Covid border controls across Asia
8 March 2022
Around the world, countries – New Zealand included – are taking tentative first steps in opening their borders to international travellers. Some countries are still locked down, while others have been open for months.
Across Southeast Asia in particular, reliance on tourism has pushed governments into a tricky balance between public health and the livelihood of industries that sustain large parts of the economy.
Border controls can change quickly, making it hard to keep up with entry requirements. When the Omicron variant started spreading in late 2021, some countries with relatively open borders brought in restrictions, while others tightened their rules further.
Opening borders is not without its challenges either. Vaccination passes, quarantine, insurance, health care – red tape can pile up quickly.
We examine what border entry is looking like across parts of Asia as at the beginning of March 2022. In some cases, border decisions are changed or announced daily, so for the latest updates its best to check updated travel advice via official government sources.
CURRENTLY OPEN:
Cambodia opened its borders in November 2021, easing travel requirements for vaccinated travellers. Despite Omicron, the borders remained open, although tourist numbers remain low.
Cambodia’s economy – what to tach for in 2022 I The Khmer Times
Cambodia ends quarantine for vaccinated arrivals to revive tourism I Reuters
The Philippines opened its borders to foreign tourists on February 10, 2022. Travellers must be fully vaccinated and supply a negative test.
Immigration expects 30 percent increase in arrivals as Philippines reopens borders to tourists I Philippine Star
Philippines new arrival quarantine rules: 48-hour test result, no more travel ban on any country I Rappler
Singapore has been opening up borders initially based on Vaccinated Travel Lane agreements between other countries, allowing two-way, quarantine-free travel across borders. People traveling from non-VTL countries can enter Singapore but face more tests and quarantine.
Singapore extends vaccinated travel lanes to Penang, Bali, all Indian cities; new VTLs with Vietnam and Greece I Travel News Asia
Singapore resumes border reopening after pause due to Omicron outbreak I Reuters
Sri Lanka was one of the few countries that opened early in the pandemic, back in January 2021. The borders have largely remained open, with testing and insurance requirements in place.
Sri Lanka tourism flies higher I Daily FT
Sri Lanka reopens borders to international travellers I CNN
Thailand, in February 2022, relaunched its Test & Go scheme. Under the scheme, travellers must take a test on arrival and again five days later. During that time, they must agree to have their movements tracked via app.
Test & Go quarantine-free entry to resume February 1 I The Bangkok Post
Thailand reopens under new, more complicated Test & Go scheme I The Nation
PLANNING TO OPEN:
Indonesia is open for visitors but still retains quarantine requirements for entry. However, the government has announced a no-quarantine trial for Bali, which started in March. After spending three days in Bali, people are allowed to travel to other parts of Indonesia freely
Bali to drop quarantine requirement in mid-March trial I Jakarta Globe
Bali’s no-quarantine trial to start Monday, a week earlier than planned I Jakarta Globe
Malaysia has plans in place to open its borders but currently no set date has been announced. Reports suggest the second quarter of the year is likely and tourism organisations have proposed opening the border in stages.
Main border reopening most likely second quarter this year I Malaysiakini
Reopen border in stages – MATTA I New Straits Times
Vietnam is set to open its borders to foreign tourists on March 15, nearly three months earlier than initially planned.
Vietnam ready to welcome back tourists I Viet Nam News
Ministry asks localities to inspect preparations for welcoming back tourists I SGGP Online
RESTRICTED ENTRY/CLOSED:
China still has strict entry requirements as the country pursues a zero-Covid strategy, one of the only countries to still do so. Most foreign nationals are unable to enter China. Border settings are unlikely to change in the first half of 2022
‘Two sessions’ 2022: China’s zero-Covid policy under the microscope as leaders gather I South China Morning Post
Goldman says China could keep border restrictions through 2022 I Bloomberg
India reopened for tourism in November 2021 under air bubble arrangements with more than 30 countries. However, restrictions such as quarantine and tests exist for other countries and India also institutes a commercial international passenger flight ban. Plans were in place to drop restrictions for all vaccinated travellers in mid-February 2022 but due to Omicron, India has extended its ban on international passenger flights.
International passenger flights in India banned ‘till further orders’: DGCA I The Hindustan Times
MHA extends coronavirus guidelines, asks states not to let guard down I India.comJapan increased border restrictions in November 2021 due to Omicron, essentially stopping nonresident foreign nationals from being able to enter. Restrictions are due to ease slightly in March, as the country increases its daily allowed number of overseas entrants from 5000 to 7000. Japan’s moves have been focusing on international students and business people, rather than tourists.
Japan to relax Covid border controls, give priority entry to students I Kyodo News
Japan opens borders for the first time in three months I The Japan Times
- Asie Media Centre
