UK Travel Restrictions: Countries Enforcing New Measures

In an effort to curb the spread of a rapidly transmitting coronavirus variant, multiple nations have placed travel bans and restrictions on arrivals from the United Kingdom.

The emergence of this new variant in the UK led to a Tier 4 lockdown in London and southeastern England, while additional restrictions were applied across the country during the holiday season.

Following the UK's lockdown announcement on Saturday, over 40 countries spanning Europe, Asia, South America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East have imposed travel restrictions on the UK, with some also targeting other countries where the variant has been identified.

This variant has been detected in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Australia, according to the World Health Organization. A different coronavirus variant has been reported in South Africa, as confirmed by WHO’s technical lead for Covid-19, Maria van Kerkhove, on Monday.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is offering assistance to British citizens affected by the travel disruptions caused by new restrictions, which have isolated UK travelers from much of Europe and other global destinations.

This decision follows New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's recent call for a travel ban from the UK or mandatory testing of passengers. Meanwhile, airlines including Delta, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic have agreed to implement a testing requirement for travelers flying between the UK and New York City.

US Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brett Giroir told Dinogo that as of Monday morning, there were no immediate plans for US travel restrictions on the UK due to the new coronavirus variant, but he emphasized that all options remain on the table for discussion, with scientific consultation to guide the final decision.

The CDC is closely monitoring the situation and evaluating the potential impacts of the new variant, along with possible measures for international travel, as stated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

COUNTRIES IMPOSING TRAVEL BANS

Argentina

As per a joint statement from Argentina's Health and Interior Ministries, the country planned to allow just one final flight from the UK to land at Buenos Aires' international airport on Monday morning. All subsequent flights were canceled.

Belgium

From December 23 to 31, Belgium will only permit entry to residents. Non-residents can enter starting January 1, provided they present proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 48 hours before arrival.

Bulgaria

In response to the new coronavirus variant, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov held a meeting with his Cabinet on Sunday, during which it was decided to suspend air travel between Bulgaria and the UK temporarily, effective Monday, until January 31, 2021, according to his office.

Brazil

Brazil is implementing a temporary travel ban, effective Friday, on all flights departing from or transiting through the UK. Foreign nationals who have been in the UK within the past 14 days will be prohibited from entering the country.

Canada

Canada has extended its suspension of passenger flights from the UK until January 6, 2021. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed the extension during a press briefing on Wednesday. The restriction was originally imposed for a 72-hour period starting at midnight on Sunday.

Chile

The Chilean government has announced that starting Tuesday, all flights to and from the UK will be halted. Additionally, travelers who have visited the UK in the past 14 days will be required to self-isolate.

China

China will suspend all direct flights to and from the United Kingdom starting Thursday. The announcement was made by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, who noted that the decision was made in consultation with other countries' actions.

Colombia

Colombian President Ivan Duque confirmed that flights between Colombia and the UK will be suspended beginning Monday. He also stated that travelers who have been in the UK in the past 14 days will need to self-quarantine upon arrival in Colombia.

Czech Republic

In response to the new coronavirus variant in the UK, the Czech government announced that it will suspend flights from the UK starting at 6 a.m. ET on Monday, according to an official statement.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has suspended all flights between the island and the UK starting Monday, effective until January 10. Emergency flights, cargo, and airmail will remain unaffected by this ban. In addition, travelers arriving from the UK will be required to undergo a seven-day quarantine and take a PCR test during their stay.

El Salvador

El Salvador is prohibiting entry to anyone arriving from the UK and South Africa.

Estonia

Estonia's government announced a suspension of air travel between Estonia and the UK on Sunday, with the restriction set to last until the end of the year.

France

French Prime Minister Jean Castex relaxed restrictions after initially imposing a 48-hour ban on all travel from the UK starting Sunday night, affecting all forms of transport. Now, freight drivers and certain passengers can enter France if they provide a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of departure.

Germany

Germany is limiting travel to and from the UK and South Africa due to concerns over the new coronavirus variant.

Grenada

Grenada has suspended all flights to and from the UK until further notice. Additionally, anyone who has been in the UK within the last 14 days will be denied entry into the country.

Guatemala

In Guatemala, health authorities announced on Monday that travelers from the UK will be prohibited from entering the country due to the newly detected Covid-19 variant. The Health Minister confirmed that additional details about the restrictions will be released on Wednesday.

Hong Kong

Starting Tuesday, Hong Kong will prohibit all passengers who have spent more than two hours in the UK within the past 14 days from entering the city, as announced by Secretary for Food and Health, Sophia Chan, at a press conference on Monday.

India

Flights between India and the United Kingdom have been suspended until the end of 2020, as confirmed by the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday. Passengers arriving from the UK before December 22 must undergo a mandatory RT-PCR test.

Iran

Iran announced on Sunday that it will suspend flights to and from the UK for two weeks in response to the new coronavirus variant.

Israel

Israel’s government has imposed a ban on flights from the UK, Denmark, and South Africa.

Italy

Italy is halting all flights between the country and the United Kingdom due to the newly identified coronavirus variant in England, as announced by Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio on Sunday.

Jamaica

Jamaica has prohibited all flights from the UK until January 4, although flights scheduled to arrive Tuesday will be allowed. Passengers on these flights will undergo PCR testing upon arrival and will be quarantined for at least 48 hours in government facilities. Those testing negative will complete a 14-day quarantine at home, while those testing positive will be quarantined by the government until recovery.

Jordan

The Jordanian government has announced the suspension of all direct and indirect (transit) passenger flights from the United Kingdom, effective Monday and continuing until January 3, 2021, according to a statement from Government Spokesman and Minister of State for Media Affairs Ali Al-Ayed.

Kuwait

Kuwait has halted all flights arriving from the United Kingdom, effective Monday.

Latvia

Latvia has suspended travel to and from the UK from December 21 to January 1, according to a statement from the Latvian Ministry of Transportation issued on Sunday.

Lithuania

Lithuania’s prime minister announced that flights from the UK will be suspended.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg has temporarily halted flights from the UK following the discovery of a new coronavirus variant, according to a government statement released on Sunday.

Morocco

Morocco has suspended all flights to and from the United Kingdom starting Sunday night (December 20), according to a report from the Morocco State News Agency (MAP).

Netherlands

The Netherlands will prohibit all passenger flights arriving from the United Kingdom.

North Macedonia

The Prime Minister of North Macedonia has announced that new flight restrictions to the UK will be implemented soon.

Oman

Oman will close its air, sea, and land borders starting Tuesday, December 22, for a week in response to the new coronavirus variant reported by the United Kingdom, as reported by Oman’s state news agency.

Pakistan

Pakistan is halting all direct and indirect travel from the United Kingdom into the country.

According to a statement from the Pakistan Aviation Ministry, the flight suspension will be in effect from December 23 to 30. However, repatriation flights to the UK will still be allowed. The ban will be reassessed on December 28.

Panama

Starting at 11:59 PM ET on Monday, Panama will temporarily deny entry to individuals who have stayed or transited through the UK or South Africa in the past 20 days.

Peru

Peruvian President Francisco Sagasti has announced a two-week ban on flights from Europe as a precautionary measure. He also imposed a restriction on foreigners entering Peru if they have been in the UK in the past two weeks.

Poland

Flights between the UK and Poland have been suspended until at least January 6.

Republic of Ireland

The Irish government has extended its ban on flights from the UK until December 31. The restriction was initially imposed for two days starting Sunday.

Russia

Starting at midnight Moscow time on December 22, Russia will suspend all flights to and from the UK for one week, as reported by state-run news agency RIA Novosti, citing the Russian coronavirus response headquarters.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced a suspension of all international flights for seven days beginning Monday, with exceptions only for special cases. The suspension could be extended for an additional week.

Spain

Spain, in collaboration with Portugal, has announced that it will refuse entry to travelers from the UK starting Tuesday. Spanish citizens and residents are exempt from the ban. The government also revealed plans to enhance border controls at Gibraltar, according to La Moncloa on Monday afternoon.

Sweden

Sweden has modified its entry restrictions for travelers from the UK, allowing residents to return to the country. The Swedish government confirmed on Wednesday that Swedish citizens, residents, and those traveling for urgent family matters will be exempt, while all other UK travelers will be barred from entry until January 21.

Switzerland

Switzerland has imposed a blanket entry ban on foreign travelers coming from the UK and South Africa, along with a retroactive quarantine requirement. This decision follows the detection of a new, highly transmissible coronavirus strain in both countries.

Tunisia

Tunisia has halted all flights to and from the UK, Australia, and South Africa due to the discovery of a new coronavirus variant. According to the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, travelers who have recently been in these countries will be denied entry. The ban, effective Monday, will remain in place indefinitely, as stated by the ministry.

Turkey

Turkey has prohibited flights from the UK, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Denmark, as reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency on Sunday night.

COUNTRIES IMPLEMENTING TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Denmark

Denmark, after imposing a 48-hour ban on UK flights, has extended the restriction on entry from the UK through January 3. Danish nationals and residents are exempt but are strongly urged to self-isolate for 10 days, with the option to test after four days. Exceptions are made for primary caregivers of minors, close relatives of critically ill individuals, and essential freight transporters, who must present a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival.

Ecuador

Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno announced that travelers from the UK, Australia, South Africa, and the EU must present a negative PCR test taken within 10 days of arrival. In addition, an antibody test will be administered upon arrival at the airport. Visitors are also required to self-isolate for five days, with non-residents staying in government-approved hotels for quarantine.

Greece

Greece has mandated a seven-day quarantine for all arrivals from the UK starting December 22. According to the Greek Civil Protection department, passengers must also undergo a Covid-19 test upon arrival, and present a negative PCR test result from within the last 72 hours. Those testing negative will still need to quarantine for seven days, while those testing positive must remain in isolation until cleared by authorities.

Mauritius

As of December 21, Mauritius has implemented a ban on all travelers who have been in the UK during the past 14 days. This restriction will be reassessed on December 31.

Paraguay

From December 21 to January 4, Paraguay will deny entry to all non-resident nationals who have been in the UK since December 7. Residents returning from the UK during this period will need prior approval from the Paraguayan government, along with a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. They will be required to quarantine for 10 days in government facilities or a designated ‘health hotel’.

Individuals already in Paraguay who arrived from the UK between December 14-21 must undergo a seven-day home quarantine starting from their arrival date.

Portugal

Portugal has restricted flights from the UK, allowing only Portuguese nationals to travel. Travelers will need to present a negative Covid-19 test as confirmed by the Interior Minister.

Spain

Spain has announced it will increase security at airports to ensure passengers arriving from the UK have valid PCR test results, as per a government tweet on Sunday.

Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago's Ministry of Health updated travel protocols on Monday for travelers arriving from the UK in response to the new variant. The revised guidelines extend the mandatory quarantine in a government facility from 7 days to 14 days for those coming from the UK.

Ukraine

The UK has been designated a ‘red zone’ country, meaning that travelers from the UK must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. Their quarantine period will be monitored via a government app, although they can bypass this requirement with a negative test taken within 48 hours of arrival.

United States

Starting December 28, all travelers arriving in the US from the UK must present a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours before departure. In the meantime, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Delta Airlines have committed to testing all passengers prior to their arrival in New York, as announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday. Additionally, Virgin Atlantic has mandated that all passengers flying from London to any US destination provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test from December 24 onward, the airline confirmed in a statement.