Covid is once again on an uptick, but for the vast majority of us, it’s not the threat it once was. Virtually all offshoots of the Omicron variant, the current subvariants of the once-dread virus usually cause anywhere from minor sniffles to flu-like symptoms. However both hospitalizations and deaths are significantly lower than they were during the height of the pandemic.
As long as we isolate ourselves for a few days when we’re sick, so we don’t spread the virus to others, we’re pretty good. Covid isn’t over – it’ll probably never be 100% gone – but just as the medical and science professionals suggested early on in the pandemic, it’s becoming endemic and we’ve learned to live with it.
Meanwhile, believe it or not, there are nearly 2 dozen countries that STILL have Covid precautions if you plan to travel to them:
Angola
- Anyone arriving to Angola will be required to present a negative PCR test, no older than 48 hours.
- All arrivals will be tested again upon entry.
Bolivia
- Travelers entering Bolivia are required to present negative PCR test results, no older than 72 hours, or an antigen test no older than 48 hours.
- Fully vaccinated arrivals are exempt from testing.
Brazil
- Non-vaccinated arrivals must present a COVID test, RT-PCR, or an antigen test, no older than 1 day before arriving in Brazil.
- A COVID test is not required when arriving in Brazil when fully vaccinated.
Cameroon
- Anyone arriving to Cameroon will be required to present a negative PCR test, no older than 3 days.
- Fully vaccinated arrivals are exempt.
Central African Republic
- Anyone arriving to the Central African Republic with symptoms, will get tested upon arrival.
- Anyone arriving to the Central African Republic through air is requested to provide a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival.
- Anyone to the Central African Republic from countries with active COVID-19 cases will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
- Fully vaccinated arrivals are not exempt from this.
Chad
- Anyone arriving in Chad will be required to present a negative PCR test, no older than 96 hours.
- Fully vaccinated arrivals are exempt.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Anyone arriving to DRC will be required to present negative PCR test results, no older than 72 hours, and take a second PCR test upon arrival, at their own expense. Unvaccinated arrivals must quarantine until getting test results.
- Fully vaccinated travelers are exempt from pre-arrival testing.
Djibouti
- All travelers to Djibouti will be required to present a negative PCR test, taken no more than 72 hours before departure and no more than 120 hours prior to their arrival.
- Fully vaccinated rivals are exempt.
East Timor
- Unvaccinated arrival may be required to be tested upon arrival and are required to quarantine for 10 days in an approved facility.
- Fully vaccinated arrivals are exempt.
Guinea-Bissau
- All arrivals to Guinea-Bissau will be required to present a negative PCR test, no older than 72 hours.
- Fully vaccinated arrivals are exempt.
Kenya
- All arrivals will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test, no older than 72 hours, and will be tested upon arrival.
- Fully vaccinated arrivals are exempt.
Libya
- Anyone entering Libya will be required to present a negative PCR test, no older than 48 hours.
- Anyone entering Libya is required to undergo a 10-day quarantine in a designated facility.
- Fully vaccinated arrivals are not exempt from this.
Malawi
- Anyone arriving to Malawi will be required to present a negative PCR test, no older than 72 hours, and might be screened for COVID-19 at the airport.
- Fully vaccinated arrivals are exempt.
Mozambique
- All arrivals to Mozambique must present a negative PCR test, no older than 72 hours.
- Fully vaccinated arrivals are exempt.
Myanmar
- Anyone arriving in Myanmar will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test, no older than 48 hours.
- Fully vaccinated arrivals are exempt.
Nicaragua
- All arrivals to Nicaragua must present a negative PCR test, no older than 72 hours.
- Fully vaccinated arrivals are exempt.
Niger
- All arrivals to Niger will be required to present a negative PCR test, no older than 72 hours.
- All arrivals will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.
- Fully vaccinated arrivals are exempt.
North Korea
- North Korean citizens entering the country must undergo a 30-day quarantine.
- Foreign tourists are currently not allowed to enter.
Philippines
- All arrivals to the Philippines must present a negative test no older than 24 hours and proof of vaccination.
- Fully vaccinated arrivals are exempt.
Sao Tome and Principe
- Arrivals who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 must undergo quarantine.
- Unvaccinated arrivals without a negative COVID test may be required to quarantine.
Togo
- Unvaccinated arrivals in Togo will be required to present a negative PCR test, no older than 5 days. They will be tested upon arrival, as well.
- Fully vaccinated travelers are exempt.
Turkmenistan
- All arrivals will be required to present a negative PCR test, no older than 72 hours before departure, and will be tested upon arrival.
- It is also possible to have a document of antibodies to Covid.
- If fully vaccinated, you must show proof of same.
Uganda
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- Anyone arriving to Uganda will be required to present a negative PCR test, no older than 72 hours.
- Fully vaccinated arrivals are exempt.
And nope, China is not one of the countries that require any Covid precautions – they JUST ended them on August 30th. North Korea also updated its precautions in late August (until then, North Korean citizens still weren’t allowed to travel back to their homeland)
Our observations
23 countries still have Covid precautions of one type or another. Most precautions “don’t count” if you’re fully vaccinated. (although what’s considered to be “fully vaccinated” may or may not vary from country to country. The initial shots in 2021? The boosters in 2022? None specify what “fully vaccinated” means). And yes, even with Omicron being significantly less serious for most people, and even though today’s vaccines won’t really stop you from catching an Omicron sub-variant (it’ll just decrease your risk of hospitalizations or death….which may be a good thing, since most of the countries that still have Covid restrictions aren’t really super well-known for their health systems).
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8 comments
This interesting article has a major error. It reads “current subvariants of the once-dread virus usually cause anywhere from minor sniffles to flu-like symptoms. “. False.
Covid can and does cause hospitalization.
Covid can and dies cause death.
The pandemic is not over.
Mask wearing is still useful. Outdoor dining is not fullproof. I got Covid from outdoor dining with a couple who unknowingly had Covid and became symptomatic later that evening. I know because I was in isolation 6 days before I had outdoor dining.
People need to adjust strategies for the long term, not pretend it doesn’t exist. Mask wearing when grocery shopping is smart unless you are trying to impress the cashier.
Hello! Brazil doesn’t have any restriction since May: https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/assuntos/noticias-anvisa/2023/covid-19-entenda-o-fim-das-medidas-para-entrada-de-viajantes-no-brasil
Obrigado, Denis!
Not sure where you are getting your info but at least Kenya is not correct either.
https://health.go.ke/incoming-travellers
I entered the Philippines last month and was not required to show proof of a negative test or vaccination. (Though the requirements as written here negate each other: Vaccinated people are exempt from having to show proof of vaccination?)
Just entered Philippines this week, they have removed all COVID-related requirement since late Jul, only pre-arrival registration is needed. It was not clearly publicized but one will see the notes when registering (they don’t check the code at immigration either…)
Brazil does not require covid vaccines or test since June. Update this information, please .
Was just in Nicaragua, they also no longer require proof of vaccination or a negative test