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Travel planning in the post-COVID environment

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Pal
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Travel planning in the post-COVID environment

Post by Pal » Wed, 05 Aug 2020 4:54 pm

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Although travel restrictions around the world are being lifted slowly as countries reopen, many people continue to be wary of travelling during this period as the situation in various countries appears to change daily. For some, the travel restrictions are viewed as an overreaction, but for others, the relaxation of such restrictions are over-optimistic when the virus has already resurfaced in ‘second waves’ in several countries.

At the point of writing, the coronavirus has spread to 213 countries. By the end of June, the top ten countries with the highest number of infections are, in order, the United States with over 2.5 million cases, followed by Brazil, Russia, India, the United Kingdom, Spain, Peru, Chile, Italy and Iran. While infection rates may have dropped in some countries, there have also been reports of new coronavirus infections springing up once again in countries which had earlier seemed to defeat the virus. As such, before making concrete travel plans, it is not just a question of whether one is able to travel, but also a question of whether it would be better to defer said plans as a sensible precaution.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries around the world have imposed travel restrictions. Before travelling, a quick look at the website (link) for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Centre can help people to choose their destinations and plan their travel routes accordingly. For people who travel during this period, they will most likely be subject to additional testing and paperwork, on top of having to contend with their destination country’s travel restrictions.

Here are the current travel restrictions in several of the most popular travel destinations for Singaporeans:

China
Mainland China has restricted visitors from entering the country, suspending entry even by foreign nationals who hold visas or residence permits in China. Foreign nationals visiting China for essential trips for economic, trade, scientific, technological, or humanitarian reasons will need to apply for visas at Chinese embassies or consulates. A Fast Lane established with China will allow companies in China and Singapore to allow staff to travel for business reasons, though applications for such travel will only be accepted at a future date that has yet to be announced.

Korea
Tourists are not allowed to enter Korea, but those travelling for official or business reasons will be allowed entry. All arrivals will have to spend 14 days in quarantine upon arrival. In spite of this, from 1 June, South Korea has implemented a new rule where all long-term foreign residents will need to apply for an additional re-entry permit before travelling overseas and do additional testing.

Japan
In general, passengers transiting or arriving from 111 countries continue to be barred from entering Japan, with few exceptions. Said travel restrictions have stopped foreign residents from being able to return to the country, though exceptions have made on humanitarian grounds. Those who are eligible to enter the country will be subject to a PCR test upon arrival.

Thailand
For now, all flights to Thailand remain suspended, although this does not apply to planes which are doing emergency or technical landings, or to planes landing for humanitarian, relief, or repatriation purposes.

Taiwan
Travel restrictions for travellers to Taiwan are still in place. Passengers are not allowed to transit through or enter Taiwan, although exceptions are made for some people, such as those who have special entry permits, or those who are on diplomatic or official business. As usual, passengers who are allowed entry into the country have to be quarantined for 14 days upon arrival.

France
From 17 March 2020, border controls have been put in place in countries in the European Union, in a bid to restrict non-essential travel and curb the spread of the coronavirus. Though some may have got their hopes up upon hearing that the ban would be lifted progressively from 1 July, these hopes have since been dashed by the list of ‘safe countries’ provided on 30 June 2020. From 1 July, citizens from 14 countries—including Australia, Japan, and Canada, but not Singapore—are allowed to enter the EU. Passengers arriving in France must fill up a declaration to state that they do not have COVID-19 symptoms, and would also need to be quarantined or isolated upon arrival.

United Kingdom
There are no entry restrictions for travellers to the United Kingdom. Instead, passengers are asked to self-isolate for 14 days, but this is set to be waived for travellers arriving from low-risk countries.

United States of America
People who have departed from or transited in over 30 countries (mostly countries in Europe and Scandinavia, as well as the United Kingdom and China) in the past 14 days are barred from entering the United States. Passengers arriving from those countries but who are exempt from the restriction must land at certain airports and self-quarantine for 14 days at their final destination.

By Rayne
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Jgrif96229
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Re: Travel planning in the post-COVID environment

Post by Jgrif96229 » Wed, 05 Aug 2020 6:51 pm

I have an Emirates Airlines flight out of Changi the first week of September. Now they say I need a pre flight covid 19 test certificate to present at check in at Changi. Where, how and from whom can I get this be done? Several weeks ago Raffles Medical Group said that travel tests could not be done with them till a later date like maybe phase 3. checked out MOH website but only saw Green Lane business travel information
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Re: Travel planning in the post-COVID environment

Post by martincymru » Thu, 06 Aug 2020 3:37 pm

please post the link specific to this new requirement from EMIRATES

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sundaymorningstaple
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Re: Travel planning in the post-COVID environment

Post by sundaymorningstaple » Thu, 06 Aug 2020 3:46 pm

martincymru wrote:
Thu, 06 Aug 2020 3:37 pm
please post the link specific to this new requirement from EMIRATES
Your Google not working?

https://www.emirates.com/us/english/hel ... -to-dubai/

"Tourists travelling to, from, and through Dubai"

"All passengers travelling to Dubai must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate to be accepted on the flight."

I'm assuming that all flights transit via Dubai.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Re: Travel planning in the post-COVID environment

Post by Jgrif96229 » Fri, 07 Aug 2020 10:52 pm

Who is offering pre flight testing certificate in Singapore? I will need to present that certificate at Changi at the Emirates check in counter to be issued a boarding pass.
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Re: Travel planning in the post-COVID environment

Post by fgo » Wed, 12 Aug 2020 3:50 pm

Hi, I'm in the same case. Flying on 21 Aug, a PCR covid test is required by the airline.
Did you find a place where to perform the test?
Thanks

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Re: Travel planning in the post-COVID environment

Post by Jgrif96229 » Wed, 12 Aug 2020 4:31 pm

I have no answers. Emirates referred me to a MOH link but there is no resource.
Raffles Medical Group told me that primary health care providers may be allowed in a later phase 3 or 4
I am surprised that Changi has not set up an on-site testing location.

My flight from Dubai to Ft. Lauderdale Sept 1rst has been pulled from their schedule.

They are re routing me later in September Maybe by then flight certificate testing in Singapore might be available. If you find anything out let me know.

Yes I did check Emirates website link.
https://c.ekstatic.net/ecl/documents/he ... tories.pdf

No listing for Singapore
Joseph griffin

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Re: Travel planning in the post-COVID environment

Post by Sarrah Noah » Sat, 24 Jul 2021 4:22 pm

Hello, will there be any updates on the information? I have tickets to China for September of this year, but I heard that I would need to do a PCR test even if I have a vaccine.

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Re: Travel planning in the post-COVID environment

Post by sundaymorningstaple » Sat, 24 Jul 2021 8:04 pm

Seeing you are posting from Santiago, maybe you should just contact the Chinese Embassy in Santiago.
http://cl.china-embassy.org/esp/
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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