Travel advise and travel warnings for countries around the world.
27 March 2020
Especially in times of a worldwide epidemic, it is a good idea to inform yourself in advance when planning a trip.
To go or not to go, that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles.
The Nations Online Project collects travel advice and travel alerts around the world to help people make informed decisions about their travel plans and to make the right arrangements and preparations.
Be prepared before departure.
Pelicans hang out at Southernmost Beach of Key West, Florida.
Image: Andreas Meck
Before you hit the road, find out about safety and security conditions, health questions, and entry requirements for the country or countries you are going to.
In case of actual travel warnings, you also might call your tour operator, the airline, or the airport, or all.
Get informed about the conditions and circumstances you will be confronted with in the country or countries you want to visit. This kind of information you can get from the institutions listed below.
In our
country profiles, you will find country information as well as links to local news and to government institutions such as embassies, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which can provide additional information about a respective country.
Travel Tip
Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.
The usual travel-related risks that can affect you and your itinerary are, for example, a lack of knowledge of the national language, natural disasters, infectious diseases, strikes or protests, crimes like travel scams, pickpocketing, or robbery, or even terrorism and war. Recent restrictions may include entry bans or quarantine on arrival.
Current Travel Restrictions
International air traffic canceled.
Image: Bryan Alexander
Airlines around the world have canceled flights and suspended entire routes. Entry bans, quarantine requirements, or fever controls; the spread of the coronavirus has a massive impact on travelers. There are increased entry controls at many borders - including body temperature measurements, quarantine measures for suspicious cases, and individual entry bans.
Embassies and consular offices of many countries are closed. Check their websites for more information.
More and more nations around the world have imposed travel restrictions. The risk that you will not be able to start your return journey due to increasing restrictions is currently high in many destinations.
Airlines
Quantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, United Airlines, and Turkish Airlines have all dramatically reduced their international flights.
Nine Thai airlines temporarily halt their operations, Thai Airways International, THAI Smile, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, Nok Scoot and Thai VietJet Air.
The Americas
Canada
Most visitors traveling to
Canada by air are now expected to get an electronic travel authorization (
eTA) to enter the country.
Canada and the US will close their borders to non-essential traffic. U.S. flights to Canada will fly as scheduled, but passengers will be screened. Arriving passengers must isolate themselves for 14 days, and anyone showing symptoms is not allowed to enter Canada.
Argentina
Argentina's authorities announced that it would close its borders to all non-residents for at least two weeks and that all flights from the United States and Europe would be canceled from 16 March.
Bolivia
Bolivia closed its borders on 19 March. International and domestic flights into the country will be suspended as of 20 March. Only Bolivian citizens and residents may enter the country. (19 March)
Brazil
Brazil restricts entry of foreign travelers at land borders with Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Suriname, Venezuela, and French Guiana.
Colombia
Colombia has closed its borders and restricts the entry of foreign visitors. (15 March)
El Salvador
El Salvador is in a national quarantine period for 21 days. (16 March)
Guatemala
Guatemala banned all flights and suspended all arrivals of foreigners from 16 to 30 March.
Peru
Peru temporarily suspends flights from and to Europe and Asia for 30 days. (16 March)
USA
The
US has restricted the entry of foreigners from European countries and
China. All US citizens and Green-card holders who have stayed in high-risk areas, including the EU, will return to the United States for screening at one of 13 designated airports. Foreign travelers currently in the US will be allowed to leave (if they are able to get a flight).
Most foreign nationals who have stayed in the Schengen area (which includes 26
European countries) in the last 14 days are not allowed to enter the USA. The ban now includes the
UK and
Ireland.
US States
Several US states now practice a kind of curfew-light, which means residents are requested to stay at home.
The
State of New York introduced its 10 point policy '
PAUSE' plan, which is in effect since 22 March.
Delaware residents are ordered to stay at home, effective Tuesday, 24 March.
Louisiana issued a statewide stay-at-home order starting on Monday, 23 March.
California calls its measures "shelter-in-place" but is in principle the same: Stay At Home.
Illinois stay-at-home order was announced on Friday (20 March) and will last at least until 7 April.
Other states that have asked their citizens to stay-at-home are
Oregon,
Washington,
New Mexico,
Louisiana,
Wisconsin,
Michigan,
Missouri (some areas),
Pennsylvania (some areas),
Illinois,
Indiana,
Ohio,
West Virginia,
Massachusetts, and
Connecticut.
Asia
Armenia
Entry into the territory of
Armenia is restricted for foreign nationals.
Bhutan
All travelers entering
Bhutan are placed under compulsory quarantine for 14 days.
China
Travelers coming to
China, who have recently visited South Korea, Japan, and Italy will be quarantined in a Chinese facility for two weeks. All foreign travelers arriving at Beijing airport must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine in designated facilities at their own expense.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong has completely closed its borders to all non-residents.
Georgia
The government of
Georgia restricts the entry of foreign nationals.
India
India has suspended almost all tourist visas for travelers until further notice, and it will quarantine travelers arriving from several virus-hit countries in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus. India closed its borders to visitors from the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Turkey. Passengers from the Philippines, Malaysia, and Afghanistan are also not allowed to enter the country.
The whole nation is now on a 21-day lockdown. On 24 March, the government of India ordered a nationwide lockdown for 21 days (25 March 2020 – 15 April 2020).
From 22 March until 29 March, there are no more scheduled international commercial flights from and to India. No incoming scheduled international commercial passenger aircraft is allowed to disembark its passengers on Indian soil (Foreigner or Indian) after 20:01 hrs GMT of March 22, 2020.
[BoI India]
Indonesia
Indonesia, Jakarta declares a two-week state of emergency from Monday 23 March. Bars, entertainment venues, and cinemas are closed, public transport is limited. Travelers from China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea are not allowed to enter or transit the country.
Israel
Tourists will need to leave
Israel as part of new travel restrictions. It is unclear whether travelers can quarantine themselves in Israel or if they have to leave the country as well.
[1]
Japan
Japan banned tourists from China and
South Korea until the end of March.
Malaysia
Malaysia is closing its borders and restricts movement within the country. Foreigners are permitted to leave. Entering
Thailand from Malaysia is only possible at three permanent checkpoints, Sungai Kolok, Buke Ta, and Tak Bai.
Maldives
The
Maldives ban all cruise ships from entering and docking in the Maldives. Several island resorts have been placed under temporary quarantine.
Philippines
The
Philippines has closed its borders and all public transportation. From 20 March to 13 April there are only limited flights. However, foreign nationals may leave the country at any time.
Thailand
Thailand has banned the entry of foreigners and the government announced the country would be under a state of emergency until 30 April.
The country
has closed its amusement venues until the end of March, sports arenas such as boxing stadiums, cockfighting arenas, and horse racing tracks are closed until further notice. Bangkok's shopping malls, weekend markets, and restaurants are closed from Sunday (22 March) until 12 April. The Thai New Year's celebration Songkran is postponed.
Nine Thai airlines temporarily halt their operations, Thai Airways International, THAI Smile, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, Nok Scoot and Thai VietJet Air. Thai AirAsia will suspend operations on all domestic routes from 1-30 April.
Turkey
Turkey closed its land borders with Greece and Bulgaria. Turkish Airlines stated that: Starting from 27 March 2020 23:59 (UTC+3), all our international flights except our Chicago, Washington, Hong Kong and Addis Ababa flights will be suspended until 17 April 2020.
[TA]
Vietnam
Vietnam has suspended all inbound international flights.
Europe
Which country in Europe has completely closed its borders?
Several countries in Europe have completely closed their borders. Among them are Spain, Germany, Denmark, Poland, Switzerland, Greece, Latvia, Hungary, Serbia, and Ukraine. In most other European countries there are entry restrictions.
The European Union is closing the borders to most foreigners for 30 days - for a start.
Austria
Austria - As of Monday, 16 March 2020 midnight, air and train traffic to Switzerland, Spain, and France will be suspended.
Estonia
Foreign nationals who are not residents of
Estonia will not be able to travel to Estonia until further notice.
Finland
The Government of
Finland has decided to restrict traffic at its external borders starting on Thursday 19 March at 00.00. Finns travelling abroad are encouraged to return to Finland as soon as possible.
France
There are now travel restrictions in
France, restaurants, cafes, and cinemas are closed. People on flights from China, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, South Korea, Iran, and affected regions of Italy are medically examined, and people with symptoms are taken into care. Nationals of other countries outside the EU cannot enter France for the next 30 days. (17 March)
Germany
On Monday 17 March,
Germany has shut its borders to people from outside the Schengen area. Travelers may be refused entry unless they can prove urgent reasons.
No more Corona parties? Germany will soon decide whether to impose a lockdown on the country. As the first of the 16 German states, Bavaria has already banned public gatherings of all kinds on Friday 20 March.
Greece
The government of
Greece has introduced restrictions on travel to and from Albania, Italy, Northern Macedonia, and Spain.
Hungary
Hungary will close its borders on Monday, 23 March. From Monday at midnight only Hungarian citizens can enter the country.
Norway
Norway (not a member state of the EU); a visit to Norway from outside means that you have to isolate yourself for two weeks.
Poland
Poland has closed all borders and introduced border controls. International rail and air traffic has been suspended.
Spain
Spain is now under lockdown, hotels and restaurants are closed, movement is restricted.
Australia/Pacific
Australia
Australia has banned its citizens from leaving the country, declaring that returning Australians would be the highest risk of spreading the deadly coronavirus. Australian cities could be placed into lockdown as authorities continue attempts to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Fiji
Fiji’s borders will be closed to all foreign nationals who have been in mainland China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, or Spain within 14 days of their intended travel to Fiji. (18 March)
New Zealand
New Zealand closes its borders and denies
all foreign citizens entry into the country. (19 March)
Africa
Algeria
Algeria has suspended flights to and from Morocco, Spain, France, and China as well as air and sea travel with the rest of Europe. The country has also suspended state and private public transport and rail transport. Cafés and restaurants in major cities are closed. (19 March)
Cameroon
Land, air, and sea borders of
Cameroon will be closed, and all passenger flights from abroad will be suspended. The issuance of entry-visas to Cameroon at the various airports is suspended. (18 March)
Gambia
In response to the corona virus,
Gambia is closing schools and universities.
Morocco
Morocco suspends all international flights until further notice. (19 March)
Get more Information
In any case, if you want to travel to a foreign country, contact their embassy or consulate in your country for more information.
Below you will find regularly updated travel advice provided by the governments of various countries. The travel and security advice of the government institutions contain information about entry regulations, country-specific risks, customs, criminal law regulations, and the situation of medical care of a country.