Special Reports by ICA Directors: Covid-19 Travel Restrictions

Warren Boyd, ICA Director from Canada

Up until now, the Canadian border had been closed up until November 21st to non-resident & non-Canadian citizens travelling from the USA. Any Canadian citizens returning/arriving in Canada had been required to quarantine for 14 days, which is an honor system.

Some violations are being issued according to the news. For instance, as a Canadian citizen, I traveled on two trips in August & September 2020 to our sapphire mining operation in Montana to enter the USA. This is because "mining" is considered an "essential service" in the eyes of the USA authorities. On return to Canada in August, I was told to "self monitor," but upon returning in September, I was told it was compulsory to quarantine for 14 days at home.

At no time did authorities check to see if I adhered to these conditions. This weekend I am traveling within Canada to the diamond mines (in the far north) and thus I have gone for free Covid-19 testing (to ensure I am not Positive). Also, on arrival in the diamond mining camp, we are quarantined for 8 to 10 hours while Covid testing is done to determine if we are positive or negative. I will travel again to the USA in December to arrange for a sales meeting with our USA based clients (since they are barred from traveling to Canada).

Damien Cody, ICA Advisor

Hi All, Australia’s borders are closed except for Australian citizens returning who must complete 14 days in-hotel quarantine.

The exception is a newly created travel bubble with New Zealand citizens who, like Australia, have almost eradicated Covid-19.

Shahina Hatta, ICA Director Hong Kong

Hello All,All non-Hong Kong residents coming from overseas countries and regions by plane will be denied entry to Hong Kong; and non-Hong Kong residents coming from the Mainland, Macao and Taiwan will be denied entry to Hong Kong if they have been to any overseas countries and regions in the past 14 days.

Hong Kong residents arriving in Hong Kong who have been to any overseas countries or areas in the past 14 days are subject to compulsory quarantine apart from the exempted persons under the "Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation".

You may find complete information here:https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html

The government is working on a travel bubble with Singapore which should be in effect soon.

Alice Muthama, ICA Director Kenya

Hello All,Passengers must have a medical certificate with a negative Covid-19 PCR test result, issued no more than 96 hours before departure, and complete a "Travelers Health Surveillance Form" online for contact tracing.There will be health screenings upon arrival.Depending on the country of origin, some travelers may be required to quarantine.

A list of exemptions can be found here: https://kcaa.or.ke/quarantine-exempted-states

Anyone who shows symptoms of Covid-19 upon arrival will be required to quarantine in their accommodation for the first 14 days. Passengers seated in two rows surrounding anyone on a flight displaying symptoms will be traced and required to quarantine for 14 days. 

Altaf Iqbal, ICA Director Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is closed for foreigners through December.

Captain Ramji Sharma, ICA Director Japan

Greetings from Tokyo!The Japanese Government has agreed with selected countries to open the gate for each other in a limited range. The mitigation policy has already started with Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam in October and it could be available for Chinese in December.Many of those visitors who are coming to Japan when the new policy is in place, may still require a 14-day quarantine when they are back in their own countries.

It is still not really practical for exhibitors and visitors for in-person Trade Shows.Overall, if we still see the situation here, then Japanese borders for international visitors will remain closed.Some airlines have started operations, but travel is restricted to the Permanent Residents, Long Visa Holders, and Japanese Nationals to travel for family reasons. https://www.mofa.go.jp/a_o/na/page22e_000929.html

Jean-Claude Michelou, ICA Editor-in-Chief, InColor Magazine

Dear All, All travelers arriving in Thailand need to provide the following documentation:

• Health certificate showing negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test results issued no more than 72 hours before travelling

• Certificate of entry• Fit to Fly certificate• Certificate from the Thai Embassy or the Thai Consulate in the country of origin

• Health Insurance covering COVID-19 (not less than 100,000 US dollars)

• Letter of approval on quarantine accommodation by the Thai authorities

• Post-quarantine accommodation details for the entire duration of stay

This is the latest for Thailand. The rules change every 2 days, so here is the link:https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/southeast-asia/thailand/latest-thailand-travel-warnings-alerts.