With the wave of easing of restrictions linked to the current health crisis around the world, business travel is set to become a whole lot easier. The latest is particularly significant, as the United States has just abandoned the requirement to present a negative test to enter its territory. " US will end Covid-19 testing requirement for air travelers entering the country" Kevin Munoz, the White House spokesman, announced this in a tweet last Friday. And since Sunday 12 June, travellers arriving by plane have been able to cross the border without having to show their credentials, provided that they are fully vaccinated, as the United States is maintaining this requirement.
This announcement follows many other positive developments for travellers. Here's an overview of the measures in force around the world:
Europe
Sweden and Iceland in February, then the United KingdomIn March, Ireland, Hungary, Poland and Romania got the ball rolling by eliminating the need to provide proof of a complete vaccination schedule or to present the result of a negative testand to complete a passenger locator form. Since the spring, a large number of European countries have gradually lifted the requirement to present a certificate of vaccination, cure or negative test for travellers from the European Union or countries in the European Economic Area. This applies to Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. CroatiaDenmark, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland. Israel has also lifted all restrictions on entry to its territory.
If the Finland has lifted all restrictions, the authorities can check any type of document relating to COVID-19, such as test, vaccination or recovery certificates, in addition to identity documents. In their absence, travellers may be asked to undergo a test at a border centre.
From 1 June 2022, Cyprus as the Turkey have suspended all health measures relating to Covid-19. There are no health passes, vaccination certificates, tests or forms to fill in: all travellers can travel without any restrictions. However, anyone who tests positive on the spot will be quarantined for seven days and placed in isolation.
Among the countries still reluctant to lift all these measures, all travellers arriving in the Portugal must present a certificate of vaccination, recovery or a negative test. Passengers arriving by plane must also complete a Passenger Locator Card before departing for Portugal. Malta also asks all travellers to be in possession of either a valid vaccination certificate or a certificate of recovery less than 180 days old, or a negative test - less than 72 hours old for a PCR test and 24 hours old for an antigenic test.
Note that in some countries, masks are still required in certain casesOutside hospitals, of course. In Austria and Germany, for example, FFP2 masks are still compulsory on public transport in Berlin, Frankfurt and Vienna. The same applies in Italy on public transport, including flights, and in many entertainment venues. In Lithuania and Portugal, masks must also be worn on public transport.
Americas
As announced, all measures linked to the health crisis have been lifted on entry to the United States. Similarly, the health restrictions governing travel to the Mexico have been lifted.
Foreign nationals who have been fully vaccinated can travel to the Canada without restrictions, after submitting the required information on the ArriveCAN website. For unvaccinated persons, entry to the country requires the presentation of a negative result to a PCR test less than 72 hours old or an antigenic test less than 24 hours old. In addition, a 14-day quarantine period is required.
Visit BrazilSince April 2022, travellers have been allowed entry on condition that they present a vaccination certificate, either printed or electronic, to the airline before boarding. Other travellers must present a negative antigenic or PCR test less than 24 hours old before departure.
Africa - Middle East
South Africa
Since 23 March 2022, vaccinated travellers are no longer required to present a negative test on arrival. However, in the absence of a vaccination certificate, tourists must present a test carried out less than 72 hours before departure.
Ivory Coast
Without a full vaccination schedule, travellers arriving in or departing from Côte d'Ivoire should carry proof of a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old.
Kenya
Vaccinated travellers are exempt from the test, but must enter their vaccination certificate on the Global Haven site before boarding and print out the QR code generated by the site before arriving in the country. Travellers who do not have a complete vaccination schedule will have to carry out a PCR test less than 72 hours before the flight and upload it to the Global Haven website before boarding. They may also be required to undergo a chargeable antigen test on arrival.
Morocco
Entry to Morocco is subject to the presentation of a valid vaccination pass (the European vaccination pass is recognised in Morocco) or the negative result of a PCR test less than 72 hours old.
Maurice
The country requires all travellers, whether vaccinated or not, to complete a passenger identification and health form before departure or on arrival. Travellers with a complete vaccination schedule will also have to undergo a COVID-19 test on arrival, followed by a PCR test, either at the airport if they do not have a hotel reservation, or an antigen test at their place of stay.
Nigeria
From 4 April 2022, fully vaccinated passengers will be able to enter the country freely, without the need for a test. All others must present a negative PCR test less than 48 hours before their flight, and then undergo a second compulsory PCR test on the 2nd day of their arrival. In addition, all passengers are required to check in online at the official NCDC website.
Senegal
Since 29 March 2022, travellers have been authorised to enter Senegal on presentation of a vaccination certificate attesting to a complete vaccination schedule, or on presentation of a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old.
Tunisia
Since the end of May, Tunisia has abolished a 05-day self-containment period for foreign visitors who have not been vaccinated or who have not completed their vaccination schedule, subject to presentation of a negative result from a PCR test carried out 48 hours before boarding or a 24-hour rapid test. Proof of complete vaccination schedule (vaccination pass) is required for vaccinated travellers.
Asia-Pacific
If the China remains hermetically sealed, you can feel it opening at Hong Kong. The measures have been slightly improved since 1 May, with vaccinated international visitors once again able to travel to the Chinese city, with the compulsory hotel quarantine now reduced to seven days. In an interview with a Hong Kong radio station on Saturday 11 June, the government's Covid advisor David Hui Shu-cheong announced that it was highly likely that all restrictions on vaccinated travellers would be lifted when Hong Kong's new Chief Executive came to power on 1 July.
La South Korea has just ended the mandatory seven-day quarantine for unvaccinated travellers. Since June 8, all people travelling to the country are no longer subject to possible isolation. However, a negative PCR or antigen test result less than 48 hours old is still required before boarding.
L'Indonesia has also simplified the formalities for entering its territory since 18 May. As of this date, foreign nationals can enter Indonesia if they have been fully vaccinated in two or three doses. They must present a vaccination schedule and download the "PeduliLindungi" tracking application onto their mobile phone. On arrival, they must undergo a temperature check. If their temperature is above 37.5°, they must undergo a PCR test at their own expense. Health insurance is also compulsory. A visa is issued on arrival for all tourist visits.
Le Japan is opening its borders to tourists from abroad. Since 10 June, organised groups have been able to obtain visas, although the number of people entering Japan each day has been limited to 20,000. Entry is restricted, since travellers must present the result of a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old, and then undergo a saliva test on arrival at the airport. Following this, while people who have been fully vaccinated will be exempt from any quarantine period, others will have to undergo a 7-day quarantine in a place of their choice, which can be reduced to 3 days after a negative test.
The Philippines are also exempting travellers who have been vaccinated, even if incompletely, from the tests, and at the same time have abolished the requirement for travel insurance. Non-vaccinated travellers will have to present a negative result less than 48 hours old for a PCR test and 24 hours old for an antigenic test.
Singapore has lifted all restrictions for vaccinated travellers, including the requirement for a pre-test. Travellers simply need to complete a compulsory online certificate before departure and load the QR code for their vaccination pass. For those who forget to do this, there is the option of completing the form on arrival at Changi airport. Non-vaccinated persons are not authorised by the authorities unless exceptional permission is granted.
La ThailandAs of 1 June 2022, the WHO will not require a test for travellers with a complete vaccination schedule or for those who have recovered from COVID and received at least one dose of vaccine after their recovery, provided they present their certificate and carry proof of insurance certifying cover of at least USD 10,000 for medical treatment throughout their stay. Non-vaccinated travellers and travellers with an incomplete vaccination schedule are still subject to restrictions, as they must present a negative PCR or antigen test that is less than 72 hours old. At the same time, all travellers must show proof of registration on the Thailand Pass website. However, according to Thai newspapers, the Thailand Pass could be abolished on July 1. Visitors to the Kingdom would then be subject to the same entry conditions as before the pandemic.
Le Vietnam suspended all medical declarations for international arrivals and abolished Covid tests prior to departure. However, tourists entering Vietnam must produce medical or travel insurance that covers Covid treatment with a minimum liability of $10,000. French travellers can also once again visit the country without a visa for a stay not exceeding 14 days.
Pacific
Finally, in the Pacific, all restrictions have been lifted for travellers from the European Union going to Australia. In Australia, all passengers arriving from abroad are required to complete the DPD (Digital Passenger Declaration) and show proof of full vaccination. However, the country remains closed to non-vaccinated travellers, barring a few exceptions.
For the New ZealandFrom 1 August, all vaccinated travellers will be able to visit the country. A pre-departure covid test will probably no longer be required. Until 31 July, only foreign visitors (from outside the Pacific) with a work visa accredited by a company will be accepted.
