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Special Reports

Special Report

Travel to Asia: Top holiday destinations that have lifted COVID-19 curbs

India, Georgia, Maldives, Oman among nations that eased rules on masks and PCR tests

Asian countries have eased COVID-19 restrictions in a bid to revive tourism. Vaccination certificates and PCR tests are not a necessity in many places, but masks are compulsory indoors.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Most Asian countries have rolled out the red carpet to visitors with the hopes of reviving tourism as the COVID-19 threat wanes. Vaccination certificates and RT-PCR are no longer required for entry to most destinations.

The passage is still not as free as in Europe. Countries that have been buffeted by repeated waves of coronavirus and its variants are still on guard. China, which continues its zero-tolerance policy on COVID-19, remains on guard with some restrictions on entry to visitors. So is the case with Japan.

Image Credit: Vijith Pulikkal/Gulf News

Some countries like the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore, South Korea and others are fine with tourists as long as they are fully vaccinated. Despite grappling with several COVID waves, India has lifted the restrictions. Georgia, Maldives, Oman and Bhutan are among the nations which have made travel easy.

Masks are optional in most countries but are compulsory indoors and in healthcare facilities.

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Here’s a list of 25 Asian countries and their COVID rules that will help plan your holiday travel. This is a generic guide, and COVID rules could change depending on the pandemic situation in each country. So check again before you travel.

1. Armenia

ARMENIA: Haghpat Monastery, also known as Haghpatavank, is a medieval monastery complex, built between the 10th and 13th century. A masterpiece of Armenian religious architecture, the Unesco World Heritage Site represents a unique fusion of traditional architecture of the region and the ecclesiastical architecture of the Byzantine Empire.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Required in some indoor areas

COVID-19 test: Not required

Vaccination requirements: None

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Health form: Not required

2. Azerbaijan

AZERBAIJAN: Juma Mosque in Shamakhi city’s is a major landmark and remains one of Azerbaijan’s largest places of worship. While the current structure was reconstructed in 2013, the earliest version dated to 743 CE, making this the second oldest mosque in the Caucasus and the oldest in Azerbaijan.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Required in public transport, all public indoor areas, and some outdoor areas

COVID-19 test: Not required for entry for vaccinated visitors

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Vaccination requirements: Passengers must either have proof of full vaccination or proof of recovery from COVID-19 and a negative PCR test certificate obtained within 72 hours before departure.

Health form: Not required

3. Bhutan

BHUTAN: Tiger's Nest is a Buddhist monastery perched on the side of a cliff in western Bhutan. The complex sits on narrow ledges and within caves 900 metres above the Paro valley.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Required in all public indoor, public transport and certain outdoor areas

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COVID-19 test: Not required for the vaccinated. But unvaccinated passengers aged 12 years and older may be randomly tested.

Vaccination requirements: None

Health form: Not required

4. Cambodia

CAMBODIA: Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II in early 12th century. The complex comprises more than a thousand buildings, and it is one of the great cultural wonders of the world.
Image Credit: Pixabay
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Masks: Required in all public indoor facilities, public transport and some outdoor areas

COVID-19 test: Not required for entry

Vaccination requirements: Fully vaccinated passengers should present an original vaccination certificate and an A4 colour copy. Unvaccinated passengers will be subject to an Antigen Rapid Test on arrival at their own expense. Covid-19 treatment will be at your own expense.

Health form: Not required

Insurance: Recommended but not compulsory

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5. China

CHINA: The Great Wall of China is an ancient series of walls and fortifications, totaling more than 13,000 miles in length, located in northern China. It was conceived by Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the third century B.C. as a means of preventing incursions.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Required in all public indoor, public transport and all outdoor areas. Passengers must wear a mask in the airport and during their flight to China.

COVID-19 test: PCR or nucleic acid test is required

Vaccination requirements: None

Health form: Not required

Permission: Passengers must register online to obtain a ‘green health code’ or QR code and complete a Health Declaration Form before arrival.

Entry restrictions: Passengers from Belgium, Ethiopia, India, Italy, Philippines, Russia, Ukraine, or United Kingdom are not permitted to enter China.

6. Georgia

GEORGIA: Khertvisi Castle, one of the oldest fortifications in Georgia, lies in the Aspindza municipality in the Samtskhe–Javakheti region. The oldest parts of the present castle date back to the 10th century, the most recent to the 19th century.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Required on public transport and in certain indoor areas

COVID-19 test: Not required

Vaccination requirements: None

Health form: Not required

7. India

INDIA: The Taj Mahal (Persian for Crown of Palaces) is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna river in the Indian city of Agra. it was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Required in all public indoor, public transport and all outdoor areas

COVID-19 test: No test for vaccinated passengers with a vaccination certificate. Unvaccinated passengers aged five years and older must submit a negative RT-PCR test result 72 hours before departure on the online Air Suvidha Portal.

Vaccination requirements: None

Health form: Passengers must submit a Self-Declaration Form on the Air Suvidha portal before travel. They should carry printed copies.

8. Indonesia

INDONESIA: The Pura Ulun Danu Bratan temple is a famous old Hindu lake temple that sits on the waters of scenic Lake Beratan in Bedugul, north Bali. The 12-storey pagoda was built by the Balinese king of Mengwi in 1633, and the lake it sits on is actually a crater lake from an old volcano.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Required in all public indoor areas and on public transport

COVID-19 test: Not required for entry

Vaccination requirements: Required. Passengers aged 18 years and older must hold a Covid-19 vaccination certificate.

Health form: Passengers must obtain a Health Alert Card before arrival.

Entry restrictions: Visitor visas and limited stay visas issued by Indonesia to Indian nationals are suspended.

9. Israel

ISRAEL: The Dead Sea is a lake that is part of the long border between Israel and Jordan. The lowest point on earth at 394.6 metres below sea level, it’s surrounded by the stunning landscape of the Negev Desert. Fish cannot survive in the salty waters, hence the name.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Required in some public indoor areas

COVID-19 test: No pre-departure test is required. No test on arrival

Vaccination requirements: None

Health form: Passengers must complete an Israel Entry Form within ten days before departure.

Insurance: Passengers must have medical insurance covering the cost of treatment for Covid-19.

10. Japan

JAPAN: The iconic Mount Fuji and the Chureito Pagoda in the Fuji Five Lakes region is a quintessentially Japanese destination that makes it one of the country’s most photographed and ‘Instagrammable’ spots. Chureito Pagoda was built on the mountainside overlooking Fujiyoshida City in 1963 as a peace memorial.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Required in all public indoor, public transport and some outdoor areas

COVID-19 test: A printed negative test tested within 72 hours before departure is required.

Vaccination requirements: None

Passenger Locator Form: Passengers must download to their phone a Location information-confirming app, video call app and Covid-19 Contact-Confirming Application

Health form: Passengers must complete an online questionnaire and present the generated QR code on arrival.

Entry restrictions: Passengers who have been issued a visa for Japan from 2nd December 2021 must re-apply.

11. Jordan

JORDAN: Ad Deir (the Monastery in Arabic) is a monumental building carved out of rock in the ancient Jordanian city of Petra in the mid-first century AD. The monastery is a stunning example of Nabataean architecture.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Required in all public indoor, public transport and certain outdoor areas

COVID-19 test: Not required

Vaccination requirements: None

Health form: A Declaration Form must be submitted online before departure and present the generated QR code before boarding and upon arrival.

Insurance: Passengers must have proof of health insurance that will cover the cost of potential COVID-19 treatments in Jordan.

12. Lebanon

LEBANON: A family relaxes at the Sidon beach in southern Lebanon. The beautiful golden sands are a huge attraction for tourists.
Image Credit: Reuters

Masks: Required in all public indoor, public transport and all outdoor areas

COVID-19 test: Not required for passengers with a vaccination certificate. Unvaccinated passengers aged 12 years and older must hold a negative PCR test result within 48 hours before departure or an antigen test result tested within 24 hours before departure. The test should include a QR code.

Vaccination: Not required

Health form: Not required

13. Malaysia

MALAYSIA: Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia, are the tallest twin towers in the world since 1996. The interior motifs of the 451.9-metre high buildings are designed to resemble Malaysia’s local handicrafts and weaving patterns to form beautiful Islamic patterns.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Not required

COVID-19 test: Not required

Vaccination requirements: Carry vaccination certificates. Unvaccinated passengers will be subject to Rapid Antigen Testing within 24 hours after their arrival.

Health form: Not required

Insurance: Not required

Entry requirements: Passengers must hold a “Traveler’s Card” obtained by registering with MySejahtera and have downloaded the app onto their phone before departure.

14. Maldives

THE MALDIVES: A nation of 1,192 islands in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives attracts visitors with its unique geography and marine life. It has about five per cent of the Earth’s reefs that house a thousand species of fish. The azure waters and pure white beaches are also magnets for tourists.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Not required

COVID-19 test: Not required

Vaccination requirements: None

Health form: Traveller Health Declaration within 96 hours before departure required. The TraceEkee app must be downloaded. Before exiting from the Maldives, passengers must complete a Traveller Health Declaration within 72 hours of departure.

15. Mongolia

MONGOLIA: The country is a unique and relatively unexplored travel destination that offers a great combination of scenic natural features, a wide variety of untouched landscapes, nomadic life style and culture.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Required in all public indoor, public transport and certain outdoor areas

COVID-19 test: Not required

Vaccination requirements: None

Health form: Not required

16. Nepal

Mount Everest, a peak in the Himalaya mountain range, it is considered the tallest point on Earth at 8,849 metres. The mountain was named after George Everest, a former Surveyor General of India, attracts a legion of mountaineers to Nepal.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Required in some regions

COVID-19 test: Test not required for passengers with proof of vaccination. Negative Covid-19 test obtained within 72 hours before departure is required for unvaccinated passengers.

Health form: Not required

Form requirements: Passengers must complete an International Online Arrival Form before travel and hold the printed barcode generated.

17. Oman

OMAN: The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the capital city of Muscat is the largest mosque in Oman. It took six years and seven months to build the mosque, which was completed in May 2001.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Required in all public indoor areas and public transport

COVID-19 test: Not required

Vaccination requirements: Passengers aged 18 years and above should show proof of full vaccination.

Health form: Not required

18. Pakistan

PAKISTAN: Nanga Parbat is the ninth-highest mountain on Earth at 8,126 metres, lying southeast of the northernmost bend of the Indus River in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. Pakistan offers high adventure and nature to tourists with trekking, mountaineering, white water rafting, wild boar hunting, mountain and desert jeep safaris, camel and yak safaris, trout fishing and bird watching.
Image Credit: Supplied

Masks: Required in all public indoor, public transport and all outdoor areas

COVID-19 test: Not required for vaccinated passengers. Unvaccinated should have a negative PCR test obtained within 72 hours before departure.

Vaccination requirements: Passengers aged 18 years and above must show proof that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Passenger Locator Form: Passengers must submit their details online or using the PassTrack mobile app before departure

Form requirements: Passengers must fill in their details using the PassTrack app or online before departure.

19. The Philippines

THE PHILIPPINES: Palawan in western Philippines is known for the biodiverse Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, where boats run along an underground river through vast caves. Farther out in the Sulu Sea, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park has reefs teeming with marine life.
Image Credit: Getty

Masks: Compulsory at the airports and during the flight.

COVID-19 test: Not required for entry

Vaccination requirements: Proof of vaccination required (digital or hardcopy)

Health Form: You must register and complete the electronic Health Declaration Checklist (e-HDC) or One Health Pass before arrival.

20. Saudi Arabia

SAUDI ARABIA: Al Ula in the northwest of Saudi Arabia is a place of extraordinary natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Image Credit: Supplied

Masks: Not required but recommended inside mosques

COVID-19 test: Not required for entry

Vaccination requirements: No need to present a vaccination certificate

Insurance: Required

21. Singapore

SINGAPORE: An urban landscape in Singapore. The southeast Asian country is a melting pot of culture and history. One of Asia's most visited destinations, Singapore is best described as an amalgam of a fast-paced life and an off-the-back-street inheritance.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Required only in public indoor areas, healthcare facilities and public transport

COVID-19 test: Not required for entry

Vaccination: Proof required. Visitors must be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before arrival.

Health Form: Electronic Singapore Arrival Card with Health Declaration must be submitted within three days before arrival

Insurance: Not required

22. South Korea

SOUTH KOREA: Gyeongbokgung Palace, or Gyeongbok Palace, in northern Seoul, was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Built in 1395, it is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Passengers must wear a mask in the airport and during their flight (Fine: 100,000 South Korean Won). Masks are also required on public transportation and in most public venues.

COVID-19 test: Not required for entry

Vaccination requirements: Passengers aged 18 years and older must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Unvaccinated passengers must hold a valid negative RT-PCR test result with a QR code obtained within 48 hours before boarding.

Passenger Locator Form: Passengers must download the Self-quarantine Safety Protection App onto their phones

Health form: A Health Declaration form must be completed before arrival.

Insurance: Not required

23. Sri Lanka

SRI LANKA: The golden beaches, lush landscapes, majestic mountains and rolling green tea gardens make the island nation of Sri Lanka a favourite with tourists. Buddhist monasteries and temples and other exotic spots make Sri Lanka a fascinating tourist destination.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Masks: Required in public indoor, public transport and outdoor areas

COVID-19 test: Required. A negative PCR certificate from tests taken 72 hours before departure or a negative Rapid Antigen test certificate obtained 48 hours before departure.

Vaccination requirements: Vaccination is not required for travel

Insurance: Passengers must have COVID-19 insurance with one month's cover of $75,000

24. Thailand

THAILAND: A small beach on Ko Phi Phi Leh, an island off the southwestern coast of Thailand. The smaller of the Phi Phi Islands is a tourist hotspot for its beautiful water, party atmosphere and famed Maya Bay, where the movie "The Beach" was filmed.
Image Credit: AP

Masks: Passengers are advised to wear a face mask

COVID-19 test: No required before and after arrival.

Vaccination: Vaccination is not required for travel

Insurance: Not required

25. Vietnam

VIETNAM: Majestic caves, emerald waters and islands carved from limestone make Ha Long Bay an incredibly popular destination for climbing, scuba diving and trekking.
Image Credit: Supplied

Masks: Not required

COVID-19 test: Not required for entry

Vaccination: Not mandatory

Insurance: Required. It should cover COVID-19 treatment worth at least US $10,000
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