India, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia or Sri Lanka. In recent weeks, announcements of a reopening of borders have been multiplying in Asian countries. Good news for travellers, Asia has so far been the continent most reluctant to welcome international tourists. Above all, it was a response to a very Asian psychosis of contamination by foreigners.
We may still remember the rantings of Thailand's Health Minister in March 2020, when he said that the spread of covid was caused by "dirty white people" travelling around the country. The...
India, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia or Sri Lanka. In recent weeks, announcements of a reopening of borders have been multiplying in Asian countries. Good news for travellers, Asia has so far been the continent most reluctant to welcome international tourists. Above all, it was a response to a very Asian psychosis of contamination by foreigners.
We may still remember the rantings of Thailand's Minister of Health, who in March 2020 said that the spread of covid was caused by "dirty white people" travelling in the country. The Minister has since toned down his xenophobic rhetoric, especially as he has incurred the wrath of the public for his inability to manage the pandemic in his country.
Little hope of China opening up even in 2022
In Japan and China, where nationalism permeates every stratum of society, The idea that the virus was spread by foreigners is an easy response from the political world. And one that resonates well with the public.
It is therefore clear that neither China nor Japan will be opening up to international tourism for a long time to come. "However, we have hopes for the South KoreaVietnam has just announced that it will be fully reopened by June 2022″, explains Guillaume Linton, Managing Director of tour operator Asia.
La China -including Hong Kong- will probably remain out of reach for most travellers until the end of 2022. The government of Hong Kong has even reject a shorter quarantine period for foreign travellers. It is one of the longest in the world at 21 days of absolute confinement…
As for the JapanAll it has done is shorten the compulsory quarantine from 14 to 10 days, a measure that offers little incentive to attract travellers. Especially when you consider the cost of a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. A ten-day quarantine, excluding transfers and tests, costs at least €1,500...
For the KoreaBusiness travellers can already travel to the country with a special certificate issued by a local company, proving that their trip is of an essential nature.
In South-East Asia, it's theIndonesia blows hot and cold. In September, the government announced a reopening of Bali without restriction to vaccinated travellers, it suddenly re-imposed an eight-day quarantine. On Thursday 7 October, however, the Indonesian President said he was in favour of a quarantine of just five days. To be continued...
A dozen Asian countries open in November
However, the good news is multiplying with a cascade of openings. Below is a list of countries due to reopen to foreign travellers in the coming weeks:
Cambodia - The kingdom is due to reopen normally to vaccinated tourists at the beginning of November, but an exact date has not yet been announced.
India - The country has just announced that it will reopen its borders to all vaccinated travellers from 15 October for those arriving on charter flights, and from 15 November for scheduled international flights. This distinction is being made because, at present, only scheduled charter flights to India are authorised.
Malaysia - The country needs to reach a vaccination rate of 90% before the end of the month, which would enable it to open its doors to vaccinated international tourists from December 1.
Uzbekistan - Since 25 August 2021, travellers have only been required to present proof of a PCR test less than 72 hours old with a negative result before boarding a plane. Vaccinated travellers are not subject to any other measures in Uzbekistan apart from producing an internationally recognised vaccination certificate.
Singapore - The country has just added France to the list of authorised travel corridors for vaccinated people. This means that travellers can enter Singapore without quarantine, and will only have to undergo two PCR tests - one carried out before departure and the other on arrival. After Germany, this measure applies in Europe not only to France, but also to nationals of Denmark, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. In all, citizens of 11 countries will be allowed to visit Singapore from 19 October...
Sri Lanka - Since 1 October, foreign travellers have simply had to obtain a visa, take a PCR test less than 72 hours old or an antigen test 48 hours before departure, and take out health insurance to travel to the country. Fully vaccinated visitors are exempt from quarantine.
Thailand - As things stand, it seems that on November 1 Thailand will reopen the destinations of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin Cha Am and Pattaya to international visitors on the model of the Phuket 'sandbox'. Visitors must bring an international vaccination certificate, book a hotel for seven consecutive nights in advance, take a PCR test before departure (plus two PCR tests on site), have Covid insurance for cover equivalent to $100,000 and, finally, obtain an entry certificate from the consular authorities to obtain a visa and stay in Thailand. Further easing measures are possible in December. The aim is for the country to be fully open to vaccinated people next January.
Vietnam - In November, the country reopened the island of Phu Quoc in the south, and in December the tourist destinations of Dalat, Hoi An, Halong and Nha Trang to vaccinated visitors only. The authorities have announced that the country will be fully open by June 2022. This information has prompted Vietnam Airlines to announce the return of most of its international routes on that date.
