What’s with the WORLD

MDTI-WA-2020-680
Date: 5 August 2020

UNITED STATES – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS OF SEVERAL STATES AS OF AUGUST 4, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED STATES
Affected Areas: MULTIPLE U.S. STATES
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Connecticut: Authorities in Connecticut have issued an update to the list of states from which travelers are subject to mandatory quarantine upon arrival to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Officials added Rhode Island to the list and removed Delaware and the District of Columbia.

As of Aug. 4, all individuals entering Connecticut from the following states must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

New Jersey: Authorities in New Jersey have released an updated travel advisory list delineating those states from which travelers are advised to quarantine upon arrival as part of efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), starting Aug. 4. Rhode Island was added to the list, while Delaware and the District of Columbia were removed.

As of Aug. 4, authorities recommend that all individuals entering New Jersey from the following states and territories self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. According to the advisory, although self-isolation is voluntary, compliance is expected. Hotels in New Jersey have been asked to notify any guests arriving from affected states that they should comply with the instruction. Business travelers, critical workers, and seasonal migrant farmworkers are exempt from these measures.

New York State: On Aug. 4, authorities in New York State issued an update to the list of states from which travelers are subject to mandatory quarantine upon arrival as part of efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Rhode Island was added to the list, while Delaware and the District of Columbia were removed.

All individuals entering New York from any state that has a positive COVID-19 test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents, or positivity rate of 10 percent or higher over a seven-day average, must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. The specific states and territories affected by the directive as of Aug. 4 are: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Ohio: Authorities in Ohio have amended certain restrictions previously implemented to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The state’s travel advisory, which recommends all travelers entering Ohio from other US states with COVID-19 positive testing rates of 15 percent or higher to self-quarantine for 14 days, has been updated as of July 29. States currently subject to Ohio’s travel advisory are Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, and South Carolina, with Georgia, Nevada, and Texas having been removed from the list.

Ohio continues to employ its Health Advisory System to track increases in COVID-19 activity and impose additional restrictions in the most affected counties.

South Carolina: While South Carolina is continuing to lift restrictions under its coronavirus disease (COVID-19) recovery plan, authorities in the state have imposed some new directives on certain types of businesses in an effort to prevent spikes in disease activity. The state government ordered that a set of guidelines for restaurants, bars, and similar establishments that attract groups of people be made mandatory as of Aug. 3.

Other restrictions remain unchanged. Numerous businesses, public facilities, and other establishments have reopened, including retail stores, gyms and fitness centers, personal care businesses, museums, historic buildings, amusement parks, public beaches, and piers. Essential businesses, including grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, and those in security, transport, media, and critical manufacturing, have not been subject to mandatory COVID-19-related closures. Authorities encourage all residents to remain at home, limit interactions with others, and wear protective face coverings whenever in public.

Wisconsin: As of Aug. 4, lingering business disruptions are likely to continue in Wisconsin, despite a May 13 decision by the state’s Supreme Court that ordered the lifting of most statewide restrictions. The restrictions had been put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Starting Aug. 1, following an order by the Governor, all residents in Wisconsin over the age of four are required to wear facemasks whenever they are in indoor or enclosed spaces with people from outside of their household.

MDTI-WA-2020-679
Date: 5 August 2020

EUROPE – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS OF SEVERAL COUNTRIES AS OF AUGUST 4, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Belgium: Authorities in Belgium require all international arrivals to fill out a Passenger Locator Form 48 hours before arrival as of Aug. 1. Individuals staying in Belgium for less than 48 hours and Belgian residents traveling abroad for less than 48 hours are not required to fill out the form.

Authorities have designated several regions “Red Zones” due to high COVID-19 activity; nonessential travel with these areas is not permitted, and all arrivals are required to take a COVID-19 test on arrival and self-isolate for 14 days. As of Aug. 3, the following are designated as Red Zones:
– Bulgaria: Severoiztochen, Yugozapaden
– France: Mayenne
– Romania: Center, South-East, South-Muntenia, Sud-Vest Oltenia
– Spain: Aragon, Navarre, Barcelona, Lleida
– Switzerland: Lake Geneva Region (Vaud, Valais, Geneve)
– UK: Leicester

Nonessential travel from other countries remains prohibited, and any arrivals will also require testing and 14 days of self-isolation; exceptions include diplomats, health workers, and cargo transport staff.

Denmark: Denmark updated its international travel restrictions Aug. 1. Authorities are maintaining restriction-free entry for travelers from all EU and Schengen Area countries, except for Bulgaria, Romania, and Luxembourg; travelers are however required to stay for a minimum of six nights in Denmark. Travelers from locations outside of the EU and Schengen Area, including the UK, except those arriving from Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay, remain subject to restrictions. For these restricted locations, arrivals are only allowed for essential purposes, including for urgent family and business reasons; authorities will require proof of the reason for travel. Danish nationals and residents are permitted to enter the country from any location without restrictions. Most nonessential businesses have reopened in Denmark, subject to strict hygiene and social distancing measures. Public gatherings of more than 200 people remain prohibited.

Germany: Authorities in Germany are maintaining current restrictions as of Aug. 4. Authorities have removed entry restrictions on travelers from all EU and Schengen Area countries and the UK. Travelers from non-EU countries, with the exception of Australia, Georgia, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay, remain subject to restrictions, including a mandatory 14-day self-isolation if arriving from a location of high COVID-19 activity; arrivals can avoid quarantine if in possession of a medical certificate issued within the previous 48 hours by an EU member state or a state listed by the Robert Koch Institute declaring them to be COVID-free. Germany has issued travel warnings for locations where new COVID-19 cases over a seven-day period exceed 50 per 100,000 inhabitants; travel warnings have therefore been issued for Luxembourg and parts of Spain.

Authorities have eased most internal COVID-19 measures. Residents are required to wear facemasks in most public spaces, including public transport and retail shops; where possible, people from different households should remain a minimum of 1.5 m (5 feet) apart. Major public events, including parades and fairs, are banned until Oct. 31. Hotels and other short-term accommodations have reopened; hygiene and social-distancing guidelines must be observed. All retailers and nonessential businesses are permitted to reopen; however, limits have been placed on the number of customers in the store, and queues should be avoided.

Greece: Authorities in Greece have extended the nation’s existing ban on entry by non-EU citizens and residents through at least Aug. 15 as part of efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Citizens of Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, and the United Arab Emirates are exempt from the entry ban, as are freight transporters, diplomats, students enrolled at Greek universities, seasonal workers, healthcare workers, and passengers in transit. Travelers arriving by air from Bulgaria, Romania, and the United Arab Emirates must produce proof of having tested negative for COVID-19 using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours prior to arrival.

While all of Greece’s 27 airports are open as of Aug. 3, most are operating only at limited capacity. Moreover, commercial, general aviation, and business aviation flights from Albania and North Macedonia will be restricted to landing only at Athens International Airport (ATH) until Aug. 15; flights to and from Turkey remain banned through the same date. Travelers entering Greece are not automatically subject to a mandatory quarantine period; however, they are be required to complete a detailed declaration providing their contact details, country of origin, and travel history over the past 15 days, among other information. Authorities conduct targeted COVID-19 testing of arriving travelers based on information provided in the declarations; persons testing positive for the virus may be required to quarantine for 14 days in government-provided accommodations.

With regard to other COVID-19-related restrictions, the Greek government has allowed most businesses to reopen nationwide. Nevertheless, the use of protective face coverings is mandatory in all public indoor areas.

Switzerland: Authorities in Switzerland are maintaining restrictions. Officials previously removed entry restrictions for residents of Schengen Area countries and the UK; as of July 20, entry restrictions were also removed for travelers from Algeria, Andorra, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland, Japan, Morocco, Monaco, New Zealand, Romania, Rwanda, San Marino, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, and the Vatican City. Most residents of other countries remain prohibited from entry; however, this measure does not apply to freight traffic, individuals in transit, and individuals with compelling reasons for travel to be approved by authorities on a case by case basis.

Swiss authorities are also maintaining a list of high-risk countries from which travelers must undergo a mandatory 10-day self-quarantine. The list was last updated July 23 and includes Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eswatini, Guatemala, Honduras, Iraq, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Maldives, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Oman, Panama, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, the Turks and Caicos Islands, UAE, and the United States.

As of Aug. 3, authorities have permitted most activities and businesses to resume, provided social distancing, and hygiene requirements are implemented. Authorities no longer recommend work from home, and social distancing measures have been reduced to 1.5 meters (5 feet).

MDTI-WA-2020-678
Date: 5 August 2020

JORDAN – POSTPONES RESUMPTION OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Country of Territory: JORDAN
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-677
Date: 5 August 2020

INDIA – MODIFIES ENTRY GUIDELINES EFFECTIVE AUGUST 8, 2020

Country of Territory: INDIA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-676
Date: 5 August 2020

NORTHEAST ASIA – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF AUGUST 4, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Governments in Northeast Asia continue to enforce travel restrictions to prevent the transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as of Aug. 4.

Mainland China: Authorities continue to bar most foreign nationals from entering the country; exceptions are in place for diplomatic personnel and C visa holders, which officials generally issue to flight and shipping crews. Most travelers, regardless of nationality, are barred from entering or exiting land border checkpoints; however, Guangdong Province has lifted quarantine requirements for travelers from Macau, provided they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms and have not traveled outside the territory in the previous two weeks. Macau residents must complete a nucleic acid test, convert to a Guangdong health code, and complete a health declaration form before entering. Guangdong authorities require a negative COVID-19 test result and a one-day quarantine for travelers from Hong Kong unless exempted. Officials are allowing “fast track” entry for business travelers from South Korea to 10 Chinese locations, including Shanghai and Liaoning, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces. Passengers must have an invitation from a Chinese business, undergo testing in South Korea within 72 hours of travel, and undergo testing again during a one- or two-day quarantine in China. Authorities are also allowing “fast track” entry for essential business travelers from Singapore to Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces and Chongqing, Shanghai, and Tianjin municipalities. Travelers must receive a special pass from an inviting institution, test negative for COVID-19 within 48 hours of their departure, and obtain a visa. Passengers will undergo COVID-19 testing again upon arrival in China and isolate at designated facilities until their results are available. Business travelers testing negative will adhere to a pre-agreed itinerary and refrain from using public transport, except for private hire vehicles, for the first 14 days. The travelers will also have to download and use a health pass while in the country. Reports indicate the government is also allowing executive travel for some individual businesses under a similar model. Officials in many areas are enforcing quarantine measures for international travelers. Authorities are generally allowing nonresident passengers to stay in government-designated hotels at their own cost. While most quarantine periods are 14 days, some cities in border areas require inbound travelers to self-quarantine and undergo medical observation for an additional 14 days. The Shanghai government has eased quarantine requirements for inbound travelers. Under the new measures, passengers who have a residence in the city can quarantine at a designated facility for seven days and self-quarantine for another seven days at home. Travelers must receive a negative COVID-19 test result in quarantine before release from designated facilities.

Hong Kong: The government is maintaining a ban on all nonresident foreign nationals. Authorities require several documents, including evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result, for arriving passengers from “high-risk” countries, such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Nepal, South Africa, the US, and Kazakhstan. All arrivals from high-risk countries must undergo a two-week quarantine in government-designated hotels. Travelers from Macau, Taiwan, and mainland China are exempt from restrictions provided they do not have a recent travel history elsewhere. Arriving passengers must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon entry into the territory. Authorities have permitted some mainland Chinese teachers and students, as well as businesspeople whose activities officials deem economically beneficial to the territory, to enter without having to undergo quarantine. Hong Kong continues to restrict land border crossings with mainland China at the Shenzhen Bay checkpoint and along the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Authorities are also tightening quarantine requirements for sea and air crewmembers in the territory. Under the new requirements, ships without cargo cannot exchange crews. On other ships, workers are no longer allowed to enter the territory and must travel directly to the airport after disembarking if completing their service onboard. Inbound ship crews and flight crew members will have to obtain a negative COVID-19 test result within 48 hours of departure for Hong Kong.

Japan: Authorities continue to ban entry for most foreign nationals with a travel history to 146 countries and territories, including China, India, Pakistan, South Korea, the US, Australia, and the European Union. However, officials will permit foreigners with student or work visas, permanent residents, long-term resident visa holders, and spouses and children of Japanese nationals and permanent residents to enter the country from Aug. 5. Entry is only permissible for foreign residents that departed before an entry ban for their respective country came into effect. Travelers must get a Re-entry Confirmation Letter from the nearest Japanese diplomatic mission and obtain a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of departure to enter the country. Officials also require all passengers from banned countries to receive a PCR COVID-19 test upon arrival. Any inbound passenger allowed into Japan must undergo a 14-day quarantine period, either at home or in a government-designated facility.

Macau: Authorities continue to ban nonresident foreign nationals from entering the territory. Travelers from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China are exempt from the measure but will not be allowed to enter if they have traveled elsewhere in the previous two weeks. Travelers from mainland China can enter Macau without quarantine or medical certificates that prove negative COVID-19 status. Residents and allowed travelers that have visited “high-risk” countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, the US, Canada, Brazil, Egypt, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Iran, and New Zealand, within 14 days of arrival will face mandatory quarantine at designated hotels. Residents and travelers who visited other countries or Hong Kong and Taiwan and may be allowed to self-isolate at home.

Mongolia: The government has effectively banned international travel. Border closures are ongoing with Russia and China, though some commercial transport is occurring. Commercial flights connecting Mongolia with Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Japan, South Korea, and Turkey remain suspended. Authorities are placing arriving Mongolian citizens under a 14-day quarantine at their own expense.

North Korea: Authorities have effectively suspended inbound travel by foreign nationals. Officials are conducting increased health screenings and have imposed quarantine periods on foreign nationals, along with North Koreans arriving in Pyongyang.

South Korea: The government continues to ban all foreign travelers who have visited China’s Hubei Province within 14 days of arrival from entering the country. South Koreans who traveled to Hubei Province will need to self-quarantine for 14 days. Authorities are limiting visas for foreign nationals from Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan, and two other unidentified countries; diplomats and people on urgent business travel are exempt from the restriction. The government is restricting flight capacity from these countries and requires inbound foreign nationals to provide proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test upon entry. Officials have halted visa-free and visa-waiver programs with countries that have entry bans for South Korean citizens. The restriction impacts travelers from 90 countries, including Australia, Canada, and most European nations. Authorities have also canceled short-term visas issued before April 5, requiring travelers to reapply for entry documents. The government plans to limit all but essential or urgent travel for foreign nationals to the country. Officials are testing all arriving travelers from the US and Europe. Officials will send arriving passengers that exhibit COVID-19 symptoms to designated quarantine facilities for testing. All inbound passengers, regardless of nationality and testing outcomes, are required to self-quarantine for 14 days. Staff could send patients that test positive to designated quarantine facilities.

Taiwan: Authorities continue to ban foreign nationals for tourism and social visits. However, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has begun to ease entry restrictions for foreign nationals for approved reasons. International travelers can apply for entry for medical care; the measure does not include aesthetic procedures and health checks. Foreigners can also apply for entry for internships and training programs, conferences and trade shows, exchange programs, volunteering and missionary activities, and job searches, among others. Residents from Hong Kong and Macau can apply for entry for humanitarian and emergency reasons, to fulfill contractual agreements, or as part of a transfer within multinationals. Officials will require people allowed into Taiwan to present a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 test result conducted within three days of their departing flight. Diplomats are also allowed to enter. All non-exempt inbound passengers must self-quarantine for 14 days. Authorities are conducting mandatory COVID-19 tests on all passengers, regardless of nationality, arriving from the Philippines. Symptomatic passengers will be held at government quarantine facilities until test results are available. Some inbound travelers from Southeast Asian countries may have to undergo a 14-day quarantine at government-designated hotels; staff will direct arriving passengers living with people with chronic illnesses, children younger than six years old, or adults older than 65 to the facilities. Officials are allowing essential business travelers and graduating students from New Zealand, Macau, Palau, Fiji, Brunei, Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia, and Bhutan. People visiting from these designated low-risk areas must quarantine for five days. Officials are also permitting essential business travel from South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore; travelers from these countries must quarantine for seven days. Authorities removed these entry privileges for travelers from Australia and Hong Kong following spikes in COVID-19 activity. Officials have lifted a ban on transiting passengers at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). Passengers must connect with the same airline through TPE and limit connections in Taiwan to eight hours. Officials have cleared China Airlines (CI), EVA Air (BR), and Cathay Pacific (CX) to operate transit flights, except to mainland China.

MDTI-WA-2020-675
Date: 5 August 2020

SOUTHEAST ASIA – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF AUGUST 4, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Countries in Southeast Asia continue to enforce travel restrictions and enhanced health screenings to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The following restrictions are in effect as of Aug. 4:

Brunei: Authorities have banned most foreigners, including long-term pass holders, from entering or transiting the country. Foreigners with essential or business needs can transit through Brunei by land, with protocols in place. Measures include limiting the travel duration through Brunei, such as one hour for those going from Labu to Ujong Jalan in eastern Brunei or three hours for people traveling from Kuala Lurah to Sungai Tujoh in western Brunei. Additionally, foreigners whose work relates to the national interest, such as the oil and gas sector and transport of essential goods, can also enter the country. Officials require inbound foreign workers in the oil and gas industry to undergo COVID-19 tests before entry and upon arrival in the country. The employees will need to take the pre-trip test within 48 hours before departing for Brunei. Existing travel, student, and dependent visas remain suspended. Arrivals will undergo a 14-day quarantine at designated facilities. Officials have barred local nationals, permanent residents, and foreigners holding Bruneian identification cards from leaving the country. Only people departing to seek medical treatment or resume studies overseas can leave the country, after obtaining approval from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Cambodia: The government has allowed foreign business travelers to enter the country with exemptions from a typical two-week self-isolation requirement for arrivals. However, business visitors will still have to isolate at designated facilities for several days upon arrival in Cambodia while waiting for COVID-19 test results. Additionally, these visitors may still have to quarantine for 14 days if any passenger on their Cambodia-bound flight tests positive for COVID-19. Business travelers will have to adhere to other protocols, including obtaining sponsorship from a local company. Officials have suspended flights from Indonesia and Malaysia since Aug. 1. Issuance of tourist visas and e-visas, visa-on-arrival services, and visa exemption remain suspended. Most foreign visitors will need to obtain a visa from Cambodian diplomatic missions and provide proof of medical insurance worth at least USD 50,000 and a medical certificate from local health authorities stating they have not tested positive for COVID-19. Incoming passengers have to test for COVID-19; travelers who test positive, and other passengers on the same flight, must quarantine for 14 days, while other travelers can self-quarantine for two weeks. Inbound foreign nationals will have to pay a USD 2,000 deposit to cover the costs, including USD 100 for the COVID-19 testing and USD 30 for a certificate stating they do not carry the virus. Most border checkpoints remain closed. Officials have allowed cross-border travel with Vietnam for non-tourism purposes to resume; travelers will have to adhere to relevant health protocols.

Indonesia: The government has banned foreigners from entering or transiting the country. The restriction exempts permanent residents, diplomats, and transport workers. Officials require inbound passengers to produce documents stating they are free from COVID-19; travelers without the certificates will undergo tests upon arrival in Indonesia and be isolated in government-designated facilities until test results are released. Arrivals will also have to download the PeduliLindungi contact tracing application. Inbound travelers who show COVID-19 symptoms will undergo quarantine at government-designated premises. Authorities are advising all incoming passengers to self-quarantine for two weeks. Officials are also requiring individuals leaving Indonesia to produce certificates that they do not carry COVID-19. The government has sometimes provided conflicting information about COVID-19 restrictions in recent weeks; changes to measures may occur at short notice.

Laos: Inbound travel restrictions are in effect through at least Aug. 31. Most inbound travel remains banned, with exceptions for resident diplomats and essential workers, among others. Issuance of tourist visas, visas-on-arrival, and visa exemptions remain suspended. People wishing to enter Laos must test negative for COVID-19 at a medical institution in the country where they come from within 72 hours before the trip. Officials will require symptomatic arrivals to undergo tests and quarantine at selected hospitals. Other incoming passengers are required to isolate for two weeks at government-designated facilities; authorities may allow diplomats, employees of international organizations, and their family members to self-quarantine at their residence.

Malaysia: Most foreigners are still unable to enter the country; exemptions are currently in place for resident diplomats, foreign spouses and dependents of Malaysian citizens, and expatriate employees working in essential industries and their dependents. Malaysian and Singaporean authorities plan to start receiving limited cross-border travel applications for business and work purposes from Aug. 10. Those planning single-entry trips under the reciprocal green lane (RGL) scheme must present approval letters by immigration authorities and a company or government agency in the destination country, visas if required, and undergo COVID-19 swab testing within 72 hours before travel date and upon arrival. Such travelers must also adhere to protocols, including a pre-approved itinerary for 14 days. Passengers undertaking multiple-entry visits under the periodic commuting arrangement (PCA) program will serve quarantine at designated facilities for at least seven days. Officials require arrivals to undergo quarantine at designated facilities, with limited exceptions. These travelers will also have to download the MySejahtera mobile app. Malaysian nationals remain banned from traveling abroad. Foreigners based in Malaysia who travel overseas will not be allowed re-entry into the country until further notice.

Myanmar: Myanmar’s government has extended the ban on most international flights through at least Aug. 31; relief and cargo flights can continue operating. Authorities may also allow special flights to transport citizens to and from Myanmar on a case-by-case basis. Visa-on-arrival and e-visa issuance for tourism purposes remain suspended. Returning Myanmar nationals must undergo a 21-day quarantine at government-designated sites, followed by one week of self-isolation. Most foreign nationals remain banned from entering the country, with limited exceptions for diplomatic personnel. Authorities had also announced that resident diplomats and UN officials might undergo quarantine at their residence for two weeks. Additionally, authorities are allowing business trips for essential sectors, such as oil and gas and power, from mainland China and Japan in a so-called fast lane arrangement. Personnel will have to obtain a medical document stating they do not carry COVID-19 within 36 hours of boarding Myanmar-bound flights. The passengers will also have to undergo COVID-19 tests upon arriving in Myanmar and after completing five days of quarantine at designated facilities. The government has restricted cross-border movements at land checkpoints, allowing only the transport of goods.

Philippines: Authorities have allowed long-term visa holders to re-enter the Philippines since Aug. 1. These travelers will need to adhere to several protocols, including having prebooked a quarantine facility and a COVID-19 testing provider in the Philippines. Other types of previously issued visas and visa-free privileges remain suspended. Exemptions for foreign spouses and children of Philippine citizens and diplomatic staff and dependents will remain in place. Officials also said that they would not accept new visa applications. All arriving travelers will undergo a two-week quarantine at government-designated facilities. The central government reimposed a ban on nonessential outbound travel July 23. People who had confirmed their overseas travel booking as of July 20 will be allowed to depart. Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and uniformed personnel on official duty can continue traveling overseas.

Singapore: Authorities have banned the entry of short-term visa holders, with limited exceptions. Singaporean authorities plan to accept applications for work and business travel from Malaysia from Aug. 10 under two schemes, the reciprocal green lane (RGL), and the periodic commuting arrangement (PCA) programs for short-visit and long-term travelers respectively. Travelers under the RGL scheme must obtain sponsorship by a Singaporean host company or government agency, test for COVID-19 upon arrivals, and remain at their self-sourced accommodation until the test returns negative; travelers under RGL scheme can stay in Singapore for up to two weeks. The PCA scheme is limited to long-term pass holders intending to stay in Singapore for at least 90 days whose employers must submit applications on their behalf; these travelers will have to remain at the quarantine venue for at least seven days or until they test negative for COVID-19, whichever is later. Incoming passengers have to submit an online health declaration up to three days before entering the country. Inbound travelers must undergo and pay for a COVID-19 test near the end of their mandatory 14-day quarantine periods, with limited exemptions. Travelers from most areas are required to undergo two-week quarantine at government-designated facilities at their own cost. However, arriving passengers who continuously spent the previous 14 days in specified countries and regions can self-quarantine in their residences; this measure will apply to travelers arriving from Australia (except Victoria State), Brunei, mainland China, Macau, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. From Aug. 11, incoming travelers from these locations will have to use electronic monitoring devices to ensure they remain inside their residence; children 12 years old and younger are exempt from the measure. The government is advising residents to avoid nonessential international travel. Authorities are allowing business trips to and from select parts of China, including Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces and Chongqing, Shanghai, and Tianjin municipalities; these business travelers will need to adhere to health protocols. While these travelers will not need to undergo two-week quarantine upon arrival in Singapore, they will be tested for COVID-19 again and must self-isolate in accommodations until test results are available. Officials are allowing foreign nationals flying with Singapore Airlines (SQ), Scoot (TR), and Silk Air (MI) from selected cities to transit at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN); the selected cities include Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney in Australia; Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai in mainland China; Hong Kong; Osaka and Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) in Japan; Seoul in South Korea; and Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand. Passenger transit at SIN remains banned for flights to the affected cities.

Thailand: Authorities in Thailand are allowing additional categories of foreigners to enter the country from Aug. 4. The group includes permanent residents and work permit holders with their spouses and children; foreigners with special arrangements, such as the Thailand Elite Card, a program for frequent business visitors; and migrant workers whose employers have obtained approval for employees’ entry. These foreigners will have to adhere to health protocols, such as two weeks of quarantine at designated facilities. Other groups of foreigners, including spouses, parents, and children of Thai citizens, resident diplomats, people seeking medical treatment, students of Thai educational institutions, and transport workers, can continue to enter. Authorities have suspended international inbound flights until further notice, though repatriation flights may occur on a case-by-case basis. The government has reopened 37 border checkpoints for the transport of goods and traders; foreign tourists remain banned from entering Thailand through border checkpoints. Officials have approved visa extensions for foreigners already in Thailand through Sept. 26. Authorities have sometimes provided conflicting information about COVID-19 restrictions in recent weeks; changes to measures may occur at short notice.

Timor-Leste: The country’s borders remain closed to foreigners, with limited exceptions. Authorities have previously allowed entry for permanent residents of Timor-Leste, foreigners born in the country, and people working at oil rigs, among others. People who can enter the country must undergo a 14-day quarantine at government facilities. International passenger flights remain suspended, except for medical evacuation, humanitarian flights, and government operations.

Vietnam: Vietnamese authorities continue to bar entry for foreign nationals, with limited exceptions, even though officials started to reissue electronic visas to foreign nationals from 80 locations since July 1. These locations include Australia, mainland China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, the UK, and the US. Foreigners who can still enter Vietnam include essential and skilled workers. Individuals who can enter the country will undergo a 14-day quarantine at government-run facilities. Authorities have approved visa extensions for foreigners already in Vietnam through Aug. 31. While inbound flights to Vietnam remain operational, officials in Da Nang city have banned international flights to the city after confirming new community transmission cases.

MDTI-WA-2020-674
Date: 3 August 2020

CANADA – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF AUGUST 3, 2020

Country of Territory: CANADA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-673
Date: 3 August 2020

UNITED STATES – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS OF SEVERAL STATES AS OF AUGUST 3, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED STATES
Affected Areas: MULTIPLE STATES
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Georgia: Georgia Governor has extended restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) through at least Aug. 15. Under the current statewide directives, unchanged since July 1, gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed; gatherings with more than 50 people will be allowed if participants comply with social distancing measures. Residents 65 years and older, and those with underlying health conditions, are required to remain at home except to perform essential tasks.

State authorities strongly encourage residents to wear protective face coverings while in public; however, they have prohibited local authorities from imposing face mask mandates within their jurisdictions. In Georgia, there is an ongoing dispute regarding the implementations of COVID-19 restrictions at the state and local level.

Despite the state prohibition on localized face covering mandates, authorities in Atlanta have issued a requirement for residents to wear protective face masks while in public; failure to do so could incur fines. Municipal authorities have also reimposed stay at home orders except to perform essential tasks. Additionally, nonessential businesses must close except to provide delivery and pickup services.

Maryland: Maryland Governor issued orders July 29 to expand the requirement for residents to wear protective face masks in public, and advising against travel to certain states, as part of the efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Authorities also indicated that the state will remain on Stage 2 of its economic recovery plan until further notice. Officials also issued a travel advisory, which strongly urges residents to avoid travel to other US states with COVID-19 positivity rates over 10 percent, and recommends anyone traveling from those areas to obtain a COVID-19 and self-quarantine while they wait for the test results. As of July 30, the states affected under the advisory are Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Nebraska, Texas, and South Carolina.

Mississippi: Mississippi officials have extended current restrictions previously put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) through at least Aug. 17. Authorities also added eight counties to the jurisdictions where the use of protective face coverings are required due to increased COVID-19 activity.

Previously, 29 of the state’s 82 counties mandated the use of protective face coverings while in public places. Beginning Aug. 3, the directive will be extended to eight additional counties – Carroll, Coahoma, Jones, Lee, Leflore, Lowndes, Noxubee, and Pontotoc. Counties where face coverings are already required are: Bolivar, Calhoun, Claiborne, Covington, Desoto, Forrest, Grenada, Harrison, Hinds, Holmes, Humphreys, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Madison, Montgomery, Panola, Quitman, Rankin, Sharkey, Simpson, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Walthall, Washington, Wayne, Winston, and Yalobusha.

Missouri: Authorities in Saint Louis County will reimpose some business restrictions from July 31 in response to an increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases; Missouri will continue maintaining some restrictions in place through early August.

Missouri will continue maintaining some statewide restrictions. Nevertheless, businesses that have reopened must still comply with certain mandates aimed at preventing new spikes in disease activity, such as performing temperature checks, enhancing sanitation procedures, enforcing social distancing guidelines, monitoring employees for symptoms, and minimizing business travel, among other things. Moreover, state directives empower city and county officials to maintain stricter restrictions within their jurisdictions if they consider it necessary to protect public health.

Nebraska: Authorities in Nebraska have issued orders to ease restrictions in multiple counties starting Aug. 1, while extending current restrictions in 66 of the state’s 93 counties through Aug. 31. Starting Aug. 1, 18 counties will move into Phase 4 of the state’s economic recovery plan, joining another nine counties that have been in Phase 4 since July 24.

Travelers entering Nebraska from international destinations are encouraged to self-quarantine for 14 days and monitor their health.

New Mexico: Authorities in New Mexico have extended the state’s existing coronavirus (COVID-19)-related travel and business restrictions until Aug. 28. All restrictions currently in force remain unaltered for the duration of the extension. Additionally, all persons in New Mexico must wear protective face coverings whenever in public.

Oregon: Oregon Governor has issued orders to tighten restrictions in Umatilla and Morrow counties as of July 31 due to increased coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity in those jurisdictions. The state’s remaining 36 counties will maintain their current restrictions until further notice. Oregon continues to implement its four-tier economic recovery plan, which consists of Baseline Stay Home through Phase 3 levels.

Rhode Island: Rhode Island Governor has extended restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) through Aug. 28, keeping the state on Phase 3 of its economic recovery plan. Authorities only amended restrictions on social gatherings, reducing the maximum limit of permitted gatherings from 25 to 15. The rest of the restrictions will remain unchanged until at least Aug. 28. Travelers entering from states with 5 percent or greater positivity rate of COVID-19 must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, unless they have a negative COVID-19 test taken within the 72 hours prior to their arrival in Rhode Island. As of July 30, travelers from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming, as well as from Puerto Rico, must follow these guidelines. Authorities will update the list of impacted states and territories every week. Travelers arriving in Rhode Island from outside the US are also required to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Vermont: Vermont Governor has issued orders to expand the protective facemask requirement statewide, starting Aug. 1. The new directive orders all residents over the age of two to wear facemasks in indoor and outdoor settings whenever social distancing is not possible.

Other travel and business restrictions remain in effect until further notice. Travelers from states within the US Northeastern region – specifically those from Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia – may enter Vermont for leisure travel with no need to quarantine upon arrival, provided their county of residence has fewer than 400 active cases of COVID-19 per million inhabitants. Leisure travelers to Vermont from any other US state, or from any county located in a Northeastern region state and which has 400 or more active cases per million persons, must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Alternatively, travelers to Vermont can self-quarantine for seven days upon arrival if they take a COVID-19 test that has a negative result. Business travelers are exempt from the quarantine requirement provided they are entering Vermont to perform authorized essential work, have not been in contact with a person with COVID-19 during the past 24 hours, and have not exhibited COVID-like symptom within the past 24 hours.

Wyoming: Wyoming Governor has extended current restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) until at least Aug. 15. Other businesses can operate, as long as they enhance sanitation procedures, and ensure social distancing measures, including indoor and outdoor service at restaurants, bars, and cafes; cinemas, theaters, and other performance venues; gyms and fitness centers; and retail stores. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and banks, as well as businesses in the healthcare, agriculture, transport, security, media, and critical infrastructure sectors, are considered essential and have not been subject to mandatory closures.

MDTI-WA-2020-672
Date: 3 August 2020

MALAYSIA – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF AUGUST 3, 2020

Country of Territory: MALAYSIA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Malaysian authorities continue to modify and enforce measures to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as of Aug. 3. Wearing a facemask is compulsory on public transport, and in crowded public places such as markets, as of Aug. 3. Officials are further urging citizens to wear masks in public to the extent possible. Most foreigners are still not able to enter or re-enter the country; exemptions are currently in place for resident diplomats, foreign spouses, and dependents of Malaysian citizens, as well as expatriate employees working in essential industries and their dependents. The expatriate employees must present a letter for approval by authorities. Arrivals must download the MySejahtera mobile app, and undergo quarantine at designated facilities.

Malaysian nationals remain banned from traveling abroad. Emergency repatriation of Malaysian citizens stranded abroad has occurred on a case-by-case basis. Malaysian and Singaporean authorities plan to receive cross-border travel applications for select groups from Aug. 10. Those planning single-entry trips for essential business and official purposes under the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) must present approval letters by immigration authorities as well as a company or government agency in the destination country, visas if required according to nationality, and undergo COVID-19 swab testing within 72 hours prior to travel date as well as upon arrival. Such travelers must also adhere to a pre-approved itinerary limited to a maximum of 14 days, and follow local rules for social distancing. Passengers with long-term work visas traveling under the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) can undertake multiple-entry visits through land border crossings at Woodlands or Tuas for 90-day stays once companies succeed in the application process. Entrants will serve quarantine at designated facilities for at least seven days, and undergo a self-paid or employer-sponsored COVID-19 swab test; such travelers are eligible for a short home leave after every minimum stay of 90 days in the destination country.

At the domestic level, interstate travel has resumed under RMCO, though the ban will continue for residents of localities implementing more stringent restrictions due to increased COVID-19 activity. Officials are allowing additional businesses and public places, including hair salons and museums, to reopen. The central government has allowed day and night markets and noncontact sports to resume. Several state governments are maintaining additional business or social distancing restrictions on top of measures mandated in RMCO.

MDTI-WA-2020-671
Date: 3 August 2020

EUROPE – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS OF SEVERAL COUNTRIES AS OF AUGUST 3, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-670
Date: 3 August 2020

MIDDLE EAST – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS FROM SEVERAL COUNTRIES AS OF AUGUST 3, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-669
Date: 3 August 2020

AUSTRALIA – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF AUGUST 2, 2020

Country of Territory: AUSTRALIA
Affected Areas: VICTORIA STATE (INCLUDING GREATER MELBOURNE)
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Victoria officials will further tighten restrictions for residents in the Melbourne Metropolitan area from 1800hrs Aug. 2 through at least Sept. 13 amid ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity. A daily 2000-0500hrs curfew will be in place under the stage four measures. People can only leave their homes to purchase essential goods, seek or provide medical care, go to work or school, or exercise. Public transport services will reduce during curfew hours.

The federal government has diverted international flights from airports in Melbourne (MEL, AVV) per the Victoria government’s request due to concerns over quarantine capacity and effectiveness. Since July 1, officials have rerouted inbound flights to other states, effectively halting international flights into Melbourne. Incoming passengers will have to undergo quarantine before traveling to Victoria.

MDTI-WA-2020-668
Date: 30 July 2020

NEW ZEALAND – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 30, 2020

Country of Territory: NEW ZEALAND
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

New Zealand continues to restrict entry to the country for residents and citizens due to limited capacity at coronavirus disease (COVID-19) quarantine facilities. National carrier Air New Zealand (NZ) has extended a suspension of new inbound bookings through at least Aug. 9. The government is reportedly working with NZ to create a voucher system for new arrivals, and further extensions are possible until the measure is in place. Authorities are maintaining the alert for COVID-19 at Level 1, though domestic measures – including transport restrictions – have ended.

An entry ban for most foreign nationals remains in place; however, authorities are allowing select foreign nationals to enter the country. Officials lifted a requirement for partners and dependents of citizens to return to the country together, provided they have a visa based on the relationship or usually reside in New Zealand. Such travelers and diplomats posted in New Zealand can enter the country without prior consent from the government. Authorities permit partners, dependents, and legal guardians of citizens without visas to enter the country. Entry is also possible for humanitarian reasons, Australian citizens and permanent residents that live in New Zealand, and Samoan and Tongan citizens on essential trips approved by their governments.

The government is also permitting critical workers to travel to New Zealand on short-term visas valid up to six months. Companies must apply for a visa and demonstrate that the worker’s technical skills are unobtainable within the country, or they are working on infrastructure projects. Additionally, the government will allow some long-term, essential workers provided they meet short-term entrance criteria and earn twice the median salary in the country or participate in a government-backed event. The government requires people from these groups to receive permission before traveling to the country and will review applications for travel on a case-by-case basis.

Authorities are conducting health screenings of all incoming passengers. Officials continue to quarantine inbound passengers at government-designated facilities for 14 days; companies will have to cover the costs for inbound critical workers’ isolation. The government has also introduced a bill in Parliament that would require passengers to pay for quarantine costs, with exceptions. However, it is unclear if or when the regulation will take effect. Quarantined passengers must test negative for COVID-19 and undergo two additional tests before departing facilities. Authorities have also extended the ban on cruise ships entering New Zealand ports; cargo and fishing vessels will be allowed to load and unload and undertake repairs. Vessel crews arriving in New Zealand are required to spend 14 days in quarantine unless they had been on the vessel for 28 days before docking at the port.

MDTI-WA-2020-667
Date: 30 July 2020

THAILAND – EXTENDED THE NATIONWIDE STATE OF EMERGENCY THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2020

Country of Territory: THAILAND
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Authorities have extended the nationwide state of emergency through Aug. 31 to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), amid the continued easing of some measures. Businesses can operate with social distancing measures in place. Conferences, seminars, and concerts can also occur with health controls. Protocols include frequently sanitizing the venues and requiring the use of masks and temperature monitoring. Most schools have reopened. Domestic flights can operate with full passenger capacity as long as safeguards, such as requiring passengers to wear protective face coverings, are in place. Public transport has resumed with 70 percent of passenger capacity and other precautions.

Local authorities in several provinces may also enforce localized measures. Provincial officials may screen arrivals and quarantine symptomatic passengers, while governments in other areas may isolate all incoming travelers regardless of symptoms. Officials may reestablish or introduce nationwide or local-level restrictions in the coming weeks if COVID-19 cases increase. Authorities have sometimes provided conflicting information about COVID-19 restrictions in recent weeks; changes to measures may occur at short notice.

Travel Restrictions:
Most inbound international flights remain banned. Exemptions are in place for cargo, emergency, and repatriation flights and government aircraft. People who can still enter Thailand will undergo a 14-day quarantine at government-designated facilities upon arrival, with limited exemptions. The government may allow resident diplomats and their family members to isolate at their residence for two weeks. Authorities have reopened several land checkpoints, though officials continue to ban foreigners from entering the country through border checkpoints.

The government announced plans to allow entry for more groups of foreigners, but the start date of the measure is unclear. The categories of foreigners include business people, migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, people participating in exhibitions, film crew members, people seeking medical treatment in Thailand, and those holding a Thailand Elite Card, a program for frequent business visitors. While authorities have extended short-term visas for foreigners already in Thailand through Sept. 26, these foreigners will not be able to remain in the country past that date, with exemptions for people who are ill, among others.

MDTI-WA-2020-666
Date: 30 July 2020

MYANMAR – EXTENDED VARIOUS NATIONWIDE RESTRICTIONS THROUGH AT LEAST AUGUST 15, 2020

Country of Territory: MYANMAR
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

The central government has extended various nationwide restrictions through at least Aug. 15 to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), amid the easing of some controls. Authorities plan to increase the limit for mass gatherings from five to fifteen people from Aug. 1. Exemptions include public servants, government-related meetings, food establishments, and essential businesses. Factories may operate after passing government inspections. Restaurants can serve dine-in customers with precautions; employees must wear masks and set up partitions between customers. High schools have reopened. Officials plan to allow cinemas to reopen from mid-August. Authorities continue to advise the public to wear face coverings.

Travel Restrictions:
Officials have extended the ban on most international flights through at least Aug. 31. Relief and cargo flights can continue operating. Authorities may also allow special flights to transport citizens to and from Myanmar on a case-by-case basis. Visa-on-arrival and e-visa issuance for tourism purposes remain suspended. Returning Myanmar nationals must undergo a 21-day quarantine at government-designated sites, followed by one week of self-isolation. Most foreign nationals remain banned from entering the country, with limited exceptions for diplomatic personnel. Resident diplomats and UN officials may undergo quarantine at their residence for two weeks.

Additionally, authorities are allowing business trips for essential sectors, such as oil, gas, and power, from mainland China and Japan in a so-called fast lane arrangement. Personnel will have to obtain a medical document stating they do not carry COVID-19 within 36 hours of boarding Myanmar-bound flights, and will also have to undergo COVID-19 tests upon arriving in Myanmar and after completing five days of quarantine at designated facilities. Officials said they plan to add more countries to the fast lane scheme in the coming months. The government has restricted cross-border movements at land checkpoints, allowing only the transport of goods.

MDTI-WA-2020-665
Date: 30 July 2020

ILLINOIS – MAINTAINS CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS STATEWIDE AS PART OF COVID-19 RECOVERY PLAN AS OF JULY 30, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED STATES
Affected Areas: ILLINOIS
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

As of July 29, Illinois Governor Jay Robert Pritzker is maintaining certain restrictions statewide as part of Phase 4 of his administration’s coronavirus disease (COVID-19) recovery plan, while officials in Chicago have added new states to the city’s travel restrictions.Under Phase 4 of the state’s plan, gatherings of up to 50 people will be allowed, and the following businesses, events, and services are allowed to operate: Indoor dining at restaurants and bars, with certain capacity limits Office-based businesses Indoor recreation facilities, such as bowling alleys, cinemas, and theaters, at 50-percent capacity Gyms and fitness centers, at 50-percent capacity Museums and zoos, at 25-percent capacity Retail stores at 50-percent capacity Personal care businesses, by reservation only Outdoor spectator events Youth and recreational sports events All outdoor recreational activities.

Travel Restrictions:
There are no requirements for travelers entering Illinois State; however, authorities in the city of Chicago are imposing quarantine orders for some out-of-state travelers. All travelers entering Chicago from Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Failing to do so may lead to fines. Starting July 31, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin will be added to the list.

MDTI-WA-2020-664
Date: 3 August 2020

VIETNAM – TIGHTENS DOMESTIC MEASURES AS OF JULY 30, 2020

Country of Territory: VIETNAM
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Vietnamese authorities are tightening domestic measures as of July 30 to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The policies come after officials in Da Nang confirmed new COVID-19 community transmission cases in late July; the cases were Vietnam’s first since April. The government requires people arriving from Da Nang to isolate at their residence for 14 days. Authorities in several areas are also implementing localized measures. The local government in Da Nang has suspended travel to and from the city, nonessential businesses, and gatherings of over 30 people. Authorities in Hanoi have banned businesses and activities involving crowds since July 29. The local governments in several places, including Phu Yen and Quang Nam provinces, have suspended tourism activities.

Travel Restrictions:
Officials continue to bar entry for foreign nationals, with limited exceptions. Authorities stated, June 24, that Vietnam was not ready to admit foreign tourists back into the country, even though officials started to issue electronic visas to foreign nationals from 80 locations July 1. These locations include Australia, mainland China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, the UK, and the US. Flights to Vietnam remain operational, though only Vietnamese citizens and limited groups of foreigners can board. Foreigners who can still enter Vietnam include essential and skilled workers. Individuals who can enter the country will undergo a 14-day quarantine at government-run facilities. Authorities have approved visa extensions for foreigners already in Vietnam through July 31.

MDTI-WA-2020-663
Date: 29 July 2020

POLAND – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 28, 2020

Country of Territory: POLAND
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: EASING OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Travel Restrictions:
Authorities in Poland have updated the list of destinations, as of July 28, to which flights to and from Poland are permitted. From this date, flights will be allowed to all countries of the European Union and Schengen Area, except Luxembourg, Portugal, and Sweden, as well as the non-EU countries of Albania, Algeria, Australia, Belarus, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, and Uruguay. This measure will be in place until Aug. 11.

Officials have also lifted land border controls with the EU and Schengen countries; there are no border checks and no requirements for self-isolation for travelers entering Poland from another EU/EFTA Schengen country. Travelers from a non-Schengen Area country (Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, or Cyp rus, and the UK), will need to pass passport control but are not required to self-isolate upon arrival. Restrictions on entry for travelers who are not EU citizens or residents remain in place, except: Foreigners who are spouses or children of Polish citizens remain under the constant care of Polish citizens, foreigners who hold a Karta Polaka, foreigners who have the right of permanent or temporary residence in Poland, pupils, students, graduate students, and postgraduate students enrolled in Polish educational institutions. Scientists who are conducting research or developmental work in Poland. Foreigners with valid work visas.

MDTI-WA-2020-662
Date: 29 July 2020

ITALY – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 29, 2020

Country of Territory: ITALY
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Authorities in Italy have extended the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) related state of emergency until Oct. 15 despite a major decrease in infection rates in the country. Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte argued that the extension is necessary to allow for the hiring of volunteers for the civil protection agency, expedite recruitment of health staff, allow further work of the COVID-19 advisory board, and continue to implement local lockdowns at short notice. No new restrictions are being introduced.

Travel Restrictions:
Authorities previously imposed mandatory 14-day self-isolation from July 24 for travelers who have stayed in Bulgaria and Romania in the previous 14 days. Authorities are allowing unrestricted travel to resume with all other EU, Schengen Area, and associated countries. Travelers from Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay are permitted to enter Italy but are required to register with authorities and self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. Travel from all other countries remains prohibited, bar a few exceptions, including study, proven work needs, and urgent reasons such as health; all such arrivals are also required to register and self-isolate for 14 days on arrival.

Authorities have removed restrictions on interregional travel within Italy; however, regional authorities may require health screenings for arrivals. Interregional rail schedules have increased, though all passengers are subject to a mandatory temperature check before boarding. Any individuals displaying symptoms of COVID-19 are not permitted to travel and must remain home.

MDTI-WA-2020-661
Date: 29 July 2020

UNITED STATES – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS OF SEVERAL STATES AS OF JULY 29, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED STATES
Affected Areas: MULTIPLE STATES
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Kentucky: Government issued orders to increase restrictions on several businesses on July 28, due to an increase in the number of confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the commonwealth. Officials ordered the closure of all bars statewide, starting July 28 and through at least Aug. 11, and ordered restaurants to reduce capacity limits to indoor service to 25 percent. Restaurants may continue offering outdoor service without capacity limits, but following social-distancing measures. State authorities have also requested public and private schools to avoid offering in-person lessons until at least the third week of August.

Connecticut: Authorities in Connecticut have issued an update to the list of states from which travelers are subject to mandatory quarantine upon arrival as part of efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, as well as Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico, were added to the list. As of July 28, all individuals entering Connecticut from the following states must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

New York: On July 28, authorities in New York have issued an update to the list of states from which travelers are subject to mandatory quarantine upon arrival as part of efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, as well as Puerto Rico and Washington, DC, were added to the list.

MDTI-WA-2020-660
Date: 29 July 2020

UNITED STATES – NEW JERSEY’S UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 29, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED STATED
Affected Areas: NEW JERSEY
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Authorities in New Jersey have released an updated travel advisory list delineating those states from which travelers are advised to quarantine upon arrival as part of efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Illinois, Kentucky and Minnesota, as well as Puerto Rico and Washington, DC, were added to the list.

Travel restrictions:
As of July 28, authorities recommend that all individuals entering New Jersey from the following states and territories self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. According to the advisory, although self-isolation is voluntary, compliance is expected. Hotels in New Jersey have been asked to notify any guests arriving from affected states that they should comply with the instruction. Business travelers, critical workers, and seasonal migrant farmworkers are exempt from these measures

MDTI-WA-2020-659
Date: 28 July 2020

SOUTH ASIA – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 28, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: SOUTH ASIA
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Afghanistan: International flights resumed in Afghanistan July 1, though availability is affected by low demand and travel restrictions on Afghan citizens and carriers; domestic flights are also operational. The opening of land borders with Iran and Pakistan is largely limited to trade – mainly import of essential goods – and exchange of stranded citizens.

Bhutan: Ongoing restrictions on entry and re-entry for all foreigners with any visa or work and immigration permits will continue until further notice. Officials will also deny entry to those holding diplomatic, official, and international organization passports; only Bhutanese citizens and residents may enter. All returnees will undergo a 21-day quarantine. Foreigners may leave the country. The Bhutanese government has closed all international borders, including the border with India, for passenger transit; officials have also severely restricted cargo transport. Authorities have increased security at informal border crossings. Officials had earlier mandated thermal scanning at all entry points; although passenger traffic at land crossings with India is limited, crossborder trade continues. Bhutanese air carriers such as Druk Air (KB) and Bhutan Airlines (B3) are operating limited international and domestic flights to repatriate stranded Bhutanese citizens.

Bangladesh: Authorities resumed some international flights June 16, and intend to reopen more flight routes in the coming weeks gradually. All citizens and foreigners exiting the country via flight – except children below the age of 10, holders of diplomatic, official, or international organizations’ passports, as well as foreigners who have stayed in Bangladesh for less than 14 days – must obtain medical certification from a government-approved facility confirming a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result. Limited domestic passenger flights have resumed since June 1, though cancellations are likely due to low demand. Land borders with India and Myanmar are closed to travelers.

India: Most international flights remain banned through at least July 31. Authorities are allowing limited commercial flights with France, Germany, and the US through Aug. 31. However, entry is limited to currently permitted categories of travelers: Indian citizens, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders and their relatives, business travelers other than those with B-3 sporting visas, holders of diplomatic, official, or UN/international organization and their family members. Authorities may introduce similar measures with other countries such as the UK and the UAE. Charter services for business travelers, family members of official or diplomatic visa holders, and OCI cardholders and their relatives are allowed, provided they obtain a fresh visa. Authorities have suspended visa issuance and canceled previously issued visas of all other international travelers – except diplomatic, official, UN/international organizations, employment, and project visas. Travelers already in the country may receive visa extensions upon online application. Passengers arriving from abroad are subject to mandatory 14-day quarantines. Those planning on essential travel to India can contact Indian consulates for visa issuance after medical checks. Domestic flights resumed May 25. Indian authorities stopped passenger traffic at all land, river, and sea ports since March 18. Officials are also maintaining an earlier ban on travelers from Afghanistan, the EU, the European Free Trade Association, Malaysia, Philippines, Turkey, and the UK. The suspension of international cruises, passenger buses, and train services continues.

Maldives: Authorities reopened borders July 15 for all foreigners with on-arrival visas and pre-booked accommodation at venues approved by the Ministry of Tourism; asymptomatic entrants neither need to produce negative COVID-19 test results nor undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing or quarantine in the Maldives. International and domestic flights, as well as maritime transport, are operational. Officials may modify restrictions at short notice, depending on local cases.

Nepal: Nepal is maintaining a ban on all inbound and outbound international passenger flights, as well as domestic passenger flights until Aug. 17. Authorities have been exempting charter flights repatriating stranded citizens and providing essential goods and services. Officials have suspended on-arrival and electronic visa issuance for all foreign nationals and nonresident Nepalese until further notice. Those wishing to travel to Nepal must contact their local Nepali diplomatic mission for visa approval and submit results of a swab test conducted within seven days before the intended travel date that demonstrates that the individual is free of COVID-19. Additionally, Nepal is barring those with travel or transit history to Europe, Gulf Arab countries, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea from entering. Foreigners already in Nepal will receive a free visa extension until officials lift exit restrictions. Closure of all land border crossings for non-repatriation passenger traffic with India and China remain in place; authorities permit limited cargo transit.

Pakistan: Authorities are exempting Pakistani citizens from an ongoing ban on inbound international commercial passenger flights since June 20; however, only limited flights – mainly from the Middle East – will operate to serve stranded Pakistanis. Foreign nationals remain barred from entering Pakistan through commercial flights pending further notice. Limited outbound international services, repatriation flights organized by consulates, and cargo flights will continue. Some domestic passenger flights have resumed from airports serving Karachi (KHI), Lahore (LHE), Islamabad (ISB), Peshawar (PEW), Quetta (UET), and Sialkot (SKT) as of June 18; travelers must undergo health screening and practice social distancing. Officials are extending the validity of visas for foreign nationals in the country through Aug. 31.

Sri Lanka: Authorities have suspended the issuance of all visa types – including electronic, landing, multiple entry, and residential – to foreigners, regardless of nationality, until further notice; previously issued visas for foreign nationals, including residential permits, stand temporarily suspended. Such travelers will not be allowed to enter Sri Lanka. The restrictions do not apply to holders of diplomatic, official, and service passports. Foreigners who are already in Sri Lanka may apply for visa extensions. Officials suspended all inbound international passenger flights until further notice; however, cargo transport, passenger transit, and international departures will continue at the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Officials had previously ordered all international services at the Jaffna International Airport (JAF) – Sri Lanka’s only other functional international airport – to be halted. While domestic flights are unaffected, international passenger ships such as cruises and ferries are barred indefinitely; port operations for goods transport continue. Officials have indefinitely deferred plans to allow entry to foreigners from Aug. 1, due to new local COVID-19 cases.

MDTI-WA-2020-658
Date: 28 July 2020

UNITED STATES – PENNSYLVANIA RESTRICT CERTAIN BUSINESS OPERATIONS STARTING JULY 16, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED STATES
Affected Areas: PENNSYLVANIA
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf issued orders to restrict certain business operations starting July 16, to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Under the new directives, restaurants and bars can offer indoor services only at 25-percent capacity or a maximum of 25 people, including staff. All clients must be seated.

Additionally, all nightclubs must close, and indoor events of more than 25 people and outdoor events of more than 250 people are banned. All businesses that are able must allow employees to work from home. Gyms and fitness centers may continue operating indoors but must prioritize outdoor fitness activities.

Other restrictions may continue under the stipulations of Phase Green of the commonwealth’s economic recovery plan. Retail stores can operate at 75-percent capacity; personal care businesses and indoor entertainment venues may operate at 50-percent capacity. Local authorities have the authority to tighten restrictions if they consider it necessary. Additional local business restrictions and limitations on public gatherings remain in force in Allegheny and Philadelphia counties.

Travel restrictions:
Authorities in Pennsylvania have also issued guidelines to restrict travel into the commonwealth. As of July 24, officials recommend anyone traveling from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, or Wyoming to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. The list of states may change in the coming days, depending on COVID-19 activity. Officials in Philadelphia County also urge visitors from those states and New Mexico, North Dakota, and Wisconsin to self-quarantine upon arrival.

MDTI-WA-2020-657
Date: 28 July 2020

NEPAL – DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS REMAIN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Country of Territory: NEPAL
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Officials in Biratnagar Metropolitan City are suspending all nonessential activities from July 27 until further notice due to increased coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases. Entry and exit are allowed only for essential services. Residents of affected areas are required to remain in their homes to the extent possible and utilize home delivery services. Although banks and businesses selling essential goods such as fuel, food, and medicines would likely remain open, panic-buying and associated localized shortages of essential goods may occur in some areas. While transport availability is significantly affected, industries can apply for special permits to maintain supply delivery. Nepalese authorities may reimpose similar movement and commercial restrictions in other higher-risk areas experiencing escalating COVID-19 activity.

Travel Restrictions:
Domestic and international commercial flights remain suspended as of July 22. Authorities are allowing chartered flights for humanitarian, cargo, and other essential purposes into the country.

Nepal has also suspended on-arrival and electronic visa issuance for all foreign nationals and nonresident Nepalese until further notice. Earlier, authorities mandated travelers to contact their local Nepali diplomatic mission for visa approval and submit a swab test results demonstrating that the individual is COVID-19-free within seven days before the intended travel date. Officials continue to advise Nepali citizens against nonessential international travel. Health checks are mandatory at all entry points. Officials are advising incoming travelers, regardless of nationality, to self-isolate for two weeks or undergo a 14-day quarantine at home or in a medical facility based on medical screening outcomes. Intensified land border patrols to prevent unauthorized entry continue, especially along the India-Nepal border; sporadic arrests and clashes are possible.

MDTI-WA-2020-656
Date: 28 July 2020

HONG KONG – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 27, 2020

Country of Territory: HONG KONG
Affected Areas: HONG KONG
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Hong Kong continues to expand restrictions to counter an ongoing rise in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the territory. Authorities will ban public gatherings of more than two people from July 29. Officials will also expand a requirement for residents to wear face coverings in all outdoor public areas. Face coverings are already mandated on public transport and in indoor public areas, except office spaces. The government will also suspend dine-in services at all restaurants, though takeaway services are still allowed. The measures will remain in place through at least Aug. 7.

Travel Restrictions:
All nonresident foreign nationals remain prohibited from entering or transiting the territory. Authorities require a health certificate with evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result for arriving passengers from designated “high-risk” countries, including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Nepal, and South Africa. The measure will also apply to travelers from the US and Kazakhstan from July 29. All arrivals from high-risk countries will be required to undergo a two-week quarantine in government-designated hotels.

Travelers from Macau, Taiwan, and mainland China may enter Hong Kong, provided they have no recent travel history elsewhere; arriving travelers must self-quarantine for two weeks. Authorities have permitted some mainland Chinese teachers and students, as well as businesspeople whose activities officials deem economically beneficial to the territory, to enter Hong Kong without undergoing a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

MDTI-WA-2020-655
Date: 27 July 2020

UNITED STATES – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS OF SEVERAL STATES AS OF JULY 27, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED STATES
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Arizona: Arizona Governor issued an executive order to extend business and gathering restrictions currently in place until further notice, due to an increase in COVID-19 activity in the state. The orders will be revised every 14 days. According to the directives, organized events of more than 50 people are banned, even if social distancing measures are in place. Bars, indoor gyms and fitness centers, indoor movie theaters, water parks, and tubing operations must remain closed. Officials have also suspended the issuance of licenses for special events. Indoor services at restaurants must be limited at 50-percent capacity. Pools can remain open, but gatherings of more than 10 people in or around pools will be banned.

State authorities have also allowed local officials to impose orders for residents to wear masks if they choose to. Officials in Tucson and Phoenix have imposed such measures. All residents, especially those 65 years or older or those with underlying medical conditions, are advised to limit their time outside their homes and maintain an appropriate distance from people from outside their household.

District of Columbia – Washington, DC Mayor issued orders to impose restrictions on travelers entering the District from certain US states starting July 27, while maintaining other business restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Travelers entering Washington, DC, for nonessential activities from states with a seven-day average of 10 daily new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents must self-quarantine for 14 days. The list of states will be published July 27, and it will be reviewed every 14 days. Maryland and Virginia will be exempted.

Essential businesses, such as pharmacies, grocery stores, and banks, as well as those in the energy, telecommunications, agriculture, transport, construction, media, and security industries, continue to operate and have not been subject to mandatory closures. Essential government services continue to be provided. All businesses must implement enhanced sanitation procedures and social distancing measures, among other special measures aimed at preventing any upswing in COVID-19 activity. All businesses are encouraged to allow employers to work from home whenever possible.

Kansas: As of July 24, Kansas Governor has maintained an order requiring travelers entering the state from certain locations to self-quarantine, while officials in several counties have imposed additional business restrictions due to an increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity. As of July 24, travelers entering the state from the US states of Arizona and Florida, as well as passengers from cruise ships or river cruises, must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Travelers arriving from multiple international destinations, including Bahrain, French Guiana, China, Iran, the European Schengen Area, the UK, Ireland, and Brazil, must also self-quarantine for 14 days. Additionally, residents statewide must wear face coverings whenever they are in public.

While orders restricting businesses and gatherings have been lifted statewide, officials in multiple counties are imposing new restrictions. Authorities in Sedgwick county have ordered bars and nightclubs to close and personal care businesses to operate by appointment only starting July 24. Social gatherings of more than 15 people are banned. Officials in Wyandotte and Douglas counties will maintain current restrictions until further notice, including a ban on groups larger than 45 people. Businesses can operate at 75-percent capacity. In Douglas county, bars and nightclubs cannot operate.

West Virginia: As of July 24, authorities in West Virginia have imposed additional restrictions due to an increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity in recent weeks. All residents over the age of eight must wear facemasks whenever they are in indoor public settings and social distancing cannot be maintained. Additionally, officials have ordered the statewide cancellation of all fairs, festivals, and concerts, both indoors and outdoors, and have reduced the number of people allowed in social gatherings from 100 to 25. This limit does not apply to businesses or certain events such as religious ceremonies, weddings, or conferences. State authorities have also ordered the closure of all bars in Monongalia county, which includes the city of Morgantown, until at least Aug. 3.

Otherwise, the state maintains the same restrictions since week 10 of its economic recovery plan. Most nonessential businesses and other facilities, including casinos, movie theaters, bars, restaurants, barbershops, hair salons, and gyms, as well as amusement parks, can operate. All establishments that reopen are required to comply with certain mandates aimed at preventing the further spread of the virus, including directives on enhanced sanitization procedures, use of personal protective equipment, and social distancing guidelines.

MDTI-WA-2020-654
Date: 27 July 2020

EUROPE – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS OF SEVERAL COUNTRIES AS OF JULY 27, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Belgium: Belgium is maintaining international travel restrictions as of July 24 as part of efforts to mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Authorities have removed entry restrictions on travelers from most EU and Schengen Area countries, and the UK, though arrivals from zones of high COVID-19 activity within Portugal, Spain, the UK – as designated by the Department of Foreign Affairs – currently require a COVID-19 test and 14-days of self-isolation. Nonessential travel from other countries remains prohibited, and any arrivals will also require testing and 14-days’ self-isolation; exceptions are in effect for persons engaged in certain types of essential travel, such as diplomats, health workers, and cargo transport staff.

Most nonessential businesses in Belgium have now reopened, providing they comply with strict hygiene and social distancing requirements. Protective masks are mandatory in crowded public spaces, including on public transport. Public gatherings of up to 200 people are permitted at indoor venues and up to 400 people at outdoor venues. Private social gatherings of more than 15 people from different households are prohibited.

Denmark: Denmark is maintaining international travel restrictions as of July 24 as part of efforts to mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Authorities have removed entry restrictions on travelers from all EU and Schengen Area countries, except Portugal and Luxembourg. Swedish residents from outside of Blekinge, Kronoberg, Skane, and Vasterbotten counties still face restrictions. Travelers from locations outside of the EU and Schengen Area, with the exception of those arriving from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, the UK, and Uruguay, also remain subject to restrictions. For those locations where restrictions remain in place, arrivals are only permitted for essential purposes, including for urgent family and business reasons; proof of the reason for travel is required. Danish nationals and residents are permitted to enter the country without restriction from any location.

Most nonessential businesses have reopened in Denmark, subject to strict hygiene and social distancing measures. Indoor sports venues, higher education facilities, and nightclubs will remain closed until at least early August, when authorities are expecting to move into the fourth and final phase of their COVID-19 de-restriction strategy. Public gatherings of more than 50 people remain prohibited.

Finland: Authorities in Finland will suspend entry for travelers from Australia and Algeria from July 27 due to an increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection rates in those two countries. Authorities will also reimpose internal border controls for travelers arriving from Austria, Slovenia, and Switzerland; travelers from these countries, as well as Spain, Luxembourg, Portugal, Poland, France, Sweden, and the Czech Republic, which were previously added to the list, will be urged to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival.

As of July 27, there will no internal border controls for travelers from Andorra, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, San Marino, Slovakia, and the Vatican. Travel will also be permitted without restrictions for several non-EU states such as China, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay; travel to and from these countries was permitted only for essential and work purposes until July 27.

Travel for all but essential purposes is prohibited from all other countries. Travelers from countries with which restrictions remain in force may be requested to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival.

Greece: Authorities in Greece have tightened land border entry restrictions from July 21 until Aug. 4 due to an increase of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in neighboring countries. Essential travel to Greece is only permitted at the following border crossings:
– Border with Albania – Kakavia, Krystallopigi,
– Border with Bulgaria – Promachonas, Nymfaia
– Border with North Macedonia – Evzoni
– Border with Turkey – Kipi

Authorities in Greece had previously reopened a number of entry points to international travel as part of the country’s COVID-19 recovery plan. As of July 1, all of the nation’s 27 airports, as well as seven seaports are open; travelers from the EU and 18 non-EU countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Morocco, South Korea, and Tunisia, are allowed entry. Nonessential travel from certain countries with high risk for COVID-19, such as Israel, North Macedonia, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Serbia, Turkey, UAE, and the US, will remain banned.

While travelers arriving in Greece will not be subject to a mandatory quarantine period, they will be required to complete a detailed declaration providing their contact details, country of origin, and travel history over the past 15 days, among other information. Authorities will conduct targeted COVID-19 testing of arriving travelers based on information provided in the declarations; persons testing positive for the virus may be required to quarantine for 14 days in government-provided accommodations. All travelers to Greece must abide by the country’s social distancing guidelines and wear protective face coverings on airplanes and at airports, on public transportation, and in certain business establishments.

Italy: Authorities in Italy have imposed mandatory 14-day self-isolation for travelers who have stayed in Bulgaria and Romania in the last 14 days from July 24 due to increased coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity in those two countries. Authorities are allowing unrestricted travel to resume with all other EU, Schengen Area, and associated countries. Travelers from Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay are permitted to enter Italy, but are required to register with authorities and self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. Travel from all other countries remains prohibited, bar a few exceptions, including study, proven work needs, and urgent reasons such as health; all such arrivals are also required to register and self-isolate for 14 days on arrival.

Previously, authorities extended COVID-19 related extraordinary measures through at least July 31. These measures include the requirement for individuals to wear protective face coverings in enclosed public spaces and observe social distancing of at least one meter (3 feet) where possible. Most businesses and activities are permitted to resume, provided strict social distancing and hygiene requirements are enforced.

Authorities have removed restrictions on interregional travel within Italy; however, regional authorities may require health screenings for arrivals. Interregional rail schedules have increased, though all passengers are subject to a mandatory temperature check before boarding. Any individuals displaying symptoms of COVID-19 are not permitted to travel and must remain home.

Norway: Authorities in Norway will update their entry restrictions introduced to combat the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from July 25. From this date, travelers from Spain and Andorra will be added to the list of red countries; Hungary and the regions of Varmland, Orebro, Ostre Gotaland and Kalmarwill in Sweden will be now marked as green. Travelers from countries designated green do not need to self-isolate on arrival, while arrivals from red countries must self-isolate for 10 days. Current red designated countries, in addition to Spain and Andorra, are Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, and all of Sweden, apart from the counties of Skane, Blekinge, Kronoberg, Varmland, Orebro, Ostre Gotaland, and Kalmar. Most travelers from all other countries are currently prohibited from entry, excluding those with close family in Norway and individuals who have been granted permits to work or study in Norway; in these cases, arrivals are required to self-isolate for 10 days.

Authorities have previously eased a number of domestic restrictions. As of July 17, most businesses and activities are permitted to resume, provided strict hygiene measures are adhered to. Public gatherings of up to 200 people are permitted; private gatherings may not exceed 20 attendees. Authorities are not currently advising individuals to wear face coverings.

United Kingdom: Effective 0001hrs July 26, authorities in England and Northern Ireland will reimpose a directive requiring all travelers arriving from Spain to self-quarantine for 14 days due to a recent spike in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity in that country. While the governments of Wales and Scotland have as yet made no official announcements on the matter, it is likely that they will implement similar measures over the coming days. Scotland had only placed Spain on its list of “exempted countries,” thereby lifting its earlier requirement that travelers arriving from there self-isolate, as of July 23.

Authorities had earlier exempted travelers arriving from 75 countries and overseas territories, including Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and New Zealand – and, initially, Spain – from a requirement to self-isolate for 14 days upon entering the UK. The exempted countries had been assessed to pose a reduced threat from COVID-19. All international travelers entering the UK must provide contact details, as well as their travel history over the previous 14 days. International passengers of any nationality arriving by air, rail, or ferry from a nonexempt location are required to self-isolate for 14 days; health officials may perform spot checks to ensure compliance. Persons without suitable accommodations will be required to stay in facilities arranged by the government at their own expense. Freight drivers and healthcare workers are exempt from the requirement. Authorities in Scotland plan to lift quarantine requirements for travelers from Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as of July 28 following a decrease in COVID-19 activity in those countries.

MDTI-WA-2020-653
Date: 27 July 2020

RUSSIA – RESUMES INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS BEGINNING AUGUST 1, 2020

Country of Territory: RUSSIA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Authorities in Russia will allow international flights to and from Russia to resume from Aug. 1 after a four-month suspension due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity. In the early phases, passengers will be able to fly via Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO), Vnukovo Airport (VKO), and Domodedovo Airport (DME) in Moscow, Pulkovo Airport in Saint Petersburg (LED), and Rostov-on-Don Airport (RVI) to the current three pre-approved countries of the UK, Tanzania, and Turkey. Only citizens of these three countries will initially be allowed entry to Russia.

Reports indicate that authorities are currently negotiating the resumption of international flights with 30 additional countries. Foreign travelers arriving in Russia will need to present negative COVID-19 test results taken no longer than 72 hours before departure; Russian citizens must produce a negative COVID-19 test within three days upon arrival or self-isolate for 14 days. All other foreign citizens remain barred from entry into the country with certain exceptions, which include for medical treatment or to care for family members. All entry into the country via overland border crossings, rail crossings, river ports, and seaports remains suspended; those mentioned above, freight transporters, and diplomats are exempt. Since June 9, Russian citizens have been permitted to travel abroad for work, education, family, and medical reasons.

MDTI-WA-2020-652
Date: 27 July 2020

JORDAN – PERMITS INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS FROM SEVERAL COUNTRIES STARTING AUGUST 5, 2020

Country of Territory: JORDAN
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Authorities in Jordan will permit international commercial flights from certain approved countries to resume at airports nationwide beginning Aug. 5. The countries on the approved travel list, which the government in Amman has compiled based on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity data, are Austria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Thailand. Authorities may update or change the list of countries over the coming weeks.

Travelers arriving from one of the approved countries must have tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours prior to their flight and must undergo another test upon arrival in Jordan. No passenger may leave the airport until receiving a negative test result. Foreign nationals will be required to provide proof of current health insurance for the duration of their stay. Furthermore, all arrivals will be required to provide personal details to authorities, download the government’s COVID-19 mobile application, and verify that they had stayed in one of the approved countries for at least 14 days prior to their arrival.

Jordanian authorities are continuing to gradually ease the kingdom’s COVID-19 restrictions. The government has shortened the country’s nationwide nightly curfew by one hour. The new curfew hours are 0100-0600. Additionally businesses nationwide may now remain open until 2359 daily. Medical personnel and other essential workers are exempt from the curfew.

MDTI-WA-2020-651
Date: 27 July 2020

KUWAIT – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 24, 2020

Country of Territory: KUWAIT
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-650
Date: 27 July 2020

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 24, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-649
Date: 27 July 2020

AUSTRALIA – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 24, 2020

Country of Territory: AUSTRALIA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Several states have delayed or instituted measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) following an outbreak stemming from a hotel in Casula, New South Wales (NSW), and due to ongoing COVID-19 activity in Victoria. Despite the outbreaks, many areas of Australia continue to have low levels of COVID-19 activity. The federal government continues to implement a three-step plan to ease gathering, business, and transport restrictions, and most states are in or plan to enter Step 3 through July. State and territory governments have the autonomy to move between the steps and determine the time frame for reducing measures depending on local COVID-19 activity, and restrictions vary by state. As of July 24, the following rules are in place:

Australian Capital Territory: The territory is following modified guidelines for Step 2. Officials are allowing social gatherings of up to 100 people. There is no limit on household visitation. Most businesses can operate with limited seating capacity and physical distancing restrictions. Retail outlets, restaurants and cafes, bars and clubs, entertainment venues, and personal services have reopened. Gyms can also open with capacity limits.

New South Wales: Authorities have tightened restrictions on hospitality establishments as of July 24 following the outbreak in Casula. Pubs, restaurants, and hotels must institute contact tracing and employ a COVID-19 safety marshal during open hours for establishments with more than 250 capacity or peak hours for venues with capacity under 250. Under current restrictions, groups are limited to 20 people, while venues cannot hold more than 300 people. Authorities are also limiting attendance at weddings and corporate events to 150 and attendance at funerals and places of worship to 100 people. Businesses must still adhere to Step 3 recommendations on capacity limits. Employees can still work from home when practical. The government is permitting nonessential travel within the state. Authorities require quarantined travelers to take COVID-19 tests. Refusal to take tests will result in an additional 10 days in quarantine. Authorities are requiring Victoria residents to reapply for travel permits to enter New South Wales, as officials have established a new border zone along the Murray River. Residents may reapply for permits on the Service NSW website. The government is only allowing people to cross the border for work, education, or access to health care. New South Wales residents who cross the border into Victoria beyond the border zone are required to self-isolate for 14 days after returning. Authorities are also recommending that individuals who have visited places associated with outbreaks get tested and self-isolate for 14 days.

Queensland: The state government has banned travelers from Liverpool and Campbelltown local government areas as of July 24. Nonresidents with a travel history to the two locations will be stopped at the border, while Queensland residents must quarantine at designated hotels at their own expense. Travelers from Victoria are also banned from entering the state, regardless of residency. The government is allowing gatherings up to 100 people under Step 3 measures. Nonessential businesses such as concert venues, theaters, museums, food courts, night clubs can reopen, provided they follow federal government capacity guidelines. Sports stadiums can also restart operations but remain limited to 50 percent capacity with a maximum seating of 25,000 people. The government allows nonessential travel within the state, except for trips to specific First Nations communities. Authorities will expand border restrictions to include people entering Queensland from Fairfield local government area from 0100 July 27.

Northern Territory: Authorities have allowed almost all businesses and facilities, including theaters, music and dance venues, bars, nightclubs, community centers, amusement parks, and state-operated public parks and reserves, to reopen. Businesses must complete a government safety checklist and continue to implement physical distancing of 1.5 meters (5 feet) or limit interactions to 15 minutes if distancing is impossible. Team sports are also allowed to begin, though events with more than 500 people require official approval of a distinct COVID-19 safety plan. The government permits nonessential travel within the state, including to remote communities. Authorities have reopened the interstate border and lifted quarantine requirements for most domestic Australian travelers. However, officials have designated Sydney’s 30 local government areas and all of Victoria as hotspots. People traveling to the territory from these areas will still have to self-quarantine for 14 days at their own expense.

South Australia: The state is currently following modified Step 3 guidelines. Officials have lifted limits on social gatherings. Authorities have also permitted nonessential businesses, such as pubs and nightclubs, gyms, and personal services, to resume. Companies must limit capacity to one person per two square meters (21 square feet). Noncontact outdoor sports are authorized. The government also permits nonessential travel within the state. From July 28, authorities will ban all travelers, including South Australian residents, from entering from Victoria. South Australia residents traveling from the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales will still be allowed in but will be required to quarantine for 14 days. Residents of the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales remain banned from entering. Authorities will also limit family gatherings to 50 people and weddings and funerals to 100 people from July 28.

Tasmania: Officials have extended a state of emergency declaration through Aug. 31. Officials are allowing home visits of up to 20 people. Nonessential businesses, such as bars, clubs, tattoo parlors, and beauty salons, have reopened; patrons must be seated at bars and clubs. Authorities allow indoor gatherings of up to 250 people and outdoor groups of up to 500 people, provided venues adhere to a density limit of one person per two square meters (21 square feet). Travelers from South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory will be allowed to enter Tasmania from Aug. 7. Authorities will conduct health screenings on arriving passengers and will require symptomatic people to be tested. Tested individuals must quarantine until the test results are released. If a person refuses to take the test, they will be refused entry into the state.

Victoria: The state government has extended the state of emergency through Aug. 16. Authorities have issued stay-at-home orders for Greater Melbourne and Mitchell Shire through at least Aug. 19. Security personnel are enforcing movement restrictions in affected areas. Residents of Melbourne and Mitchell Shire are required to wear face masks in public. Elsewhere in Victoria, officials allow five people to visit residences and limit public gatherings to 10 people, including at religious ceremonies. Most businesses, including restaurants, bars, and clubs, can operate with a maximum capacity of 20 people. Museums, libraries, and theaters can also operate with a limit of 20 people per indoor space. All businesses must ensure that physical distancing measures are in place. Officials permit funeral services with 50 people. The government allows nonessential travel within the state. Employees are required to continue working from home, if possible. Travelers arriving in the state must quarantine and receive COVID-19 tests on the third and eleventh days of isolation. Refusal to take the tests will result in 10 further days of quarantine.

Western Australia: State authorities have moved to Step 4 of its six-step recovery roadmap. The government allows people to attend sporting venues, concerts, and nightclubs, without seating requirements. Sporting venues will operate at 50 percent capacity. Officials have lifted gathering numbers provided businesses limit crowd sizes to one person per every two square meters (21 square feet). Gyms can operate without onsite staff. Most companies have reopened; officials have lifted seating requirements for establishments serving alcohol and ended customer registrations at food businesses. Nonessential travel is possible within most of the state; however, entry restrictions remain in place for some Aboriginal communities. The government has delayed plans to enter Step 5 of its reopening scheme until at least Aug. 1 from July 18. Officials also postponed plans to reopen the state border in Step 6 indefinitely. People entering the state must quarantine for 14 days, with COVID-19 testing required on the 12th day of isolation.

Despite the easing of border restrictions in some areas, state authorities will likely maintain roadblocks and checkpoints to prevent travelers from Victoria from entering. Many states are requiring cross-border travelers to complete health declaration forms. Authorities in states with border restrictions require all arriving travelers to self-quarantine for two weeks. Some state governments may require visitors from Victoria to quarantine in designated facilities at their own expense if they can enter. Only essential personnel are exempt from the requirement. Some state governments are requiring isolated people to take mandatory COVID-19 tests before releasing them from confinement. Refusal to take the tests may result in an extended quarantine period. Additional state governments may also issue testing requirements in the coming days, depending on their caseloads.

Travel Restrictions:
The government is limiting international arrivals in Australia. The reduction will cut seat availability by 4,000 weekly so authorities can focus on contact tracing and managing COVID-19 within the country. Several state governments will begin to charge international and interstate arrivals for quarantine costs at the urging of the federal government. Multiple states are requiring entrants to pay quarantine fees, including Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, and New South Wales. However, entrants to New South Wales who booked flights prior to July 13 are not required to pay for quarantine. Costs vary by state. An entry ban for foreign nationals remains in effect. Permanent residents and long-term pass holders, as well as their immediate relatives, can enter the country. The government is requiring all returning passengers to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is maintaining its outbound international travel advisory for citizens at “Do Not Travel,” the highest level, and the country has banned most citizens from outbound travel. Citizens living in other countries, government officials on business, and workers at offshore facilities are exempt from the restriction. Exceptions are also in place for airline and maritime staff and crews for international cargo shipments.

MDTI-WA-2020-648
Date: 27 July 2020

INDONESIA – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 27, 2020

Country of Territory: INDONESIA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-647
Date: 27 July 2020

CAMBODIA – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 24, 2020

Country of Territory: CAMBODIA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Cambodian authorities continue to enforce restrictions to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as of July 24, amid the easing of some measures. Schools remain closed, though officials plan to allow around 20 educational institutions to reopen in August with social distancing controls in place. Authorities have banned religious gatherings, though religious sites remain open for private activities. Several public facilities, including cinemas and karaoke parlors, remain closed. Casinos can restart limited operations, such as gambling and slot machines, after obtaining official approval. Museums resumed operations in June. The central government has earlier ordered garment manufacturing employees who have recently returned from their hometowns to self-quarantine for two weeks before resuming work.

Authorities passed a law, April 29, that allows the government to declare a state of emergency. However, officials have said that such a declaration is unlikely due to the low number of new COVID-19 cases since early April. Under a state of emergency, the government has the power to prohibit mass gatherings and limit people’s ability to move, among others. The government could expand its response in the coming weeks, particularly if COVID-19 activity increases in-country.

Travel Restrictions:
Issuance of tourist visas and e-visas, visa-on-arrival services, and visa exemption remain suspended. Foreign nationals intending to visit the country need to obtain a visa from a Cambodian diplomatic mission by submitting documentation of medical insurance worth at least USD 50,000 and a medical certificate from local health authorities stating they are free from COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure. Diplomatic and official visa holders are exempt from the requirements. Officials will test arriving passengers for COVID-19 and require all travelers to quarantine for 14 days if any passenger tests positive for the disease. Authorities will permit travelers who test negative to self-quarantine; inbound foreign nationals will have to pay a USD 3,000 deposit to cover the costs, including USD 100 for the COVID-19 testing and USD 30 for a certificate stating they do not carry the virus. Cross-border travel with Vietnam for non-tourism purposes has resumed; travelers will have to adhere to relevant health protocols. Most border checkpoints remain closed.

MDTI-WA-2020-646
Date: 24 July 2020

UNITED STATES – SEVERAL STATES UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 24, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED STATES
Affected Areas: MULTIPLE STATES
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Colorado: Restrictions in force in Colorado as part of the state’s effort to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remain largely unchanged as of July 23, with only minor modifications having been made. On July 21, authorities issued orders restricting liquor sales through at least Aug. 20. Moreover, since July 17, all residents over the age of 10 have been required to wear protective face coverings whenever they are at an indoor public location, including on public transport, taxis, or any vehicle providing app-based ride-hailing services.

Authorities have announced guidelines that would allow some localities to move to phase 3 and further ease restrictions if they meet certain metrics, including a decrease in newly confirmed COVID-19 cases and increased hospital capacity. As of July 23, no locality has been certified to move into phase 3. Essential businesses and services, including pharmacies, grocery stores, fuel stations, healthcare facilities, media organizations, and those involved in maintaining essential services and utilities, such as critical manufacturing, security, and transport, have not been subject to mandatory closures.

Illinois: As of July 23, Illinois Governor is maintaining certain restrictions statewide as part of Phase 4 of his administration’s coronavirus disease (COVID-19) recovery plan, while officials in Chicago are increasing business and travel restrictions.

There are no requirements for travelers entering Illinois State; however, authorities in the city of Chicago are imposing quarantine orders for some out-of-state travelers. All travelers entering Chicago from Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Failing to do so may lead to fines.

Idaho: Authorities in Idaho have ordered that the state remain under Stage 4 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) recovery plan through at least Aug. 6 due to an increase in disease activity. Stage 4 had been slated to expire at the state level on July 24. While no new statewide restrictions will be imposed, now new COVID-related measures will be lifted, either.

Maryland: Coronavirus (COVID-19)-related restrictions in effect in Maryland remain largely unchanged at the state level as of July 23. Maryland has been at Stage 2 of its four-tier COVID-19 recovery plan since June 5, with no firm projections as to when the state may progress to later phases. At the local level, however, some cities and counties have imposed stricter measures amid recent surges in disease activity.
Ohio: Authorities in Ohio have tightened certain restrictions and measures as of July 22 due to an increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity. A new travel warning issued by Governor advises all travelers entering Ohio from states with COVID-19 positive testing rates of 15 percent or higher to self-quarantine for 14 days. The affected states are Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina, and Texas; the warning applies to all person arriving from these locations, including Ohio residents.

Additionally, authorities issued an order requiring all person in Ohio over the age of 10 to wear protective face coverings whenever they are in indoor public locations, in outdoor settings when social distancing measures are not possible, and when riding public transportation, taxis or app-based private transport services. The order enters into effect at 1800 July 23. Other restrictions in the state remain unchanged.

MDTI-WA-2020-645
Date: 24 July 2020

QATAR – ALLOWS INBOUND TRAVEL FROM SELECT COUNTRIES

Country of Territory: QATAR
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Qatari authorities announced that they would begin Phase 3 of its plan to lift the country’s coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown restrictions from Aug. 1 which allows inbound flights from low-risk countries. Arrivals from low-risk countries must take a COVID-19 test and undergo a one-week quarantine.

National carrier Qatar Airways (QR) has resumed outbound flights to select destinations. Qatari citizens and permanent residents can travel outside the country and return at any time.

MDTI-WA-2020-644
Date: 24 July 2020

BRUNEI – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 23, 2020

Country of Territory: BRUNEI
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Authorities in Brunei plan to further ease domestic restrictions from July 27 amid reduced coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity.

Travel Restrictions:
Most foreign nationals, including long-term pass holders, remain banned from entering or transiting Brunei. Foreigners with essential or business needs can transit through Brunei by land, with protocols in place. Measures include limiting the duration of the travel through Brunei, such as one hour for those going from Labu to Ujong Jalan in eastern Brunei or three hours for people traveling from Kuala Lurah to Sungai Tujoh in western Brunei. In addition, foreigners whose work relates to matters of national interest, such as the oil and gas sector and transport of essential goods, can also enter the country. Officials are requiring inbound foreign workers in the oil and gas industry to undergo COVID-19 tests before entering and upon arrival in the country. The employees will need to take the pre-trip test within 48 hours before departing for Brunei. Existing travel, student, and dependent visas remain suspended. Arrivals will undergo a 14-day quarantine at designated facilities.

Officials have barred local nationals, permanent residents, and foreigners holding Bruneian identification cards from leaving the country. Only people departing to seek medical treatment or to resume studies overseas can leave the country, after obtaining approval from the Prime Minister’s Office. Outbound local citizens and permanent residents who require COVID-19 tests have to pay BND 100 (USD 72), while outbound foreign nationals will have to pay BND 200 (USD 144); authorities have exempted students, government employees on official duty, and people with permission from the Ministry of Health.

MDTI-WA-2020-643
Date: 24 July 2020

BANGLADESH – REQUIRES MEDICAL CERTIFICATE FOR TRAVELERS EXITING THE COUNTRY

Country of Territory: BANGLADESH
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Bangladesh announced that all citizens and foreigners exiting the country via flight – except children below the age of 10, holders of diplomatic, official, or international organizations’ passports, as well as foreigners who have stayed in Bangladesh for less than 14 days – must obtain medical certification from a government-approved facility confirming a negative coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test result. The rule will apply to Bangladeshi citizens from July 23, and foreigners from July 26. Other domestic restrictions remain in effect. Restrictions on nonessential activity, movement, and entry and exit in red zones will continue for 21 days to stem the spread of COVID-19. Officials will make exemptions for emergency and essential purposes.

Authorities have reduced measures elsewhere nationwide. Businesses and shops are allowed to reopen if they comply with government-issued health regulations, though local limitations on operating hours apply. Public transport services have partially resumed; bus services for long-distance routes and Dhaka are operating at reduced capacity and are implementing social distancing measures. Rail services have also resumed as of June 26, albeit with reduced capacity and social distancing measures. Domestic flights partially resumed June 1 and are operating on limited routes.

Travel Restrictions:
International commercial flights resumed June 16. Visa-on-arrival services remain suspended until further notice. Authorities require foreign nationals traveling to Bangladesh by air, land, or sea to obtain a medical certificate within 72 hours of departure indicating that they are COVID-19 negative. Arriving passengers must self-isolate for 14 days after arrival. Officials will quarantine inbound travelers with a No Visa Required (NVR) certificate and without a medical certificate for 14 days.

Land border crossings remain closed for passenger transit, though trade is permitted. Ground freight transport has reportedly resumed through the Petrapole-Benapole checkpoint on the Bangladesh-India border as of July 15 following earlier disruptions. Trade at all other border points remains functional and limited mostly to essential products.

MDTI-WA-2020-642
Date: 24 July 2020

TAIWAN – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 23, 2020

Country of Territory: TAIWAN
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has removed Hong Kong and Australia from its list of low- and medium-risk areas due to increasing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity in those locations as of July 23. Travelers from Hong Kong and Australia will have to observe the mandatory 14-day quarantine. The CECC classifies Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Fiji, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, New Zealand, Palau, Thailand, and Vietnam as low risk, and Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Sri Lanka as medium risk.

The government will allow international travelers to apply for entry for medical care starting Aug. 1; the measure does not include aesthetic procedures and health checks. Applicants must apply at their local Taiwan diplomatic mission and present evidence of adequate health insurance, an affidavit for mandatory quarantine of 14 days, a health declaration, and a disease prevention plan from the treating facility. Approved travelers can bring two people, including family members, to Taiwan during their care; a third companion is possible if they are a caregiver or healthcare worker.

As of July 23, travel for tourism and social reasons remains banned. However, the following exceptions to the entry ban and quarantine requirements are in effect:
– The Ministry of Education is now allowing all final year students to return to the island. Students of all levels traveling from low- and medium-risk locations can enter Taiwan.
– Officials are allowing essential, short-term business travel for residents from low- and medium-risk locations. Business travel must be less than three months for specific activities, such as product inspections, servicing, technical assistance or training, and finalizing contracts. To be eligible for entry, travelers must remain in their home location for the two weeks before departure. Additionally, business visitors must provide documentation from a local entirety for the reason of the trip, full travel itinerary, a disease prevention plan, and results of a COVID-19 test.
– People visiting from low-risk areas must only quarantine for five days, while those traveling from medium-risk destinations must quarantine for seven days; isolation will occur at government-designated facilities. Travelers will also have to pay for another COVID-19 test before their release.
– Residents from Hong Kong and Macau can apply for entry for humanitarian and emergency reasons, to fulfill contractual agreements, or as part of a transfer within multinationals.
– Officials permit foreign nationals possessing an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and Hong Kong and Macau citizens with residence permits to enter the island without a negative COVID-19 test.
– Foreign nationals can apply to enter Taiwan for internships and training programs, conferences and trade shows, exchange programs, volunteering and missionary activities, and job searches, among others.
– Officials will allow people in self-isolation or quarantine to apply to leave for up to two hours every other day for compassionate reasons, such as to attend or plan a relative’s funeral or to visit a severely ill relative. The option is only available if the returning traveler has been in isolation for at least five days, asymptomatic, and pays for a COVID-19 test before leaving isolation.

All arrivals, except business travelers from low- and medium-risk countries, must self-quarantine for 14 days. Authorities require some inbound travelers from Southeast Asian countries to undergo a 14-day quarantine at government-designated hotels; officials will direct arriving passengers living with people with chronic illnesses, children below six years old, or adults above 65 years old to the facilities. Officials require all people allowed into Taiwan to present a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 test obtained within three business days of their departing flight. Health officials continue intensified screenings for arriving passengers, including blood samples from passengers who display or report respiratory symptoms or fever.

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) is allowing people to transit. However, passengers must connect with the same airline through TPE and limit connections in Taiwan to eight hours. Officials have cleared China Airlines (CI), EVA Air (BR), and Cathay Pacific (CX) to operate transit flights. However, connecting flights to or from mainland China remain banned. Taiwan is maintaining limits on flights to mainland China indefinitely. Under the measures, airlines are only allowed to fly to airports in Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (SHA, PVG), Xiamen (XMN), and Chengdu (CTU), though officials are reportedly planning to approve more cities in the coming weeks. CA and BR continue to cancel most flight services to mainland China. Taiwan is maintaining a ban on cruise ships.

Domestic Restrictions:
Authorities have lifted gathering restrictions on the island. The CECC has also ended passenger volume restrictions for highway service areas, national parks, and amusement parks. Most major cities have already opened nonessential businesses. Under CECC requirements, companies must ensure customers can maintain 1.5 meters (5 feet) of distance inside establishments, require patrons to wear masks when distancing is not possible, implement temperature checks, and participate in contact tracing efforts.

Transport has also resumed across the island. Officials have also installed thermal scanners at rail stations, airports, ports, post offices, and bus hubs. Staff will deny entry for any passenger with a fever. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications requires that passengers at transport hubs and inter-city buses, highway rest stops, and customers at Chunghwa Post offices wear masks. However, authorities may not require masks onboard transport after customers pass temperature checks and provide contact information unless there is inadequate space for social distancing. Enhanced screening measures could cause delays at transport hubs across the island, especially at airports in Taipei (TPE, TSA) and Kaohsiung (KHH) and main railway stations.

MDTI-WA-2020-641
Date: 23 July 2020

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA – IMPLEMENTED RESTRICTIONS REMAIN THROUGHOUT THE REGION UNTIL END OF JULY 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Travel and other restrictions intended to slow the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will remain in effect in countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region through at least the end of July. Cargo, humanitarian, diplomatic, and repatriation flights and shipments are largely ongoing.

Algeria: Land, air, and sea connections for passenger travel remain suspended until further notice.

Bahrain: Flights to and from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Jordan, and Morocco remain suspended until further notice. Travelers who transited through or departed from Iraq, Lebanon, or Iran in the 14 days before arrival will be denied entry, except for Bahraini or Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens. All arrivals are subject to health screenings and a 14-day home quarantine. According to Bahrain’s flag carrier Gulf Air (GF), international travelers can transit through Bahrain International Airport (BAH). Entry into Bahrain remains restricted to Bahraini nationals and residents, as well as other travelers holding a letter of prior permission to enter. Authorities have suspended on-arrival visas until further notice.

Egypt: Air traffic at all of the nation’s airports resumed July 1. All modes of public transport can operate from 0400-2359.

Iran: Authorities have lifted most COVID-19 restrictions; however, they intermittently impose sanctions on cities and areas where there is a sudden uptick in the number of cases.

Iraq: Commercial flights will resume July 23. The border crossings of al-Munzariyah and al-Shaib with Iran, and Safwan with Kuwait, will also reopen July 23. All travel between governorates is banned.

Israel: Authorities in Israel have extended the nationwide entry ban on foreign nationals until Sept. 1. Israeli residents are permitted to return to Israel but are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Israel’s flag carrier El Al Airlines (LY) has extended its suspension of regular passenger flights until at least Aug. 31.

Jordan: All flights to and from Jordan remain suspended through July 24; all land borders and seaports are closed until further notice. Travel between governorates has resumed. Authorities have reduced the nationwide daily curfew to 0100-0600.

Kuwait: All commercial flights to and from Kuwait remain suspended until July 31.

Lebanon: Operations at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) resumed at reduced capacity July 1. Land borders into Syria remain closed.

Libya: Movement and travel restrictions will likely be implemented sporadically throughout Libya through July. The response to COVID-19 has been disjointed to date, and communication concerning efforts limited.

Morocco: All international passenger flights to and from Morocco remain suspended indefinitely; however, domestic flights resumed June 27. The suspension of sea travel to Spain, Gibraltar, and France, and the border closure with the Spanish autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla on the north coast of Africa remain in place. Authorities have suspended all modes of public transport to and from Tangier until further notice. Officials will only allow residents in Tangier freedom of movement upon obtaining a special permit from authorities.

Oman: Authorities have banned foreigners from entering Oman indefinitely. Only Omani nationals will be permitted entry, with a mandatory 14-day quarantine period. Commercial flights remain suspended until further notice; domestic flights between Muscat and Musandam Governorate are still operating.

Palestinian Territories: The Palestinian Authority (PA) extended the lockdown on all West Bank towns and governorates through at least July 26 due to an increase in COVID-19 activity. All businesses except for grocery stores and pharmacies are closed during this period. All nonessential travel in the West Bank is prohibited. Border crossings to the West Bank and Gaza Strip are closed to commercial traffic until further notice.

Qatar: Authorities have indefinitely extended the nation’s existing suspension of inbound flights. Transit flights are exempt from the measure. Foreigners remain barred from entering the country; however, authorities will allow permanent residents returning from abroad to enter, but they will undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Qatari citizens are not allowed to exit the country. All public transport remains suspended.

Saudi Arabia: Domestic flights have resumed; however, all international flights remain suspended until further notice. The King Fahd Causeway linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain remains closed. Land border crossings with Kuwait, Yemen, and the UAE remain closed until further notice. Travel between provinces resumed May 31.

Syria: Authorities have lifted most COVID-19 restrictions; however, they intermittently impose sanctions on cities and areas where there is a sudden uptick in the number of cases.

Tunisia: Tunisia’s land, air, and sea borders reopened June 27.

United Arab Emirates: Emirates Airlines (EK) and Etihad Airways (EY) are operating multiple regular, nonrepatriation flights to several locations in Europe, North America, and Australia. Authorities will only permit passengers to fly if they comply with their destination countries’ entry criteria and requirements. Dubai began accepting international tourists July 7. Tourists must obtain a negative COVID-19 test obtained 96-hours prior to departure.

Western Sahara: Morocco’s travel restrictions apply.

Yemen: Movement and travel restrictions will likely be implemented sporadically throughout Yemen through July. The responses by the Al-Houthi rebels in northern Yemen and the internationally recognized government of President Abed Rabo Mansour al-Hadi in southern Yemen have been disjointed, with communication on efforts limited. The ongoing conflict in the country and recent separatist action in Aden will further complicate efforts, and conflict-related developments may also result in additional restrictions.

MDTI-WA-2020-640
Date: 23 July 2020

GEORGIA – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 22, 2020

Country of Territory: GEORGIA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Authorities in Georgia will maintain restrictions on international passenger flights introduced to combat the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) through at least Sept. 1. Direct passenger flights will only be permitted with France, Germany, and Latvia during this period, via AirFrance (AF), Lufthansa (LH), and Air Baltic (BT), respectively, though flights are unlikely to be available before Aug. 1.

As of July 8, citizens and residents of France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia are permitted to enter Georgia without the requirement to self-isolate provided they arrive via direct flights only, fill in travel history and trip itinerary forms before travel, and submit to a COVID-19 test on arrival. Citizens and residents of Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Sweden are permitted to travel to Georgia but must self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. Most foreigners from all other countries remain barred from entry; the restrictions do not apply to Georgian citizens and their immediate families, and diplomatic personnel. Officials state that business travel from other countries is permitted to resume provided arrivals undergo a 14-day quarantine, or produce a negative COVID-19 test every 72 hours; specific business travel arrangements will be arranged between government officials and business sector representatives. Authorities are continuing to prohibit passenger entry via land borders.

Previously authorities in Georgia lifted most domestic travel restrictions and permitted most businesses and services to resume operation, provided they implement strict social distancing and hygiene requirements. Individuals must wear protective face coverings in enclosed public spaces, including public transport, and where social distancing cannot be observed.

MDTI-WA-2020-639
Date: 22 July 2020

SOUTH AMERICA – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 21, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: SOUTH AMERICA
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Authorities across South America will maintain travel, business, and movement restrictions of varying degrees through at least late July as part of their efforts to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The exact duration of the measures will almost certainly depend on local disease activity and the preparedness of local authorities to respond to the disease. The following measures are in place as of July 21:

Argentina: Nonresident foreign nationals remain barred from entering the country until further notice. Movement restrictions have been eased in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area, where residents may leave their homes on specific days of the week based on their national identification cars numbers. Public transport in the region remains restricted and is to be used only by essential workers. Movement restrictions have been eased in most of the rest of the country. Gatherings of more than 10 people remain banned nationwide.

Bolivia: All land borders remain closed to nonresident foreigners; all international passenger flights remain suspended, and passenger vehicles are prohibited from interdepartmental road travel. A regional three-tiered system of varying restrictions has been in place since May, with most major population centers and departmental capitals categorized as high-risk, the highest level. Residents must remain at home between 1800-0500 Mondays through Fridays, and all day on Saturdays and Sundays, except to perform outdoor exercise between 0600-1400.

Brazil: Officials have extended a ban on entry for all nonresident foreign nationals by air, land, and water through at least July 29, with exceptions for passengers en route to another country. Most state authorities have imposed business and movement restrictions.

Chile: Officials have prohibited nonresident foreign nationals from entering the country until further notice, while Chilean citizens and residents must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. A nightly 2200-0500 curfew remains in force until further notice. Gatherings of more than 50 people remain banned. Additional regional restrictions and localized quarantines and sanitary cordons are in place.

Colombia: All international and domestic air travel remains suspended, and all ground and maritime borders are closed until further notice, except for cargo and humanitarian reasons. A nationwide lockdown is in place through at least Aug. 1. Additional restrictions are in effect in some cities.

Ecuador: A ban on international flights has been lifted, but all passengers entering the country must have tested negative for COVID-19 and undergo additional screenings upon arrival. Domestic flights are also allowed. Business restrictions and nightly curfews remain in place but vary by region based on local disease activity. In most of the country, a nightly 2100-0500 curfew remains in place, and use of private vehicles is permitted on certain days of the week based on the vehicle’s license plate number.

Falkland Islands: All travelers arriving in the islands, including residents, must self-quarantine for 14 days and provide the address of the place where they will be staying.

French Guiana: A ban on entry by most nonresident foreign nationals remains in place until further notice. Residents and citizens may enter for family, health, or professional reasons but must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Nightly curfews remain in place in most of the territory, and certain neighborhoods are under 24-hour quarantine orders.

Guyana: Officials have suspended all international passenger flights. Land borders and seaports remain closed to passenger traffic. Ferry services remain suspended. Cargo transport and humanitarian travel are exempted. A nightly 2000-0600 curfew remains in effect through at least July 31. Some business restrictions have been lifted.

Paraguay: All international passenger flights remain suspended and land borders are closed, except for cargo and humanitarian purposes. Most of the county has moved to Phase 4 of the nation’s COVID-19 recovery plan, except for the departments of Alto Parana, Asuncion, and Central, which remain under Phase 3 until Aug. 3. Under Phase 4, family gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed, as are cultural events with 20 people and religious ceremonies with up to 50 people. Under Phase 3, restaurants may offer dine-in services and gyms may open under strict guidelines.

Peru: The country’s borders remain closed to all passenger traffic and international flights remain canceled. A nationwide 2200-0400 curfew is in force through at least July 31, with some regions being under a 2000-0400 curfew. Some business restrictions have been lifted. Domestic flights have resumed, albeit under strict health-related directives.

Suriname: All land, air, and sea points of entry remain closed for passengers. A nationwide nightly 2200-0500 curfew has been in place since July 6. Some business restrictions have been relaxed.

Uruguay: Authorities have eased travel restrictions, allowing international passengers to enter for a number of reasons, including family reunification or business. All arriving passengers must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours and take a second test if they remain in the country for more than seven days. Limited international flights to Spain are also resuming. Some business restrictions remain in place.

Venezuela: All domestic and international passenger flights are suspended until at least Aug. 12. Most nonessential businesses remain closed, and residents must stay at home except to perform essential tasks.

MDTI-WA-2020-638
Date: 22 July 2020

UNITED STATES – SEVERAL STATES UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 22, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED STATES
Affected Areas: MULTIPLE STATES
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-637
Date: 22 July 2020

MOROCCO – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 22, 2020

Country of Territory: MOROCCO
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: RESTRICTIONS

Authorities in Morocco have eased a series of restrictions related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as of July 21. Hotels can begin operating at full capacity, while intercity transport companies can do so at 75 percent capacity. Despite easing some measures, authorities regularly impose restrictions on cities and regions that experience an uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases. Officials reimposed a series of restrictions COVID-19 in Tangier on July 14 and in Safi, Marrakesh-Safi Region. Authorities extended the health state of emergency through at least Aug. 10; the measure allows them to enforce the lockdown measures that are in place in different regions throughout the country.

Officials allowed domestic flights and public transport, including trains and buses, to resume nationwide June 25. They have also designated some provinces as Zone 1 and Zone 2, according to COVID-19 activity. Zone 1 includes cities and regions, including Rabat and Casablanca, where authorities have eased COVID-19 restrictions due to lesser disease activity. Residents can leave their homes without a permit and access public spaces. All residents, however, must carry their national identity cards at all times. Authorities also allowed the resumption of some commercial activities; all businesses must operate at 50 percent capacity and observe the country’s social distancing guidelines.

Zone 2 includes cities and regions, such as Marrakesh, where authorities have eased only some restrictions. Residents can travel within the cities and areas they are living in without a movement permit. People who wish to travel outside must obtain a permit from local authorities.

International passenger flights are still suspended until further notice; emergency and cargo flights are exempt.

MDTI-WA-2020-636
Date: 22 July 2020

AUSTRIA – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 22, 2020

Country of Territory: AUSTRIA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Authorities in Austria are maintaining a suspension on direct flights from Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Iran, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, United Kingdom and Ukraine through at least July 31 due to high rates of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in those countries. Cargo, humanitarian, medical, and expatriation flights are exempt.

Travelers arriving from UK, Sweden, Portugal, Bulgaria, and Romania must present of having tested negative for COVID-19 within the previous four days or undergo a 14-day self-isolation period. Travelers from all other EU, Schengen Area, and associated countries may enter Austria without restriction. Entry for third-country nationals from states outside the Schengen area remains prohibited indefinitely, though exceptions are in place for health workers, freight workers, diplomats, individuals in transit, and for urgent or essential reasons decided on a case-by-case basis.

MDTI-WA-2020-635
Date: 22 July 2020

GERMANY – MAINTAINS CURRENT RESTRICTIONS BUT REMOVES ENTRY BANS FOR SEVERAL COUNTRIES

Country of Territory: GERMANY
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Authorities in Germany are maintaining current restrictions introduced to combat the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as of July 21. Authorities have removed entry restrictions on travelers from all EU and Schengen Area countries, and the UK; restrictions were initially maintained for travelers from Sweden, although these have been lifted since July 14. Travelers from non-EU countries, with the exception of Australia, Georgia, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay, remain subject to restrictions, including a mandatory 14-day self-isolation if arriving from a location of high COVID-19 activity.

Authorities have eased most internal COVID-19 measures. Residents are required to wear face masks in most public spaces, including public transport and retail shops; where possible, people from different households should remain a minimum of 1.5 m (5 feet) apart. Major public events, including parades and fairs, are banned until Oct. 31. Hotels and other short-term accommodations have reopened; hygiene and social-distancing guidelines must be observed. All retailers and nonessential businesses are permitted to reopen; however, limits have been placed on the number of customers in the store, and queues should be avoided.

MDTI-WA-2020-634
Date: 22 July 2020

UNITED KINGDOM – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 21, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED KINGDOM
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

A lockdown in Leicester is due to ease from July 24 after a reported drop in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections; authorities relaxed measures in areas outside of Leicester City and the boroughs of Oadby and Wigston July 18. Residents in areas still under lockdown are being urged to stay home as much as possible; nonessential stores and schools are closed. In addition, only essential travel to and from affected areas is permitted. Authorities elsewhere in England plan to further ease restrictions July 25 by reopening fitness centers and swimming pools.

Authorities lifted a mandatory quarantine requirement for arrivals from 75 countries and overseas territories, including Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and Spain; the selected countries are assessed to pose a reduced threat from COVID-19. Scotland currently retains a quarantine requirement for arrivals from Spain, though authorities there announced July 20 that this measure will be lifted in the coming days. In addition, the Isle of Man lifted entry restrictions for residents only, July 20. All international arrivals to the UK must provide contact details, as well as their travel history over the previous 14 days.

International arrivals of any nationality arriving from nonexempt locations are required to self-isolate for 14 days; health officials may perform spot checks to ensure compliance. Persons without suitable accommodation will be required to stay in facilities arranged by the government at their own expense. The measures apply to arrival by air, rail, and ferry. Freight drivers and healthcare workers are exempt from the requirement. The measures are reviewed every three weeks.

The government mandates minimum social distancing of 1 meter (3.2 feet) for people from different households under most circumstances. Protective face coverings remain mandatory on public transport nationwide and inside shops in Scotland. Authorities continue to recommend citizens work from home where possible. Most nonessential businesses around the UK have reopened, though must adhere to strict hygiene practices, including limits on the number of customers in stores in order to maintain social distancing and the encouragement of customers using hand sanitizer when entering the premises. Retail workers must practice social distancing wherever possible.

MDTI-WA-2020-633
Date: 22 July 2020

JORDAN – PLANS TO RESUME COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS IN AUGUST 2020

Country of Territory: JORDAN
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-632
Date: 22 July 2020

ISRAEL – EXTENDS ENTRY BAN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1, 2020

Country of Territory: ISRAEL (EXCLUDING PALESTINE)
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Authorities in Israel have extended the country’s existing ban on entry by nonresident foreign nationals though at least Sept. 1 due to an increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity. Israel’s flag carrier El Al Airlines (LY) has extended its suspension of regular passenger flights until at least Aug. 31; cargo and emergency flights remain unaffected. Israeli citizens and legal residents may return to Israel but are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Arriving travelers who cannot demonstrate that they can self-quarantine at home will be isolated at a government-established facility.

Israeli authorities reimposed a series of restrictions nationwide to stem the spread of COVID-19 following a sharp increase in the infection rate. Certain restrictions on business and leisure activities are in force on weekends. While essential businesses, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, can remain open, nonessential shops, as well as malls, open-air markets, hair salons, barbershops, libraries, zoos, museums, tourist sites, and cable cars have been required to close. There are currently no movement restrictions on residents leaving their homes.

MDTI-WA-2020-631
Date: 22 July 2020

SOUTH ASIA – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 21, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: SOUTH ASIA
Incident: TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

South Asian states are maintaining travel restrictions due to the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Some nations in South Asia are advising citizens to avoid nonessential international travel. Countries are also urging all incoming travelers, regardless of nationality, to self-isolate for two weeks or undergo a 14-day quarantine at home or in a medical facility based on medical screening outcomes. Other measures include a ban on public gatherings, enhanced health screenings for incoming passengers, travel restrictions, and flight suspensions. These measures have expanded as in-country cases increase across the region.

As of July 21, the following restrictions were in place, modified, or planned:

Afghanistan: International flights have resumed in Afghanistan as of July 1, though availability is affected by low demand and travel restrictions on Afghan citizens and carriers; domestic flights are also operational. The opening of land borders with Iran and Pakistan is largely limited to trade – mainly import of essential goods – and exchange of stranded citizens. Enhanced health screenings are underway at all entry points – mainly land border crossings with Iran. As of July 15, Pakistani authorities are allowing cargo import and export through land ports on the Afghan-Pakistani border at Chaman, Ghulam Khan, and Torkham, as well as transit trade through the Wagah border at the Indo-Pakistani border. However, brief and occasional protests by transporters are possible at checkpoints in case of processing delays or rule changes. Authorities briefly enforced a travel ban and land border closures between Afghanistan and Iran Feb. 25-26; such restrictions could recur intermittently in the coming weeks if in-country cases increase.

Bhutan: Ongoing restrictions on entry and re-entry for all foreigners with any visa or work and immigration permits will continue until further notice. Officials will also deny entry to those holding diplomatic, official, and international organization passports; only Bhutanese citizens and residents may enter. All returnees will undergo a 21-day quarantine. Foreigners may leave the country. The Bhutanese government has closed all international borders, including the border with India, for passenger transit; officials have also severely restricted cargo transport. Authorities have increased security at informal border crossings. Officials had earlier mandated thermal scanning at all entry points; although passenger traffic at land crossings with India is limited, crossborder trade continues. Bhutanese air carriers such as Druk Air (KB) and Bhutan Airlines (B3) are operating limited international and domestic flights to repatriate stranded Bhutanese citizens.

Bangladesh: Authorities resumed some international flights June 16, and intend to reopen more flight routes in the coming weeks gradually. Limited domestic passenger flights have resumed since June 1, though cancellations are likely due to low demand. Land borders with India and Myanmar are closed to travelers. Temporary shipping disruptions and occasional protests are likely to continue at lndo-Bangladeshi land ports, mainly the Petrapole-Benapole land crossing, due to grievances related to cargo transit rules. On-arrival visa issuance remains suspended, and additional travel bans continue for those with travel history to the EU or Iran since March 1. Permitted foreign nationals, such as business travelers arriving in Bangladesh, must provide a medical certificate (with an English translation) no older than 72 hours on their arrival, indicating that they do not have COVID-19 symptoms. Officials still require persons to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival.

India: Most international flights remain banned through at least July 31. Authorities are allowing limited commercial flights with France and the US through at least Aug. 1. However, entry is limited to currently permitted categories of travelers: Indian citizens, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders and their relatives, business travelers other than those with B-3 sporting visas, holders of diplomatic, official or UN/international organization and their family members. Similar measures may be introduced with other countries such as Germany, the UK, and the UAE. Charter services for business travelers, family members of official or diplomatic visa holders, and OCI cardholders and their relatives are allowed as of July 21, provided they obtain a fresh visa. Authorities have suspended visa issuance and canceled previously issued visas of all other international travelers – except diplomatic, official, UN/international organizations, employment, and project visas. Travelers already in the country may receive visa extensions upon online application. Passengers arriving from abroad are subject to mandatory 14-day quarantines. Those planning on essential travel to India can contact Indian consulates for visa issuance after medical checks. Domestic flights resumed May 25. Indian authorities stopped passenger traffic at all land, river, and sea ports since March 18. Officials are also maintaining an earlier ban on travelers from Afghanistan, the EU, the European Free Trade Association, Malaysia, Philippines, Turkey, and the UK. The suspension of international cruises, passenger buses, and train services continues.

Maldives: Authorities have reopened borders July 15 for all foreigners with on-arrival visas and pre-booked accommodation at venues approved by the Ministry of Tourism; asymptomatic entrants neither need to produce negative COVID-19 test results nor undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing or quarantine in the Maldives. International and domestic flights, as well as maritime transport, has resumed as of July 15. Officials may modify restrictions at short notice, depending on local cases.

Nepal: Nepal is maintaining a ban on all inbound and outbound international passenger flights, as well as domestic passenger flights until Aug. 17. Authorities have been exempting charter flights repatriating stranded citizens and providing essential goods and services. Officials have suspended on-arrival and electronic visa issuance for all foreign nationals and nonresident Nepalese until further notice. Those wishing to travel to Nepal must contact their local Nepali diplomatic mission for visa approval and submit results of a swab test conducted within seven days before the intended travel date that demonstrates that the individual is free of COVID-19. Additionally, Nepal is barring those with travel or transit history to Europe, Gulf Arab countries, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea from entering. Foreigners already in Nepal will receive a free visa extension until officials lift exit restrictions. Closure of all land border crossings for non-repatriation passenger traffic with India and China remain in place; authorities permit limited cargo transit.

Pakistan: Authorities are exempting Pakistani citizens from an ongoing ban on inbound international commercial passenger flights since June 20; however, only limited flights – mainly from the Middle East – will operate to serve stranded Pakistanis. Foreign nationals remain barred from entering Pakistan through commercial flights pending further notice. Limited outbound international services, repatriation flights organized by consulates, and cargo flights will continue. Some domestic passenger flights have resumed from airports serving Karachi (KHI), Lahore (LHE), Islamabad (ISB), Peshawar (PEW), Quetta (UET), and Sialkot (SKT) as of June 18; travelers must undergo health screening and practice social distancing. Officials are extending the validity of visas for foreign nationals in the country through Aug. 31. Authorities are permitting the exchange of citizens with Afghanistan; they have also lifted an export ban and time limit for cargo transit at land border posts with Afghanistan. Officials have also opened the Pishin and Rimdan border crossings with Iran, allowing limited transport of goods. The Attari-Wagah border with India remains closed amid the cancellation of bus and train services between India and Pakistan.

Sri Lanka: Authorities have suspended the issuance of all visa types – including electronic, landing, multiple entry, and residential – to foreigners, regardless of nationality, until further notice; previously issued visas for foreign nationals, including residential permits, stand temporarily suspended. Such travelers will not be allowed to enter Sri Lanka. The restrictions do not apply to holders of diplomatic, official, and service passports. Foreigners who are already in Sri Lanka may apply for visa extensions. Officials suspended all inbound international passenger flights until further notice; however, cargo transport, passenger transit, and international departures will continue at the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Officials had previously ordered all international services at the Jaffna International Airport (JAF) – Sri Lanka’s only other functional international airport – to be halted. While domestic flights are unaffected, international passenger ships such as cruises and ferries are barred indefinitely; port operations for goods transport continue. Officials have indefinitely deferred plans to allow entry to foreigners from Aug. 1, due to new local COVID-19 cases.

MDTI-WA-2020-630
Date: 22 July 2020

NORTHEAST ASIA – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 21, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: NORTHEAST ASIA
Incident: TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Governments in Northeast Asia continue to enforce travel restrictions to prevent the transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As of July 21, the following restrictions are in place:

Mainland China: Authorities continue to bar most foreign nationals from entering the country; exceptions are in place for diplomatic personnel and C visa holders, which officials generally issue to members of flight and shipping crews. Most travelers, regardless of nationality, are barred from entering or exiting land border checkpoints; however, Guangdong Province has lifted quarantine requirements for travelers from Macau, provided they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms and have not traveled outside the territory in the previous two weeks. Macau residents must complete a nucleic acid test, convert to a Guangdong health code, and complete a health declaration form before entry. Guangdong authorities are requiring a negative COVID-19 test result for travelers from Hong Kong, as well as quarantine for 14 days, unless exempted. Officials are allowing “fast track” entry for business travelers from South Korea to 10 Chinese locations, including Shanghai and Liaoning, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces. Passengers must have an invitation from a Chinese business, undergo testing in South Korea within 72 hours of travel, and undergo testing again during a one- or two-day quarantine in China. Authorities are also allowing “fast track” entry for essential business travelers from Singapore to Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces and Chongqing, Shanghai, and Tianjin municipalities. Travelers must receive a special pass from an inviting institution, test negative for COVID-19 within 48 hours of their departure, and obtain a visa. Passengers will undergo COVID-19 testing again upon arrival in China and isolate at designated facilities until their results are available. Business travelers testing negative will adhere to a pre-agreed itinerary and refrain from using public transport, except for private hire vehicles, for the first 14 days. The travelers will also have to download and use a health pass while in the country. Reports indicate the government is also allowing executive travel for some individual businesses under a similar model. Officials in many areas are enforcing quarantine measures for international travelers. Authorities are generally allowing nonresident passengers to stay in government-designated hotels at their own cost. While most quarantine periods are 14 days, some cities in border areas are requiring inbound travelers to self-quarantine and undergo medical observation for an additional 14 days.

Hong Kong: The government is maintaining a ban on all nonresident foreign nationals. Travelers from Macau, Taiwan, and mainland China are exempt from restrictions provided they do not have a recent travel history elsewhere. Arriving passengers must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon entry into the territory. Authorities have permitted some mainland Chinese teachers and students, as well as businesspeople whose activities officials deem economically beneficial to the territory, to enter without having to undergo quarantine. Hong Kong continues to restrict land border crossings with mainland China to the Shenzhen Bay checkpoint and along the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

Japan: An entry ban on foreign nationals with a travel history to 129 countries, including Russia, the US, China, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and all of Europe, within 14 days of arrival remains in place. Officials also require all passengers from affected countries to undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, which involves medical personnel taking a nasopharyngeal swab, upon arrival. Any inbound passenger allowed into Japan must undergo a 14-day quarantine period, either at home or in a government-designated facility.

Macau: Authorities continue to ban nonresident foreign nationals from entering the territory. Travelers from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China are exempt from the measure but will not be allowed to enter if they have traveled elsewhere in the previous two weeks. Travelers from mainland China can enter Macau without quarantine or medical certificates proving negative COVID-19 status. Residents and allowed travelers that have visited “high-risk” countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, the US, Canada, Brazil, Egypt, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Iran, and New Zealand, within 14 days of arrival, will face mandatory quarantine at designated hotels. Residents and travelers who visited other countries or Hong Kong and Taiwan and may be allowed to self-isolate at home.

Mongolia: The government has effectively banned international travel. Border closures are ongoing with Russia and China, though some commercial transport is occurring. Commercial flights connecting Mongolia with Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Japan, South Korea, and Turkey remain suspended. Authorities are placing arriving Mongolian citizens under a 14-day quarantine at their own expense.

North Korea: Authorities have effectively suspended inbound travel by foreign nationals. Officials are conducting increased health screenings and have imposed quarantine periods on foreign nationals, along with North Koreans arriving in Pyongyang.

South Korea: The government continues to ban all foreign travelers who have visited China’s Hubei Province within 14 days of arrival from entering the country. South Koreans who traveled to Hubei Province will need to self-quarantine for 14 days. Authorities are limiting visas for foreign nationals from Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan; diplomats and people on urgent business travel are exempt from the restriction. The government is also requiring inbound foreign nationals to provide proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test upon entry and restricting flight capacity from these countries. Officials have halted visa-free and visa-waiver programs with countries that have entry bans for South Korean citizens. The restriction impacts travelers from 90 countries, including Australia, Canada, and most European nations. Authorities have also canceled existing short-term visas issued before April 5, requiring travelers to reapply for entry documents. The government plans to limit all but essential or urgent travel for foreign nationals to the country. Officials are testing all arriving travelers from the US and Europe. Officials will send arriving passengers that exhibit COVID-19 symptoms to designated quarantine facilities for testing. All inbound passengers, regardless of nationality and testing outcomes, are required to self-quarantine for 14 days. Staff could send patients that test positive to designated quarantine facilities.

MDTI-WA-2020-629
Date: 21 July 2020

SWITZERLAND – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 20, 2020

Country of Territory: SWITZERLAND
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Authorities in Switzerland have lifted a ban on travelers from several countries July 20 due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity declining in those locations. Nationals of Algeria, Andorra, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland, Japan, Morocco, Monaco, New Zealand, Romania, Rwanda, San Marino, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and the Vatican City may now enter the country. Travelers from these countries may still be subject to quarantine if they have traveled to a high-risk destination within 14 days of entering Switzerland.

Swiss authorities maintain a list of high-risk countries from which travelers must undergo a mandatory 10-day self-quarantine from July 6. Officials will update the list regularly; countries included on the initial list are Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Iraq, Israel, Kosovo, Kuwait, Moldova, North Macedonia, Oman, Panama, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Serbia, South Africa, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States. Previously, authorities in Switzerland reopened all ports of entry to nationals and permanent residents of the EU, UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway; travelers from these destinations can visit Switzerland without restriction.

MDTI-WA-2020-628
Date: 21 July 2020

SPAIN – REINTRODUCES RESTRICTIONS IN SEVERAL PROVINCES DUE TO INCREASE IN COVID-19 INFECTIONS

Country of Territory: SPAIN
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-627
Date: 21 July 2020

IRELAND – EXTENDS CURRENT PHASE RECOVERY PLAN UNTIL AUGUST 10, 2020

Country of Territory: IRELAND
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Authorities in Ireland have extended Phase 3 of the government’s coronavirus disease (COVID-19) recovery plan through at least Aug. 10 due to an increase in the number of infections. Phase 4 was previously scheduled to begin July 20. As of July 20, most businesses and activities are permitted to resume provided strict hygiene and social distancing requirements are implemented.

Ireland’s borders remain open for international travel, though airports are operating a reduced schedule. Anyone entering Ireland from abroad will continue to be required to self-isolate for 14 days; residents of Northern Ireland, freight transport workers, maritime workers, and pilots are exempt from this measure. Public transport remains largely functional, though reduced service is enforced in some sectors.

Authorities previously announced intentions to begin easing COVID-19 restrictions in five stages May 18-Aug. 10, which will include a gradual lifting of measures limiting travel, gatherings, and business operations.

MDTI-WA-2020-626
Date: 21 July 2020

SOUTHEAST ASIA – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 21, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: SOUTHEAST ASIA
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-625
Date: 21 July 2020

CHINA – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 21, 2020

Country of Territory: CHINA
Affected Areas: MAINLAND CHINA
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-624
Date: 21 July 2020

AUSTRALIA – GREATER MELBOURNE TIGHTENS RESTRICTIONS DUE TO THE ONGOING COVID-19 ACTIVITY

Country of Territory: AUSTRALIA
Affected Areas: GREATER MELBOURNE AND MITCHELL SHIRE, VICTORIA
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-623
Date: 20 July 2020

NORTH AMERICA – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 20, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: NORTH AMERICA
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-622
Date: 20 July 2020

CZECH REPUBLIC – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 17, 2020

Country of Territory: CZECH REPUBLIC
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-621
Date: 20 July 2020

NORWAY – CONTINUES TO EASE RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 20, 2020

Country of Territory: NORWAY
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-620
Date: 20 July 2020

EUROPEAN UNION – REVISED THE LIST OF APPROVED COUNTRIES TO ENTER EU+AREA

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: EU NATIONS PLUS ICELAND, LIECHTENSTEIN, NORWAY, AND SWITZERLAND
Incident: TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-619
Date: 20 July 2020

TURKEY – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 18, 2020

Country of Territory: TURKEY
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-618
Date: 20 July 2020

CHINA – BEIJING EASES RESTRICTIONS DUE TO MORE THAN TWO WEEKS OF NO COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION

Country of Territory: CHINA
Affected Areas: BEIJING
Incident: COVID-19 MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-617
Date: 20 July 2020

SINGAPORE – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 17, 2020

Country of Territory: SINGAPORE
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-616
Date: 20 July 2020

INDIA – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 17, 2020

Country of Territory: INDIA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-615
Date: 20 July 2020

INDONESIA – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 17, 2020

Country of Territory: INDONESIA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Indonesian authorities continue to implement large-scale social distancing measures, also known as PSBB, in several localities as of July 17 to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Regional governments in areas with significant COVID-19 activity can apply to the central authorities to enact large-scale social distancing measures that are extendable up to four weeks. While measures vary by location, common restrictions in these areas include suspending schools and closing most workplaces, except for some essential sectors like medical and food supplies. Entry and exit restrictions are also in effect in locations implementing large-scale social distancing regulations. Exemptions are in place for government officials, medical workers, businesspeople in essential sectors, and people attending family funerals or visiting critically ill relatives, among others. A nationwide public health emergency declaration remains in effect until further notice.

The central government requires intercity land and sea travelers to produce certificates stating they have tested negative for COVID-19 to stem the virus’s spread. Domestic air travelers need to undergo rapid testing, which indicates the likelihood of a person carrying COVID-19, though it does not definitively confirm an infection. The passengers also have to show their identification documents and download the PeduliLindungi contact tracing application. Authorities are also requiring planes and public land transport to operate with 70 percent of their capacity, while private-hire vehicles and taxis can operate with 50 percent capacity. There is no capacity limit for sea transport, though other health protocols are in place.

Travel Restrictions:
Authorities continue to ban foreign nationals from entering and transiting the country, with exemptions for permanent residents, diplomats, and transport workers. Officials require inbound passengers to produce documents stating they are free from COVID-19; travelers without the certificates will undergo tests upon arrival in Indonesia and be isolated in government-designated premises until test results are released. Arrivals will also have to download the PeduliLindungi contact tracing application. Symptomatic passengers will undergo quarantine at government-designated facilities. Authorities will advise all inbound passengers to self-quarantine for two weeks.

Officials are also requiring individuals leaving Indonesia to produce certificates stating that they do not carry COVID-19. Indonesia’s central and regional governments have sometimes provided conflicting information on COVID-19 restrictions in recent weeks; changes to measures may occur at short notice.

MDTI-WA-2020-614
Date: 17 July 2020

CANADA – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 17, 2020

Country of Territory: CANADA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Officials in Canada have extended the land border closure with the US to all nonessential travel through at least Aug. 21, as part of the country’s efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The measure does not affect trade or essential business travel. Additionally, Canadian authorities are maintaining a ban on entry for most nonresident foreign nationals until July 31. However, immediate family members of Canadian citizens or residents can enter Canada, provided they plan to stay for at least 15 days and are able to quarantine for the first 14 days of their stay. Other nonresident foreign nationals allowed to enter must be traveling for essential reasons, and must travel either from the US, or must be exempt from the restrictions by virtue of being temporary workers, international students, diplomats, aircrew members, or French citizens who live in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.

Persons exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms will not be allowed to board planes to Canada, including Canadian citizens. Canadian authorities have also banned individuals displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19 from domestic air and train travel until further notice. Travelers who are denied boarding will be barred from air or train travel for at least 14 days unless they can produce a medical certificate confirming that any symptoms are unrelated to COVID-19.

All international flights to Canada – except for trade and business flights, as well as flights from the US, Mexico, Caribbean, and St. Pierre and Miquelon – are landing only at Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Toronto, Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Montreal Trudeau Airport (YUL), and Calgary International Airport (YYC). Canadian citizens and residents returning from abroad must self-quarantine for 14 days. Authorities may order those entering the country to isolate at a hotel if they believe the traveler may put others at risk. All air passengers are required to wear protective face coverings, and all maritime and land passengers are encouraged to do the same. Officials have recommended all residents wear some form of protective face covering whenever social distancing is not possible.

Individual provinces have implemented their own COVID-19 response measures at the regional level:

Alberta: Outdoor gatherings of up to 200 people are allowed, while private and indoor gatherings of up to 100 people are allowed. Most business restrictions have been eased, and restaurants and casinos can operate without capacity limits, as long as they ensure social distancing measures.

British Columbia: Most businesses and services have been allowed to reopen, including retail stores, restaurants, personal care businesses, museums, libraries, office-based businesses, movie theaters, spas and hotels. Outdoor recreational activities and sports are allowed, and parks and beaches are open.

Manitoba: Persons entering the province from elsewhere in Canada are required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival, except those working in essential services, residents who routinely move in and out of the province, or those traveling from Western Canada or Northwestern Ontario. A number of businesses and services, including retail stores, barbershops, museums, libraries, dine-in restaurants, bars, gyms, and pools, have reopened with certain limitations. Gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed indoors and up to 100 people outdoors.

New Brunswick: As of July 9, any business that admits patrons where seating is offered for eating, drinking, entertainment, or socialization must maintain a list of names and contact info of those who attend and make the list available to Public Health Inspectors. Since July 3, travelers entering from other regions of Canada must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, except those from Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Unnecessary travel into New Brunswick is prohibited. Restrictions have been eased in most of the province, enabling personal care businesses, gyms, and places of worship to reopen. Retail stores, museums, and restaurants have also reopened, as have outdoor recreational facilities, such as parks, beaches, and golf courses. Nonurgent medical procedures are allowed. Gatherings of up to 50 people are permitted. As of June 9, all residents must wear protective coverings in indoor areas that are open to the general public.

Newfoundland and Labrador: Since July 3, travelers entering from other regions of Canada must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, except those from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Gatherings of more than 10 people are banned, except for weddings and funerals where 20 people may gather. Retail stores, restaurants, outdoor pools, personal care businesses, movie theaters, gyms, and bars can open with capacity limitations. Outdoor recreational activities, sports, and summer camps are also permitted to resume.

Northwest Territories: Authorities are maintaining checkpoints at major interprovincial entry points into the Northwest Territories. Only residents of the Northwest Territories, essential and approved workers, those moving to, studying in, or transiting the region with an approved self-isolation plan will be allowed entry. Most travel into the region by air, land, or water has been banned since March 21. Most business restrictions have been eased.

Nova Scotia: From July 3, travelers entering from other regions of Canada must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, except those from Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Also from July 3, organized events can allow up to 200 people indoor and 250 people outdoors. Social gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed. Businesses such as bars and restaurants, swimming pools, campgrounds, personal care businesses, and childcare centers can open, while maintaining social distancing measures. Public beaches, parks, and other outdoor recreational areas are open.

Nunavut: Nonresidents remain prohibited from entering the territory, with only persons working in critical services being allowed to enter. Returning residents must self-isolate for 14 days. Retail stores, gyms, pools, restaurants and bars, cinemas, and museums have been allowed to open. Indoor gatherings of up to 10 people and outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed.

Ontario: Beginning July 17, most regions of Ontario will enter Stage 3 of its economic recovery plan. Under Stage 3 indoor gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed while outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people are allowed. Restaurants, bars, and other establishments may open for indoor dining with physical distancing restrictions. Casinos, sport, and recreational facilities may open given they follow proper hygiene and social distancing procedures. Convention centers, meeting, and event spaces, concert halls and cinemas are subject to distancing measures and gathering limits. Durham, Haldimand-Norfolk, Halton, Hamilton, Lambton, Niagra, Peel, Toronto, Windsor-Essex, and York Public Health Regions remain on Stage 2 of its economic recovery plan, under which gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed, and businesses such as personal care businesses, malls, and outdoor recreational facilities can open. Restaurants may offer outdoor dining. Professional services, pet grooming businesses, and construction projects, can also resume. The use of protective face coverings is mandatory on public transport.

Prince Edward Island: Events of up to 50 people are allowed, and social gatherings of up to 15 people indoors and 20 people outdoors are also allowed. Most businesses can reopen, following social distancing measures. Starting July 3, travelers entering from other regions of Canada must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, except those from Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Quebec: From July 18, masks will be mandatory in all public spaces, those under age 12 and with medical conditions will be exempt from the order. All businesses are allowed to operate, following certain guidelines, except festivals, and major events, and vacation camps. There are no restrictions for travelers entering into the province, and tourism activities may resume. Gatherings at homes must be limited to 10 people; outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed.

Saskatchewan: From July 16, racetracks, rodeos, live performances in restaurants and markets, banquet and conference facilities, and trade shoes can resume. Gatherings of up to 30 people are allowed. A number of types of businesses and facilities have been allowed to reopen, including retail stores, childcare centers, gyms, malls, personal care businesses, farmers’ markets, parks, campgrounds, casinos, and drive-in theaters. Restaurants may provide indoor dining at 50-percent capacity. Nonurgent medical procedures are now allowed.

Yukon: Travelers from British Columbia, Northwest Territory, and Nunavut can enter without restrictions, while travelers from the rest of Canada are allowed, but must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Whitehorse. Most businesses have been allowed to reopen, and gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed.

MDTI-WA-2020-613
Date: 17 July 2020

UNITED STATES – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 17, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED STATES
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-612
Date: 17 July 2020

NEPAL – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 16, 2020

Country of Territory: NEPAL
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-611
Date: 17 July 2020

PUERTO RICO – OPENS ITS BORDERS TO FOREIGN TRAVELERS

Country of Territory: PUERTO RICO
Affected Areas: ISLANDWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-610
Date: 16 July 2020

UNITED STATES – SEVERAL STATES UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 16, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED STATES
Affected Areas: MULTIPLE STATES
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-609
Date: 16 July 2020

ITALY – EXTENDS RESTRICTIONS UNTIL JULY 31, 2020

Country of Territory: ITALY
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-608
Date: 16 July 2020

FINLAND – CONTINUE TO EASE NATIONWIDE RESTRICTIONS

Country of Territory: FINLAND
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-607
Date: 16 July 2020

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA – EXTENDS RESTRICTIONS UNTIL JULY 31, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-606
Date: 16 July 2020

THAILAND – BANS ALL INCOMING INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS AS OF JULY 15, 2020

Country of Territory: THAILAND
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-605
Date: 16 July 2020

SOUTH ASIA – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 15, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: SOUTH ASIA
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-604
Date: 15 July 2020

PERU – MODIFIES SOME RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 15, 2020

Country of Territory: PERU
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-603
Date: 15 July 2020

SRI LANKA – MODIFIES SOME RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 15, 2020

Country of Territory: SRI LANKA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-602
Date: 15 July 2020

MYANMAR – EXTENDS RESTRICTION UNTIL JULY 31, 2020

Country of Territory: MYANMAR
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-601
Date: 15 July 2020

NORTHEAST ASIA – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 14, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: NORTHEAST ASIA
Incident: TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-600
Date: 14 July 2020

SOUTH AFRICA – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 14, 2020

Country of Territory: SOUTH AFRICA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-599
Date: 14 July 2020

PORTUGAL – EXTENDS LOCKDOWN UNTIL JULY 29, 2020

Country of Territory: PORTUGAL
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-598
Date: 14 July 2020

CHINA – BEIJING CONTINUES TO EASE RESTRICTIONS

Country of Territory: CHINA
Affected Areas: BEIJING
Incident: MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-597
Date: 14 July 2020

SOUTHEAST ASIA – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 14, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: SOUTHEAST ASIA
Incident: TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-596
Date: 13 July 2020

UNITED STATES – SEVERAL STATES UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 13, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED STATES
Affected Areas: MULTIPLE U.S. STATES
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Oklahoma: As of July 10, authorities in Oklahoma have maintained certain restrictions in place, continuing on Phase 3 of the state’s economic recovery plan due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Additionally, state officials launched a four-tier risk-monitoring system that will offer guidelines to each county depending on the level of COVID-19 activity within each jurisdiction.

Texas: As of July 10, Texas Governor has issued orders to reimpose certain restrictions in the state, to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Authorities have ordered the suspension of elective surgeries in hospitals in 113 of the state’s 254 counties, including in several of the most populated ones: Harris, Dallas, Bexar, Travis, Hidalgo, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Williamson, Cameron, and Brazoria. Authorities have also ordered the use of facemasks in any public space, both indoor and outdoor, in all counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases.

Wisconsin: Lingering business disruptions are likely to persist in Wisconsin through at least late July, despite a Wisconsin Supreme Court decision that ordered most state-level business and movement restrictions, that had been implemented in response to coronavirus disease (COVID-19), to be lifted May 13. However, multiple counties have maintained or reimposed restrictions in recent weeks, in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. As of July 10, the city of Milwaukee on Phase 4 of its economic recovery plan, under which most businesses can operate but under capacity limits, including retail stores, gyms, restaurants, and libraries. Gatherings of more than 250 people are banned, and the use of face masks is strongly recommended. Authorities in Dane County have ordered the use of face masks when in public, starting July 13, and have limited gatherings to no more than 10 people indoors and no more than 25 people outdoors. Indoor services at bars are banned, and services at restaurants can only be offered at 25 percent capacity. In the city of Racine, restaurants can offer dine-in services at 50 percent, and gyms can operate at 25 percent.

MDTI-WA-2020-595
Date: 13 July 2020

CZECH REPUBLIC – MAINTAINS INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 10, 2020

Country of Territory: CZECH REPUBLIC
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-594
Date: 13 July 2020

UNITED KINGDOM – LIFTS QUARANTINE REQUIREMENT FOR SEVERAL COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES ENTERING THE COUNTRY

Country of Territory: UNITED KINGDOM
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-593
Date: 13 July 2020

KUWAIT – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 10, 2020

Country of Territory: KUWAIT
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-592
Date: 13 July 2020

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – CANCELS VISA EXTENSION FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS AFFECTED BY COVID-19 PANDEMIC; UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 11, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Authorities in the UAE canceled a visa extension for foreign nationals impacted by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Foreign nationals whose visas had expired March 1-31 have been given three months from July 11 to renew their documents, after authorities revoked an earlier decision to extend their validity through Dec. 31. Foreign nationals currently abroad have been given a grace period to return once flights between their location and the UAE resume.

Movement and Travel Restrictions:
On July 4, Abu Dhabi Emirate eased intra-Emirate travel restrictions for its residents, permitting 48-hour trips outside the emirate, provided a COVID-19 test is taken before departure. Trips lasting longer than 48-hours require a test to be taken outside of Abu Dhabi before arrival. Residents of other emirates wishing to enter Abu Dhabi must still be tested before their arrival. Results must be presented to authorities via the UAE’s “Al Hosn” app or through an official message from any hospital or screening center affiliated with the country’s National Screening Programme. Previously, Abu Dhabi authorities had implemented a permit system.

Residents and nationals wishing to leave the UAE must first obtain a permit from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA). Any traveler exiting from an Abu Dhabi-based airport must obtain a negative COVID-19 test 48-hours prior to departure. Travelers must also complete a health declaration form. All returning residents, except those from Dubai, have to be tested in the country they were in, before boarding a flight to the UAE. Currently, there are accredited labs in 106 cities across 17 countries. Additional labs will likely be added. Upon arrival, travelers will undertake another COVID-19 test and quarantine for 14-days. Regular inbound flights for tourists and visitors are not yet flying into Abu Dhabi.

Residents of Dubai Emirate must apply via Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) for permission to return. If flying with Emirates Airlines (EK), certain flights require a negative COVID-19 test certificate obtained 96-hours prior to departure. All travelers to Dubai, including passengers with a connecting flight, must complete a health declaration form. Upon arrival, travelers will take a COVID-19 test and remain in their residence until they have received the test result. Residents are required to register their details on the “COVID-19 DXB” app on arrival and before departure. Residents of Dubai will not be permitted to leave their residencies until they have received their results.

Since July 7, international tourists have been permitted into Dubai. Travelers must have travel insurance with COVID-19 cover or declare that you will bear the costs associated with treatment if necessary before you travel. Tourists must obtain a negative COVID-19 test obtained 96-hours prior to departure. A test is also available on arrival in Dubai, if travelers have not taken one in their home country. If taking a test upon arrival, travelers will have to undergo isolation until they have received their result.

Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways have resumed some regular nonrepatriation flights to several global destinations. Passengers are only permitted to fly if they comply with their destination countries’ entry criteria and requirements.

Following the completion of the national disinfection campaign, Dubai trams have resumed regular operation hours. Since at least May 30, other shared transportation services in Dubai, including marine transportation, are operational.

MDTI-WA-2020-591
Date: 13 July 2020

AUSTRALIA – PLANS TO REDUCE INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS STARTING JULY 10, 2020

Country of Territory: AUSTRALIA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

The government will reduce international arrivals in Australia by half from July 10, following a surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Victoria. Officials say the reduction will cut seat availability by 4,000 weekly so authorities can focus on contact tracing and managing COVID-19 within the country. Canberra will also encourage states to make inbound passengers pay for quarantine.

Despite the easing of border restrictions in some areas, state authorities will likely maintain roadblocks and checkpoints to prevent travelers from Victoria from entering. Many states are requiring cross-border travelers to complete health declaration forms. Authorities in states with border restrictions require all arriving travelers – including mainland Australian and Tasmanian residents – to self-quarantine for two weeks. Some states may require visitors from Victoria to quarantine in designated facilities at their own expense if they can enter. Only essential personnel are exempt from the requirement. Some state governments are requiring isolated people to take mandatory COVID-19 tests before releasing them from confinement. Refusal to take the tests may result in an extended quarantine period. Additional state governments may also issue testing requirements in the coming days, depending on their caseloads.

Travel Restrictions:
An entry ban for foreign nationals remains in effect. Permanent residents and long-term pass holders, as well as their immediate relatives, can enter the country. The government is requiring all returning passengers to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is maintaining its outbound international travel advisory for citizens at “Do Not Travel,” the highest level, and the country has banned most citizens from outbound travel. Citizens living in other countries, government officials on business, and workers at offshore facilities are exempt from the restriction. Exceptions are also in place for airline and maritime staff and crews for international cargo shipments.

MDTI-WA-2020-590
Date: 13 July 2020

INDONESIA – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 13, 2020

Country of Territory: INDONESIA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Indonesian authorities continue to implement large-scale social distancing measures in several localities as of July 13 to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Regional governments in areas with significant COVID-19 activity can apply to the central authorities to enact large-scale social distancing measures that are extendable up to four weeks at a time. While measures vary by location, common restrictions in these areas include suspending schools and closing most workplaces, except for some essential sectors like medical and food supplies. Entry and exit restrictions are also in effect in locations implementing large-scale social distancing regulations. Exemptions are in place for government officials, medical workers, businesspeople in essential sectors, and people attending family funerals or visiting critically ill relatives, among others. A nationwide public health emergency declaration remains in effect until further notice.

The central government is requiring intercity land and sea travelers to produce certificates stating they have tested negative for COVID-19 to stem the spread of the virus. Domestic air travelers need to undergo rapid testing, which indicates the likelihood of a person carrying COVID-19, though it does not definitively confirm an infection. The passengers also have to show their identification documents and download the PeduliLindungi contact tracing application. Authorities are also requiring planes and public land transport to operate with 70 percent of their capacity, while private-hire vehicles and taxis can operate with 50 percent capacity. There is no capacity limit for sea transport, though other health protocols are in place.

Travel Restrictions:
Authorities continue to ban foreign nationals from entering and transiting the country, with exemptions for permanent residents, diplomats, and transport workers. Officials require inbound passengers to produce documents stating they are free from COVID-19; travelers without the certificates will undergo tests upon arrival in Indonesia and be isolated in government-designated premises until test results are released. Arrivals will also have to download the PeduliLindungi contact tracing application. Symptomatic passengers will undergo quarantine at government-designated facilities. Authorities will advise all inbound passengers to self-quarantine for two weeks.

Officials are also requiring individuals leaving Indonesia to produce certificates stating that they do not carry COVID-19. Indonesia’s central and regional governments have sometimes provided conflicting information on COVID-19 restrictions in recent weeks; changes to measures may occur at short notice.

MDTI-WA-2020-589
Date: 13 July 2020

JAPAN – CONTINUES TO EASE NATIONWIDE RESTRICTICTIONS

Country of Territory: JAPAN
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-588
Date: 13 July 2020

HONG KONG – TIGHTENS RESTRICTIONS DUE TO INCREASE IN COVID-19 CASES

Country of Territory: HONG KONG
Affected Areas: HONG KONG
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-587
Date: 10 July 2020

UNITED STATES – SEVERAL STATES UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 10, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED STATES
Affected Areas: MULTIPLE U.S. STATES
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Florida: As of July 9, authorities in Florida have maintained statewide restrictions, while several counties have increased restrictions within their jurisdictions, to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Florida remains on Phase 2 of its economic recovery plan since June 5, under which indoor entertainment businesses, such as movie theaters may open at 50 percent capacity, dine-in services at restaurants may operate at 50 percent capacity, and personal care businesses, gyms, and retail stores may operate at full capacity, as long as they ensure social distancing measures. Amusement parks can also operate. Gatherings of more than 50 people are discouraged. Since June 26, state authorities have ordered nightclubs and bars that earn more than half of their income on the sale of alcohol, to suspend the sale of alcohol on-site. Authorities have also urged all residents to wear facemasks whenever social distancing is not possible. All residents 65 years and older, and those with underlying medical conditions, are encouraged to limit interactions outside their households, avoid crowds, and avoid crowded spaces.

State officials also maintain in place until further notice an order for travelers entering the state from New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. The order does not apply to persons employed by airlines or those performing military, emergency, or health service. It also does not apply to people involved in commercial activity, students traveling for academic work, or any program approved by an educational institution.

Missouri: As of July 9, state authorities in Missouri have only minimal restrictions in place as part of their effort to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). All state-level restrictions were lifted June 16 under Stage 2 of Missouri’s economic recovery plan. Nevertheless, businesses that have reopened must still comply with certain mandates aimed at preventing new spikes in disease activity, such as performing temperature checks, enhancing sanitation procedures, enforcing social distancing guidelines, monitoring employees for symptoms, and minimizing business travel, among other things. Moreover, state directives empower city and county officials to maintain stricter restrictions within their jurisdictions if they consider it necessary to protect public health.

As of July 8, Ohio Governor has issued orders to implement a system, called the Health Advisory System, which allows authorities to better track increases in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity, and impose additional restrictions in the most affected counties. Statewide restrictions remain unaltered, with officials continuing to strongly recommend individuals, especially those 65 years and older and those with underlying health conditions, to remain at home as much as possible.

Statewide, authorities have eased multiple business restrictions, allowing museums, zoos, movie theaters, and other indoor entertainment facilities to reopen. Office-based businesses, retail stores, dine-in services at restaurants and bars, personal care businesses, and gyms and fitness centers may also operate. All businesses must follow safety guidelines. These include requiring all employees to wear protective facemasks, conducting evaluations of workers’ health, enhancing sanitation procedures, limiting the number of persons allowed in establishments at a given time, staggering shifts, and maintaining social distancing. Employers should continue to encourage employees to work from home as much as possible.

Pennsylvania: As of July 9, authorities in Pennsylvania have issued restrictions for travelers entering the commonwealth from certain US states, as part of the administration’s efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Anyone traveling from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, or Utah must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Pennsylvania. The list of states may change in the coming days depending on COVID-19 activity. Additionally, travelers from Delaware, Iowa, and Oklahoma will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days if entering Philadelphia Country.

Nevertheless, authorities are continuing to ease business restrictions statewide. As of July 3, all counties in Pennsylvania are in Phase Green of the commonwealth’s three-tier economic recovery plan. Under this phase, which indicates the highest level of normalization, retail stores and businesses that are not customer-facing can operate at 75-percent capacity. Restaurants and bars can offer dine-in services at 50-percent capacity. Personal care businesses, such as barbershops and hair salons, can operate by appointment only at 50-percent capacity. Entertainment venues, including theaters, cinemas, and casinos, gyms, fitness clubs, and indoor recreation centers may operate at 50-percent capacity. Childcare centers are allowed to open, and all construction projects may resume. Gatherings of up to 250 people are allowed.

MDTI-WA-2020-586
Date: 10 July 2020

EUROPE – UPDATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 9, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-585
Date: 10 July 2020

TAIWAN – EASES ENTRY RESTRICTIONS FOR SEVERAL COUNTRIES BEGINNING JULY 10, 2020

Country of Territory: TAIWAN
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-584
Date: 9 July 2020

UNITED STATES – SEVERAL STATES UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 9, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED STATES
Affected Areas: MULTIPLE U.S. STATES
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-583
Date: 9 July 2020

NETHERLANDS – CONTINUES TO EASE RESTRICTIONS

Country of Territory: NETHERLANDS
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-582
Date: 9 July 2020

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA – EXTENDS RESTRICTIONS AT LEAST UNTIL JULY 15, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-581
Date: 9 July 2020

LAOS – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 8, 2020

Country of Territory: LAOS
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-580
Date: 8 July 2020

UNITED STATES – SEVERAL STATES UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JULY 8, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED STATES
Affected Areas: MULTIPLE STATES
Incident: RESTRICTIONS

Illinois: As of July 6, Illinois Governor is maintaining certain restrictions statewide. Essential businesses, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, fuel stations, and essential government services, have not been subject to mandatory COVID-19-related closures. All establishments that operate must comply with strict mandates aimed at preventing further spread of COVID-19, including limitations on operating capacity, use of face coverings or other personal protective equipment, and enforcement of social distancing guidelines, among other things. Such mandates may vary by industry or type of business.

There are no requirements for travelers entering Illinois State; however, authorities in the city of Chicago are imposing quarantine orders from July 6. All travelers entering Chicago from Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah, must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

Michigan: As of July 7, Michigan Governor has issued orders reimposing certain business. Much of the state, except the Traverse City and Upper Peninsula regions, will remain on Phase 4 of the state’s economic recovery plan until further notice. The new restrictions order the closure of indoor service at bars in all regions that remain in Phase 4; bars can continue offering outdoor and delivery services in those areas.

Statewide, residents are instructed to maintain a proper distance from others whenever they are in public and to wear a protective face covering when they enter an enclosed public space. Employees are urged to work from home whenever possible. Employers must comply with specific social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) mandates, along with enhanced sanitation and health screening procedures, among other things.

New Mexico: As of July 7, New Mexico Governor has imposed restrictions for travelers entering the state and has maintained previously imposed business restrictions. Under the new directives, all travelers entering New Mexico from any other US state must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Officials also urge all residents to restrict travel outside their homes to the minimum necessary and have ordered the use of facemasks whenever residents are in public places. Retailers must ensure all customers wear facemasks before entering their premises.

Mass gatherings remain prohibited. Retail stores and houses of worship will continue to operate at 25 percent of maximum occupancy. Essential businesses, including grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, and those in the security, critical manufacturing, transport, and healthcare sectors, have not been subject to closures; however, social distancing mandates and capacity limitations still apply to such establishments. Recreational facilities, such as movie theaters, museums, and amusement parks, must remain closed.

New York State: Authorities in New York State are continuing to ease business restrictions, while adding new states to their mandatory traveler quarantine list to limit any future spike of the virus. Beginning July 8, all regions, with the exception of New York City, will have moved to Phase 4 of the plan, enabling some arts and entertainment businesses to reopen, as well as social gatherings of up to 50 people to resume. New York City entered Phase 3 on July 6, allowing personal care services to reopen at 50-percent capacity, low-risk youth sports to resume, and gatherings of up to 25 people to take place; however, indoor dining at restaurants remains banned.

Moreover, all individuals entering New York from any state that has a positive COVID-19 test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents, or positivity rate of 10 percent or higher over a seven-day average, must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Specific states affected by the directive as of July 7 are: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. The list of impacted states could change with little to no notice.

New Hampshire: Authorities in New Hampshire have eased certain travel restrictions as part of the state’s response to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during early July. As of July 3, travelers from Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island have been allowed to enter New Hampshire without the need to self-quarantine. However, travelers from other US states must continue to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

MDTI-WA-2020-574
Date: 6 July 2020

AUSTRALIA – NEW SOUTH WALES CLOSES ITS BORDER WITH VICTORIA STARTING JULY 8, 2020

Country of Territory: AUSTRALIA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: BORDER CLOSURE

New South Wales officials will close the state’s border with Victoria beginning 0001HRS July 8 due to rising community transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in parts of Melbourne. New South Wales Police will enforce the border restriction. New South Wales government will make exceptions for freight shipments and critical services. Exemptions are also likely for residents in border areas, though details remain unclear. Officials have not announced when border traffic will resume.

Authorities plan to deploy officers and other staff to crossings between the states; officials will also monitor the border constantly with surveillance equipment and aircraft. Shipping delays and traffic congestion are possible at border crossings. Although the closure is likely to cause significant transport disruptions between the two states, the New South Wales government will allow some passenger train and plane travel. However, visitors must obtain a permit from state authorities before attempting to enter the state.

Victoria residents traveling to New South Wales before the deadline will have to undergo self-quarantine for two weeks. New South Wales residents returning from Victoria will have to self-isolate for two weeks.

MDTI-WA-2020-569
Date: 3 July 2020

CANADA – UPDATED TRAVEL BAN AS OF JULY 3, 2020

Country of Territory: CANADA
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

MDTI-WA-2020-563
Date: 1 July 2020

UNITED STATES – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS OF SEVERAL STATES AS OF JULY 1, 2020

Country of Territory: UNITED STATES
Affected Areas: MULTIPLE STATES
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Arizona: Arizona Governor has issued an executive order to reimpose certain business restrictions through at least July 27, due to an increase in COVID-19 activity in the state. According to the directive, organized events of more than 50 people are banned, even if social distancing measures are in place. Authorities also ordered the closure of bars, indoor gyms and fitness centers, indoor movie theaters, water parks, and tubing operations until at least July 27. Officials have also suspended the issuance of licenses for special events and announced the postponement of the first day of classes in public schools to Aug. 17. Pools can remain open, but gatherings of more than 10 people in or around pools will be banned.

State authorities have also allowed local officials to impose orders for residents to wear masks if they choose to. Officials in Tucson and Phoenix have imposed such measures. All residents, especially those 65 years or older or those with underlying medical conditions, are advised to limit their time outside their homes and to maintain a proper distance from people from outside their household.

Idaho: Idaho Governor will maintain the state on Stage 4 of its coronavirus disease (COVID-19) recovery plan until at least July 10, under which all businesses can operate, albeit with some restrictions. However, state authorities have allowed individual counties to impose additional restrictions if they consider it necessary due to COVID-19 activity.

Rhode Island: Rhode Island Governor issued an order to ease additional restrictions June 30, as part of Phase 3 of the state’s economic recovery plan due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Under the new directive, social gatherings of up to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors are allowed, while public events of up to 125 people indoors and 250 people outdoors are also allowed. However, any event with more than 100 attendants must submit plans to state authorities.

Officials are maintaining certain restrictions for travelers from out of state. Travelers entering from states with 5 percent or greater positivity rate of COVID-19 must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival unless they have a negative COVID-19 test taken within the 72 hours prior to their arrival in Rhode Island.

Authorities have ordered the use of face coverings indoors and outdoors, whenever social distancing measures cannot be maintained.

Massachusetts: Massachusetts Governor issued an order to ease travel restrictions for people entering the state starting July 1, as part of its economic recovery plan due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Travelers entering Massachusetts from Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New York, or New Jersey will not be required to self-quarantine upon arrival, starting July 1. However, travelers from the rest of the country will continue to be required to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Authorities have also maintained the requirement for all residents and visitors to wear a face mask in public places when social distancing measures are not possible.

MDTI-WA-2020-558
Date: 30 June 2020

SOUTHEAST ASIA: UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JUNE 30, 2020

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: SOUTHEAST ASIA
Incident: TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Brunei: Authorities have banned foreigners, including long-term pass holders, from entering or transiting the country. Officials have also suspended all travel, student, and dependent visas. The government has also banned locals, permanent residents, and foreigners holding Bruneian identification cards from leaving the country. Only foreigners undergoing a medical emergency or resuming studies overseas can depart with approval from the Prime Minister’s Office. Arrivals will undergo quarantine at designated facilities for 14 days. Officials are requiring inbound foreign workers in the oil and gas industry to undergo COVID-19 tests before entering and upon arrival in the country. The employees will need to take the pre-trip test within 48 hours before departing for Brunei.

Cambodia: Officials have allowed cross-border travel with Vietnam for non-tourism purposes to resume; travelers will have to adhere to relevant health protocols. Issuance of tourist visas and e-visas, visa-on-arrival services, and visa exemption remain suspended. Foreign visitors will need to obtain a visa from Cambodian diplomatic missions and provide proof of medical insurance worth at least USD 50,000 and a medical certificate from local health authorities stating they have not tested positive for COVID-19. Officials will test all arriving passengers for COVID-19 and require all travelers to quarantine for 14 days if any passenger tests positive for the disease. Authorities will permit travelers who test negative to self-quarantine; inbound foreign nationals will have to pay a USD 3,000 deposit to cover the costs, including USD 100 for the COVID-19 testing and USD 30 for a certificate stating they do not carry the virus. Most border checkpoints remain closed.

Indonesia: The government has banned foreigners from entering or transiting the country. The restriction exempts permanent residents, diplomats, and transport workers. Officials require inbound passengers to produce documents stating they are free from COVID-19; travelers without the certificates will undergo tests upon arrival in Indonesia and be isolated in government-designated facilities until test results are released. Arrivals will also have to download the PeduliLindungi contact tracing application. Inbound travelers who show COVID-19 symptoms will undergo quarantine at government-designated premises. Authorities are advising all incoming passengers to self-quarantine for two weeks. Officials are also requiring individuals leaving Indonesia to produce certificates that they do not carry COVID-19. The government has sometimes provided conflicting information about COVID-19 restrictions in recent weeks; changes to measures may occur at short notice.

Laos: Authorities continue to ban international travel and suspend visa issuance, with exceptions for resident diplomats and essential workers, among others. The government is allowing foreigners already in the country to depart, while citizens can travel overseas for urgent reasons, such as essential government duties or medical purposes. People wishing to enter Laos must test negative for COVID-19 at a medical institution in the country where they come from within 72 hours before the trip. Officials will require symptomatic arrivals to undergo tests and quarantine at selected hospitals. Other incoming passengers are required to isolate for two weeks at government-designated facilities; authorities may allow diplomats, employees of international organizations, and their family members to self-quarantine at their residence.

Malaysia: Authorities have prohibited foreign nationals from entering Malaysia. Exemptions are in place for resident diplomats, foreign spouses and dependents of Malaysian citizens, and expatriate employees working in essential industries and their dependents. The expatriate employees will need to present a letter from their employer and obtain approval from authorities. Officials are allowing arrivals, including foreigners who can still enter Malaysia, to undergo 14-day quarantine at their residence. These travelers will also be required to download the MySejahtera mobile application. Malaysian nationals remain banned from traveling abroad while the restrictions are in place. Malaysian and Singaporean authorities plan to allow limited cross-border travel for some groups of people, including long-term immigration pass holders; the start date of the measure remains unclear.

Myanmar: Officials are requiring foreigners entering the country for professional purposes, such as construction projects, to self-quarantine for seven days in the country of origin, before undergoing seven days of isolation at government-designated facilities upon arrival in Myanmar and seven days of self-quarantine at home. These individuals also have to obtain a document stating they are free from COVID-19 prior to the trip. Authorities had earlier announced that resident diplomats and UN officials may undergo quarantine at their residence for two weeks. Visa-on-arrival and e-visa issuance for tourism purposes remain suspended. Returning Myanmar nationals must undergo a 21-day quarantine at government-designated sites, followed by one week of self-isolation. International flights remain suspended, with limited exceptions, including for relief and cargo flights. The government has restricted cross-border movements, allowing only the transport of goods.

Philippines: The government continues to suspend all visas, including visas that the government has already issued, and visa-free privileges, effectively banning foreigners from entering the country. The restriction exempts foreign spouses and children of Philippine citizens and diplomatic staff and their dependents. All arriving travelers will undergo a two-week quarantine at government-designated facilities. Philippine citizens, except for Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and uniformed personnel on official duty, remain banned from departing the country.

Singapore: Authorities have banned the entry of short-term visa holders, with limited exceptions; the measure extends to work pass holders and their dependents, with exemptions for those providing essential services like healthcare and transport. All long-term visit pass and student pass holders will need to apply for government approval before traveling to Singapore. Officials are requiring all arriving passengers to submit an online health declaration up to three days before entering the country.

Timor-Leste: Officials have closed the country’s borders to all travelers, including East Timorese citizens; exemptions from the travel restrictions require approval from the Prime Minister’s Office. People who can enter the country will undergo a 14-day quarantine at government facilities.

Vietnam: Foreign nationals remain banned from entering the country, with exceptions for essential and skilled workers. Individuals who can enter Vietnam will undergo quarantine for 14 days at government-run facilities. Authorities plan to resume issuing electronic visas to foreign nationals from 80 countries, including Australia, mainland China, Japan, and the US, from July 1.

MDTI-WA-2020-551
Date: 30 June 2020

GERMANY – UPDATED NATIONWIDE RESTRICTIONS AS OF JUNE 30, 2020

Country of Territory: GERMANY
Affected Areas: NATIONWIDE
Incident: RESTRICTIONS

Germany lifted entry restrictions on travelers from all EU countries, except Spain, June 15. EU citizens may travel to and within Germany without restriction. Travelers from non-EU countries remain subject to restrictions, including the requirement of a valid reason for travel to Germany and a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period. Valid reasons for travel include nationals and residents returning home, cross-border commuters, and freight transport. These restrictions apply at land, air, and sea entry points.

Authorities have eased almost all other COVID-19 measures. Residents are required to wear masks in most public spaces, including public transport and retail shops. Social distancing regulations are currently scheduled to expire June 29, though they could be extended. Major public events, including parades and fairs, are banned until Aug. 31. Private indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 10 persons are permitted. Hotels and other short-term accommodations have reopened; hygiene and social-distancing guidelines must be observed. All retailers and nonessential businesses are permitted to reopen; however, limits have been placed on the number of customers in the store, and queues should be avoided.

MDTI-WA-2020-543
Date: 26 June 2020

UNITED STATES – UPDATED RESTRICTIONS OF SEVERAL STATES

Country of Territory: UNITED STATES
Affected Areas: MULTIPLE STATES
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Alabama: Alabama Governor is maintaining the state’s safer at home orders through at least 1700hrs July 3, urging all residents to minimize travel outside their homes. Most businesses, and entertainment and athletic establishments have been permitted to reopen under strict operating guidelines, as part of Alabama’s recovery plan.

All businesses must enhance sanitation procedures, ensure social distancing measures, provide protective equipment to employees, and encourage work from home whenever possible. Retail stores, entertainment venues (including theaters, cinemas, arcades, and bowling alleys), and athletic facilities (including fitness centers, commercial gyms, and spas) must limit their maximum capacity at 50 percent. Non-work-related gatherings remain banned if participants cannot maintain proper distancing; all residents are encouraged to maintain at least 1.8 meters (six feet) from people outside of their households.

Connecticut, New Jersey & New York: Authorities plan to implement new quarantine requirements on travelers arriving from certain locations elsewhere in the US as part of their effort to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As of 0001hrs June 25, all individuals entering Connecticut, New Jersey and New York from states with significant community transmission of the disease will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days. Affected states will include those having positive COVID-19 test rates higher than 10 per 100,000 residents, or positivity rates of 10 percent or higher over a seven-day average. Authorities plan to publish and regularly update a list of states that meet the quarantine requirements. Additionally, hotels must notify any guests arriving from affected states that they are to remain in quarantine for 14 days.

Nevada: Authorities in Nevada ordered all persons above the age of nine to fully cover their noses and mouths with a mask or other face coverings outside of their homes, including on both public and private property. People who cannot wear or remove a mask due to a medical condition or disability are exempt from the requirement. Individuals who fail to comply with the order are subject to criminal prosecution. The measure takes effect from 2359hrs June 25.

The order also mandates businesses operating under the state’s phased reopening plan to ensure all customers adhere to the requirement. Employers are also required to ensure that workers who directly interact with customers wear masks at all times. Authorities may close businesses that fail to comply with the order or suspend or revoke their licenses.

All businesses must limit the number of customers within their premises to 50 percent of their maximum capacity. Personal care businesses must provide services by appointment only. All businesses must enhance sanitation procedures and enforce social distancing standards between customers and employees. Companies are also encouraged to allow employees to work from home whenever possible, resume operations in stages, and close common areas.

Vermont: Vermont Governor is likely to continue easing restrictions on business operations and entertainment venues through early July as part of efforts to reopen the economy while maintaining some measures in response to coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Businesses and sectors previously authorized to reopen may continue as before. Close-contact businesses will still only be able to operate at 25-percent capacity. All businesses must enhance sanitation procedures, ensure social distancing between employees and customers, limit face-to-face interactions, ensure employees wear face coverings and other protective equipment if needed, and send any worker with COVID-19 symptoms home. Other nonessential businesses must remain closed, but their employees can work from home.

Since June 8, travelers are not required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival if they enter the state from a county in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, or Rhode Island, with 400 or fewer active COVID-19 cases per million residents. As of June 15, travelers from more affected areas in those states or the rest of the country may complete a 14-day quarantine, or a 7-day quarantine with a COVID-19 test, which has to come back negative. Travelers arriving by personal vehicle may complete the self-quarantine in their home state prior to travel, or their lodging establishment in Vermont upon arrival. Travelers arriving by public transport may complete the self-quarantine in their home state prior to travel, or their lodging establishment or with family or friends in Vermont upon arrival.

Washington: Officials in Washington State ordered all persons above the age of five to cover their noses and mouths with a mask or other face coverings in any indoor or outdoor public setting. Persons with a medical condition or disability that prevents them from wearing a mask are exempt from the order. People who are outdoors or are engaged in outdoor activities, such as walking, are permitted to remove their face covering so long as they maintain at least 1.8 meters (six feet) of distance from all persons with whom they do not share a household. Persons may also take off their coverings to eat at restaurants provided that they maintain at least six feet from guests seated at other tables. The order takes effect June 26.

North Carolina: North Carolina Governor issued an executive order extending restrictions on businesses through at least July 17 as part of Phase 2 of the state’s economic recovery plan in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The order also mandates that all persons 11 years of age or older use a mask or other face coverings to cover their mouths and noses whenever they come within 1.8 meters (six feet) of other people in retail businesses, restaurants, personal care businesses, childcare facilities, camps, state government offices, private or public transportation, high-density occupational settings, meat or poultry processing places, long-term-care facilities, and healthcare settings. Persons who have medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from using a face covering are exempt from the requirement. Persons may also remove their covering to eat or drink in public settings. The order is effective 1700hrs June 26.

All businesses must promote employees to work from home whenever possible, ensure the proper distance between workers and between customers, enhance sanitation, recommend face coverings, and encourage workers with symptoms to stay home. Local authorities may impose additional restrictions within their jurisdictions if they believe it is necessary for public health.

Transport and business disruptions are likely to continue. Authorities will almost certainly deploy additional security personnel to assist in enforcing the measure. Officials could amend the orders on short notice, depending on the disease activity in the coming weeks.

MDTI-WA-2020-538

Date: 24 June 2020

SOUTH AMERICA – BRAZIL AND PERU EXTENDS RESTRICTIONS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Country of Territory: MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
Affected Areas: SOUTH AMERICA
Incident: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Brazil: Officials in Brazil extended the existing ban on entry of all nonresident foreign nationals by air, land, and water for an additional 15 days as of June 20, as part of the country’s efforts to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Officials did not state when the 15-day period started, but the measure is likely to be in place through at least July 5. Foreign nationals with a layover in Brazil en route to their destination countries are exempt as long as they do not leave the international area of the airport. Foreigners will be allowed to cross the border into Brazil provided they have proof of an onward flight that takes them to their country of residence, but they will need permission from federal police. The entry restrictions do not apply to air, ground, or maritime freight transport, nor to humanitarian transport.

Domestically, authorities in most states have imposed additional movement and business restrictions of varying degrees of restrictiveness, such as suspending nonessential commercial activity, temporarily canceling in-person classes at schools and universities, restricting public transportation, and mandating the use of a protective mask for all individuals in public. The use of a protective mask is mandatory in major cities such as Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Sao Paulo.

Peru: Authorities in Peru have modified business and extended movement and other restrictions that are in force on the national and local levels as part of the country’s effort to combat the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Peru’s borders remain closed to all passenger traffic; international passenger flights to and from the country remain suspended. Several nations have agreements with Peru to allow limited flights to repatriate their citizens. Nationals of countries that do not have such arrangements may not leave Peru. The border closures do not apply to cargo shipments.

MDTI-WA-2020-527
Date: 1­7 June 2020

NORTHEAST ASIA- UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AS OF JUNE 17, 2020

Country of Territory: Multiple Countries
Affected Areas: Northeast Asia
Incident: Travel restrictions

Governments in Northeast Asia continue to enforce travel restrictions to prevent the transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Measures vary throughout the region; as of June 16, the following restrictions are in place:

Mainland China: Authorities continue to bar most foreign nationals from entering the country; exceptions are in place for diplomatic personnel and C visa holders, which officials generally issue to members of flight and shipping crews. Most travelers, regardless of nationality, are barred from entering or exiting land border checkpoints. Officials are allowing “fast track” entry for business travelers from South Korea to 10 Chinese locations, including Shanghai and Liaoning, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces. Passengers must have an invitation from a Chinese business, undergo testing in South Korea within 72 hours of travel, and undergo testing again during a one- or two-day quarantine in China. Authorities are also allowing “fast track” entry for essential business travelers from Singapore to Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces and Chongqing, Shanghai, and Tianjin municipalities. Travelers must receive a special pass from an inviting institution, test negative for COVID-19 within 48 hours of their departure, and obtain a visa. Passengers will undergo COVID-19 testing again upon arrival in China and isolate at designated facilities until their results are available. Business travelers testing negative will adhere to a pre-agreed itinerary and refrain from using public transport, except for private hire vehicles, for the first 14 days. The travelers will also have to download and use a health pass while in the country. Reports indicate the government is also allowing executive travel for some individual businesses under a similar model. Officials in many areas are enforcing quarantine measures for international travelers. Authorities are generally allowing nonresident passengers to stay in government-designated hotels at their own cost. While most quarantine periods are 14 days, some cities in border areas are requiring inbound travelers to self-quarantine and undergo medical observation for an additional 14 days.

Hong Kong: The government is maintaining a ban on all nonresident foreign nationals and residents of Hubei Province, mainland China. Travelers from Macau, Taiwan, and mainland China are exempt from restrictions provided they do not have a recent travel history to Hubei or elsewhere. Arriving passengers from these areas and foreign countries must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon entry into the territory. Hong Kong continues to restrict land border crossings with mainland China to the Shenzhen Bay checkpoint and along the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

Japan: Officials are maintaining an entry ban for foreign nationals with a travel history to 111 countries, including Russia, the US, China, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, and all of Europe, within 14 days of arrival. Officials also require all passengers arriving from affected countries to undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, which involves medical personnel taking a nasopharyngeal swab, upon arrival. Any inbound passenger allowed into Japan must undergo a 14-day quarantine period, either at home or in a government-designated facility.

Macau: Authorities have banned nonresident foreign nationals from entering the territory. Travelers from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China – except Hubei Province – are exempt from the measure but will not be allowed to enter if they have traveled elsewhere in the previous two weeks. Residents and allowed travelers that have visited “high-risk” countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, the US, Canada, Brazil, Egypt, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Iran, and New Zealand, within 14 days of arrival, will face mandatory quarantine at designated hotels. Residents and travelers who visited Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other countries may be allowed to self-isolate at home. Macau residents can travel to Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, for official reasons, essential business activity, and emergencies, such as attending funerals, without quarantine. Travelers must receive approval from health authorities via an online application and undergo a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 within 48 hours of traveling to Zhuhai. People receiving approval can travel across the border an unlimited number of times within seven days but cannot leave Guangdong. Macau authorities suspended new applications, June 14, due to high demand; additional, temporary application disruptions are possible.

Mongolia: The government has effectively banned international travel. Border closures are ongoing with Russia and China, though some commercial transport is occurring. Commercial flights connecting Mongolia with Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Japan, South Korea, and Turkey remain suspended. Authorities are placing arriving Mongolian citizens under a 14-day quarantine at their own expense.

North Korea: Authorities have effectively suspended inbound travel by foreign nationals. Officials are conducting increased health screenings and have imposed quarantine periods on foreign nationals, along with North Koreans arriving in Pyongyang.

South Korea: The government continues to ban all foreign travelers who have visited China’s Hubei Province within 14 days of arrival from entering the country. South Koreans who traveled to Hubei Province will need to self-quarantine for 14 days. Officials have halted visa-free and visa-waiver programs with countries that have entry bans for South Korean citizens. The restriction impacts travelers from 90 countries, including Australia, Canada, and most European nations. Authorities have also canceled existing short-term visas issued before April 5, requiring travelers to reapply for entry documents. The government plans to limit all but essential or urgent travel for foreign nationals to the country. Officials are testing all arriving travelers from the US and Europe. Officials will send arriving passengers that exhibit COVID-19 symptoms to designated quarantine facilities for testing. All inbound passengers, regardless of nationality and testing outcomes, are required to self-quarantine for 14 days. Staff could send patients that test positive to designated quarantine facilities.