Global Travel Alert

• ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe lifts quarantine mandate
• SOUTH AFRICA / UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: UAE lifts SA travel restrictions
• EUROPE: EU restrictions remain in place for unvaxxed
• MOROCCO: Morocco to end flight ban
• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: US storm cancels more than 7 000 flights
• SOUTH AFRICA / UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: More details for travellers to UAE
• ITALY: Italy to ease travel rules
• HONG KONG: Hong Kong reduces quarantine period


ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe lifts quarantine mandate
Zimbabwe has revised its travel restrictions as the country is recording a decline in new COVID-19 cases, according to Africa.com

Vaccinated tourists no longer have to quarantine when entering the country as of Friday (January 28), but must still show a negative PCR test not older than 48 hours on arrival.

SOUTH AFRICA / UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: UAE lifts SA travel restrictions
The United Arab Emirates’ national crisis and emergency management authority has lifted restrictions on entry for vaccinated passengers arriving from Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

From Saturday (January 29), travellers now only need to show a negative PCR test obtained within 48 hours before departure, and take another PCR test upon arrival.

A booster dose for any COVID-19 vaccine is not a requirement for tourists to enter the Emirate, The Herald confirms.

EUROPE: EU restrictions remain in place for unvaxxed
Unvaccinated and unrecovered EU nationals will continue to be subject to strict entry rules when travelling to other Member States as all European countries are currently highly affected by COVID-19.

The Council of the EU suggested that COVID-19 measures should be applied based on travellers’ vaccination status rather than the situation of their origin country.

However, since infection cases are increasing rapidly, it has been emphasised that stricter rules must apply to travellers from countries that are part of the ‘dark red’ list, especially for those unable to meet basic COVID-19 entry rules, says Schengen Visa Info.

MOROCCO: Morocco to end flight ban
The government of Morocco will reportedly end the country’s two-month travel ban for visitors from February 7.

Currently, anyone travelling to Morocco once the ban is lifted will have to provide proof of having been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least two weeks prior to departure and evidence of a negative PCR test taken up to 24 hours prior to departure.

However, France 24, citing a government statement published by Morocco’s MAP news agency, reports that new entry requirements will be announced at a later date.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: US storm cancels more than 7 000 flights
A winter storm in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast severely disrupted US travel plans over the weekend, with more than 6 100 flights cancelled between Friday and Saturday (January 29).

Affected airlines include JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Over 1 000 flights were also cancelled on Sunday (January 30).

Airlines have been administering weather waivers that allow affected passengers to change their flight without penalty, USA Today confirms.

SOUTH AFRICA / UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: More details for travellers to UAE
Passengers travelling from Emirates’ African network with Dubai as their final destination require a 48-hour PCR test. They must present a valid negative COVID 19 PCR test certificate with a QR code for a test conducted at an approved facility, and the validity must be calculated from the time the sample was collected.

Upon arrival in Dubai, passengers will undergo an additional COVID 19 PCR test and remain in self quarantine until the test results are received.

Passengers transiting in Dubai must follow the requirements and regulations of their final destination, Travel News confirms.

ITALY: Italy to ease travel rules
The Italian Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, announced on Wednesday (January 26) that from Tuesday (February 1), Italy would ease COVID-19 restrictions for all travellers from European Union countries.

The order states that all visitors from the EU will be permitted entry to the country by only presenting a Green Pass, Schengen Visa Info reports.

The Green Pass proves whether a person has been vaccinated, recovered, or tested negative recently.

This means that all EU citizens who present one of the above certificates will soon be able to enter Italy without having to follow additional entry rules.

HONG KONG: Hong Kong reduces quarantine period
Hong Kong is to reduce mandatory quarantine for international travellers from three weeks to two.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam stated that starting from February 5, arrivals would be required to undergo a COVID test at least twice during their stay, says Times of India.

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