STATUS OF FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS IN THE APAC REGION - GLOBALAW

GLOBALAW

  STATUS OF
    FLIGHT
RESTRICTIONS
 IN THE APAC
   REGION

Status of flight restrictions in Australia:

Australia’s borders are closed. Only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family
members can travel to Australia. This returning group are required to undertake a mandatory
14-day quarantine at designated facilities [ e.g. hotel] at port of arrival.

There are some exemptions: immediate family member of an Australian citizen, critical medical
services, etc.

Status of flight restrictions in China:

China has decided to temporarily suspend all foreign nationals to enter since March 28, 2020,
unless you are a diplomatic, service, courtesy or C visa holder (medical staff).

China also decided to further reduce the number of international passenger flights. Each
Chinese airline is only allowed to maintain one route to any specific country with no more than
one flight per week; and each foreign airline is only allowed to maintain one route to China with
no more than one weekly flight.

Status of flight restrictions in Guam:
"Effective Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at midnight ALL incoming passengers, regardless of place of
origin or transit, are subject to a 14-day quarantine at a government-designated facility upon
entry to Guam. The quarantine will be applied unless the traveler possesses a healthcare
recognized and certified document that attests he or she is not infected with COVID-19 within
the last 72 hours. As this is an evolving process, these guidelines are subject to revision."

Status of flight restrictions in Hong Kong:
In HK, there is an interim travel restriction until 8th Apr 2020 (subject to further extension). All
non-HK residents would be denied entry into HK (except (i) passengers from Mainland China;
(ii) diplomats; (iii) spouse/ children of HK residents; (iv) personnel approved by HKSAR
government; (v) passengers holding entry visa). All HK residents and exempted persons, upon
arrival of HK, would be subject to a minimum of 14 days’ quarantine.

Status of flight restrictions in India:
All scheduled international commercial passenger services shall remain closed till 1830 hrs.
GMT (0000 hrs of Indian Standard Time) of April 14, 2020,” as per the aviation regulator in India

i.e. DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation). “However, this restriction will not apply to
international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the DGCA.

Status of flight restrictions in Korea:

Korea still maintains open borders, except for those who hold a Chinese passport issued in
Hubei, China or visited Hubei province in the past 14 days. Effective from April 1st, all Koreans
and foreigners entering into Korea are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine either at
home (Koreans and long-term visitors) or designated facilities (short-term visitors). Foreigners
who show symptoms, have traveled from Europe, or exempted from the mandatory 14-day
quarantine (diplomats, flight/ship crews, those with certificate of exemption issued by Korean
Embassies, etc.) are tested for Covid-19 at the border and, if found positive, checked into
hospitals or treatment facilities.

Status of flight restrictions in Poland:
Due to decisions of the Polish government, the whole international passenger air traffic to and
from Poland has been suspended until April 11, 2020 inclusive, unless being revoked sooner or
extended longer.

The restrictions shall not apply to:

   •   international cargo operations,
   •   return flights to Poland carrying Polish citizens, their spouses or children, diplomats and
       their families, as well as foreigners who possess Polish residential or work permit,
   •   flights carried out in the Polish public interest to prevent or remove the effects of
       natural disasters and to save human life or health.

Status of flight restrictions in Taiwan:
       1. Taiwan bars foreign nationals whose flights depart after 00:00 Taipei Standard Time
       (GMT+8) on March 19 from entering the country in accordance with measures
       announced by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC). Exemptions will be
       granted to Alien Resident Certificate holders, personnel on diplomatic or official
       business, persons who can prove they are fulfilling commercial and contractual
       obligations, and persons requiring special permission.

       2. In accordance with CECC regulations, the exempted foreign nationals listed in the
       previous paragraph must observe a 14-day home quarantine upon arrival. Relevant
       government agencies shall be responsible for any necessary arrangements regarding
       their lodging, movements, and work venues in Taiwan.

3. The aforementioned entry restrictions are subject to change depending on the
       development of the COVID-19 outbreak. Changes will be announced by the CECC.

       4. Implementation details

       4.1. Starting March 19, only the exempted foreign nationals listed above will be allowed
       entry into Taiwan. (Foreign nationals whose flights depart before 00:00 Taipei Standard
       Time (GMT+8) on March 19 will still be allowed entry, including those who transfer or
       transit through a third country.)

       4.2. Foreign nationals who are eligible for visa-free entry or hold a visitor or resident visa
       and wish to enter Taiwan from March 19 must hold relevant documents to qualify for
       exempted status. These documents must be presented to the National Immigration
       Agency (NIA) personnel at the port of entry for approval. Those holding special entry
       permits issued by Taiwan overseas missions, valid Alien Resident Certificates, or MOFA
       ID Cards will be allowed entry following inspection by NIA personnel.

       4.3. Foreign nationals unable to determine whether their documents meet the criteria
       for exempted status may visit a Taiwan overseas mission prior to departure to apply for
       a special entry permit.

       4.4. Apart from the criteria for exempted status listed above, Taiwan overseas missions
       may also grant special entry permits when there are clear and urgent reasons for a
       foreign national to visit Taiwan based on, for example, humanitarian grounds or
       approval by competent authorities in Taiwan.

       4.5. In addition to applying for a special entry permit at a Taiwan overseas mission,
       those requiring special permission to visit Taiwan may also present relevant documents
       to NIA personnel at the port of entry, who will then determine whether to approve
       entry.

       4.6. Cases in which there is any confusion over the interpretation of the aforementioned
       entry regulations shall be dealt with through coordination by the Ministry of Foreign
       Affairs and the NIA.

Status of flight restrictions in the USA:
Foreign nationals who have visited one of the below countries in the past 14 days may not
enter the United States:
   • China
   • Iran
   • European Schengen Area:

o Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,
                Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
                Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden,
                Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino & Vatican City.
    • United Kingdom:
           o England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
    • Republic of Ireland
The U.S. and Canada have temporarily closed their border to non-essential traffic. Mexico and
the U.S. has also agreed to restrict non-essential travel for 30 days beginning March 20. The
decision will be revisited in 30 days.

Find a link here for a handy breakdown of world-wide restrictions.