Coronavirus Travel Restrictions And Border Shutdowns – A country-Wise List

As the coronavirus spreads across the world, many countries have begun to temporarily suspend visas for visitors from coronavirus-infected countries. This is being done with the aim of keeping the virus from spreading further.  Below is the complete list of countries with Coronavirus travel restrictions and border shutdowns

Coronavirus Travel Restrictions And Border Shutdowns – List Of Countries With Entry Ban

Algeria

• No sea and air travel to and from Europe
• This restriction came into force beginning on the 19^th March 2020
• Earlier suspended flights to and from China, Morocco, Spain and France

Antigua and Barbuda

• Foreigners who have been to China, Japan, Italy, Iran, South Korea and Singapore in the past 28 days denied entry
• This was published in the travel advisory on the website of the tourism authority of this nation on the 12^th of March 2020
• Cruise ships with COVID-19 suspect case not allowed to dock in this country
• Exemptions are given to diplomats

Argentina

• No flights to and from Europe and the USA
• Introduced on the 16^th of March 2020
• Borders closed for two weeks for non-residents
• The decision was announced on March 15^th

Australia

• Australian borders closed to all international travellers
• Permanent residents, Australian Citizens and their immediate family exempted
• Decision announced today
• The Australian Prime Minister has asked citizens not to travel overseas
• Travel ban on Australian citizens for the entire world
• International cruise ships banned for a month
• International Australian travellers must spend 14 days in isolation

Austria

• Banned all flights to and from France, Switzerland and Spain
• Border checks with Liechtenstein and Switzerland
• Announced on March 13^th2020

Bangladesh

• Flight operations to Europe suspended
• The UK excluded from that list
• Flight ban began on the 16^th of March 2020
• Will continue till the 31^st of March

Belize

• The Ministry of health announced the following decisions
• Philip Godson International Airport and the border of Santa Elena in Belize to remain open
• The remaining  ports of entry to Belize have been closed
• However, cargo ships won’t be stopped from using the ports of entry in Belize

Bolivia

• Travel ban from Ireland, the UK, Iran and Schengen area in Europe
• Travel ban began on the 18^th of March 2020
• Earlier travelers from South Korea, China, Italy and Spain denied entry
• Thorough medical screening at the country’s borders
• All these measures to continue till the 31^st of March

Brazil

• Brazil closed its borders to Venezuela since the 18^th of March 2020
• Hundreds of refugees and migrants from Venezuela cross these borders everyday
• Trucks bearing merchandize won’t be restricted

Brunei

Visitors from certain provinces of China have been temporarily barred from entering Brunei.

Bulgaria

• Bulgaria has closed its Turkish borders
• Travel ban on all flights from Spain and Italy from the 17^th of March
• March 16^th and 17^th was the deadline for Bulgarian travelers in these countries to return to Bulgaria
• 14 days quarantine for these travelers

Cameroon

• Air, sea and land borders closed from 18^th of March (indefinitely)
• International airplanes except cargo flights grounded

Canada

• Canada has closed its international borders to all foreigners starting from the 16^th of March
• Exceptions for Canadian citizens, their immediate family, permanent residents, US citizens, diplomats and crew of airplanes
• Borders closed to all non-essential traffic since the 18^th of March 2020
• International flights to this nation directed through 4 airports
• Flights from Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Mexico, Caribbean and the US and all domestic flights exempted

Chile

• Borders shut to foreigners who are not residents for an indefinite period
• Started on the 18^th of March
• 14 days quarantine for all travelers returning from high-risk nations

Colombia

• Entry banned to all foreigners who were in Asia/Europe during the last 14 days
• Exception given to foreigners who are residents in Colombia and diplomats
• Air, land and sea borders to remain closed till the 30^th 0f May 2020
• Venezuelan border also included
• 1000’s of migrants and refugees from Colombia cross these borders regularly

Costa Rica

• A state of emergency declared in Costa Rica
• All borders to this nation closed since March 18^th 2020

Croatia

• Several restrictions regarding border crossings announced by Croatia on the 12^th of March
• 14 day quarantine for travelers from China and Italy
• Health monitoring for travelers from many nations including the US, Spain and Sweden
• Two-week self isolation necessary for these travelers

Cyprus

• Borders shut for 15days
• Announced by President Nicos Anastasiades
• Started on the 15^th of March 2020
• Exceptions for Cypriots, individuals having special permits, and Europeans working here

Czech Republic

• Borders closed to travelers from Austria, Germany
• Entry banned to foreigners from high-risk nations
• Travelling to and from these countries prohibited to Czechs
• The high-risk nations on the list includes:
• Members of EU
• Sweden
• The Netherlands
• France
• Italy
• Denmark
• The UK
• Spain
• Norway
• Switzerland
• China
• Iran
• South Korea
• Belgium
• International vehicles for public transport banned from border crossings it the vehicle has more than 9 seats

Denmark

• Borders closed temporarily to non-citizens  in Denmark
• Unless they have a credible purpose,  all tourists and foreigners will be denied entry at the borders in Denmark
• Borders not closed to vehicles transporting good including medicines, food etc

Dominican Republic

• The government has suspended European flights for a month
• Cruise ships’ arrival also stopped for a month
• These restrictions began on the 16^th of March 2020

Djibouti

• All international flights suspended since March 15^th

Ecuador

• Borders shut down to everyone including its residents and citizens for 3 weeks
• Restrictions introduced on the 16^th of March

Egypt

• Air traffic suspended from the 19^th of March till the 31^st of March

El Salvador

• Airports closed to all commercial airlines since 16^th of March
• Entry banned to all foreigners since the 11^th of March
• Legal residents and diplomats excluded
• 30 days quarantine for those permitted to enter this country

Finland

• Heavy restriction of traffic at the country’s borders since the 19^th of March 2020

Georgia

• Border with Russia shut down for travelers since the 16^th of March 2020
• Not applicable to Georgian and Russian citizens who wish to return to their countries
• Freight traffic will not be affected

Germany

• Temporary border controls with Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Austria, and Denmark since March 16^th
• Restrictions expanded by including flights from Spain, Austria, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Switzerland and Denmark
• Entry restrictions apply to sea transport as well
• Restrictions began on the 18^th of March

Ghana

• Entry banned to all who have been in countries with 200 and more confirmed COVID 19 cases in the last 14 days
• Restrictions do not apply to nationals of Ghana and legal residents

Greece

• Banned all flights from Italy till the 29^th of March2020
• Banned air, road and sea travel to North Macedonia and Albania
• Flights to and from Spain also banned
• These restrictions were enforced from the 15^th of March
• Exceptions for cargo and Greek citizens who wish to travel to and from North Macedonia and Albania
• Travel restrictions to Italy extended by Athens
• Passenger ships from Italy banned
• Cruise ships prevented from docking at Greek ports
• 14 day quarantine for all travelers arriving in Greece
• Turkish land border to Greece also closed to travellers

Grenada

• Two weeks quarantine for all travelers arriving from:
• China
• South Korea
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• Italy
• Germany
• Iran
• Restrictions announced on the 17^th of March

Guatemala

• Banned arrivals of all non-residents
• Flights suspended from the 16^th to the 30^th of March 2020
• Cargo won’t be restricted
•  Deportation flights from the US suspended from the 17^th of March

Guyana

• Airports closed partially for two weeks since March 18^th
• International passenger airlines affected

Haiti

• Closed borders with Dominican Republic
• All international flights suspended except the ones coming from USA

Honduras

• Borders shut down
• Cargo exempted

Hungary

• Closed borders to international travelers
• Decision announced on the 16^th of March

India

• India suspends majority of the visas to this nation
• Foreign nationals who are from India were granted visa-free access to this country earlier
• Now they have to apply for a visa
• A foreigner with a compelling reason to travel to India must visit the closest Indian Mission there
• Urged residents to avoid travelling to other nations
• Issuing visas to France, Germany and Spain has been suspended  since the 17^th of March
• Travel restrictions to the worst hit countries like Italy, China, Japan, Iran and South Korea is already there
• Flights to South Korea suspended till 25^th of March
• Flights to Italy suspended till 28^th of March
• The border to Myanmar has been shut down

COVID 19 Helpline Numbers By Indian Ministry Of External Affairs (MEA)

Indonesia

Indonesia has barred visitors arriving from China and is re-evaluating the visa on arrival offered to Chinese citizens.

Iraq

• All domestic flights suspended from the 17^th to the 24^th of March
• All flights to and from Bagdad international airport suspended as well (17^th March – 20^th March)

Italy

• To stop the spread of COVID 19 virus the nation is placed  on a lockdown since the 10^th of March
• The country has around 6 million people
• The restrictions to continue till the 3^rd of April
• Flights from Taiwan and China suspended
• All people travelling to Italy must undergo temperature screening at the major airports

Jamaica

• Travel restrictions on people from:
• China
• South Korea
• Iran
• Singapore
• Italy
• Germany
• The UK
• France
• Spain
• 14 days self-quarantine for people arriving from countries where a community spread of this virus was reported

Jordan

• Border crossings to Israel and Israeli occupied West Bank suspended since the 17^th of March
• Shipping to and from Egypt through seaports also shut down
• Entry banned to travelers from Germany, France and Spain
• Travelling to Syria and Lebanon banned

Kazakhstan

• State of emergency declared on the 15^th of March
• Entry barred to all except Kazakh citizens, government invitees and diplomats
• Kazakhs prohibited from leaving the country

Kenya

• Travel from any nations with confirmed cases of COVID 19 prohibited
• Kenyan citizens and residents with valid permits may return to this country
• However, they must self-quarantine themselves

Kuwait

• All passenger and commercial flights to and from this nation banned

Kyrgyzstan

• Banned entry to all foreigners since March 17th

Latvia

• All international travels by rail, sea, land and air suspended
• Foreigners not allowed to enter this country
• Foreigners with legal residency permits and Latvians exempted from this restriction

Lebanon

• Flights from Iran, China, South Korea and Italy suspended since the 11^th of March
• Syrian land border crossings shut down indefinitely by the Lebanese government since the 12^th of March

Libya

• All flights from Misrata Airport suspended for 3 weeks
• GNA (Government of National Accord) in Tripoli took this decision
• Borders also have been closed

Lithuania

• Borders shut to foreigners since the 16^th of March
• Citizens prohibited from travelling overseas except for business travel
• Diplomats, truck drivers and people passing through Lithuania to their home countries exempted
• The restrictions will continue till the 30^th of March

Madagascar

• Passenger and commercial flights from Europe suspended for 30 days
• The restrictions introduced on the 20^th of March 2020
• People arriving from COVID 19 affected nations must self-quarantine for 14 days

Malaysia

• Borders shut from the 16^th to the 31^st of March
• Internal movement of residents and citizens restricted

Maldives

• Banned entry to travellers from Italy, Bangladesh, Iran, Malaysia, China, Germany, South Korea, France and the UK
• Direct flights to Italy, China and South Korea suspended

Mali

• All passenger flights from COVID 19 affected nations suspended indefinitely from the 19^th of March
• Cargo airlines exempted

Moldova

• Borders shut down temporarily
• Flights suspended
• Restrictions imposed on the 17^th of March

Morocco

• Flights to and from 25 nations suspended since the 14^th of March
• Austria
• Bahrain
•  Belgium
•  Brazil
•  Canada
•  Chad
•  Denmark
• Egypt
• Germany
• Greece
• Jordan
•  Lebanon
•  Mali
•  Mauritania
• the Netherlands
•  Niger
• Norway
• Oman
• Portugal
• Senegal
• Switzerland
• Sweden
•  Tunisia
•  Turkey
• The UAE
• Flights to China, France, Algeria, Italy and Spain were suspended earlier

Nepal

• All foreign national entering Nepal must self-quarantine for 14 days
• Citizens and residents must home quarantine themselves for 2 weeks on arriving from another country
• These measures to continue till the 30^th of April
• Visa on arrival from the 14^th of March to the 30^th of April

Netherlands

• Flights from high-risk nations including China, Iran, Hong Kong, Italy and South Korea suspended
• The ban began on the 13^th of March and is expected to continue at least till the 27^th of March

New Zealand

• Borders of New Zealand closed to all non-residents and non-citizens from the 19^th of March
• Excluding natives from the Pacific Islands, all people arriving in this country must spend in isolation for 14 days

Nigeria

• Entry restricted for travellers from the following nations
• China
• Italy
• Iran
•  South Korea
• Spain
• Japan
• France
• Germany
•  the US
• Norway
•  the UK
• Switzerland
• the Netherlands
• People coming to this country from nations at high-risk must self-isolate for 14 days

Norway

• Airports and Seaports shut down from the 16^th of March
• Cargo and Norwegians returning from other countries exempted
• Extensive screening and control at border entry points (land)
• Border with Sweden to remain open

Oman

• Tourist visas from all nations suspended
• Cruise ships banned from docking in Oman
• Entry ban for all non-Omanis including expatriates who have a visa for residency from the 18^th of March

Pakistan

• All land borders closed
• Limited entry for international flights
• Restrictions began on the 13^th of March
• Expected to continue for 15 days
• International flights to operate only from Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore
• Flights to and from Iran stopped

Panama

• Entry restricted to everyone except foreign residents and citizens of Panama
• The restrictions began on the 16^th of March

Paraguay

• Flights from Europe suspended till the 26^th of March at least
• Restrictions imposed on the 14^th of March
• Restricted traffic through the Friendship Bridge to Brazil
• Only authorized cargo traffic permitted

Peru

• State of emergency declared on the 15^th of March
• Borders shut down for a minimum of 15 days which began on the 16^th of March
• All international flights including commercial flights to this country cancelled

Philippines

• Domestic and international flights suspended till the 14^th of April
• Luzon the largest island in the Philippines is locked down for a month
• This island is home to around 60 million people

Poland

• Foreigners banned from entering the country from the 15^th of March 2020
• Quarantine for 14 days a must for citizens returning back
• People with resident permits are also exempted from entry restrictions
• No international trains/flights allowed into the nation from the 15^th of March
• Certain charter flights will be allowed to operate ( Citizens coming back after holidays)

Qatar

• All inbound flights banned from the 15^th of March
• Transit flights and cargo flights exempted

Russia

• The land border with Norway and Poland closed to foreigners
• Announced on the 14^th of March
• This restriction will apply to all foreigners travelling through those entry points for study, tourism, work or other visits
• Official delegates and Belarus citizens are exempted

Saint Kitts and Nevis

• Entry barred to people who have travelled to the following nations.
• China
• Italy
•  Iran
•  Hong Kong
•  Singapore
• South Korea
•  Japan
• The UK
• France
• Germany
• Spain
• Those people who arrived from one of these nations must undergo a 14-day quarantine

Saint Lucia

• Restricted entry for travellers arriving from the following nations
• France
• Germany
•  Spain
• The UK
•  China
•  Japan
• South Korea
• Italy
• Singapore

Saudi Arabia

• All international flights to and from this country suspended for two weeks
• The restriction was imposed on the 15^th of March

Serbia

• Entry barred to people arriving from Italy, South Korea, China, Iran and Switzerland

Singapore

• Travellers who have been to Germany, France, Spain and Italy in the last 14 days will be prohibited from entering this country
• They can neither transit through this nation
• A ‘Stay-Home’ notice will be issued to residents and pass-holders who have been to those countries
• 14-day quarantine is necessary for these people

Slovenia

• Certain border crossings with Italy closed since the 11^th of March
• Thorough health screening of travellers at the open borders
• Stopped passenger train transport with Italy

South Africa

• Entry barred to foreigners who have transited through or arrived from High-risk nations
• The countries include Iran, Italy, France, South Korea, Germany, the US, China, Switzerland and the UK
• The citizens and residents have been advised to postpone or cancel all unnecessary travel to foreign nations

South Korea

• Border checks for all international arrivals tightened since the 17^th of March
• Strict border screening for visitors from Italy, China and Iran
• They have to signup using a smartphone app to track any possible symptoms like fever or cough

Spain

• All land borders closed since the 16^th of March
• Only legal residents, citizens and people in certain specific circumstances are allowed to enter this country
• Spain has also banned direct flights from Italy till the 25^th of March

Sri Lanka

• All incoming flights to this country banned for 14 days since the 17^th of March

Sudan

• All airport, land borders and seaports to Sudan closed since March 16^th
• The restrictions do not apply to commercial, technical support and humanitarian shipments

Suriname

• All land and sea borders closed since the 14^th of March

Trinidad and Tobago

• Borders to this nation have been closed to all foreigners since the 17^th of March for 14 days
• National have been exempted but a quarantine period is necessary

Tunisia

• Mosques, markets, cafes and land borders were closed after several cases of COVID 19 was confirmed in Tunisia
• All international flights have been suspended since the 16^th of March
• A curfew has been introduced from 6 am to 6 pm which started on the 18^th of March
• The curfew has been implemented to curb the spread of this virus

Turkey

• Land borders with Bulgaria and Greece closed to travellers as a preventive measure against the outbreak of COVID 19
• Flights to and from several nations have been suspended
• Germany
• France
• Spain
• Norway
•  Denmark
• Austria
• Sweden
• Belgium
• The Netherlands
• Italy
• China
• South Korea
•  Iran
• Iraq

Ukraine

• All foreign nationals will be barred entry to this country
• The decision was announced on the 13^th of March

United Arab Emirates

• Flights to and from Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria has been suspended indefinitely since the 17^th of March

United Kingdom

• The citizens have been advised to avoid all unnecessary travel to other nations for 30 days initially
• This was announced on the 17^th of March

United States

• Entry banned to all foreign nationals who have travelled to the following nations 14 days before the expected date of arrival in the US
• China
•  Iran
• Austria
• Belgium
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
•  Finland
• France
•  Germany
• Greece
•  Hungary
•  Iceland
• Italy
•  Latvia
• Liechtenstein
•  Lithuania
•  Luxembourg
•  Malta
• the Netherlands
•  Norway
•  Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
•  Slovenia
•  Spain
•  Sweden
• Switzerland
• the UK
•  Ireland
• The citizens and permanent residents in the USA must select one of the 13 US international airports with enhanced health screening as their entry point
• The northern border to Canada will be closed to tourists and visitors by ‘mutual consent’
• This decision was announced by President Donald Trump to prevent non-essential traffic

Uruguay

• All flights from Europe has been banned from the 20^th of March 2020
• Earlier the country had decided to quarantine passengers from certain countries for 14 days
• The countries include:
• Japan
• South Korea
• Singapore
• China
• Iran
• Spain
• France
• Italy
• Germany

Uzbekistan

• Entry barred for all foreign nationals
• The country has also prohibited citizens and residents from travelling

Venezuela

• All flights from Colombia, Dominican Republic, Panama and Europe has been cancelled for 30 days
• The decision was announced on the 12^th of March
• A nationwide quarantine also has been announced by Venezuela

Yemen

• All airports under the control of Yemen has suspended flights to and from these airports
• This restriction began on the 18^th of March and will continue for 2 weeks
• Flights operating for humanitarian causes will be exempted from these restrictions

Also See

• COVID 19 Home Quarantine Guidelines
• COVID-19 – Visa Freeze By US Embassy In India And Its Effect On IT Sector
• COVID-19 Testing Centers In India And State-Wise Helpline Numbers
• Coronavirus In USA – Trump’s Europen Travel Ban Explained
• COVID 19 Travel Restrictions Issued By India – Key Points
• Corona Travel Tips – Stay Safe