Global Travel Restrictions After the Omicron Variant Outbreak

Just as many nations were easing their border controls, news of a new COVID-19 variant discovered in South Africa prompted many countries to quickly reimpose strict travel bans.

The newly identified B.1.1.529 strain, later named Omicron by the World Health Organization on November 26, raised global concerns.

Countries and regions around the world have adopted varying measures to prevent the spread of this new variant.

The latest information is provided below, but please note that governments may alter their policies at any time. Stay tuned for updates.

Angola

On Saturday, Angola declared it would shut its borders with seven southern African nations to curb the spread of the newly discovered Omicron variant, according to state reports.

The border closure will affect South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, and will remain in place until January 5, 2022.

Argentina

Anyone entering Argentina who has been in any African country within the 14 days prior to their arrival must undergo a compulsory 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

Travelers must provide evidence of full vaccination and a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. Upon arrival in Argentina, they are required to take an antigen test. Non-citizens and non-residents must also show proof of health insurance that covers Covid-19.

Australia

Australia has halted all flights to and from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, and Zimbabwe for at least 14 days, and has banned entry to any foreign nationals who have traveled to these countries in the last two weeks.

Quarantine requirements remain for those few who are permitted to enter the country. Australian citizens and fully vaccinated visa holders can enter, but foreigners must undergo up to 14 days of hotel quarantine. Some residents may be allowed to quarantine at home, though regulations vary by state.

In Tasmania, travelers from any international destination – except New Zealand's South Island – are being denied entry.

Brazil

Brazil’s Chief of Staff, Ciro Nogueira, announced that the country has closed its air borders with South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

This decision, made public on Friday, contradicts a previous statement by President Jair Bolsonaro, who had opposed such border closures.

Canada

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos has confirmed that any non-Canadian who has traveled to South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, or Eswatini since November 12 will be barred from entering Canada. Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have visited these countries can still return, but must follow strict protocols: they need a negative PCR test to board, take another test upon arrival, quarantine in a hotel until they test negative, and then complete a 14-day home quarantine.

Cambodia

As of December 2, Cambodia will refuse entry to anyone who has visited Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Angola, or Zambia within the past 21 days.

Chile

Chile has imposed a ban on entry for anyone who has been in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, or Zimbabwe in the last 14 days. Chilean residents returning from these regions must undergo testing upon arrival and undergo a seven-day quarantine.

China

China is one of the few countries not making significant adjustments in light of the Omicron variant, likely because its travel restrictions are already extremely stringent, with very few foreign visitors allowed. Zhong Nanshan, a leading respiratory expert and government advisor, stated that China has no plans to implement any major changes in response to the new variant.

In contrast, Hong Kong has tightened its already strict travel policies, barring foreigners who have been to South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, or Zimbabwe in the last 21 days. Hong Kong residents returning from these regions will undergo seven days in a government-run quarantine center, where they will be tested daily and monitored by medical personnel. Afterward, they will continue their quarantine at a designated hotel for another 14 days.

Denmark

Denmark has advised its citizens against all travel to Angola, Malawi, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. Additionally, anyone who has visited these countries in the past 10 days will face a mandatory 10-day quarantine and testing protocol.

Travelers who have been in any of the affected countries within 10 days before entering Denmark must undergo testing and isolation for 10 days. If they test negative on day 4 and day 6, their isolation can end early, according to the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign nationals without permanent residence in Denmark must have a valid reason for traveling to the country. They can only enter if they present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival, as per the Danish Foreign Ministry's guidelines.

Egypt

Egypt has suspended direct flights from several southern African nations, including South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, and Eswatini.

Fiji

Fiji has reinforced its border measures, keeping southern African countries on its 'red list.' Only Fijian citizens who have been to these regions are allowed entry, and they will now be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. PCR tests will be conducted on days 5 and 12 of their quarantine.

Riaz Hassan, a representative of Fiji's Ministry of Health and Medical Services, shared with Dinogo that the newly imposed restrictions will not interfere with the nation's plans to reopen to tourists on December 1.

France

France has halted all flights from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, and Eswatini.

Germany

Germany has prohibited all flights from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Greece

Greece will only permit essential travel from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Eswatini, Zambia, and Malawi, according to a statement released by the country's health ministry on Friday.

Travelers will need to obtain a special permit from Greek embassies or diplomatic missions, the ministry added. Upon arrival, they will undergo testing and be placed in quarantine hotels for 10 days, after which a second round of testing will be conducted.

India

Starting December 1, all international travelers will be required to submit a self-declaration form to an online government portal, detailing their 14-day travel history and providing proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure, as per guidelines from India's Health Ministry.

Travelers from countries categorized as 'high-risk' will now be subject to additional testing and monitoring, including a PCR test upon arrival. They will also be required to quarantine at home for seven days.

As of November 26, countries classified as 'high-risk' include South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, as well as several European nations such as the United Kingdom, Brazil, Bangladesh, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Israel.

Indonesia

Indonesia has announced a ban on the entry of foreigners who have spent time in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini, or Nigeria in the past 14 days. Indonesian citizens returning from these countries will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

Ireland

Ireland has implemented a mandatory quarantine for all travelers arriving from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Irish citizens returning from these countries will be permitted to isolate at home.

Israel

Israel was the first country to close its borders in response to the Omicron variant, just three months after it had reopened to international tourists. Israeli nationals can return, but must quarantine, even if fully vaccinated.

Italy

Italy has imposed travel restrictions on anyone who has visited South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, or Eswatini in the past 14 days.

Japan

Starting November 30, Japan has closed its borders to all non-citizens, including international students, short-term residents (those already in Japan may remain), and individuals visiting family members.

Kuwait

On Saturday, Kuwait suspended all direct commercial flights from South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zambia, and Malawi, advising against travel to southern Africa. Kuwaiti nationals returning from these countries will need to quarantine for seven days, while non-citizens who have visited these regions in the past 14 days will be denied entry.

Maldives

Tourists who have visited or transited through South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, or Eswatini for over 12 hours in the last 14 days will be barred from entering the country starting Sunday, as per the Health Ministry's announcement.

Nationals of the Maldives and long-term visa holders from these countries will still be allowed entry but will be required to undergo a compulsory 14-day quarantine along with virus testing.

Malta

Malta has imposed a ban on travel to and from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe.

Morocco

Morocco has halted all international flights for two weeks, starting at midnight on November 29.

Netherlands

The Netherlands has introduced a flight ban on southern African countries following reports of the new COVID-19 variant. Any traveler arriving from those nations must quarantine at a government-designated hotel. Two individuals have already been arrested for breaching this regulation.

Nepal

Starting December 3, Nepal will no longer issue tourist visas to travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi, and Hong Kong.

Nepal's Ministry of Health has advised citizens against international travel unless absolutely necessary, though no complete travel bans have been imposed on outgoing flights.

New Zealand

As of 11:59 p.m. local time on November 28, only New Zealand citizens are permitted to travel from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Seychelles, Malawi, and Mozambique.

Travelers from these regions must undergo a 14-day isolation in a managed quarantine facility and take regular tests, as confirmed by New Zealand's COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins.

Oman

Oman has temporarily halted all incoming flights from South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique, as reported by local media.

Travelers who have been in these seven countries within the last 14 days will also face a ban from entering Oman.

Pakistan

Pakistan has announced it will close its borders to arrivals from South Africa, Hong Kong, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, and Botswana. However, Pakistani nationals returning from these nations will be allowed entry if they are vaccinated and provide negative test results taken before and after travel.

Philippines

The Philippines has suspended all flights from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique until December 15.

Russia

Starting November 28, non-Russian citizens who have been in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe will be prohibited from entering Russia. Russian citizens who have visited these countries, along with Hong Kong, mainland China, Israel, or the United Kingdom, will be allowed entry but must take a PCR test upon arrival and self-isolate until the test result is confirmed negative.

Rwanda

Rwanda announced a temporary ban on direct flights to and from southern Africa starting Sunday. Arrivals from the affected countries will be required to undergo a seven-day quarantine.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has suspended all flights to and from South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, and Eswatini. Individuals who have spent any time in these countries within the last 14 days will be denied entry. Saudi citizens returning from these regions must undergo a five-day quarantine upon arrival.

Singapore

As of November 28, Singapore has imposed severe restrictions on arrivals from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

Non-Singaporean passport holders or residents who have visited any of these countries will be prohibited from entering or transiting through Singapore. However, Singaporean citizens and residents who have been to these countries can still return but must complete a mandatory 10-day quarantine.

Spain

Travelers arriving in Spain from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe must quarantine for 10 days. However, they may be allowed to leave isolation after a virus test on the seventh day. These measures will be in effect for 14 days and could potentially be extended.

EU, Schengen Area, Andorra, Monaco, Vatican City, and San Marino residents, as well as passengers transiting through Spain to these countries, are exempt from the new quarantine rules, as are airline crew members.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has prohibited entry for foreigners who have been in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, or Eswatini within the past 14 days. Sri Lankan nationals returning from these countries will be required to quarantine at home for 14 days.

Thailand

Starting in December, Thai authorities will prohibit travel from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Turkey

On Friday, Turkey announced a travel ban on arrivals from Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

UAE

Dubai is imposing travel restrictions on passengers coming from or transiting through South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, according to Emirates Airlines.

However, flights departing Dubai to these listed countries are still allowed, as confirmed in the statement.

United Kingdom

The UK has added six more countries to its 'red' list: South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. UK or Irish citizens and permanent residents returning from these countries must quarantine in a hotel for 10 days, regardless of their vaccination status. Foreign nationals who have visited any of these red-list countries will be denied entry.

Starting from 4 a.m. on December 6, only UK and Irish citizens or residents will be permitted to travel from Nigeria, with mandatory isolation in a managed quarantine facility upon arrival.

Starting the following day, passengers arriving from countries not on the red list will be required to undergo a pre-departure test, regardless of their vaccination status.

Anyone entering the UK will now be required to quarantine until they receive the results of a PCR test taken on the second day of their arrival. Those who test positive will be required to isolate for 10 days.

United States

President Joe Biden stated, 'I’ve decided we’re going to be cautious,' before imposing travel restrictions on non-citizens from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi.

Vietnam

Vietnam has halted international arrivals from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Mozambique. Additionally, it has suspended the issuance of visas for travelers from these nations, according to state media reports.