063020 – World Status Report

This report intends to give the UTD Community a snapshot of international risks, and transportation and mobility issues in various countries as reported by the linked official sources.

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.

Avoid Nonessential Travel

Conflict and Terrorism

• Libya* GOV.AU* If you’re in Libya, leave as soon as possible if it is safe for you to do so. Regularly reassess your security arrangements and access to effective health services. Consular assistance to Australians in Libya is limited. The Australian Government has no plans to evacuate you. There may be some flights out of Libya to Europe, including some organised by other governments. Keep checking the website and social media of airlines and airports for available flights. If you choose to take one of these flights, you’ll need to determine whether it is safe for you to travel, taking account of the advice of local authorities. This includes curfews and travel restrictions as a result of the conflict and COVID-19 pandemic. We can’t advise you on the safety of departure options. In certain areas, e.g. where fighting is taking place, the best course of action may be to stay where you are until it becomes safer to move on. You should contact the Embassy in Rome if you require consular assistance.

Transportation and/or mobility

• Canada’s government advisory. Avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada and avoid all cruise ship travel until further notice. As foreign governments implement strict travel restrictions and as fewer international transportation options are available, you may have difficulty returning to Canada or may have to remain abroad for an indeterminate period. If you choose to travel despite these advisories, be aware that commercial airspace closures and movement restrictions can occur without warning and could prevent your return to Canada. The Government of Canada is not planning additional facilitated flights to bring Canadians home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Australia’s government advisory.  Non-essential travel by non-EU citizens and residents to the EU and Schengen Area is currently restricted until at least 1 July. Entry regulations for residents of EU and Schengen Area countries have eased. Depending on where you are travelling from, you may need to present a medical certificate confirming COVID-19 negative status issued within the last four days or undergo 14-days quarantine.
• Cabo Verde* GC.CA* Avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice. This advisory overrides other risk levels on this page, with the exception of any risk levels for countries or regions where we advise to avoid all travel.

Take Enhanced Precautions

Health

• Fiji * GOV.AU* Nationwide outbreaks of leptospirosis, typhoid and dengue have been reported.

Travel and/or Mobility

• Austria* GOV.AU* You can transit Austria for flights from Vienna Airport or neighbouring countries, provided you have proof of onward travel. Public health measures are in place due to COVID-19. Follow the advice of local authorities.
• Belgium.* GOV.AU*  Travel to Belgium from within the Schengen Area and the UK is currently permitted. If you’re 12 years and older you must wear a nose-and-mouth covering on public transport and within transit hubs, including airports. Masks are also highly recommended for all persons in shops and in situations where social distancing is not possible. Most indoor and outdoor gatherings are now permitted but subject to size limitations depending on the activity.
• Brazil*  GOV. AU*  Brazil has extended the temporary closure of its air, land and sea borders until further notice. If you’re an Australian traveller in Brazil, leave now – don’t delay. If you’re a longer-term Australian resident in Brazil, consider whether you have enough support and access to effective health services you and your family may need. If in doubt, we recommend you return to Australia while there are still commercial flight options. If you’re planning to travel to the United States from Brazil you won’t be allowed to enter the US. This applies to transits too. There are limited exceptions. Check US entry, transit and exit requirements before travelling to, or through, the US from Brazil.
• Bulgaria*  GOV.AU*  The Bulgarian Government has removed COVID-19 restrictions on regional travel within Bulgaria. Night clubs, discos, and piano bars are open to the public. You must wear a mask in indoor public spaces. Entry into Bulgaria remains suspended for non-EU citizens without permanent EU residency visas. Quarantine for up to 14 days may be mandatory depending on your country of departure (see Travel). If you transit through Bulgaria, you’ll be required to complete a declaration on arrival confirming you’re COVID free, you aren’t under quarantine and will follow Bulgarian health measures. You’ll also need to declare you’ll depart Bulgaria quickly. If you’re in Bulgaria and wish to return to Australia, do so as soon as possible via available commercial options.
• Cambodia * GOV.AU*  To enter Cambodia you’ll need to show a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within 72 hours of your scheduled arrival. On arrival, you’ll be tested again. If the test result for anyone on the same flight is positive, you’ll be quarantined at a government facility for 14 days at your own expense, with a further test on the 13th day. If the test results are negative, you’ll still need to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. All arrivals have to deposit USD 3,000 in cash to cover these costs. These measures, including movement restrictions in country, may change at short notice (see ‘Travel’). Follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media.
• Dominican Republic*  GOV.AU*  All air, land and sea borders are closed. There is a nation-wide daily curfew in place between 7pm and 5am Monday to Saturday, and from 5pm to 5am on Sunday. You must remain inside your accommodation, however you can go outside in limited circumstances, such as to buy essential goods or access health care. Some businesses have begun
• Fiji *  GOV.AU*  A curfew is in place in Fiji from 11pm to 4am. Social gatherings are limited to 100 people or fewer. Places of worship will reopen from 26 June. Fiji Airways may arrange direct flights. Air New Zealand may arrange flights via Auckland. Visit their websites to register your interest. There are no other commercial flights.
• France*  GOV.AU*  There are commercial options to leave France. If you decide to leave, do so as soon as possible. Only EU and Schengen nationals may enter France. Other nationalities may not enter, but are permitted to transit under certain conditions. A voluntary 14-day quarantine applies to certain travellers. France has lifted border restrictions on travellers arriving from within the European Area. The government has lifted most lockdown restrictions nationwide, however some restrictions and hygiene measures still apply (see Travel – COVID-19 section). Follow the advice of local authorities.
• Greece*  GOV.AU*  Greece has suspended entry into the country for all non-EU citizens until 30 June. If you wish to leave, we recommend you do so as soon as possible. Several airlines have suspended flights and some regional airports remain closed. Depending on your departure airport you may be subject to COVID-19 testing and quarantine for up to 14 days. Health and hygiene protocols are in place when travelling in Greece (see Travel). Follow the advice of local authorities.
• Montenegro*  GOV.AU*  Montenegro has begun to ease COVID-19 restrictions, including entry requirements. Depending on which country you are a resident in, you may need to quarantine or need a negative COVID-19 test before you are allowed to enter. Commercial flights are limited. If you’re staying in Montenegro, follow the advice of local authorities, including any directions on mandatory isolation, and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19.
• Morocco*  GOV.AU*  The Moroccan Government has extended the country’s Health State of Emergency until further notice. For travellers in some provinces, all non-essential movement is prohibited. You’re only allowed to go out to work, shop for groceries and medical supplies, or for emergencies. Elsewhere in Morocco, you may leave your house, drive, and exercise outdoors within your province without official authorisation.
• New Caledonia*  GOV.AU*  New Caledonia has lifted COVID-19 confinement measures but continues to strongly encourage social distancing and good hygiene. International travel remains limited. Only New Caledonian residents will be allowed entry. If you do enter, you’ll be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine on arrival.
• North Macedonia*  GOV.AU*  The State of Emergency has been lifted. Land borders are fully open as of 26 June. There is no requirement to quarantine, self-isolate or present a PCR test to enter North Macedonia after this date. The Government of North Macedonia has announced airports will re-open as of 1 July. You’ll need to check with airlines for information on when they will re-start flights. Transits through North Macedonia are now possible. Before entering North Macedonia, make sure you can enter the country you are transiting to. Visas and stay permits which expired during the State of Emergency are extended until 31 August. This information may change at short notice. Monitor local media for updates.
• Panama*  GOV.AU*  Commercial flights leaving Panama are mostly suspended, but unscheduled flights may become available at short notice with carriers such as Spirit Airlines. Book directly with the airlines. Check US and Canadian entry or transit requirements. To transit through Canada, you’ll need evidence of an onward connecting flight. If you secure a flight out, you may need to show authorities a letter of ‘salvoconducto’ (safe passage) to get to the airport. There’s a curfew in place, and you must wear a facemask when going outside.
• Portugal*  GOV.AU*  While Portugal has re-opened air traffic from the 15th of June to welcome tourists from some countries. The rate of new COVID-19 infections in Portugal is among the highest in the EU. Most new infections are occurring in or near Lisbon. Social distancing and mask-wearing are compulsory in many public spaces. We advise you: Do not travel to Portugal.
• Saudi Arabia*  GOV.AU*  All flights to and from Saudi Arabia remain suspended. Follow the Australian Embassy on social media for updates on flights leaving Saudi Arabia (see ‘Local contacts’). Any non-citizen who violates COVID-19 health measures or restrictions will be punished, then deported and banned from re-entering Saudi Arabia. If you’re in Saudi Arabia and you wish to leave, do so as soon as possible by commercial means. Recent missile and drone attacks from the military conflict in Yemen have targeted civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh. Most attacks have been intercepted and destroyed by Saudi air defence systems.
• Serbia *  GOV.UK*  Addition of information on obligation to wear a protective face mask on public transport and recommendation to wear one in indoor public places (‘Staying during coronavirus’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
• Singapore*  GOV.AU*  You can’t enter Singapore for short-term entry until further notice. You can transit Changi Airport if you’re travelling between Australian cities and Hong Kong, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Seoul, Shanghai, Osaka or Tokyo on Singapore Airlines, Silk Air or Scoot Airlines and connecting with the same airline. You can’t transit on flights operated by other airlines. Contact Singapore Airlines for transit requirements.
• Spain*  GOV.UK*  Addition of information about the resumption of passenger ferry services between Spain and the UK (‘Return to the UK’ page)
• Sweden*  GOV.AU*  Foreign nationals can enter Sweden, but you must be travelling from a European Economic Area member state, the UK or Switzerland. If you’re returning  from a third country, you can transit through Arlanda (Stockholm) Airport, but you can’t leave the transit area. If you’re in Sweden and wish to leave, do so immediately as flight and transit options are changing regularly. Public health measures are in place due to COVID-19. Follow the advice of local authorities.
• United Arab Emirates* GOV.AU*  The UAE has announced that some passenger flights on UAE carriers will resume. You can transit in Dubai if your connecting flight departs within 24 hours, but you must remain airside. For full terms of transit see your airline’s website. Short-term entry into Dubai will be permitted from 7 July 2020 but entry to all other Emirates is not permitted until further notice. Long-term residents seeking to return must get approval from the UAE Government. Health screenings are in place at all airports and arrivals who test positive in Dubai are required to undergo 14-day quarantine either in their home or at a designated hotel. Arrivals into Abu Dhabi are required to undergo a PCR test and 14-day quarantine either in their home or at a designated hotel regardless of test outcome. Restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 change frequently, including lockdowns between Emirates. Please check the advice of local authorities and monitor the media for the latest information.

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.