The COVID-19 situation is evolving rapidly, and if you still have plans to travel, it pays to be up to date with the latest travel restrictions and advisories for the countries you intend to travel to, or even transit through.
As of 16 Mar 2020, the following countries/cities have implemented enhanced measures for travellers heading to, or originating from Singapore:
- India: All arrivals from Singapore will be screened.
- Israel: Ban on foreign nationals who have been in Singapore in the last 14 days.
- Kuwait: Kuwaiti nationals in Singapore have been asked to leave immediately.
- Oman: Avoid travel to Singapore.
- Qatar: Avoid non-urgent travel to Singapore.
- South Korea: Avoid travel to Singapore.
- Thailand: Two-week self-quarantine not mandatory but recommended for those coming from virus-hit countries.
- Australia: 14-day self-isolation for all international travellers arriving in the country, and ban on travellers from Italy, South Korea, Iran and China.
- Beijing: All arrivals must spend two weeks at quarantine facilities.
- Bhutan: Visitors with travel history to virus-hit countries may be quarantined for 14 days.
- Britain: 14-day self-quarantine for visitors from South Korea and areas in Italy under lockdown.
- Canada: Avoid all travel to Hubei, non-essential trips to China, and exercise high degree of caution in South Korea.
- Denmark: Ban on all foreign nationals.
- Egypt: Ban all flights in and out of China.
- El Salvador: Ban on all visitors.
- Hong Kong: Quarantine all travellers who have been to Italy, South Korea, Iran, or parts of France, Germany, Spain and Japan in the last 14 days.
- Indonesia: Ban on entry and transit for foreign visitors from 10 hardest-hit regions in Iran, Italy and South Korea.
- Iran: Ban on Chinese citizens entering country.
- Iraq: Ban on travel to and from Iran, and closure of border crossing into Kuwait.
- Japan: 14-day quarantine on all travellers arriving from China and South Korea.
- Malaysia: Ban on visitors who have travelled to hardest-hit regions in Italy, Japan, Iran, South Korea and China.
- Mongolia: Ban on all flights to and from Japan and South Korea.
- New Zealand: 14-day self-isolation for all international visitors.
- Philippines: Travel ban on South Korea’s North Gyeongsang province.
- Poland: Ban on all foreign nationals.
- Saudi Arabia: Ban on all international flights.
- United Arab Emirates: Tests conducted on travellers arriving from China, Italy, Lebanon, Thailand, and suspension of flights from UAE to Iran, Bahrain and most of mainland China.
- United States of America: Ban on foreign nationals who have been in mainland China or Iran in the last 14 days, and ban on all flights from Europe.
As you can see from the aforementioned list (which is still subject to review), Singaporeans are running out of options when it comes to planning for an upcoming trip. Note that these restrictions are in addition to added measures introduced by Singapore to curb the importation of COVID-19 into the country:
Thankfully, many airlines are offering refunds and allow for flexible future bookings to alleviate any concerns that you may have in face of this rapidly evolving situation.
The bottom line is that if you choose to travel, remember to check the latest updates to the travel restrictions of the countries that you intend to travel to, or transit through. Also have some contingency plans on hand to avoid being stranded and not being able to proceed on to your next destination or even to return home.
Safe travels everyone!