031121 – COVID-19 Report

This report intends to give the UTD Community a snapshot of the impact, preventative measures, and travel restrictions due to COVID-19 as reported by the linked official sources from the U.S. and other countries.

Be aware that reported travel restrictions impacting international travel to specific countries may not apply the same to travelers from all countries.

Please note the revision date (mmddyy) of this report, printed on the title of the post, and go to the direct sources listed for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this report may change without prior notice.

Impact

• Lebanon * DOS * Reconsider travel to Lebanon due to COVID-19, crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest, kidnapping, and Embassy Beirut’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens.  Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a level 4 Travel Health Notice for Lebanon due to COVID-19. Limited transportation options are available, and some businesses are operating, usually with significant restrictions. Quarantine measures or entry restrictions are in place for certain U.S. citizen travelers. Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Lebanon.
• World * Communicable disease threats report, 28 February-6 March 2021, week 9 * COVID-19. Update of the week. Since week 2021-7 and as of week 2021-8, 2 685 122 new cases of COVID-19 (in accordance with the applied case definitions and testing strategies in the affected countries) and 52 370 new deaths have been reported. Globally, since 31 December 2019 and as of week 2021-8, 114 458 164 cases of COVID-19 have been reported, including 2 536 888 deaths. In the EU/EEA, 22 527 370 cases have been reported, including 547 276 deaths.

Preventative Measures

• Armenia * GOV.AU *Social distancing measures remain in place and you must wear a mask at all times when in public places, including on public and private transport.
• Belgium * GC.CA * Preventative measures and restrictions are in place. These measures may vary depending on the city or municipality. A curfew is in effect: from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in Brussels-Capital Region, from midnight to 5 a.m. in Flanders and Wallonia. You must wear a face covering in most indoor public spaces, on public transport (12 years and older) and in high-traffic outdoor public spaces where physical distancing is not possible. If you violate the restrictions, you could be fined for endangering public health.
• Belgium * GOV.UK * The measures include: the closure of restaurants, cafés and bars (except for takeaway service); a curfew from midnight – 5am in Flanders and Wallonia and from 10pm – 6am in Brussels; and the limitation of close contacts to one person (two contacts if you live alone). Teleworking is mandatory. Shops are allowed to open but shopping must be done individually (children under 18 may be accompanied by 1 parent), for a maximum of 30 minutes in a store. Contact professions such as hairdressers and beauty salons are open under strict protocols.
• Bermuda * GC.CA * Movement restrictions and preventative measures are in place, including a nationwide curfew from midnight to 5 a.m. You must wear a face covering in public.
• Bermuda * GOV.UK * Due to concerns around a recent outbreak of a UK variant of coronavirus, the curfew, which has been lifted, was reintroduced on 3rd March. Curfew is in place between 12am and 5am every day. All businesses now have to close at 11pm.
• Botswana * GC.CA * Preventative measures and restrictions are in place, including a nationwide curfew in effect from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. You must wear a face covering in public.
• Czech Republic * GC.CA * Preventative measures and restrictions are in place and a daily curfew is in effect from 9 p.m. to 4:59 a.m. From 5 a.m. to 8:59 p.m. you must stay inside your home or accommodations unless you need to perform essential activities. Inter-district travel is forbidden except for proven reasons of work, health or situations of necessity. You must wear FFP2 face mask on public transportation, in closed public spaces and in outdoor public spaces where physical distancing is not possible. Local authorities are actively monitoring and enforcing compliance. If you violate the measures, you could be fined for endangering public health.
• Dominican Republic * GC.CA * Preventative measures and restrictions are in place. A nationwide curfew is in effect from: 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekends. Exceptionally, you can travel back to you residence on public transportation until midnight on weekdays, and until 10 p.m. on weekends. You must wear a face covering in public and in private common areas.
• Dominican Republic * GOV.UK * A national State of Emergency has been declared and a curfew is in place nationwide. From Tuesday 2 March 2021 the nationwide curfew will be from 9pm to 5am Monday to Friday and from 7pm to 5am on Saturday and Sunday. Transit is permitted for the first three hours of curfew, i.e. until 12am Monday to Friday and until 10pm on Saturday and Sunday, only in order to travel home. There are some limited exceptions to the curfew, including those seeking assistance in a medical emergency, and international passengers and their drivers travelling to and from an airport. You may be arrested by police if you breach curfew, unless you meet one of the approved exemptions.
• Greece * GC.CA * Preventative measures and restrictions are in place and a nationwide curfew is in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. It is forbidden to travel between regional units. You must request a movement permission to exit your residence between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. The curfew is in effect from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the following regional units: Aetolia-Acarnania, Akhaia, Argolida, Arkadia, Arta, Attica (including Athens) – Saturdays and Sundays only, Chios, Evia, Fthiotida, Heraklio, Kalymnos, Korinthos, Larissa, Lefkada, Rhodes, Samos, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Viotia. You must wear a face covering in all public spaces. If you violate the restrictions, you could be fined for endangering public health.
• Greece * GOV.AU * Greece has COVID-19 restrictions in place, including nationwide lockdown measures. Restrictions on movement change frequently. Masks and social distancing are mandatory outside of your residence. Monitor the local media for latest information and follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Guadeloupe * GC.CA * Preventative measures and restrictions are in place including a nationwide curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in effect as of March 7, 2021. You must wear a mask in closed public spaces and in most outdoor public spaces. If you violate these restrictions, you could be fined for endangering public health.
• Jordan * GC.CA * Preventative measures and restrictions are in place:  A daily curfew is in effect from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. A 24-hour curfew is enforced on Fridays. You must wear a face covering and gloves in closed public spaces. If you violate the restrictions, you could be fined for endangering public health.
• Lebanon * GOV.AU * Confirmed cases of COVID-19 are increasing and hospitals are under strain. Local authorities have announced restrictions including a nightly curfew and closure of some areas and services. Masks are mandatory in public; you’ll be fined if you don’t wear one. Monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities.
• Lesotho * GC.CA * Nationwide movement restrictions are in place until further notice. A curfew is in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Stay inside your home or accommodations unless you need to: go to work if you are an essential worker, get essential goods, including food and medication, seek health care, attending funerals and religious services, leave due to an emergency. You must wear a face covering in all public spaces and while using private transport. Follow the instructions of local authorities, including those related to physical distancing.
• Lesotho * GOV.UK * Lesotho returned to “Purple Level” restrictions on 1 March 2021, resulting in some relaxation of restrictions on day to day activities and the opening of a greater variety of business and retail outlets.
• Mayotte * GC.CA * Preventative measures and restrictions are in place, including a general containment in effect nationwide until March 19, 2021. You must stay inside your home or place of residence unless you need to perform essential activities. If you need to leave your home, you must wear a face covering in public. If you violate these restrictions, you could be fined for endangering public health.
• Moldova * GOV.UK * Moldova has announced a state of emergency that will be in place until 15 April 2021. The Ministry of Health has announced the closure of restaurants and bars between 10pm to 7am. Night clubs and karaoke bars are closed. Theatres and concert halls are closed until 15 March.
• Montenegro * GOV.AU * Additional restrictions on movement are in place in Budva, Podgorica, Niksic, Kotor, Cetinje, Herzeg Novi, Ulcinj, Pluzine, Bar, Danilovgrad, Tuzi and Tivat municipalities. A nationwide curfew remains in place from 9pm to 5am. There is a weekend ban on intercity public transport from 9pm Friday to 5am Monday. If you’re staying in Montenegro, follow the advice of local authorities.
• Namibia * GC.CA * Preventative measures and restrictions are in place, including a nationwide curfew from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. You must wear a face covering in public spaces and while using private transport.
• New Caledonia * GOV.AU * COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in New Caledonia and authorities are enforcing strict confinement and social distancing measures, including mandatory wearing of masks and the need to carry movement statements (see Health). Fines apply for non-compliance.
• Papua New Guinea * GOV.AU * Due to an increase in reported cases of COVID-19 in PNG, you should limit travel within PNG for essential purposes only (see ‘Travel’).
• Peru * GOV.AU * There’s a nationwide curfew and lockdown measures in place.
• Réunion * GC.CA * Preventative measures and restrictions are in place, including a curfew in effect from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. across the island. You need a special certificate to travel during curfew hours. You must wear a mask in public spaces. If you violate these restrictions, you could be fined for endangering public health.
• Saudi Arabia * GOV.UK * The Ministry of Interior announced that dine-in services in cafes and restaurants could resume from Sunday 7 March 2021. Cinemas, indoor entertainment centres, gyms and sports centres are also open. Events and parties in banquet halls, wedding halls, hotels, rest houses and camps remain suspended.
• Saudi Arabia * GOV.AU * Restrictions are in place for public and social gatherings. Check with local authorities for latest advice.
• Slovakia * GOV.UK * The Slovak government has introduced further restrictions on mobility, which will come into force from 3 March. The 20-hour daily curfew is divided into two separate phases lasting from 5am to 8pm and from 8pm to 1am the following day. Between 5am and 8pm you may only leave home for certain permitted reasons. From 8pm until 1am exemptions are reduced further and you may only leave home for certain essential purposes including travel to work, to hospital or a pharmacy, or to walk a pet. For a list of permitted activities and exemptions, some of which may require a recent negative Covid test, see the local English language media. The Slovak Spectator. The new measures are also explained in full (in Slovak only) on the Slovak Public Health Authority website. People who test positive for Covid-19 can no longer go into shops, and may only leave home to visit a doctor or a pharmacy. Travelling between districts in order to take exercise in the countryside is no longer permitted. However, inhabitants of Bratislava may travel within the Bratislava region, and inhabitants of Kosice may travel within the Kosice “okolie” districts. The authorities may stop you on main roads, at district borders and in public spaces to check whether your travel is essential. From 8 March, FFP2 standard facemasks, or higher, will be obligatory in all shops and on public transport. From 15 March FFP2 standard facemasks, or higher, will be obligatory in all indoor areas, apart from at home.
• South Africa * GC.CA * Preventative measures and restrictions are in place, including a nationwide curfew from midnight to 4 a.m. You must wear a face covering in public.
• South Africa * GOV.AU * Level One lockdown restrictions apply across the country. A curfew is in place from midnight to 4am. Wear a face mask in public and follow the advice of local authorities.
• Thailand * GOV.AU * Thailand continues to experience local transmission of COVID-19. Wear a mask, practice social distancing and follow government restrictions.
• Timor-Leste * GOV.AU * Timor-Leste has established an isolation zone restricting travel to and from Dili municipality effective from 9 March to 16 March 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under isolation rules, all individuals remain at home except when necessary to leave, for example to seek medical assistance, to participate in police or judicial processes, to purchase goods and essential services or to fulfill professional obligations that have not been waived by your employer. All social, cultural and religious events that involve gatherings of people are prohibited. An isolation zone is also in effect for Covalima municipality.
• Turkey * GOV.AU * There are four tiers of COVID-19 restrictions, based on provincial infection levels and vaccination rates. A nightly curfew between 9pm to 5am remains in place across Turkey. In provinces in the ‘high’ and ‘very high’ risk categories for COVID-19, a curfew will also be applied from 9pm on Saturday to 5am on Monday (see ‘Travel’).
• Zimbabwe * GC.CA * Preventative measures and restrictions are in place, including a nationwide curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. During daytime, you must stay inside your home or accommodations unless you need to perform essential activities. Travel between cities or regions is restricted. You must wear a face covering in public. If you violate these restrictions, you could be fined or detained for endangering public health.
• Zimbabwe * GOV.UK * People can gather in shops, offices and other business places. Up to 50 people are able to gather for religious services and up to 30 people can gather for a funeral. Marriages can now take place but only with the couple and their witnesses in attendance. Everyone in a public place must observe social distancing (i.e. keep at least one metre apart) and wear a face mask. Gyms remain closed but people can participate in low risk sports between 8am and 70pm daily. Essential services such as hospitals, pharmacies and supermarkets remain open between 8am and 7pm only. Restaurants are open for takeaways. Bars and night clubs are closed. Off-licenses may sell take away alcohol only between 8am and 4.30pm. Hotel bars and restaurants able to serve hotel guests.
• Zimbabwe * GOV.AU * A nationwide lockdown remains in place, though restrictions are easing. A curfew is in place from 10pm to 5.30am. Essential businesses are open from 8am to 7pm. Letters for essential travel are no longer required. Face masks remain mandatory in public (see ‘Travel’).

Travel Restrictions

• Armenia * GOV.AU * You can enter Armenia with a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test result taken no more than three days before your arrival. If you arrive without a test result, you’ll be required to take a test at the airport and isolate until the results are available.
• Austria * GOV.UK * A landing ban is in place for all flights from the UK to Austria until 11:59pm on 21 March
• Azerbaijan * GOV.UK * The requirement for COVID-19 certificates to have QR codes has been rescinded.
• Belize * GOV.UK * Travellers can be exempted from testing at the airport if you provide proof of having received two full doses of COVID-19 vaccine. All travellers must have a negative PCR test required 96 hours prior to travel.
• British Virgin Islands * GOV.UK * All persons permitted to travel from the UK, the Dominican Republic, South Africa and Brazil (nationals, belongers, residents, work permit holders, persons permitted to reside in the territory, diplomats and persons employed by BVI Government and Statutory Agencies) will be subjected to the following testing and quarantine protocols: All travellers will need approval prior to entry. This can be obtained through the online BVI Portal, A certified rt-PCR negative test within five days prior to arrival, Quarantine in an approved location for a period of 14 days, Tests on arrival, day 7 and day 14 and if all are negative be allowed full movement within the Territory, All arriving passengers will be issued with and required to wear a tracking bracelet, A charge of $175 per person will be collected from all passengers to cover the cost of in-Territory testing and the BVI Portal app. Further information can be found at the website of the Government of the Virgin Islands
• Bulgaria * GOV.AU * Bulgarian authorities have extended the epidemic state of emergency until at least the end of April 2021. Travellers from countries with higher COVID-19 risk may be denied entry to Bulgaria. A temporary ban on all travel from the UK is currently in place. Travellers must have a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test result taken no more than 72 hours before arriving in country and may be subject to quarantine measures (see ‘Travel’).
• Cook Islands * GOV.AU * The Cook Islands has closed its borders to passenger flights in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Auckland. If the situation in Auckland improves, passenger flights will be reinstated on 9 March. Contact your airline or travel agent if your flight has been impacted.
• Croatia * GOV.AU * Travel to Croatia is restricted for non-EU nationals due to COVID-19. Some exemptions apply. You must show a negative COVID-19 test (PCR) at the border, taken within 48 hours before your arrival. Other restrictions exist.
• French Polynesia * GOV.AU * You must seek approval to travel to and from French Polynesia. You need to provide supporting documents to the French High Commission in French Polynesia at least six days before your flight. You must present your boarding clearance and other relevant documents from local authorities at check-in. All arrivals over the age of 11 are required to pay a contribution towards their quarantine costs. Measures may change at short notice (see ‘Travel’).
• Ireland * GOV.AU * You must show a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test taken within 72 hours prior to your arrival in Ireland. Some exemptions exist, including for travellers from Northern Ireland, children under six and transit passengers. If you travel from a designated high risk ‘Category 2’ country, you must isolate for 14 days on arrival, even if you take a second COVID-19 test after arrival. Non-compliance with COVID-19 restrictions may result in prosecution and penalties including fines and imprisonment.
• Jamaica * GC.CA * All travellers are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours prior to their departure for Jamaica. Business travellers can released from their quarantine if they present to the Ministry of Health and Wellness a negative COVID-19 test result conducted after arriving in Jamaica.
• Jamaica * GOV.UK * The Government of Jamaica has extended the travel ban on flights coming in country from the UK until Monday 22 March 2021. Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have suspended all flights in both directions in this period.
• Kazakhstan * GOV.AU * Kazakhstan has resumed limited direct commercial flights with some countries, but its borders remain closed to most foreigners. If granted permission to travel, you’ll need to show a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test result taken within three days of your arrival. Contact your airline or your nearest embassy or consulate of Kazakhstan to confirm entry requirements (see ‘Travel’).
• Laos * GOV.UK * The British Embassy is aware that applications for international flights from Laos are being submitted: decisions on approval are expected from the Lao government in the near future. The Embassy will continue to post updates about new commercial routes as soon as they become known to us. If flights are fully booked, consider registering an expression of interest for future flights.
• Lebanon * GOV.AU * You’ll be required to undergo a COVID-19 (PCR) test upon arrival to Lebanon and observe a period of self isolation. A second test will be required seven days after arrival.
• Nepal * GOV.AU * Nepal continues to impose some restrictions to prevent and control COVID-19. Limited international commercial flights are operating. Foreign tourists are allowed to enter Nepal if prior visa approval has been granted by Nepali authorities. Follow the advice of local authorities and monitor the Australian Embassy on Facebook (@australianembassynepal) and Twitter (@AusAmbNP) for regular updates.
• Netherlands * GOV.UK * As of 23 January 2021 a temporary travel ban is in effect for all passenger flights and passenger ferries from the United Kingdom. This means that no passengers will be allowed to travel to the Netherlands by aeroplane or ferry, apart from in exceptional circumstances such as travel for medical reasons, healthcare workers, seafarers and aviation workers. Visit the Dutch Government’s website for more information. The ban is due to remain in place until at least 1 April 2021.
• New Caledonia * GOV.AU * International passenger flights are suspended from Thursday 11 March.
• New Zealand * GOV.AU * From 6am Sunday 7 March 2021 Auckland will move to Alert Level 2 and the rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 1 for seven days. In addition to the Australian Government restrictions for the Safe Travel Zone, some Australian states have implemented additional arrangements for travellers. For more details check arrangements with state health authorities or contact your airline.
• Papua New Guinea * GOV.AU * You can’t enter the country unless you have an exemption from PNG authorities and have returned a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test within seven days prior to your arrival. Quarantine arrangements are in place.
• Peru * GOV.AU * If you’re travelling to Peru, you’ll need to quarantine for 14 days on arrival.
• Portugal * GOV.UK * From 00.01 on Sunday 7 March until 23.59 on 16 March, passengers arriving to mainland Portugal on flights originating from either the UK or Brazil, including anyone who has transited via another airport with authorised connections to Portugal, must additionally observe a 14-day quarantine period at home or in a place indicated by the Portuguese National Health Authority.
• Saudi Arabia * GOV.AU * Entry into Saudi Arabia has been temporarily suspended for expatriates travelling from 20 countries (see ‘Travel’). The ban also applies to expatriates transiting any of the 20 countries in the 14 days prior to their planned arrival into Saudi Arabia. Tourist visas remain suspended.
• Taiwan * GOV.UK * The Taiwanese authorities announced in March that travellers already in Taiwan who arrived under a visa waiver, visitor visa or landing visa before 21 March, and had not overstayed their entry conditions, would be granted an automatic 30-day extension of their stay. This has now been extended by further 30 day periods. The extension will be applied automatically, no application is required. Your total period of stay, including extensions, cannot exceed 420 days (comprised of 180 days on a visitor visa, plus eight automatic 30 day extensions). For more information, you should contact the National Immigration Agency (NIA). Since 1 January 2021, foreign nationals are not permitted to enter Taiwan. The local authorities have confirmed that resident visa holders, diplomats, foreign students, business passengers with special entry permits and spouses and children of Taiwanese nationals are exempt from this restriction; however, these groups will be required to follow the quarantine requirements.
• Thailand * GOV.AU * Foreigners can only enter Thailand under exceptional circumstances (see ‘Travel’). There are limited flights out of Thailand. Follow the Australian Embassy social media accounts for regular updates on flight options for leaving Thailand (see ‘Local contacts’ for links).
• Timor-Leste * GOV.AU * A State of Emergency is in place. Entry restrictions apply to all travellers and can change with little notice. You’ll need proof of a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test to enter. If you travel to Timor-Leste, you’ll need to complete at least 14 days quarantine at a location determined by authorities, likely at your own expense, as well as mandatory COVID-19 testing. Licences and visas remain valid during the State of Emergency, regardless of their stated expiry date.

Please note the revision date (mmddyy) of this report, printed on the title of the post, and go to the direct sources listed for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this report may change without prior notice.