UAE hits 95.78% vaccination rate: Know the countries now open, or about to lift COVID-19 travel bans

ABU DHABI: The world is reopening following months of global flight restrictions. And the UAE, with more than 95.78% vaccination rate, is leading the way. From October 8, all travellers arriving from the updated ‘Green List’ of destinations (vaccinated and unvaccinated) were exempted from quarantine measures after landing in Abu Dhabi. Countries on the ‘Green List’ refers to the departure point of travel, not the citizenship of the passenger. List of countries here: https://gn24.ae/c6e4468c1052000

DUBAI: The Emirate of Dubai, currently hosting the Expo 2020 and a number of global events, has seen a steady flow of tourists. The UAE has one of the best vaccination rollout programmes, which has ensured its airlines – and fliers – have received instant access to most destinations. In the next two weeks, up to 430,000 passengers are expected to pass through Dubai International Airport (DXB), from the October 15-28, 2021 period. https://gn24.ae/c76d64fe8dab000

RUSSIA: On October 14, 2021, Russia has announced it has lifted restrictions on air traffic with Austria, Switzerland, Finland, the UAE. Russia will also resume air service with 9 countries (Bahamas, Iran, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Slovenia, Tunisia, Thailand and Sweden) starting November 9, the Russian news agency Tass reported. The decision took into account the situation in these countries, a representative of the federal coronavirus prevention headquarters told reporters on Thursday. Russia resumed air traffic with Finland in late January 2021, with Switzerland in late August of 2020, with the UAE in early September 2021, and with Austria in June 2021, Tass reported.

UK: From October 4, fully-vaccinated travellers from the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and 14 other countries arriving in the UK no longer need to undergo a quarantine period. https://gn24.ae/c6e513d4251f000

UK: On October 11, the UK has also announced the easing of travel rules for countries including India. No quarantine will now be required for fully-vaccinated travellers from India, South Africa and for 45 other destinations, thus make it easier for people to arrive from those countries in the latest stage of its relaxation of the rules. The UK follows a ‘traffic light’ system for international travel, with low-risk countries rated green for quarantine-free travel, medium risk countries rated amber, and red-list countries requiring arrivals to spend 10 days in isolation in a hotel. https://gn24.ae/c6e513d4251f000

UNITED STATES: On October 9, 2021, the US has announced it will accept WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccines for international travellers. The are six vaccines authorised FDA or listed for use by WHO will meet the criteria. On September 20, the White House announced the US would lift travel restrictions in November on air travelers from 33 countries including China, India, Brazil and most of Europe who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. A CDC spokeswoman, however, did not specify which vaccines would be accepted. https://gn24.ae/c702abd6cfe2000

US: On October 13, the US has announced it will lift restrictions at its land borders with Canada and Mexico for fully-vaccinated foreign nationals in early November, ending historic curbs on non-essential travelers in place since March 2020 to address the COVID-19 pandemic. https://gn24.ae/c75a62913a29000

SAUDI ARABIA: On May 20, Saudi authorities lifted restrictions on the overseas travel for citizens after 16 months due to COVID precautions. On September 8, Saudi Arabia said 70,000 pilgrims will be allowed to perform Umrah daily. The Kingdom resumed receiving vaccinated foreign Umrah pilgrims on August 9 following the Hajj season. The UAE is one of the top destinations of Saudis for air travel. Thousands also travel through the King Fahd Causeway linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. https://gn24.ae/c48967158943000

BAHRAIN: On October 10, Bahrain removed 11 countries from it "red list”. The kingdom’s civil aviation authorities said that as of October 10, South Africa, Namibia, Uganda, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Georgia, and Ecuador will be removed from the list. In May, the UAE and Bahrain approved the setting up of a quarantine-free travel corridor for vaccinated people and for those who will be allowed to travel between the two countries. https://gn24.ae/c6f2526528a0000

MALAYSIA: On October 10, Malaysia lifted travel restrictions for fully vaccinated people, after the Asian country has achieved target of inoculating 90% of adult population. https://gn24.ae/c71b3a7baf90000

SEYCHELLES: Since August 2020, Emirates was the first international airline to return to the island. Emirates currently operates more than seven weekly flights to Seychelles from Dubai. UAE travellers already make up second highest contribution to island-nation's arrivals. The UAE has signed a safe travel corridor agreement with Seychelles, allowing for quarantine-free travel for fully-vaccinated individuals. https://gn24.ae/c6f145b4f26b000

BALI, INDONESIA: On October 14, 2021, Indonesia’s holiday island of Bali reopened to foreign tourists after 18 months of pandemic hiatus. Bali drew 6.2 million foreign visitors in the year before COVID-19 struck. Bali requires visitors to be vaccinated against COVID-19; Indonesia also requires visitors to spend their first five days in quarantine. https://gn24.ae/c76ca2be0abf000

THAILAND: In July 2021, the Thai islands of Phuket and Samui welcomed vaccinated tourists from most countries. Hundreds started arriving on the opening days. Thailand hopes the move will breathe new life into a tourism industry devastated by the pandemic, opening Phuket to fully vaccinated foreigners from lower-risk countries. Pre-pandemic, tourism accounted for 20% of Thailand's economy, and 95% of Phuket's income.

SERBI, BOSNIA, TURKEY: Since June 2021, Serbia and Bosnia had become among top UAE travellers' holiday picks, with Istanbul a close third. Since June, Serbia was among the countries that UAE had set up a travel corridor with — passengers no longer need to quarantine on arrival. 

GREECE: Effective May 18, 2021, the UAE and Greece had a safe travel corridor for a quarantine-free travel for fully-vaccinated individuals. In addition, they also signed a mutual recognition of vaccination certificates issued by health authorities in the two countries. The move eased travel of vaccinated individuals holding vaccination certificates without the need to apply quarantine requirements upon arrival, while abiding by other precautionary measures adopted at each destination to ensure safe and secure travel for all. https://gn24.ae/bb195f3a5079000

ITALY: From June 1, the UAE and Italian authorities launched the bilateral travel corridor for all categories of passengers between the two countries, thus ending the quarantine requirement. Travellers from the UAE to the Italian airports at Rome, Venice and Milan will be allowed to travel to Italy for all purposes. All passengers above 2 years old will have to undergo a rapid antigen test 48 hours before leaving the UAE and on arriving in Italy. Passengers with negative test results will be allowed to move into the country without restraint.


PHILIPPINES: On October 13, the Philippines announced it was easing travel restrictions, allowing more businesses in the capital to reopen from October 16 and loosening quarantine rules for vaccinated travellers. Fully-vaccinated international travellers from areas classified as "green" or low-risk will no longer be required to undergo facility-based quarantine. Passengers must a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours from departure. https://gn24.ae/c76e35f37d27000

AUSTRALIA: On October 5, Canberra announced the return of skilled migrants and students will be given higher priority, while tourists won't be welcomed back to Australia until 2022. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia was expected to reach the vaccination benchmark on Tuesday (October 5) at which the country could begin to open up: 80% of the population aged 16 and older having a second shot. He announced plans to allow vaccinated citizens and permanent residents to fly overseas from November for the first time since the travel ban took effect in March last year. https://gn24.ae/c6b308f96a01000

JAPAN: As the infections slowed, the COVID-related emergency and other measures in all 27 prefectures expired at the end of September. On October 2, Japan's health ministry has announced lifting of entry restrictions for vaccinated visitors to the country. Travelers will have to show proof of getting the Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines, as they are currently the only ones accepted in Japan. The mandatory 14-day quarantine for eligible travellers was also reduced to 10 days, after which a PCR test must be taken. https://gn24.ae/c76ebf31b527000

INDIA: On September 29, 2021, India’s Directorate General of Central Aviation (DGCA) extended the ban on scheduled international commercial flights till October 31, 2021. The ban on international flights has been in place since March 23, 2020. Flight restrictions, however, were later eased under air bubble arrangement with 28 countries with which India has signed air bubble pacts. The country has been operating “Vande Bharat” flights to many countries over the last one year. The restriction will not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the regulator, the agency stated. https://gn24.ae/c63881c14582000

Pakistan's COVID count continues to fall. Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced that from October 1, only fully vaccinated passengers aged 18 and above will be allowed to undertake air travel to, from, and within Pakistan. Also on October 1, 2021, domestic flight operations restarted at all airports in Pakistan for vaccinated passengers. Earlier, on September 22, Pakistan was taken off UK's travel “red” list alongside seven other countries. Pakistan has administered at least 93.6 million doses as of October 14, 2021, according to a Reuters tally. PIA, meanwhile, has announced on its website: “We have resumed most of our regular international flight operations, subject to approvals from foreign governments and authorities. A number of charter flights are also operating. All flights are subject to change.” https://gn24.ae/c7214fbdaf80000

SRI LANKA: On October 1, 2021 Sri Lanka opened its borders to the world for tourist arrivals. New guidelines states the island-nation will accept fully-vaccinated travellers from all countries including India. All travellers arriving in Sri Lanka holding a negative PCR test from point of origin but will not be required to do PCR test on arrival in Colombo and can commence their travel and holiday in Sri Lanka. “Travellers with a history of COVID-19 infection during past three months could arrive with a negative COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test report done within 48 hours prior to embarkation,” according to Sri Lankan Airlines website up dated October 3.

VIETNAM: From November 1, Vietnam and Japan have agreed to lift mandatory quarantine for short-term visits for businesspeople and officials. However, this will be done as per strict health protocols including testing and medical surveillance. Details of the protocols and procedures are yet to be released. Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines resumed some international flights connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with South Korea, Japan, and Australia from April 3. Low-cost carrier VietJet has also resumed services including to Taiwan and Thailand. However, only repatriated approved Vietnamese citizens and approved foreign experts will be allowed to enter Vietnam.