As travel advice and restrictions are changing at a very rapid pace lately, it is hard to keep up with all restrictions that are being imposed and those that might have been reported incorrectly and those that might have been cancelled or changed.
Cathay Pacific keep at very good list of updated travel restrictions for their destinations, below are the updated restrictions as per March 14th at 10:45 am Hong Kong time:
| Destination | Entry restrictions |
|---|---|
| Australia | Passengers who meet the following criteria are not permitted to enter Australia:Travelled from/transited through Mainland China in the past 14 days. Entry will not be allowed until 14 days after leaving or transiting through Mainland China.Disembarked from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama during the month of February. Entry will only be allowed once a 14 day quarantine period has been taken after disembarking from the ship.Foreigners who have visited or transited through Iran since 1 March 2020, are prohibited from entering Australia for 14 days from the time they have left or transited through Iran.Foreigners who have visited or transited through South Korea since 5 March 2020 are prohibited from entering Australia for 14 days from the time they have left or transited through South Korea.Foreigners who have visited or transited through Italy since 11 March 2020 are prohibited from entering Australia for 14 days from the time they have left or transited through Italy.Exemptions: Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens who currently reside in Australia are able to enter Australia, along with their immediate family (spouses, legal guardians or dependents only). Year 11 and 12 High School Chinese students may apply for an exemption on a case-by-case basis. On arrival in Australia, these students would be subject to a 14-day self-imposed quarantine. |
| Bahrain | Passengers who meet the following criteria are not permitted to enter Bahrain:Any person who has visited or transited through Mainland China in the past 14 daysAny person who has visited or transited through Hong Kong SAR in the past 14 daysExemptions:Bahraini nationalsBahrain citizen/residents (including holders of a Bahrain identity card or resident permit visa)The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) nationals, including nationals of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates |
| Bangladesh | Passengers who meet the following criteria are not eligible for a visa on arrival:Suspension of Visa on Arrival (VOA) service for foreigners from People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan), Iran, Italy or Republic of Korea (South Korea).Foreigners arriving from People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan), Iran, Italy or Republic of Korea (South Korea) with a pre-arranged visa must have a medical certificate of having tested negative for COVID-19.Exemptions: Passengers travelling on one of the above passports, and already have a Bangladesh visa, are permitted to enter. |
| China (Mainland): Guangzhou (CAN) Changsha (CSX) Chongqing (CKG) Chengdu (CTU) Hangzhou (HGH) Ningbo (NGB) Nanjing (NKG) Qingdao (TAO) Wenzhou (WNZ) Xi’an (XIY) | Passengers who meet one or more of the following criteria are permitted to board, but may be subject to quarantine requirements for 14 days upon arrival:Travelling on a People’s Republic of China passport or China ID card that lists Hubei Province as the place of issue.Visited the Hubei Province in the past 14 days. |
| China (Mainland): Hainan Province Sanya (SYX) Haikou (HAK) | Passengers who meet one or more of the following criteria are not permitted to enter Hainan Island (Haiku Airport or Sanya Airport):Travelling on a People’s Republic of China passport or China ID card that lists Hubei Province as the place of issue.Visited the Hubei Province in the past 14 days. |
| China (Mainland): Beijing (PEK) | The China (Beijing) local government has announced further travel restrictions/requirements:Any passengers (including Chinese residents) who is arriving at the China Beijing (PEK) Airport, are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine, either at home or at the designated area.Foreigners travelling for “business purpose”, are not allowed to leave the assigned hotel before the coronavirus (COVID-19) clearance.Any passengers who are transiting through the China Beijing (PEK) airport, are also required to conduct the medical health checks at the transfer area. |
| China (Mainland): Shanghai (PVG & SHA) | Any passengers arriving from Japan, South Korea, Italy or Iran by direct or transit flights, are required to undergo a 14-day compulsory quarantine after entering Shanghai.If the permitted stay in Mainland China is less than 14 days, entry to Shanghai (PVG/SHA) will be refused. |
| China (Mainland): Xiamen (XMN) | Any passengers arriving from or have transited through Italy, Iran, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, United States, Germany, France, Spain, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium and Norway, are required to undergo a 14-day compulsory quarantine after entering Xiamen.If any passengers have been to the above countries and plan to stay for less than 14 days, will not be permitted to enter. |
| Hong Kong SAR, China | Any person – including Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR passport holders – who have entered or stayed in Mainland China in the past 14 days will be required to undergo a 14-day compulsory quarantine immediately upon entering Hong Kong SAR. Any person (including Hong Kong residents) who have been to Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy or Veneto regions (inc. Bologna, Milan, Venice and Verona) of Italy or Iran in the past 14 days, will be required to undergo a 14-day compulsory quarantine after entering Hong Kong. Passengers who meet one or more of the following criteria are not permitted to enter Hong Kong:Travelling on a People’s Republic of China passport or China ID card that lists Hubei Province as the place of issue.Visited the Hubei Province in the past 14 days.Any passenger who has been to Mainland China within the last 14 days and whose entry permit for Hong Kong (eg: visa or other type of permit), is less than 14 days in duration.Exemptions: Passengers transiting through Hong Kong, and passengers holding a HKID card are permitted to enter. From 25 February 2020, any non-Hong Kong residents arriving from The Republic of Korea (South Korea) are not permitted to enter Hong Kong. Exemptions:Hong Kong residents are exempt from this restriction, however medical questioning will occur on arrival and may result in medical surveillance or compulsory quarantine – depending on the passenger’s travel history in South Korea. Any passengers transiting through Hong Kong. The Hong Kong SAR government has further updated the latest travel restrictions: Any persons (including Hong Kong residents) who have been to the following regions in the past 14 days, will be required to undergo 14-day compulsory quarantine in a quarantine centre after entering Hong Kong. Effective from 14 March 2020Japan – HokkaidoFrance – Bourgogones-Franche-Comte and Grand-EstGermany – North-Rhine-WestphaliaSpain – La Rioja, Madrid and Pais VascoIranMainland China |
| India | Suspension of all existing regular Visa/e-Visa (excluding diplomatic, official, employment, UN/International Organizations or project visas) to all foreignersPassengers with an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card are no longer visa exempt to IndiaPassengers (including Indian nationals) who have visited Mainland China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after 15 February 2020, will be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days after entering India Passengers who meet one or more of the following criteria are not permitted to enter India:Any passenger who is arriving from, or has visited Mainland China since 15 January 2020. Visa on Arrival facilities for nationals of Japan and South Korea are suspended. Passengers travelling from or having visited Italy or Republic of Korea (South Korea), are required to have a medical certificate of having tested negative for COVID-19 from the designated laboratories authorized by the health authorities of these countries before travelling to India. Exemptions: Nationals of India, Diplomats, Officials of UN and other International bodies from the above countries/regions are exempted from such restrictions on entry. Customers affected by the suspension of Visa/e-Visa policy must re-apply for a visa at the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate in order to enter India. |
| Indonesia | Passengers travelling on a People’s Republic of China passport will no longer be eligible for a visa on arrival.Any passenger who has visited Mainland China in the past 14 days are not permitted to enter Indonesia. Foreigners who have visited the following countries/regions are not allowed to enter or transit through Indonesia Iran (Tehran, Qom or Gilan regions)Italy (Lombardi, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Marche and Piedmont regions)South Korea (Daegu city and Gyeongsangbuk-do province) in the past 14 days Any nationalities travelling from the following countries but excluding the regions stated below are allowed to enter Indonesia, providing they have a verified health certificate issued within 7days (inclusive) stating the customer is free of respiratory infection, fever, cough, sneeze. Iran: Tehran, Qom, GilanItaly: Lombardi Region, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Marche and PiedmontSouth Korea: Daegu City and Gyeongsangbukdo Province Exemptions China passport who has been stayed more than 14days outside Mainland China, are allowed to entry Indonesia and Visa on Arrival (VOA) will be granted |
| Israel | Passengers who meet the following criteria are not permitted to enter Israel:Travelled from/transited through Mainland China in the past 14 days.Anyone who has visited China (including Hong Kong and Macao), Japan, Thailand, Singapore or South Korea in the past 14 days. The Israeli government has announced further restrictions: Foreigners who have visited Italy, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Austria, Spain, France, Germany and Switzerland (in addition to China, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea and Japan) in the past 14 days, are not allowed to enter Israel.Exemptions:Israeli citizens or residentsPassengers transiting through Hong Kong, Macao, Japan, Thailand, Singapore or South Korea |
| Japan | Passengers who meet one or more of the following criteria are not permitted to enter Japan:Travelling on a People’s Republic of China passport that lists Hubei or Zhejiang province as the place of issue.Have visited either the Hubei or Zhejiang province in the past 14 days.Have visited the following regions in the past 14 days: Republic of Korea (Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsang, Andong, Yeongcheon, Chilgok, Uiseong, Seongju, Gunwi)Iran (cities of Ghom, Tehran and Gilan) Any passengers who arrive from the following countries are required to undergo a 14-day compulsory quarantine at a Government designated location and are not permitted to use public transportation in Japan.China (including mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR)Republic of KoreaNote: Passengers transiting from Hong Kong to Japan will also be required to undergo compulsory quarantine. (i.e. passengers on multi-leg flights from Hong Kong to Taipei, Taipei to Tokyo-Narita and Osaka-Kansai) Visa issuance to Chinese nationals is suspended until further notice. The visa waiver program to Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Korean Passport holders is suspended until further notice. The Japanese government has announced further travel restrictions Foreigners who have visited the following regions in the past 14 days, are not permitted to enter JapanIran: Qom, Tehran, Gilan, Manzandaran, Isfahan, Alborz, Markazi, Qazvin, Semnan, Golestan and Lorestan ProvinceItaly: Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Marche and Piedmont RegionRepublic of San MarinoSouth Korea: Daegu-guangyeok-si, Gyeongsan-si, Andong-si, Yeongcheon-si, Cheondo-gun, Chilgok-gun, Uiseong-gun, Seongju-gun, Gunwi-gun in Gyeongsangbuk-doChina: Hubei and Zhejiang Province |
| Korea | Passengers who meet one or more of the following criteria will not be permitted to enter Korea:Travelling on a People’s Republic of China passport that lists Hubei province as the place of issue.Travelling on any type of visa issued by the Korean Consulate in Wuhan.Have visited the Hubei province in the past 14 days.With effect from 12 February 2020, all passengers travelling from Hong Kong or Macao must travel with a functioning mobile phone and contactable phone number. Prior to arrival in Korea, our cabin crew will provide passengers with the required arrival documents and health declaration forms. On arrival, local Quarantine or Immigration officials will verify the passenger’s contact number as stated on these forms. If the verification process is unsuccessful, the passenger will be denied entry into Korea. Exemptions: Korean citizens, permanent residents, spouses and direct family members are permitted to enter. Other restrictions include:Suspension of the Visa Waiver program for passengers travelling to Jeju (CJU) on a People’s Republic of China passport.Suspension, until 11.59pm, 16 February 2020, of the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program at all Korean airports for any person departing Mainland China. |
| Malaysia | Passengers who meet the following criteria are not permitted to enter or transit through Malaysia:Travelling on a People’s Republic of China passport that lists Hubei Province, Zhejiang Province or Jiangsu Province as the place of issue.Any nationalities who are travelling directly or transiting through a third country from:Hubei Province (i.e. Wuhan)Zhejiang Province (i.e. Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou)Jiangsu Province (i.e. Nanjing)Foreigners who have, in the past 14 days, visited:South Korea (Daegu city and Cheongdo county)Italy (Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna regions)Japan (Hokkaido region)Iran (Tehran, Qom and Gilan)Please also note the Malaysian Government has suspended new visa applications (i.e. eNTRI, Visa on Arrival, e-visa and manual visa) for Chinese nationals and other nationalities who have visited Hubei, Zhejiang and/or Jiangsu provinces of China in the past 14 days. Exemptions: Nationals of Malaysia, Permanent Residents and Long Term Visa Pass or Student Pass holders, however, they must undergo health screening by the Ministry of Health upon arrival. |
| Maldives | Passengers who meet the following criteria are not permitted to enter or transit through the Maldives:Visited Mainland China in the past 14 days.Exemptions: Maldivian nationals are permitted to enter Foreigners who have visited Iran, South Korean regions of North Gyeongsang Province and South Gyeongsang Province (in addition to Mainland China) in the past 14 days, are not allowed to enter or transit through the Maldives. The Maldives government has introduced further travel restrictions: Foreigners who have visited Italy (in addition to mainland China, Iran, South Korean regions of North Gyeongsang Province and South Gyeongsang Province) in the past 14 days, are not allowed to enter or transit through Maldives. |
| Myanmar | Passengers who meet the following criteria are not eligible for a visa on arrival:Travelling on a People’s Republic of China passport.All Mainland Chinese nationals need to obtain their visa prior to travel. The Myanmar government has further updated the latest travel requirements: Any persons (including Myanmar nationals) who is arriving from Republic of Korea (South Korea), are required to provide a “Health Certificate” issued by hospitals or clinics designated by South Korea, certifying that they are tested negative for coronavirus (COVID-19) upon check-in. This requirement applies to passenger entering or transit through Myanmar |
| New Zealand | Foreigners who have been in South Korea or Northern Italy in the past 14 days, will be required to undergo a 14-day home quarantine upon entering New Zealand. Passengers who meet the following criteria are not permitted to enter New Zealand:Anyone who has travelled from/transited through Mainland China in the past 14 days.Anyone who has commenced their journey from/visited Iran in the past 14 days.Any passengers or cruise ship crew who have disembarked the Diamond Princess cruise ship in the past 14 days.Exemptions:New Zealand citizens and permanent residents are still able to enter New Zealand, along with their immediate family (spouses, legal guardians or dependents only)Australian citizens and permanent residents who consider New Zealand their permanent place of residence are also permitted to enter. |
| Nepal | Visa on Arrival (VOA) facilities will be suspended for all foreigners.Foreigners with a prior valid visa will need to submit a swab test PCR health certificate issued a maximum of 7 days prior to their arrival in Nepal. |
| Singapore | Passengers who meet one or more of the following criteria are not permitted to enter or transit through Singapore:Travelling on a People’s Republic of China passport that lists Hubei Province as the place of issue. This includes passports that have Singapore short-term or multiple-visit visas.Visited Mainland China in the past 14 days.Work pass holders (regardless of nationality) with travel history to Mainland China within the past 14 days are required to obtain an approval letter from the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) before they are allowed to travel to Singapore. Passengers will need to present this document to our airport teams before they are accepted for travel.Please note there is also a suspension on the issuance of new visas to People’s Republic of China passport holders. Exemptions: Singapore citizens, permanent residents or long-term–pass holders (including work passes and permits, student passes, dependant passes and long-term visit passes) who have previously travelled to Hubei Province, or hold a People’s Republic of China passport issued in Hubei Province, are permitted to enter Singapore. These passengers will be quarantined at home or in other suitable facilities upon arrival in Singapore.Foreigners who have visited the following countries in the past 14 days are not permitted to enter or transit through Singapore:IranRepublic of Korea (South Korea)Northern Italy (Aosta Valley, Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol)Suspension of all forms of Visas (including short-term and multiple-visit visas) issuance to those with Iranian passports. During this period of suspension, Iranian passport holder will not be allowed entry into Singapore, with immediate effect. Effective from 15 March 2020: Foreigners who have visited the following countries in the past 14 days are not permitted to enter or transit through Singapore:FranceGermanyItalySpainSuspensions of all forms of Visas (including short-term and multiple-visit visas) issuance and previously issued visas to those with People’s Republic of China and Iranian passports. |
| Sri Lanka | Foreigners who have visited Italy, Iran and South Korea in the past 14 days will not be permitted to enter Sri Lanka. Exemptions:Nationals of Sri Lanka, Diplomatic passport holders, Officials passport holders and Service passport holders, are allowed to enter Sri Lanka, but will be subject to a 14-day mandatory quarantine.Visa on Arrival has been suspended for all foreigners. Effective 15 March 2020, foreigners who have visited France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and Austria in the past 14 days will not be permitted to enter Sri Lanka. |
| Taiwan, China | Passengers travelling on a passport or document issued by the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR will not be permitted to enter Taiwan.Foreigners who have entered or stayed in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR will be refused entry.Any passenger who arrives from Italy will be required to undergo a 14-day compulsory quarantine immediately upon arrival.Foreigners arriving from Iran will be required to undergo a 14-day home quarantine when entering Taiwan.Any passenger (other than those listed above) who transits through Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR will be allowed to enter Taiwan, however will be required to undergo a 14-day compulsory quarantine immediately upon arrival.Taiwanese residents returning from the Republic of Korea (South Korea) on 25 and 26 February will be required to participate in a 14-day ‘self-health management’ after returning.Taiwanese residents returning from the Republic of Korea (South Korea) on or after 27 February will be required to undergo a 14-day ‘home quarantine’ after returning.The issuing of visas (Visa on Arrival or Online Visa Application) for Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR passport holders is suspended.Exemptions:Passengers holding a Taiwanese resident card or passengers who are the spouse of a Taiwanese citizen are permitted to enter.Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR passport holders with an Exit/Entry Permit issued after 11 February 2020 and with a travel purpose of “商務履約、跨國企業內部調動” (business purpose for the transnational enterprise). Passengers with such an entry permit will be allowed to enter Taiwan but will be required to undergo a 14-day home quarantine after entering Taiwan.Holders of a Resident Certificate for The Taiwan Area (臺灣地區居留證). This card is mainly issued to Hong Kong SAR / Macao SAR / People’s Republic of China passport holders who reside in Taiwan, but only those with the purpose code: HF151, HF152, HF155 and HF189 will be allowed entry.Holders of an Alien Resident Certificate (外僑居留證). This card is issued to foreign residents other than Hong Kong SAR / Macao SAR / People’s Republic of China passport holders and has a specific expiry date.Holders of an Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (外僑永久居留證). This card is issued to foreign residents other than Hong Kong SAR / Macao SAR / People’s Republic of China passport holders, and allows them to permanently stay in Taiwan. |
| Thailand | Effective 12 March 2020, passengers departing from People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong SAR & Macao SAR), Korea, Italy and Iran are required to have the following at check-in:Health certificate, Link opens in a new window operated by external parties and may not conform to the same accessibility policies as Cathay Pacific along with a negative COVID-19 laboratory result issued within 48hours of flight departure (applicable to all nationalities)Health insurance document that provides at least USD100,000 coverage in Thailand (not applicable to Thai nationals)Passengers from the above zones will be subject to a 14-day self-quarantine upon entering Thailand or the length of their visit (if less than 14-days). Effective on 13 March 2020, nationals of the following territories can no longer obtain visas on arrival: Bulgaria, Bhutan, Mainland China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu. Exemption: Transit passengers through the above places are exempt from the above requirements. For more information on the new travel regulations, please visit Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health., Link opens in a new window operated by external parties and may not conform to the same accessibility policies as Cathay Pacific |
| The Philippines | For flights to The Philippines: Passengers who have travelled from/transited through Mainland China, Hong Kong or Macao are not permitted to enter. Exemptions:Philippine citizens and their foreign spouse/children (including permanent residents, holders of a Recognition certificate and RA9225 Identification certificate) are permitted to enter – however must undergo a 14-day home quarantine on arrival.Passengers travelling on Diplomatic passports may travel – however will be subject to a 14-day quarantine on arrival. For flights from The Philippines: Non-Philippine citizens may continue to travel from the Philippines as normal. Under a temporary travel restriction, with some limited exemptions, Philippine citizens are not permitted to travel to or transit through Mainland China, Hong Kong or Macao. Exemptions: The following passengers are permitted to travel from the Philippines:Filipinos leaving abroad for study, are allowed to travel to Hong Kong and MacaoOverseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), whether returning or newly-hired, may travel to Hong Kong and Macao upon a declaration signifying their knowledge and understanding of the risks involved. Our airport teams will provide more information on this requirement at check-in |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | Passengers holding Iranian passports, are not allowed to enter United Arab Emirates (i.e. DXB).Exemptions will be given to Iranian nationals holding a valid UAE Resident Visa or Iranian Diplomatic Passport. |
| United States | Passengers who meet the following criteria are not permitted to enter the United States:Non-US citizens or residents who have visited Mainland China in past 14 days.Foreigners who have entered or transited through Iran or Mainland China in the past 14 daysExemptions: US citizens and lawful residents who have visited Mainland China in past 14 days will only be permitted arrival into one of the following 11 airports: Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Washington Dulles (IAD), Seattle (SEA), Atlanta (ATL), Honolulu (HNL), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Detroit (DTW). Travellers arriving in these airports will be subject to a quarantine assessment on arrival. US citizens and lawful residents booked on Cathay Pacific services to Boston (BOS) must be re-routed to one of the above airports. Effective from 14 March 2020 Foreigners who have been present in or transited through the following 26 European states: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland (in addition to Mainland China and Iran) in the past 14 days, are not allowed entry into or transit through the United States. |
| Vietnam | All nationalities who have visited or transited through Italy or Iran in the past 14 days, will be required to undergo a 14-day compulsory quarantine after entering Vietnam. The Visa Waiver Program for Nationals of Italy will be suspended with immediate effect. Ho Chi Minh City Passengers who meet one or more of the following criteria are not permitted to enter Ho Chi Minh City:All foreign passport holders who have been in or transited through Mainland China in the past 14 daysTravelling on a People’s Republic of China passport with a visa on arrival approval letter.Travelling on any other passport with a visa on arrival approval letter, and have visited Mainland China in the past 14 days.Korean passport holders travelling under the Vietnam visa waiver program. Hanoi & Da Nang Passengers who meet one or more of the following criteria are not permitted to enter Hanoi or Da Nang:All foreign passport holders who have been in or transited through Mainland China in the past 14 days.Travelling on a People’s Republic of China passport with a visa on arrival approval letter or a Tourist visa (DL).Korean passport holders travelling under the Vietnam visa waiver program. People’s Republic of China passport holders travelling on an APEC card must present an invitation letter from their company/business partners in Vietnam to prove the entry purpose is for business and not leisure. APEC card holders must present an invitation letter from their company/business partners in Vietnam to prove the purpose for their visit is business, not leisure. Exemptions:Vietnam citizens and residents are permitted to enter.Those travelling for Diplomatic or Official purposes. All such passengers will be required to undergo a medical examination on arrival before entry is permitted. The Vietnamese government has announced further travel restrictions:, Suspension of Visa on Arrival (VOA) facilities for the nationals of: Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Spain |