To help our readers stay abreast of the changing travel and tourism landscape, Travel News will bring agents ongoing updates on the countries that have announced the reopening of their borders, and when.
Updates August 21-27
Namibia’s borders will reopen to international travellers via Hosea Kutako International Airport only from September 1. Travellers must present a negative COVID-19 test result no older than 72 hours before boarding the flight.
All travellers will be required to stay for seven days at their first accommodation, which must be duly registered with the Namibia Tourism Board and certified by the Ministry of Health.
Singapore will reopen its borders for international tourists from selected countries, starting on September 1. Travellers will have to apply for an Air Travel Pass, which will allow visitors to enter Singapore without having to quarantine. They will be tested on arrival for COVID-19, and only be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore after receiving a negative test result. The list of countries is expected to grow but presently travellers who have spent the last 14 consecutive days in New Zealand and Brunei will qualify for the Air Travel Pass.
Thailand plans to open Phuket for international tourism on October 1. This will be pilot programme for the rest of the country. Tourists will be permitted to fly into Phuket and quarantine in a designated resort for 14 days. Travellers must be tested for COVID-19 at the beginning and end of their quarantine period, after which they will be free to travel on the island. Those who wish to travel beyond Phuket will have to stay in quarantine for an additional seven days, and have a third COVID-19 test at the end of that 21-day quarantine period.
Ukraine is shutting its borders for all foreign arrivals from August 29 until at least September 28, to help curb rising cases throughout the country. Ukraine has seen a ‘second-wave’ surge in cases since reopening for tourism in June.
