Travel from UAE: More countries scrap prior PCR test for travellers
A growing number of countries are lifting pre-departure PCR test for visitors
With COVID cases on a downward trend and as communities learn to live with the coronavirus, more countries are opening up to international travellers. One travel requirement being eased is pre-departure PCR test.
Here’s an updated list of countries that lifted the prior test rule, based on recent announcements, with starting dates:
ITALY
From: April 1, 2022
A negative COVID test is no longer required for fully vaccinated travellers — from any country — to enter Italy. Travellers must present either proof of vaccination status or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months. Unvaccinated visitors can also enter Italy, with no quarantine required (previously they had to quarantine for 5 days). All passengers are still required to fill in a Passenger Locator form — regardless of vaccination status. Those who refuse to fill up the form will have to quarantine for 5 days on arrival.
NIGERIA
From: April 4, 2022
The Nigerian government has scrapped pre-departure as well as post-arrival PCR tests for fully vaccinated travellers entering the country. A revised travel protocol requires fully vaccinated passengers to show proof of “verifiable” vaccination certificate and permit to travel certificate. “In-bound passengers to Nigeria who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are no longer required to carry out COVID-19 PCR test before boarding Nigeria-bound flights,” the new protocol reads.
SOUTH AFRICA
From: March 22, 2022
South Africa relaxed some of the remaining COVID-19 curbs, dropping mandatory negative results for inbound fully-vaccinated travellers. “Travellers entering South Africa will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours," said President Cyril Ramaphosa. The mandatory wearing of face masks when outdoors has been scrapped too, but will remain mandatory in public indoor spaces.
HUNGRAY
From: March 23, 2022
Nearly all COVID-related restrictions had been phased out in Hungary, returning to pre-pandemic entry rules, as well unrestricted access to and use of accommodation and attractions. The country has also lifted mask mandates. Vaccination certificates are no longer required to access indoor congresses or conferences, accommodations and spas, or outdoor events of any type.
INDIA
From March 31, 2022
For fully vaccinated passengers from the UAE to India, a pre-departure negative PCR test is no longer mandatory, according to a recent Gulf News report. In a letter issued to travel agents, the report quoted Air India Express as saying that guests who are fully vaccinated from a list of recognised countries on “reciprocity” basis are exempted from RT-PCR testing prior to departure for travel to India from the UAE. The Indian government has published a list of 99 countries “in respect of which primary vaccination schedule completion certificate is allowed to be uploaded” as of March 31, 2022.
INDONESIA
From: March 21, 2022
Indonesia already lifted the negative coronavirus test result as a requirement for domestic flights. For international guests, Indonesia has announced the removal of on-arrival PCR test and waiving of the visa requirement for Asean travellers. On-arrival testing will only be required for travellers who fail temperature screening, although pre-departure testing will be retained for now. On March 21, 2022, expanded the no-quarantine policy across Indonesia, after the implementation of a quarantine waiver in March for fully-vaccinated visitors on the islands of Bali, Batam, and Bintan.
IRELAND
From: March 6, 2022
Ireland dropped all coronavirus entry restrictions, regardless of a traveller’s vaccination status, doing away with pre-departure testing or quarantine on arrival. There’s also no need to present proof of vaccination, negative RT-PCR test or proof of recovery for travellers. Mask mandate indoors has all been dropped, but a mask is still mandatory when using public transport.
MALDIVES
From: March 5, 2022
Maldives decided to scrap off the pre-departure PCR testing requirement for fully-vaccinated tourists. The popular beach destination no longer requires in-bound travellers to present a negative PCR test upon arrival, if you can present proof of vaccination.
MAURITIUS
From: March 12, 2022
Mauritius has scrapped negative PCR test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers, according to the Ministry of Health and Wellness. With this move, travelling to this Indian Ocean island will become much easier. The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority said that the move would make it much easier for business and leisure travellers to visit this Indian Ocean Island, and is being warmly welcomed by the travel and hospitality industry in Mauritius.
NEPAL
From: March 7, 2022
To revive its tourism industry, Nepal eased travel for fully-vaccinated international travellers, scrapping off the negative pre-departure PCR test requirement for fully vaccinated visitors. Special discounts on domestic flights are also offered to international travellers. Moreover, local hoteliers offered at least a 20% discount on their services to international guests. More offers to visitors are expected this April.
NETHERLANDS
From: March 23, 2022
The Netherlands has scrapped its pre-travel test requirement for visitors, regardless of vaccination status. The government is scrapping the remaining coronavirus rules, too, including the use of face masks on public transport. Despite the decision to relax the rules, wearing a face mask on public transport would be helping to protect others, health minister Ernst Kuipers said. Masks will also still remain compulsory on planes because of EU regulations.
SEYCHELLES
From: March 15, 2022
The Seychelles now allows visitors to enter the island nation without having to present a pre-departure negative PCR test. All visitors over the age of 18 and are double-jabbed (or got a booster dose after 6 months since completing the primary series) will be considered fully immunised. Only two vaccine doses are enough for visitors aged 12 to 18 years. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors will be required to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel or a rapid antigen test.
From: March 29, 2022 A negative COVID test is no longer required for fully vaccinated travellers — from any country — to enter Italy. Travellers must present either proof of vaccination status or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months. Unvaccinated visitors can also enter Italy, with no quarantine required (previously they had to quarantine for 5 days). All passengers are still required to fill in a Passenger Locator form — regardless of vaccination status. Those who refuse to fill up the form will have to quarantine for 5 days on arrival.
SLOVENIA
From: February 19, 2022
All COVID restrictions were dropped by Slovenia on February 19. “This means that the RVT (recovered/vaccinated/tested) condition no longer has to be met at the border, and travellers will no longer be ordered to quarantine at home,” announced Slovenian authorities. Slovenia has also cancelled all of its domestic restrictions, including the wearing of a mask.
ARUBA
From: March 19, 2022
Travelers will no longer be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination to enter. The Caribbean island of Aruba has joined the list of destinations to lift all COVID-19-related border measures, according to the Aruba Tourism Authority.
BANGLADESH
From: March 8, 2022
Bangladesh joined the list of countries that do not require fully-vaccinated passengers to present pre-travel negative PCR tests. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, however, stated that those who aren’t fully vaccinated still need to present on arrival a negative PCR test taking at most 72 hours prior to departure.
CAMBODIA
From: March 17, 2022
Cambodia’s Ministry of Health announced on March 17 that fully-vaccinated inbound passengers need no longer show a PCR test result. The south-east Asian country, with a vaccination rate of 92.31% of 16 million population against COVID-19, relaxed most restrictions to boost tourism and investments. Those unable to show proof of vaccination would need to quarantine for 14 days after arrival. Authorities also plan to resume issuing visas on arrival.
CANADA
From: April 1, 2022
Canada has scrapped pre-departure negative COVID test result or proof of recent infection for travellers, starting April 1. The new rules allow inbound travel for fully-vaccinated adults and children over the age of 12. Those who are not fully vaccinated, however, must quarantine on arrival. Children under 5 need not be vaccinated. Fully-vaccinated visitors can still be randomly picked for testing on arrival, but are no longer required to quarantine while they are awaiting their results.
ICELAND
Iceland has dropped all COVID travel restrictions. You don’t need to quarantine or need to present an RT-PCR test irrespective of your vaccination status. "No disease prevention measures will be in place at the border, regardless of whether individuals are vaccinated or unvaccinated,” the government announced last month.
THAILAND
From: April 1, 2022
Thailand has scrapped the requirement for a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test for visitors, with effect from April 1, 2022, local media announced on Friday. Testing on arrival will continue, according to a Bangkok Post report quoting the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration on Friday (March 18, 2022). The change in procedure was announced by CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin.
SAUDI ARABIA
From: March 5 , 2022
Saudi Arabia has scrapped PCR test requirements and institutional and home quarantine for arrivals to the Kingdom, starting from Saturday (March 5, 2022). According to an official source at the Ministry of Interior, negative PCR test and quarantine are no longer required from passengers coming to the Kingdom.
QATAR
From: February 28, at 7pm
Qatar has updated its travel and return policy, exempting its vaccinated citizens and foreign residents from pre-arrival PCR testing after a marked decline in COVID-19 infection rates in the country. The Qatari Ministry of Public Health has announced the update that will go into effect Monday, February 28, at 7pm, according to local media.
OMAN
From: March 1, 2022
Fully vaccinated people are no longer required to perform a PCR test to enter Oman, starting from Tuesday (March 1, 2022), state-run news agency ONA announced. The move is part of a slew of measures announced by the Sultanate’s Supreme Committee dealing with COVID-19 to ease the pandemic-related curbs. Wearing facemasks will remain mandatory only in indoor places. Hotels will operate at 100 per cent capacity.
PHILIPPINES
From: February 1, 2022
Fully-vaccinated foreign and domestic tourists are now allowed to visit Boracay Island without the need of a negative PCR test result with effect from February 1, 2022. Partially-vaccinated or unvaccinated tourists are still required to submit a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours of their travel date. However, the no-need-for-PCR-test policy does not apply across the country yet — though specific destinations have adopted it. There are at least 14 destinations — including cities of Davao and Zamboanga, and the province of Ilocos Norte — that had scrapped the requirement.
CYPRUS
From: February 21, 2022
Cyprus has adopted a new protocol for entry into the country. Persons who are fully vaccinated or recently recovered are no longer required to undergo a PCR or antigen rapid test. PCR test upon arrival to Cyprus has also been scrapped for this group of travellers. However, non-vaccinated and non-recovered persons are still required to undergo a PCR test 72 hours or antigen rapid test 24 hours prior to departure (traveler-paid).
EUROPEAN UNION
From: April 17, 2022
COVID tests for fully vaccinated arrivals are to be scrapped across the 27-member European Union (EU) in time for the Easter holidays, as part of a new protocol approved by the European Council on Tuesday (February 22). Easter Sunday falls on April 17, 2022. The uniform rule ends a patchwork of regulations is ditched in favour of a harmonised EU-wide policy. Under the new rules, unvaccinated children aged six to 17 will also be allowed to enter any EU country with proof of a pre-departure PCR test. Unvaccinated adults who can provide proof of a recent COVID infection within the past 180 days may also enter, although they may be required to test before arrival.
PAKISTAN
From: February 24, 2022
Passengers travelling from the UAE to Pakistan will no longer have to do the mandatory pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test valid for 72 hours before the flight, starting Thursday (February 24, 2022). Islamabad announced the decision Wednesday to abolish the pre-boarding PCR test for all inbound travellers who are vaccinated. However, unvaccinated passengers are not exempted from the test.
JORDAN
From: March 1, 2022
The Amman government announced on Thursday the removal of the mandatory PCR tests for arrivals to the Kingdom at airports, land and sea crossings, from Tuesday (March 1, 2022). The rule apples to both Jordanian or non-Jordanian citizens. The easing restrictions is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s tourism sector.
Switzerland country has discarded all COVID-related entry rules for travellers from countries that do not have variant concerns.
SWITZERLAND
February 18, 2022
There’s no need to undergo testing or quarantine on arrival in Switzerland. The Alpine country has discarded all COVID-related entry rules for travellers from countries that do not have variant concerns. In shops, supermarkets and restaurants, masks are no longer required, but will be needed while taking public transport.
NORWAY
From: February 12, 2022
Just like before the pandemic began, Norway’s borders are already open. Travellers, regardless of vaccination status, don’t need to quarantine or present an RT-PCR certificate, or even wear a mask in the country.
OTHER COUNTRIES:
Here's our initial list of countries that earlier announced the lifting of pre-departure PCR test and the starting dates. The rules may still change in these destinations, so it's best to keep yourself updated with airline and official announcements.
SWEDEN
From: January 18, 2022
BAHRAIN
From: February 4, 2022
FINLAND
From February 15, 2022
SINGAPORE
From: February 22, 2022
BRUNEI
From: February 15, 2022
KUWAIT
From: February 20, 2022
UK
From: February 11, 2022
FRANCE
From: February 12, 2022
DENMARK
From: February 1, 2022
PORTUGAL
From: February 4, 2022
GREECE
From: February 7, 2022
VIETNAM
From: February 15, 2022