence of receiving a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure. Information on the specific name and address of the testing laboratory must be provided; 
  • Complete a medical and travel questionnaire provided by the Medical Officer of Health. Some travelers may be required to undergo additional medical examination;
  • Take a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival; and 
  • Remain in self-isolation for 14 days at a private residence or quarantine facility 

Looking Ahead  

The government of the Cayman Islands has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on travelers arriving from any of the above-mentioned countries.   

 

Czech Republic  

Overview  

Effective 26 Nov. 2021, the government of the Czech Republic published new travel updatesForeign nationals who have stayed for more than 12 hours in the last 14 days in the countries of South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia or Mozambique will be prohibited from entering the Czech Republic. Citizens and foreign nationals with valid residence permits issued for more than 90 days must adhere to the following requirements when entering the Czech Republic, regardless of vaccination status: 

Prior to Entry: 

  • Fill out the Passenger Locator Form;  
  • Provide proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure; 
  • Have confirmation of booking for a PCR test that will be carried out within 24 hours of arrival in the Czech Republic 

After Arrival: 

  • Undergo a PCR test within 24 hours after arrival;  
  • Undergo self-isolation until a negative PCR test result is received between the 10th and 14th day of self-isolation;  
  • Wear a respirator or similar protection (without an exhalation filter) for 14 days after arrival 

For more information on the conditions of entry click here.  

Looking Ahead  

The government of the Czech Republic has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on the above-mentioned countries.  

 

 

Denmark 

Overview  

Effective 27 Nov. 2021, the government of Denmark announced that the countries of Angola, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia will be designated as red countries. Travelers who have resided in these countries within the last 10 days prior to entry into Denmark will be subject to additional entrance requirements, regardless of vaccination status. These requirements include: 

  • Perform a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of entry into Denmark; and 
  • Undergo a 10-day quarantine 

Travelers arriving from Angola, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia who cannot present a negative COVID-19 test will not be permitted to enter Denmark. All direct flights from the above countries to Denmark have been halted. These requirements will not apply to travelers who have transited through these above-mentioned countries. Travelers who are not permanent residents or do not hold a residence permit for Denmark will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test carried out prior to entry into Denmark, and provide a reason of purpose for entry into the country.  

Looking Ahead 

The government of Denmark advised citizens and permanent residence to return to the country due to potential travel restrictions. For additional information from the Danish government concerning COVID-19 restrictions and updates regarding the Omicron strain click&nbs