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A number of state governments in Australia have announced updated border restrictions in response to the unfolding situation with COVID-19 cases in the state of Victoria. South Australia (SA) has confirmed its border with Victoria will remain open; there will, however, be greater requirements for testing for those entering SA from the Greater Melbourne area. New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD) have not declared Victoria a COVID-19 'hotspot' so far, however, both states have introduced testing requirements for arrivals from Victoria's exposure sites.

The country's government has announced that a suspension on cruise ships carrying more than 100 passengers will now remain in place until at least 28 February 2022. Also extended is an order prohibiting pleasure craft in Canadian Arctic waters, except for those used by residents of the region.

The Scottish Airport has launched an on-site COVID-19 testing service, offering fast and accurate lateral flow and PCR testing. PCR testing costs £99 per person for the general public, £80 per person for airline passengers and £60 per person for Edinburgh Airport staff. Lateral flow tests are also available for £50 per person. No booking is required for lateral flow tests as this is a walk-in service, however passengers who require a PCR test should book via the 'ExpressTest' website prior to arrival.

The country's government has announced that it has extended a current state of emergency, which will now last until at least 7 March 2021; a suspension of entry for foreign travellers for the purposes of tourism has also been extended. At present, no foreign travellers are allowed to visit the country for this purpose, with arrivals from 152 countries suspended outright with very few exceptions.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that all overseas travellers must undergo mandatory quarantine in hotels. The approach differs from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s targeted quarantine system, under which self-isolation in hotels managed by authorities is mandatory for arrivals from "high-risk" countries.

The country's government has followed the lead of several other European countries in introducing further travel restrictions for arrivals from Brazil and South Africa, in a bid to curb the spread of new strains of COVID-19; only a limited number of passenger flights from these destinations are now permitted to enter. Passengers in transit in Spanish airports are also now not permitted to leave the airport’s transit area. The updated measures came into effect from 09.00 (local time) on 3 February and will last for at least two weeks.

The government of the Australian state of Victoria has announced that it has re-introduced a mandate on face masks, in addition to increasing the cap on visitors in homes and pausing an increase on the number of people allowed in offices; the updated measures follow the news of a hotel quarantine worker contracting COVID-19 within the state. From 23.59 (local time) on 3 February, private gatherings have been limited to 15 people and masks are mandatory in indoor settings.

The country's government has announced that all international tourists travelling to Bulgaria will now have to present a negative COVID-19 test result on arrival, in an effort by the country to curb the spread of new COVID-19 variants; the negative result must have been obtained from a test taken a maximum of 72 hours prior to arrival. In addition, other new entry requirements are in effect from 29 January to 30 April; Bulgarian citizens or legal residents crossing the border without COVID-19 test results must self-isolate for ten days. However, these new requirements do not apply to transit passengers, bus and truck drivers, crews of ships and aircraft.

The country's government has suspended international commercial passenger flights until at least 28 February, in addition to closing all land borders. This follows the news that Myanmar's army have said it has seized power in the country, declaring a state of emergency for a year.

The country's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a mandate for travellers on aircraft and other forms of public transport to wear face masks from 1 February, in a bid to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.

The country's government has announced that it has lifted a suspension on entry to passengers from over 30 countries and regions, including South Africa, allowing foreign nationals to enter the Philippines; arrivals are, however, subject to certain conditions. Foreign nationals will need to show proof of pre-booked accommodation for at least seven nights in an accredited quarantine hotel/facility; they will also be required to undergo COVID-19 RT-PCR testing on their sixth day of quarantine from date of arrival.

The country's government has announced that from 1 May, international passengers from the EU and approved other countries will be permitted to enter without restrictions providing that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19; provided that qualifying arrivals present an international certificate of vaccination, they will not be subject to any testing or quarantine measures. Prior to 1 May, certificate of vaccination does not exempt travellers from current travel restrictions.

The country's government has announced that it has extended a current COVID-19 border closure until at least 28 February; under the restriction, almost all international passengers are restricted from entering Argentina. There are a limited number of exemptions, including for foreigners who are direct relatives of Argentines, nationals and foreign residents.

The country's government has announced that it has lifted travel restrictions for all EU passengers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19; previously, all incoming travellers were required to quarantine for 14 days. Arriving passengers are now required to wait a minimum of 10 days after their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before travelling to Romania.

The country's government has announced that South Africa will remain at adjusted COVID-19 alert level 'three', but with an easing of some restrictions. Among them, a nationwide curfew will now be in force only between 23.00 and 04.00 (local time), and many public areas and facilities will be re-opened. The sale and consumption of alcohol is now permitted between certain hours, and faith based gatherings are permitted subject to health protocols. Political gatherings, sports gatherings or social gatherings are however still prohibited. It remains compulsory for every person to wear a face mask in a public place.

The government of the Canadian province of Ontario is mandating COVID-19 testing for all arriving international passengers, as part of what they call a six-point plan to battle COVID-19 variants. This new measure took effect as of 00.01 (local time) today, 1 February.

The government of French Polynesia has announced that it has taken the decision to suspend entry to foreign nationals for the purposes of tourism until further notice from 3 February; the decision has been taken in order to protect the islands from new variants of COVID-19. Entry will only be permitted for a limited number of exemptions under the justification of ‘compelling reasons’, like a family or medical emergency.

The government of the Australian state of Western Australia (WA) has announced new COVID-19 'lockdown' measures, to be imposed with immediate effect from 18.00 (local time) on 31 January until 18.00 (local time) on 5 February; the measures are due to be enforced based on health advice following a positive COVID-19 case detected in a hotel quarantine worker. The 'lockdown' will affect the Perth metropolitan area as well as the Peel and South West regions.

The government of the UAE emirate of Dubai has changed its entry rules for foreign citizens; on arrival, tourists must present negative results of a COVID-19 PCR test, obtained a maximum of 72 hours prior to departure. Arriving passengers, as before, must also install a special mobile application on their phone to determine their location and well-being while in-destination. Foreign citizens arriving in Dubai now also need to take a second test for COVID-19 and, until the results are known, must quarantine in a hotel or apartment. If the test is positive, then the passenger will be in self-isolation for at least ten days.

Due to travel restriction put in place, please note Asky has suspended operations to/from Johannesburg effective 31ST Jan – 30TH May.