To help our readers stay abreast of the changing travel and tourism landscape, Travel News will bring ongoing updates on the countries that have announced the reopening of their borders, and when.
Greece has extended its travel ban and restrictions to several European and Balkan countries.
- Flights between Greece and Turkey remain suspended until August 31.
- Flights between Greece and Albania and North Macedonia will continue to operate only through Athens International Airport, until August 31.
- Passengers travelling to Greece from Bulgaria, Malta, Romania, and the United Arab Emirates will, until August 31, still be obliged to provide a negative COVID-19 test result on arrival; the test cannot be older than 72 hours prior to arrival.
- Passengers from Albania, Belgium, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Spain and Sweden will also now require a negative test result to enter.
In addition, the Greek Civil Aviation Authority has extended the ban on entry of non-EU citizens until August 31, except for passengers from the following countries: Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and United Arab Emirates. Proof of residency will be required.
Norway further tightened rules on foreign travel by extending a general advice against non-essential travel to October 1, and added a handful of European nations, including Iceland, Poland, Denmark, Cyprus, Malta and the Netherlands, as well as more regions in neighbouring Sweden, to its ‘red’ list, meaning travellers from these countries are subject to quarantine on return.
China will slowly begin reopening its borders from August 10 for selected travellers from a list of European countries (click here for full list). Foreign nationals from these countries applying for Chinese visas must hold a valid residence permit.
After entering China, the government requests all visitors to comply with the epidemic prevention regulations in the areas they are visiting.
The Cayman Islands has extended its closure by at least another 30 days, until October 1, at which time a further decision will be made.