IMPACT – HIGH

The U.S. and other countries around the world have imposed new entry and travel restrictions amid an outbreak of a new variant of the COVID-19 virus. Among those that have added new restrictions are:

  • United States. Under a White House proclamation that took effect today, the U.S. is barring entry to most foreign nationals who have been physically present in the past 14 days in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa or Zimbabwe. Read BAL’s full news alert here.
  • Australia. Australia has barred entry to foreign nationals who have been in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Seychelles or Zimbabwe in the past 14 days. Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family are permitted to enter Australia but must enter a supervised quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of vaccination status. More information is available here.
  • Canada. Foreign nationals who have been in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa or Zimbabwe in the previous 14 days are not permitted entry into Canada. Canadian citizens, permanent residents and individuals with status under the Indian Act who have been in these countries will be subject to enhanced screening, testing and quarantine measures. More information is available here.
  • European Union. EU member states agreed to impose temporary restrictions on travel into the EU by suspending passenger flights from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Exact entry and travel policies will differ from country to country.
    • France. France suspended entry from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe until at least Dec. 1 and added the seven countries to its “red list.” More information on France’s COVID-19 entry policies is available here.
    • Germany. Germany listed Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe as “virus variant” areas and temporarily halted all flights from the eight countries except for those carrying only German nationals. More information is available here. Information regarding individual exceptions can be found here.
    • Ireland. As of Nov. 26, passport holders from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa are required to apply for an entry visa, or transit visa, as appropriate, before traveling to Ireland. Further, Ireland has imposed new testing and quarantine requirements on anyone traveling from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa or Zimbabwe (regardless of vaccination status). Travelers from these countries, including Irish citizens, must take a PCR test before departing and must complete a 10-day home quarantine upon arriving. They must complete two additional tests during the quarantine and must test negative in order for the quarantine to end. Officials have also urged Irish nationals in the seven countries to return home. More information is available here.
    • Spain. Spain categorized Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe as high-risk countries. Travelers from high-risk countries are now required to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival and meet entry requirements listed here.
  • Israel. Israel banned the entry of foreign nationals for two weeks. Foreign nationals with a valid B-1 work visa and a multiple-entry visa will be able to enter the country, provided they adhere to health protocols, are eligible for an Israeli “green pass” and receive authorization to travel after completing an entry statement 48 hours before their flight. More information on entry requirements is available here.
  • Japan. Japan stopped accepting applications and issuing screening certificates until at least Dec. 31. Entry is limited to Japanese nationals and permanent residents, foreign nationals who hold reentry permits and foreign nationals who have special exceptional circumstances, subject to fulfilling all requirements. More information is available here.
  • New Zealand. New Zealand has barred entry to foreign nationals who have been in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa or Zimbabwe in the past 14 days. Foreign nationals traveling from Papua New Guinea are still barred entry as well. New Zealand citizens who have been in these countries are permitted to enter but must undergo testing and stay in managed isolation for 14 days (when traveling from the listed African countries) or seven days (when traveling from Papua New Guinea). More information is available here.
  • Philippines. The Philippines suspended inbound international flights from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe until Dec. 15. Passengers who are coming from or who have been to the aforementioned countries within the last 14 days before arrival are barred from entering the country. Travelers who are currently in the Philippines and have been in one of the countries listed above within seven days of the temporary entry suspension must quarantine for 14 days in a designated facility and undergo PCR testing. More information is available here.
  • Qatar. Qatar added Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe to its “Exceptional Red List.” More information is available here.
  • Singapore. Long-term pass holders and short-term visitors who have been in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa or Zimbabwe in the past 14 days are not permitted to enter or transit through Singapore. This restriction applies to those who have obtained prior approval to enter Singapore and to those who have not. Singaporean citizens and permanent residents will be permitted to return but will be subjected to a 10-day stay-home notice (SHN) at a dedicated SHN dedicated facility (SDF). More information is available here.
  • Switzerland. Switzerland suspended all direct flights from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Swiss nationals and residence permit holders will be able to return home from these countries on a “private basis,” meaning the government will not provide official repatriation flights. All travelers arriving from the seven African countries, Belgium, Hong Kong or Israel must provide a negative test result and quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. More information is available here.
  • United Kingdom. England temporarily halted flights from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. England also added these six countries and Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia to its COVID-19 “red list.” Updated guidance states that from 4 a.m. on Nov. 30 fully vaccinated travelers must take a PCR test before the end of day two of arrival and self-isolate until a negative result is received. More information is available here.

BAL Analysis: The Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus will make travel to and from a number of countries in Southern Africa more difficult in the days and weeks ahead. BAL will continue to monitor implementation of the new restrictions and will provide updates as information becomes available. BAL continues to urge foreign nationals to consult their BAL professional before planning international travel as travel restrictions may change with little notice.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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