Until recently, Europe was being shaken by the so-called fourth wave of the coronavirus. Today, all eyes are turning in the direction of the recently discovered Omicron variant. With the accumulation of cases being recorded around the world, several are being taken to limit the proliferation of this new variant. 

As a matter of fact, numerous countries are introducing new epidemiological restrictions on travellers among others. France, for instance, decided to ban the entry of UK travellers (unless they have a compelling reason not including tourism) from Saturday the 18th of December. 

It is however important to emphasise that rules are being updated quite quickly and regularly. It is therefore complicated for travellers to plan any trip in the midst of such an unpredictable situation. 

It is also worth bearing in mind that everyone entering the UK must now take a PCR test within the first two days of arrival. The latter should be booked in advance. Furthermore, travellers are required to self-isolate until they receive a negative test result.

Here is a list of countries that banned the entering of travellers from the UK:

• • Australia (travellers must be granted an exemption)
  • Benin (entry is limited to “extreme necessity”)
  • Bhutan
  • Brunei (permit required from the Prime Minister’s Office)
  • Chile (proof of vaccination needs to be validated by the Chilean government, which can take up to 30 days)
  • China (all direct flights banned; restrictions in place for entry from third countries)
  • Cook Islands (borders are closed)
  • Eritrea (some flights are allowed in/out but options are extremely limited)
  • Falkland Islands (no tourists permitted)
  • Gabon (must receive authorisation from the government)
  • Hong Kong (quarantine at designated hotel required)
  • Japan
  • Indonesia (tourist visas not currently available for British nationals)
  • Laos
  • Iran (health certificate or 14 days’ quarantine required)
  • Kuwait
  • Macao
  • Madagascar (flights have resumed but options are limited)
  • Malaysia
  • Mongolia
  • Morocco (all flights banned until at least December 21)
  • Myanmar
  • Nauru
  • New Zealand
  • Niger (some flights have resumed; Covid test required on arrival, and you’ll need to self-isolate until the results are through)
  • Papua New Guinea (limited flights)
  • Pitcairn Island
  • Qatar (British arrivals must be fully vaccinated and quarantined in a hotel for two days)
  • Singapore (entry is possible but the rules are complicated, with a travel pass, vaccination certificate, travel insurance and testing required)
  • South Korea (complicated rules, with mandatory testing on arrival, unless travellers successfully apply for “quarantine exemption”)
  • Suriname
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand (must apply for permission to travel from the government)
  • Tonga
  • Turkmenistan
  • Vietnam

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen

Photo: Unsplash