As borders are starting to re open, are you tempted to book a holiday yet in Asia?

[ASEAN NOW News]

Whether Omicron or the next variant is still around, governments and especially their beleaguered tourist industries, are keen to start tourism again.

 

By checking online it is still difficult to find out all the current up-to-date regulations per country.

 

Vietnam

 

Here in Vietnam, according to Vietnam Travel’s website, it welcomes international tourists and returning Vietnamese who meet the following conditions:

1.     Present proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, with the last dose at least 14 days and not more than 1 year prior to date of entry. Or present a certificate of recovery from COVID-19. The time between hospital discharge and entry date must not exceed 6 months.

2.     Present a negative result from an RT-PCR/RT-LAMP-method test administered within 72 hours before boarding (from the time of test).

3.     Have medical or travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment, with minimum liability at $50,000. This is typically about USD 40. Contact your travel agent.

4.     Present booking with an approved package tour program of a travel agency.

So if you plan to meet family or friends, then that is what they will need to arrange before joining you on a sunny beach in Danang.

 

Thailand

 

 

Starting from February 1, 2022, Thailand will resume new applications for the Test and Go Program.

In this program, the fully vaccinated travelers who are traveling by air from any country will not be required to undergo a mandatory quarantine.

 

With the Test and Go program, travelers will only need to be tested upon arrival in your SHA+ hotel and you can go if you received a negative result. You will then return to the SHA+ Hotel for the second COVID test.

 

Philippines

 

In the Philippines, they have announced that they will reopen their borders to foreign tourists next week, becoming the latest Southeast Asian country to ease restrictions on travel.

 

Travelers will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of their departure as well as self-monitor for symptoms for seven days after arrival.

 

Cambodia

 

 

According to local travel websites, authorities have lifted all quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated passengers entering Cambodia.

 

The relaxation applies to people entering by air, land, or waterways. Vaccinated individuals must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure and undergo a rapid antigen test (RAT) upon arrival.

 

Individuals with a positive RAT result must take another PCR test and quarantine at a designated location; travelers with a positive PCR test result will receive COVID-19 treatment, while those who test negative must quarantine for seven days and comply with testing requirements.

 

Do Check First

 

Above is just a snapshot of the current regulations from four Asian countries.

 

Naturally, you will need to check with your travel agent or airline for the latest information of course before making a booking.

 

However, from reading your comments on AseanNow.com, I get the feeling that many of you are starting to say “enough is enough”, I have had my vaccinations and boosters and now want to travel again.

 

As an example, lasrt Tuesday in Thailand, over 36,000 foreigners applied for their “Test and Go” programme in the first 24 hrs. of it being introduced.

 

Unvaccinated

 

Meanwhile, for unvaccinated, it will become more complicated and probably a lot more expensive too.

 

It will be up to your chosen airline to explain whether the country you wish to visit will allow you to enter as an unvaccinated tourist.

 

Personally, I plan to wait a couple more months before jetting off for an Asian break.

 

What about you?

 

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[EricTh]

It's ironic that Malaysia and Singapore are still closed even though more than 80% have been fully vaccinated. 

[John Drake]

So Philippines it is.