The latest coronavirus updates around the world

16th March 2020

Supporting your vessel and crew is our top priority. GMT receives regular updates from WorldAware®, an intelligence-driven, integrated risk management solutions that enable multinational organizations to operate globally with confidence.

The Coronavirus is first and foremost a humanitarian challenge and, as such, the protection of the health & wellbeing of all our customers and colleagues around the world is our highest priority.

It is our hope that the below traveler updates keep you well informed as we navigate this difficult time together.

Travel and Airline Restrictions by Month

• March 2020
• February 2020
• January 2020

Latest Travel Restrictions by Country

• Authorities in Argentina announced major restrictions to public transport services in the country from March 19 including suspension of all domestic flights March 19-24 and entry ban for all nonresident foreign nationals into the country through at least March 31.
• Australia raised its travel advisory for citizens to the highest level (“Do Not Travel”) for all outbound journeys from March 18 amid ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity in the country. Despite the description by officials as a ban, Australians are still allowed to depart the country. Qantas (QF) has reportedly canceled 90 percent of its international flights and cut domestic service to 40 percent. Meanwhile, Virgin Australia (VA) will halt all international operations through June 14. Virgin Australia also plans to reduce domestic flights by 50 percent. Virgin Australia subsidiary Tigerair Australia (TT) will continue to operate international flights through at least March 29 but will reduce domestic flights. Officials also banned cruise ships from docking in Australia through April 15.
• Authorities in Cameroon announced the indefinite closure of its land, sea, and air borders effective March 18. All inbound international flights and entry visas have been suspended. The status of outbound international travel is currently unclear. Cargo transport will not be affected.
• As of March 15, authorities in several countries in the Caribbean and Central America are likely to continue implementing travel and other restrictions through at least late March, to prevent the spread of the disease. The duration of the measures will likely depend on the course of the outbreak in China and other countries.
• The Cayman Islands announced a temporary entry ban for all foreign nationals from 2359 March 19. The government has also announced the suspension of all international flights at Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) and Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (CYB) from 2359 March 22-April 5. All restrictions are subject to amendment at short notice.
• Authorities in Chad have announced that N’Djamena International Airport (NDJ) will close to all passengers 23:59 March 18-April 1 to stem the spread of the disease. NDJ is the only international airport serving Chad. There have been no recorded cases of COVID-19 in Chad as of March 18.
• Chile to ban nonresident foreign nationals from entry beginning March 18 to prevent spread of COVID-19. Chilean citizens and residents returning to the country will be subject to a 14-day quarantine period. In addition, authorities have banned public events with more than 50 people attending.
• Officials in Costa Rica declared a state of national emergency and announced that non-resident foreign nationals will be barred from entry into the country March 18-April 12, in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. Authorities will close ground, air, and maritime borders.
• Authorities in the Dominican Republic announced the temporary closure of its land, sea, and air borders from 0600 March 19 for 15 days to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The government will, however, allow the entry of ferries to allow the departure of foreign nationals. Cargo transport will not be affected. All restrictions are subject to amendment at short notice.
• Guatemala: Restricted entry for nonresidents arriving from China, Iran, South Korea, and Europe, as well as from the US and Canada from March 16. Guatemalan citizens and residents will be allowed to enter the country from abroad, but will be required to self-quarantine immediately on arrival back in the country.
• Officials in Guyana have suspended all incoming international flights at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO), the country’s main airport in Timeri, and at Eugene F. Correira International Airport (OGL), outside Georgetown, through at least March 31.
• Hong Kong quarantines arrivals from Schengen Area from March 17, and US, UK, Ireland beginning March 19. Most crossings with mainland China remain closed. Nonresidents with recent travel history in Hubei Province, China, and South Korea are effectively banned from entering Hong Kong. Officials are likely to impose mandatory quarantines on passengers from additional areas in the coming days.
• India’s GoAir (G8) airline has suspended all international operations through April 15, while curtailing domestic flights.
• The government in Indonesia has banned foreigners who have traveled to mainland China; Gilan, Qom, and Tehran in Iran; the Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Marche, Piedmont, and Veneto regions in Italy; and Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province in South Korea within the previous 14 days from entering the country. Indonesian citizens arriving from these locations will undergo enhanced health screenings.
• Israeli authorities announced that they will bar all foreigners from entering Israel until further notice starting March 18. Israeli citizens and permanent residents will still be able to enter. All persons arriving in Israel are required to self-quarantine at home for two weeks. Israel has also closed its border crossings with Jordan and Egypt.
• From March 15, Kazakhstan has closed its borders and declared a State of Emergency to inhibit the spread of the disease, following the first confirmation of COVID-19 cases in the country on March 13. The measures effectively bar entry for all people into Kazakhstan, except for returning citizens, diplomats, and those invited by the government; Kazakh citizens are also not allowed to leave the country. The measures are set to last at least until April 15. Kazakh authorities have already closed all entertainment venues and canceled Nowruz (New Year) festivities and celebrations.
• The government of Mauritania’s suspension of international flights is ongoing as of March 18. It is unclear how long the restrictions will be in place.
• On March 16, authorities in Malaysia announced that they would be prohibiting foreign nationals from entering the country from March 18 through at least March 31. All returning Malaysian nationals will be subject to a 14-day self-quarantine period upon arrival. Malaysian nationals will also be barred from traveling abroad while the restrictions are in place.
• Morocco closes restaurants, public clubs, and other venues from March 16 to prevent spread of COVID-19. Travel restrictions also in place. Suspension of sea travel to Spain, Gibraltar, and France, and the closure of the border with the Spanish autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, located on the north coast of Africa, remains in effect as of March 16. Officials may amend health and travel measures in the coming weeks in response to government threat assessments.
• North Korea maintains quarantines, movement controls to prevent spread of COVID-19. Tourist travel remains suspended as of March 17.
• Philippines maintaining restrictions for foreign travelers at of March 14 who have been to Iran and Italy in the previous 14 days need to show a medical certificate stating they are free from coronavirus disease. Visitors are to obtain the health document within 48 hours prior to arrival in the Philippines. Authorities have also restricted all inbound and outbound movement, including land, domestic air, and maritime transport, in Metro Manila, through April 14.
• Authorities in Puerto Rico impose a curfew 0500-2100, cancel nonessential services and businesses through at least March 30. Governor Wanda Vasquez said residents may only leave their homes 0500-2100, to purchase food, medicines, and other basic goods, or go to a health facility. Between 2100-0500, only people with emergencies will be allowed on the street. There are also ongoing travel restrictions of foreign citizens into the island, following a proclamation by US President Donald J. Trump. Non-US citizens or residents from 28 European countries, Iran, and China will not be allowed to enter the island through at least early April.
• Singapore intensifies health screenings, self-quarantine measures for all passengers and is maintaining entry bans for foreign nationals who have traveled to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, South Korea, Iran, and mainland China within 14 days of arrival as of March 16. Authorities have announced that from 2359 March 20 onward, all international arrivals will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival in Singapore. The duration of the measures will likely depend on the course of the outbreak in various countries.
• Countries and territories in the South Pacific region continue to tighten travel restrictions and implement enhanced health screenings for travelers from some countries with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity. Several governments have declared public health emergencies; however, the severity of screening measures and travel restrictions vary across the region.
• South Korea will expand enhanced health screenings to all arriving passengers, including South Korean citizens, to contain the spread of coronavirus disease from March 19. Authorities have established three quarantine areas at Incheon International Airport (ICN), where health officials are conducting enhanced screenings; passengers must receive clearance before they can enter the country.
• Countries in Southeast Asia (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam) have intensified health screenings and travel restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Screening measures vary across the region, and health and transport restrictions are in effect as of March 16. The measures are unlikely to impact most travelers but may lead to immigration delays, especially for passengers from mainland China and other locations with significant numbers of cases.
• Authorities in Taiwan will ban all foreign nationals from entering the country from March 19. Officials are providing exceptions for foreign residents, diplomats, and business travelers executing contracts. Health officials are continuing intensified screenings of arriving passengers and likely to cause immigration delays at airports in Taipei (TPE, TSA) and Kaohsiung (KHH). Passengers bound for Taiwan who do not accurately report their travel history could face fines of up to NTD 150,000 (USD 5,000). The Ministry of Transport and Communications has restricted flights to mainland China; under the measures, airlines are only allowed to fly to airports in Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (SHA, PVG), Xiamen (XMN), and Chengdu (CTU) through April 29. This has prompted Taiwan-based carriers China Airlines (CA) and EVA Air (BR) to cancel most flight services to mainland China.
• Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago announced a temporary entry ban for all foreigners through at least March 30. The measure has been implemented to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Returning nationals will be subject to mandatory quarantine protocols. Certain health personnel are exempt from the ban. All restrictions are subject to amendment at short notice.
• United Arab Emirates suspends all visas to foreigners starting March 17 to stem the spread of COVID-19. The measure does not affect individuals who have already been issued visas. Additionally, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) will suspend all inbound and outbound flights with Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, and Iraq effective from March 17 until further notice. Emirati officials imposed a temporary ban, March 18, on Emirati citizens from traveling abroad until further notice. From 19 March, the UAE also announced it will temporarily suspend all visas on arrival with the exception of diplomatic passport holders. The visa restrictions do not impact Emirati citizens and residents. Further travel restrictions likely.
• The United States White House issued a  Proclamation on March 11 to suspend entry for 30 days for most non-U.S. citizens who have been in or traveled through the 26 countries in the E.U.’s “Schengen Area” in the past 14 days. Officials in Washington announced March 18 that Canadian and US authorities had agreed to close the border between the two countries for non-essential travel through at least late March.

The information above is provided by WorldAware. While WorldAware constantly monitors the changing world situation and strives for accuracy and timeliness, this information is provided to you on an “as is” basis, and your use of this information is at your own risk. Please check their information center for more updates. As the situation develops, we strongly urge you to keep checking with your airline, and official government or travel authority sources before traveling.