The Foreign Office (FCO) is advising UK nationals against all but essential international travel. Border closures and other travel restrictions are increasing globally. The FCO advice took effect on 17 March, for an initial period of 30 days.
This article is being updated daily. It was last updated at 7.45pm (GMT), 20 March
In a statement, the FCO said the advice is in response to the increasingly unpredictable situation in terms of restrictions being imposed:
“Often there is little or no notice when countries take these steps and restrictions are also being imposed in areas where no cases of coronavirus have yet been reported. They are therefore very difficult to predict.
“British people who decide that they still need to travel abroad should be fully aware of the increased risks of doing so. That includes the risk that they may not be able to get home, if travel restrictions are put in place. Anyone still considering travel to be realistic about the level of disruption they are willing and able to endure, and to make decisions in light of the unprecedented conditions we face.”
The FCO is not advising UK nationals to immediately return to the UK, but says that people should “keep in mind that flights may be cancelled at short notice or other travel restrictions may be put in place by foreign governments” and to “take account of the fast moving situation and plan accordingly, while flights remain available in many places”
The following countries have travel restrictions in place that may affect UK nationals (who do not have residencies in other countries).
This includes quarantine measures, border closures, flight suspensions, health screenings and other measures. Restrictions are constantly changing and we are updating as quickly as possible:
Europe
* EU proposes suspension of non-essential travel
The EU has proposed that all non-essential travel should be suspended to European Union for 30 days, the president of the EU commission has announced. This would affect travel from outside the EU, but the UK would be exempt.
Albania and Slovenia
All flights suspended.
Austria
No direct flights between Austria and the UK, or direct air or rail connections from Austria to Italy, France, Spain or Switzerland. Travellers coming from Italy by road will be stopped at the border and must present a health certificate stating that they are not affected by coronavirus. Ski resorts closed on 15 March in Tirol, Salzburg and Vorarlberg. Restaurants and shops open at limited hours.
Andorra, Monaco and the Netherlands
Cultural and sporting activities are prohibited; large gatherings restricted; restaurants and bars are closed; shops likely to be open at limited hours; public transport limited; health screenings on arrival likely. Some flights suspended.
Belgium
Restrictions on non-essential movement (ie except food shopping, medical care). Cultural and sporting activities are prohibited; large gatherings restricted; restaurants and bars are closed; shops likely to be open at limited hours; public transport limited. Some flights suspended.
Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine
Ban on entry to UK travellers. UK travellers are advised to consider leaving these countries as soon as possible, as onward travel could become more difficult. Some flights suspended and land/sea border restrictions likely.
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Finland
Self-quarantine for 14 days. Some borders are closed and some flights suspended. Travellers may be asked for proof of accommodation booking.
Denmark
Ban on entry to UK travellers. UK travellers are advised to consider leaving these countries as soon as possible, as onward travel could become more difficult. Some flights suspended. Flights suspended from Greenland from 21 March to at least 4 April. Flights to Faroe Islands severely reduced. Borders with Sweden closed to travellers from 14 March.
France
Some flights suspended. Cross-Channel train and ferry services reduced. Restrictions on non-essential movement from 17 March for 15 days (ie food shopping, medical care, exercise of up to 20 minutes running or walking). Cultural and sporting activities are prohibited; large gatherings restricted; restaurants and bars are closed; shops likely to be open at limited hours and public transport limited.
Greece and Ireland
Self-quarantine for 14 days. Cultural and sporting activities are prohibited; large gatherings restricted; restaurants and bars are closed; shops likely to be open at limited hours and public transport limited; health screenings on arrival likely.
Isle of Man
Self-quarantine for 14 days.
Luxembourg
All passenger flights suspended from 23 March. Restrictions on non-essential movement (ie except food shopping, medical care). Cultural and sporting activities are prohibited already; large gatherings restricted; restaurants and bars are closed; shops likely to be open at limited hours; public transport limited.
Malta
Travellers in Malta advised by Maltese government to leave as soon as possible.
Moldova
No direct flights to the rest of Europe. Ban on entry to travellers who have been in China, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Macao, South Korea or Taiwan in the 14 days before arrival.
Montenegro
Ban on entry to travellers who have recently been in Japan, France, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria, Italy, Spain, South Korea, Iran and Hubei province of China. Self-quarantine for 14 days for travellers who have recently been in Japan, France, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Slovenia or Austria.
Portugal
Land border restrictions with Spain (ie cross-border commuters and deliveries only). Flights from outside the EU suspended (not including UK, USA, Canada, Venezuela, South Africa and Portuguese speaking countries). Self-quarantine for 14 days for anyone arriving in Azores, Madeira and and Porto Santo. Restrictions to non-essential movement are likely to be imposed soon.
Romania
Self-quarantine for 14 days. Travellers in Romania advised by the FCO to leave as soon as possible.
Spain
UK travellers are advised to consider leaving as soon as possible. Hotels and short-stay accommodation must close by Tuesday 24 March (measures do not apply to long-term accommodation, such as long-stay campsites, as long as travellers can cater for themselves and do not rely on communal facilities, which will be closed). Some flights suspended. Land border restrictions (ie cross-border commuters and deliveries only). Restrictions on non-essential movement (ie except food shopping, medical care).
Sweden
All Scandinavian Airlines flights suspended. Other travel options are limited.
Switzerland
Land border restrictions (ie no non-residents, and cross-border commuters and deliveries only). Restrictions on non-essential movement (ie food shopping, medical care, exercise, those that can’t work from home only). Cultural and sporting activities prohibited; ski resorts closed; large gatherings restricted; restaurants and bars closed; shops likely to be open at limited hours and public transport limited. Some flights suspended.
Turkey
Flights to the UK suspended from 17 March.
Asia
Bahrain
Suspension of visa-on-arrival scheme. Self-quarantine for 14 days.
Bangladesh
Suspension of visa-on-arrival scheme. Ban on entry to travellers who have recently been in Europe (not including UK).
Bhutan, Indonesia, Kuwait, Qatar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Oman, Taiwan and Turkmenistan
Ban on entry to UK travellers. Some flights suspended.
Brunei
Self-monitor for 14 days.
Cambodia
Ban on entry to travellers who have recently been in France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Spain or USA.
Hong Kong, Israel, Macao, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Uzbekistan
Self-quarantine for 14 days.
India
Ban on entry to all travellers from the UK, EU, and Turkey from 18 March. All visas and e-visas invalid until 15 April. Quarantine of 14 days for anyone who has recently visited China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, France, Spain or Germany.
Japan
Ban on entry to travellers who have been in China, Iran or Italy in the 14 days before arrival.
Jordan
No commercial flights in or out of Jordan, and all land and sea borders closed. Restrictions on large gatherings and non-essential movement (ie except food shopping, medical care).
Lebanon
Direct flights suspended from affected countries on 17 March. Airlines flying into Beirut Rafic Hariri airport are being asked to refuse passengers who have been in the UK, France, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Germany or Spain. UK nationals are advised to review travel plans here.
Maldives
Ban on entry to travellers who have been in Bangladesh, China, Iran, Italy or South Korea (Gyeongsang) in the 14 days before arrival.
Myanmar
UK travellers are advised to leave as soon as possible. Self-quarantine for 14 days for travellers who have recently been in France, Italy, Iran, Spain and Germany.
Nepal
Suspension of visa-on-arrival scheme. All land borders closed. All mountaineering expeditions for spring 2020 have been suspended. All travellers require a health certificate stating that they do not have coronavirus
Pakistan
International flights are limited to Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore airports, and some borders closed.
Philippines
Ban on entry to all UK travellers. Shutdown of all public transportation, limited flights from 20 March to 13 April. Foreign nationals can still leave at any time.
Sri Lanka
Ban on entry to UK travellers. No new visas being issued. Flights suspended from 19 March. Daily curfew of 6pm, initially until 23 March.
Tajikistan
All flights suspended from 20 March. Ban on entry to travellers who have been in or transited through, China, Iran, Italy or South Korea in the 14 days before arrival.
Thailand
Travellers who have recently been in affected countries require a health certificate stating that they are not affected by coronavirus. Self-monitor for 14 days. Songkran celebrations postponed and other large gatherings likely to be cancelled or postponed.
UAE
Suspension of visa on arrival scheme. Travellers already in UAE can extend visas in line with existing procedures.
Vietnam
No new visas being issued for 15-30 days, and 14-day quarantine for all travellers entering Vietnam. Some flights suspended.
Americas
Argentina
Ban on entry to UK travellers. Suspension of all flights for 30 days from 12 March. UK travellers are advised to consider leaving as soon as possible.
Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Honduras, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago
Ban on entry to UK travellers. Some flights suspended. UK travellers that wish to leave are advised to consider leaving as soon as possible, to ensure travel plans can be met.
Antigua & Barbuda and Montserrat
Ban on entry to travellers who have recently been in China, Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea or Singapore.
Barbados
Quarantine 14 days for any travellers recently been in Italy in the 14 days before arrival.
Bermuda
Ban on entry to UK travellers from 20 March (11.59 local time). No incoming passenger flights from LF Wade international airport for two weeks.
Bolivia
Ban on entry to all travellers from 20 March. All flights suspended from 21 March. UK travellers are advised to consider leaving as soon as possible.
Canada
Ban on entry to UK travellers. US border closed to non-essential travel from 20 March (midnight EST). Some flights suspended. UK travellers that wish to leave are advised to consider leaving as soon as possible, to ensure travel plans can be met.
Cayman Islands
Ban on entry to UK travellers. International passenger flights suspended for three weeks from 22 March. UK travellers that wish to leave are advised to consider leaving as soon as possible.
Chile
Land and sea borders closed and all flights suspended for all travellers from 18 March. UK travellers are advised to consider leaving as soon as possible.
Colombia
Ban on entry to UK travellers. Airports will close from 23 March. Flights are still departing, but cancellations and disruption likely. Land and sea borders closed. UK travellers are advised to consider leaving as soon as possible.
Dominican Republic
Closure of all air, land and sea borders from 19 March. UK travellers are advised to consider leaving as soon as possible. Restrictions on non-essential movement (ie food shopping, medical care, exercise. Cultural and sporting activities prohibited; large gatherings restricted; restaurants and bars closed; shops likely to be open at limited hours and public transport limited.
El Salvador
Ban on entry to UK travellers. International flights suspended.
Ecuador
Suspension of all flights until at least 5 April. All travel to Galapagos has been suspended from 16 March and all national parks have been closed until further notice. Restrictions on non-essential movement from 16 March for 15 days (ie food shopping and medical care).
Guatemala
Some flight suspensions. UK travellers are advised to consider leaving as soon as possible.
Grenada
Ban on entry to travellers who have been in China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea or Spain in the 14 days before arrival.
Guyana
All international flights suspended from the Cheddi Jagan airport at Timehri and the Eugene Correia airport at Ogle for 14 days from 17 March. Land border restrictions with Brazil. Self-quarantine for 14 days for travellers who have recently been in Brazil, China, Dominican Republic, Iran, Italy, Japan, Jamaica, Malaysia, Panama, Thailand, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Singapore, South Korea or US.
Mexico
Some flights suspended. Large gatherings restricted.
Panama
Ban on entry to UK travellers. National curfew between 9pm and 5am – travellers should not leave their accommodation outside of these hours. Some flights suspended. UK travellers that wish to leave are advised to consider leaving as soon as possible, to ensure travel plans can be met. Closure of commercial and leisure establishments, restrictions on entry to supermarkets.
Paraguay
Ban on entry to UK travellers. International flights suspended from 21 March. UK travellers are advised to consider leaving as soon as possible.
Peru
Ban on entry to UK travellers. Land and sea borders closed and air travel limited. Travellers should get in touch with the embassy to register for repatriation. Send a full name, location and contact details to [email protected]. UK travellers are advised to consider leaving as soon as possible. All borders closed and restrictions on non-essential movement from 16 March for 15 days (ie food shopping and medical care).
Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
Ban on entry to travellers who have been in China, Italy or Iran in the 14 days before arrival.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Screening and possible quarantine for 14 days for travellers who have recently been in affected countries.
Turks & Caicos
Ban on entry to travellers who have been in affected countries in the 21 days before arrival – a list of countries that is subject to change frequently.
Uruguay
All flights suspended with Europe from 20 March. UK travellers are advised to consider leaving as soon as possible.
US
Ban on entry to UK travellers. Border with Canada closed to non-essential travel from 20 March (midnight EST). Some flights suspended. UK travellers that wish to leave are advised to consider leaving as soon as possible, to ensure travel plans can be met.
Oceania
Australia
Ban on entry to UK travellers. All borders closing on 20 March (9pm local time) and could be closed for at least six months (to non-citizens and residents). Self-quarantine for 14 days. Large gatherings restricted.
Fiji
Ban on entry to travellers who have recently been in China, Iran, Italy or South Korea.
French Polynesia
All travellers require a health certificate stating that they do not have coronavirus.
Kiribati and Micronesia
Must have been spent 14 days in a country without any cases prior to arrival.
Nauru
Ban on entry to travellers who have been in or transited through China, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Macao or South Korea in the 21 days before arrival.
New Zealand
Ban on entry to all UK travellers from 19 March (11.59pm local time). Self-quarantine for 14 days. Large gatherings restricted.
Palau
Ban on entry to travellers who have been in China, Hong Kong or Macao in the 14 days before arrival.
Solomon Islands
Quarantine for 14 days for travellers who have recently been in affected countries.
Tonga
Ban on entry to all UK travellers.
Vanuatu
Ban on entry to travellers who have been in China, Hong Kong Japan, Macao, South Korea, Singapore or Taiwan in the 14 days before arrival.
Africa
Algeria
Suspension of all air and sea travel to and from Europe from 19 March.
Angola, Congo, Seychelles and Uganda
Ban on entry to travellers who have recently been in China, Iran, Italy or South Korea.
Benin, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia,Gambia Mozambique and Tunisia
Self-quarantine for 14 days for travellers who have recently been in affected countries. Some flights suspended.
Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia and Mauritius
Ban on entry to UK travellers. Some flights suspended.
Cape Verde
All sea borders closed and restricted flights from 18 March.
Comoros
All airports closed. Must have spent 14 days in a country without any cases prior to arrival.
Egypt
Ban on UK travellers until 31 March. All air traffic suspended from 19 to 31 March.
Eritrea
Quarantine of 14 days for travellers who have recently been in China, South Korea, Italy, Germany or US.
Guinea
Visitors must submit their passports for a 14-day monitoring period.
Liberia
Quarantine of 14 days likely, for travellers who have recently been in affected countries.
Madagascar
No commercial passenger flights with Europe for 30 days from 20 March. Self-quarantine for 14 days for travellers who have recently been in affected countries.
Morocco
Flights suspended with the UK from 16 March (return flights from 19 March). Restaurants, bars and other public spaces closed.
Rwanda
All flights suspended from 20 March for initial period of 30 days. Self-quarantine for 14 days for travellers who have recently been in affected countries.
South Africa
Suspension of visa on arrival scheme. Some flights suspended form 21 March. Travellers in the country who received a stamp on arrival allowing them to stay for 90 days do not need to apply for a visa.
Cruise ships
The FCO is advising against all travel on cruise ships for passengers aged 70 years and over or those with high-risk conditions. Some destinations are placing bans on cruise ships docking or passengers disembarking, including Australia, Chile, Colombia, Greece, Italy, Montenegro and Portugal.
[“source=theguardian”]
