Travel restrictions hit the world amid coronavirus scare
Nations across the globe have imposed travel restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Here are some major countries limiting entry.
CANADA
Canada, on Monday, closed its borders to non-citizens, except US citizens. Those entering Canada will be screened and asked to selfisolate for 14 days.
SOUTH AFRICA
On March 15, the country declared a national state of disaster and announced that all those who came from high-risk countries since mid-February will be required to get tested. Any foreign traveller who visited high-risk countries in the past 20 days will be denied a visa.
UNITED STATES
USA barred the entry of all foreign nationals who had visited China, Iran, and several European nations, including Ireland and the UK during the previous 14 days. US citizens and legal residents returning from high-risk areas will be screened and quarantined.
INDIA
Most visas, with the exception of official, diplomatic, employment and project, international organisations or UN visas have been suspended until April 15. A two-week quarantine is in place for all passengers “arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany” after February 15. Entry will not be provided to even Indian passport holders residing in the UK, Turkey, and Europe till March end.
SINGAPORE
As of March 15, “visitors with recent travel history to France, Italy, Germany, and Spain in the last 14 days won’t be allowed entry into or transit through Singapore”. Singapore residents and pass-holders who have been to those countries in the prior 14 days will be required to be quarantined.
THAILAND
Travellers from China, Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Italy, and Iran need a certificate of a negative coronavirus test and proof of insurance before their flight to Thailand. After arriving, they need to fill a questionnaire and their temperatures will be taken. Those who have been in the US in the last 14 days are subject to self-monitoring and reporting.
AUSTRALIA
All international arrivals in Australia have to selfisolate for 14 days and ships from foreign ports have been banned for 30 days.
NETHERLANDS
The government suspended flights from “risk countries” till March 27.
THE NEW YORK TIMES