Summer is finally approaching and Londoners can’t wait to book for their next holiday abroad. Although we seem to be out of the woods when it comes to Covid-19, a number of countries still have strict rules in place that we all must follow before boarding a plane.
Since mid-February, restrictions for people arriving in England have been eased and all testing requirements for vaccinated travelers have been removed. Unvaccinated arrivals only need to take a test before departure as well as a PCR test on or up to two days after arrival.
However, South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are among the countries with more travel restrictions than others. They are also very popular travel destinations with plenty to see and do, so we’ve put together all the information you need to travel to each country.
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(Photo: Tuul and Bruno Morandi)
Sri Lanka
All visitors who have permission traveling to Sri Lanka are advised to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization ( ETA ) to enter Sri Lanka. An online pre-travel medical registration form must also be completed by all UK travellers. Passengers, regardless of their vaccination status, may be subject to additional health screening measures upon arrival.
Fully vaccinated travelers are no longer required to take a pre-departure test, however, COVID-19 travel insurance is mandatory for all visitors. For this you can apply and pay online . It is important to remember that Sri Lanka will only accept printed version of proof of recovery from COVID-19 and vaccination records.
Unvaccinated travelers aged 12 and over entering the country will be required to show proof of a negative PCR test or a negative antigen rapid test report. Self-swab tests will not be accepted.
India
All travelers are required to submit a self-declaration form on the Air Suvidha gate and self-monitoring for 14 days. Passengers will also be thermally screened upon arrival. You may be asked to show your self-declaration form or vaccination certificate to airport staff.
If you are not vaccinated, you will need to upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report with the test having been taken within 72 hours of travel. This must be a private test as the NHS one will not count.
Pakistan
(Photo: Shehzaad Maroof Khan)
You must be vaccinated if you are over 12 to board any flight to Pakistan. Travelers to the country are required to provide their details through the Pass Track app or through an online form. You can use the NHS COVID Pass to prove your vaccination status when entering Pakistan. Passengers may also be required to complete a health declaration form upon arrival.
Children between the ages of 12 and 18 do not need to present proof of vaccination to enter Pakistan, but must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken up to 72 hours before the start of travel. Passengers who hold a medical certificate indicating that they have been medically advised not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine may also travel if they can show proof of a negative PCR test taken up to 72 hours before travel .
Bangladesh
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All passengers, regardless of their vaccination status, may be subject to health tests upon arrival. If you are fully immunized, you can enter Bangladesh without needing to quarantine or showing a negative RT-PCR test as long as your last dose of vaccine was administered at least 14 days before departure.
If you are not vaccinated, you will need to show proof of a negative RT PCR test taken no later than 72 hours before departure for Bangladesh. This will have to be a private test. You must also submit a statement to prove the authenticity of this test.
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