12 Countries That Still Have Covid Restrictions

After nearly 7 million deaths, the Covid emergency has finally be declared over by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although the virus is still around, we’re at least in a place where the current variants just generally make you feel like crap, but have little chance of killing you (unless, of course, you’re part of an at-risk population).

Joe and I had always been #teamcovidsafety. But over time, as people were vaccinated and the variants changed, even I was like, “When is the U.S. going to change their Covid-related rules about visitors entering the country?” That finally happened in early May, around the same time as the WHO’s declaration.

I really thought we were the last country to drop restrictions…but apparently not. There are still a few countries that have some sort of Covid-related restrictions:

Brazil

Travelers arriving in international flights, whether Brazilian or foreign, must provide alternatively:

Proof of vaccination, printed or in electronic form, in Portuguese, English or Spanish; OR
Proof of a negative or not detected antigen test or RT-PCR, taken one day prior to boarding.

Cameroon

Cameroon remains closed to tourism. However it’s currently partially reopened to nationals, residents, diplomats and professionals.

Proof of a recent (no older than three days before application) negative coronavirus test must be provided to obtain a visa. Separately, you must have proof of a recent (no older than three days before first boarding) negative coronavirus test to board your flight to Cameroon.

China

Following its “No-Covid” policies, China was one of the last countries to let its own people leave their own homes, never mind travel. As of late April, 2023, travelers entering China no longer need to provide a negative PCR rest result. Instead they can show a negative antigen test result taken within 48 hours before boarding.

Ghana

Fully vaccinated passengers to Ghana are not required to undergo pre-departure COVID-19 testing or to undergo testing upon arrival.
Passengers who are not fully vaccinated are required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result of not more than 48 hours prior to arrival in Ghana and will also undergo rapid antigen testing upon arrival.

Indonesia

Documents to enter Indonesia include Full Vaccination Status (English) and documents in English for passengers 17 and older. Children under 6 are not required to be vaccinated to enter Indonesia. Partially vaccinated 6-17 year olds may be required to complete vaccinations.

Upon entering Indonesia, you must get a temperature check. If you have fever and/or Covid-19 symptoms then PCR test upon arrival must be done. If the RT-PCR examination upon arrival shows a positive result, depending on the symptoms, you might be transferred to an isolation hotel/ centralized isolation facility/ COVID-19 referral hospital, at your own expense.

Kenya

Fully vaccinated travelers do not require a PCR test. Unvaccinated travelers require a negative PCR test no more than 72 hours before arrival.

Madagascar

PCR test is required by immigration not more than 72 hours before arrival.
All arriving travellers are required to undergo an Antigen test at a cost of USD 20. If the result is positive, the traveller will be required to quarantine for 7 days at a dedicated facility at their own cost.

Mozambique

Fully vaccinated:

Copy of vaccination certificate with QR code is required.

If not fully vaccinated:

All travelers who have not fully vaccinated and are over 11 years of age, will be required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test, obtained within 72 hours of departure for Mozambique from your country of origin.

The Philippines

Fully Vaccinated Travelers: Pre-departure COVID testing is no longer required for fully vaccinated travelers, to include Filipinos and foreign nationals.
Unvaccinated/Partially Vaccinated Travelers: A laboratory-based rapid antigen negative test result within twenty-four (24) hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin is required for entry to the Philippines.

Rwanda

Negative test certificate required taken at maximum 72 hours before arrival only if doing primate trekking.

Uganda

Fully vaccinated

A negative PCR test certificate is not required for fully vaccinated inbound travelers.
Produce the full vaccination certificate at air or land border points.
Children under the age of 6 are exempted from providing a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate whether vaccinated or not.

Not fully vaccinated

All travelers (except those younger than 5) must provide an original negative COVID19 PCR test in your country of origin, issued within 72 hours of departure for Uganda. This must be from a recognized laboratory.
On departure from Uganda, all travelers are required to arrive at the airport at least 4 hours before their flight and present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within 72 hours of departing from Uganda. This is required even if your destination country does not require this (except for children under 5 years). However to note that your destination country’s time frame will be the most important if they require a negative test in less than 72 hours.
You will be required to undergo temperature checks and health screening.

Also, if you are transiting through Uganda, you wil need to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated or provide a negative COVID-19 test certificate on arrival in Uganda.

Zimbabwe

Fully vaccinated:

If fully vaccinated then a PCR test certificate is not required. The vaccinations must be approved by the WHO. A booster is not required.
A full vaccination certificate is required to be presented with a QR code.
Those who have received three doses of the World Health Organisation recommended vaccines are exempted from mandatory wearing of face masks in outdoor public places.

If not fully vaccinated:

Those travelers not fully vaccinated will be required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate, obtained from a recognized facility within 48 hours of departure for Zimbabwe.
This is required for all travelers 12 years and older.
There will be enhanced health screening and temperature testing on arrival.
Complete a Health Questionnaire detailing where they have traveled to and providing personal details for tracking purposes. Document here
On departure COVID-19 protocols to be followed only if the destination country or airline requires it.

All travelers to Zimbabwe will be checked with non-contact thermometer on arrival.

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