Which countries have coronavirus travel bans?

As increasingly extreme measures are being taken to halt the spread of coronavirus, or Covid-19, new travel bans and advisories are being introduced on a daily basis.

Here are the key travel bans you need to know about.

India

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As of 12pm GMT on 13 March, the Government of India has suspended all tourist visas and e-visas granted on or before 11 March.

“All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/international organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till 15 April 2020,” it said in a statement.

Visas of those already in India remain valid, however, and they may contact the nearest FRRO for visa extension or conversion.

All those entering India, including Indian nationals, are advised against non-essential travel.

Those arriving having visited China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Spain will be put into a 14-day quarantine.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has closed its borders to travellers from 15 nations, including the UK, amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

Prime Minister Andrej Babis declared a 30-day state of emergency, with foreign nationals travelling from Germany, Austria, Italy, Sweden, Norway, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Switzerland, China, South Korea, Iran and the UK all banned from entering the country.

Czech citizens have also been barred from entering the above nations.

Foreigners with permanent Czech residency and cross-border workers will be exempt from the ban.

The ban comes into effect at 11pm GMT on 13 March.

Italy

One of worst-affected countries in the world, Italy has been on lock-down since 9 March, when a national quarantine was imposed. The Italian authorities have advised against travel for tourism purposes throughout Italy, and said that tourists already on holiday in Italy should limit their movements to those necessary to returning home.

Although airports remain open, airline schedules are subject to change and flights are being cancelled all the time, with the majority of carriers ceasing to operate direct flights between Italy and the UK after 13 March. 

The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Italy and says: “British tourists in Italy should contact their airline operators as soon as possible to arrange return to the UK.”

Train companies are also reducing services, including to Milan Malpensa airport, and some cross-border bus companies are cancelling their services. Although ports remain open, cruise ship passengers are barred from disembarking.

As part of the new measures, many businesses are closed, including ski resorts.

Slovakia

Slovakia is stopping all international travel to and from the country and introducing border checks. 

Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini said that the country’s international airports would close and international bus and train travel would also be halted.

Guatemala

Guаtеmаlа аnnоunсеd іt іѕ bаnnіng citizens from Eurореаn соuntrіеѕ, Іrаn, Сhіnа, Ѕоuth Коrеа аnd Nоrth Коrеа from entering tо рrеvеnt thе ѕрrеаd оf thе соrоnаvіruѕ. The rules came into effect on 12 March.

US 

A new travel advisory issued by President Trump on Wednesday night has banned entry to the US for foreign nationals who have visited European countries in the last two weeks.

The ban, which is aimed at quelling the spread of coronavirus in the States, applies to those who have been to countries within the Schengen Area, but not to the UK and Ireland. 

The 26 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Legal permanent US residents and the immediate family members of US citizens will still be permitted entry back into the States.

The advisory is in place for 30 days, starting from 11.59pm on 13 March (3.59am on 14 March in the UK).

It follows the entry ban on all foreign travellers who have been in China or Iran in the last 14 days.

Australia 

Australia has imposed travel bans on foreign nationals from China, South Korea, Iran and Italy, and requires Australians and permanent residents returning from those countries to self-isolate for a fortnight.

Citizens are also being asked to “reconsider your need to travel overseas at this time, regardless of your destination, age or health”. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: “Only essential travel should be considered if you are going overseas from this point forward.”

Japan

Japan has banned entry to passengers who have been in affected regions of China, South Korea or Italy within the last 14 days. Japanese nationals, their spouses and children are exempt.

Thailand

Thailand has suspended its visa exemption policy for travellers from Hong Kong, South Korea and Italy. 

Visa on arrival has also been stopped for 18 countries: Bulgaria, Bhutan, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu and China.

Travellers must apply for visas in advance and present a medical certificate to show they don’t have coronavirus.

Norway

Anyone arriving in Norway from outside the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, plus Greenland, the Faroe Islands and the Åland Islands) is being told to self-isolate for two weeks, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not, according to the Norwegian Health Directorate. 

The restrictions run until 26 March.

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