to update! New changes in entry policies of various countries in March!

• by EVOMT
• 2023-03-11

Since March, many countries have announced good news, such as opening borders, canceling or relaxing epidemic restrictions. Let's take a look at the new changes in entry and exit policies of various countries.

01 Japan

Starting from March 1, Japan has relaxed new regulations on the entry of foreigners.

Foreign students, business people, skilled interns, and other foreigners who aim for non sightseeing tourism can enter Japan. New entrants need institutions such as receiving enterprises or schools in Japan to apply online in advance, and after passing the application, they can enter the country after obtaining a visa.

Since March, the number of people entering the country every day has increased from 3500 to 5000. If you have received the COVID-19 vaccine approved by Japan three times and come from countries or regions with high risk of non epidemic diseases, you do not need to be isolated at home after entering the country.

The COVID-19 vaccine currently approved by Japan does not include the Chinese vaccine. Inbound persons who have received Chinese vaccines still need to be quarantined after entering Japan. The quarantine period is generally seven days (at home), or they can undergo local nucleic acid testing three days or later after entering Japan. After that, the original report with a negative result will be submitted to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (Immigration Health Confirmation Center) for confirmation. Upon confirmation, isolation will be lifted.

02 Thailand

Since March 1, Thailand has relaxed the entry epidemic prevention requirements, implemented a new "test and leave" entry quarantine free policy, reduced the two nucleic acid tests after entry to one, and changed the second test to rapid virus test. In addition, the amount of insurance COVID-19 must buy for inbound passengers has been reduced from the previously specified $50000 to $20000.

03 USA

There are no recent changes to the entry policy. Maintain the entry measures since December 6 last year: all passengers to the United States must provide a negative nucleic acid test certificate within one day before boarding, and all foreign passengers (excluding American citizens) must be fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine when entering the United States.

04 Italy

From March 1, all personnel from non EU countries, including China, who meet at least one of the following conditions (supported by relevant documents) will not need to be quarantined when entering Italy:

1. Having undergone nucleic acid testing or rapid antigen testing before entering Italy and the results were negative (nucleic acid testing should be conducted within 72 hours before entering Italy, and rapid antigen testing should be conducted within 48 hours before entering Italy);

2. Have completed the specified COVID-19 vaccination process and hold the relevant green certificate;

3. In the past 6 months, he has been infected with COVID-19 and has recovered.

In addition, if a vaccine not authorized by the European Drug Administration (EMA) has been inoculated abroad, such as Sinopharm or Kexing vaccine in China, a dose of m-RNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Modena) with a booster dose can be inoculated 28 days after the completion of the initial vaccination and no later than 6 months (180 days). Completing this complete vaccination process is considered equally effective and will result in a green pass being obtained in Italy.

05 EU

On February 22nd, EU governments collectively adopted a resolution: "Member States should lift temporary restrictions on non essential travel for people who have received vaccines approved by the EU or WHO." This policy was officially implemented on March 1st.

Previously, the European Drug Administration EMA did not recognize Chinese vaccines, and this March's new regulations officially relaxed restrictions on travellers vaccinated against Chinese and Indian vaccines.

For those who have received vaccines approved by WHO, some EU countries may still require the production of negative nucleic acid PCR test results 72 hours before departure upon entry, and may take additional measures such as quarantine. Please refer to the actual requirements of the destination country at the time of departure.

06 New Zealand

Prime Minister Jacinda of New Zealand Ardern announced that from 11:59 pm on March 2nd, New Zealand will open its borders ahead of schedule, and fully vaccinated passengers will no longer need any quarantine. Passengers who have not been fully vaccinated still need to stay in quarantine hotels.

07 Canada

From February 28th, Canada's entry restrictions will be further relaxed:

1. When passengers who have been fully vaccinated with approved vaccines (including Guoyao and Kexing) enter the country, Canadian customs will randomly select passengers for COVID-19 testing, and there is no need to isolate them while waiting for the test results.

2. Children under the age of 12 who travel with fully vaccinated adults will be exempt from quarantine and can immediately attend school and day care.

3. Exempted non vaccinated passengers are still required to be quarantined for 14 days after entry and undergo COVID-19 testing on the day of entry and the 8th day after entry.

4. The pre-departure testing requirements for entry into Canada will include a negative rapid antigen test within 24 hours before departure, or a negative molecular PCR test within 72 hours before departure.

08 UK

From February 11, passengers who have been fully vaccinated with vaccines approved by the United Kingdom (including Sinopharm and Sinovac) only need to fill in the passenger orientation form when entering the country. Before and after entering the United Kingdom, there is no need to conduct any COVID-19 test without isolation.

Chinese Mainland has been listed as the "recognized vaccination certification area" in the UK, that is, it also enjoys the policy of free entry from testing and isolation.

On February 28th, the filling out of the inbound UK passenger positioning form changed from 48 hours to 72 hours, which gave passengers to the UK more flexibility.