Which Asia-Pacific countries are reopening their doors to foreign visitors?
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Thailand’s reopening to vaccinated foreign tourists marks a major easing of border controls for Asia, where governments have been much slower to reverse coronavirus travel restrictions than in much of the West.
Here’s a look at the countries opening up in the Asia-Pacific region and those remaining isolated from the world.
South East Asia
Thailand will allow vaccinated travelers from 46 countries and territories to enter the kingdom without quarantine starting Monday, as it seeks to revive its vital tourism industry.
Other parts of the region – which largely escaped the initial wave of the pandemic, only to be hit hard this year – are following his lead, albeit at a slower pace.
The Singapore business center has started traveling without quarantine for fully vaccinated travelers from 10 countries, including the United States and several European countries, and will soon add more.
Indonesia reopened the resort island of Bali this month to tourists from select countries although with travelers still required to do a five-day quarantine upon arrival, the program got off to a slow start.
Vietnam plans to allow foreign visitors to enter Phu Quoc holiday island from next month and Malaysia has a similar plan for Langkawi island, while Cambodia will reopen beaches in Sihanoukville, Koh Rong and Dara Sakor from November 30.
Some countries, including the Philippines and Myanmar, remain closed to foreign tourists.
East Asia
Mainland China, where Covid-19 first appeared last year, remains closed to foreign tourists, as does Japan.
South Korea has started accepting visitors from 49 countries. A negative coronavirus test is required for all arrivals, with a limited exemption of a 14-day quarantine for those vaccinated in South Korea.
Some of the world’s toughest measures have been implemented in Hong Kong – with a maximum quarantine of 21 days for inbound travelers – which has reduced cases of the virus but crippled the travel industry.
South Asia
Recovering from a devastating wave earlier this year, India reopened to foreign tourists on charter flights this month and will allow visitors on all flights from mid-November.
Fully vaccinated travelers no longer have to undergo home quarantine, provided they arrive from countries with which India has reciprocal agreements for the acceptance of WHO-approved vaccines.
Last month, Nepal began issuing visas on arrival for vaccinated tourists and dropped quarantine requirements as it seeks to lure foreign hikers to its mountains.
More than a million tourists visited the Himalayan country in 2019, but their number fell by 80% last year.
Among the first countries to reopen borders was the popular holiday destination of the Maldives, which began allowing foreign tourists in July of last year.
The number of tourists visiting the Indian Ocean atoll nation rose to 500,000 last year after the reopening, and authorities expect 1.5 million vacationers this year – just below the figure from 2019.
Sri Lanka opened its international borders to fully vaccinated tourists without any quarantine requirements on October 7, while Pakistan allows foreign visitors provided they have proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 test.
Australia and Pacific
Australia has introduced some of the world’s toughest border restrictions in response to the pandemic, barring citizens from traveling abroad without permission.
But the government said on Wednesday that the ban would be lifted, with the country’s border also set to open to skilled workers and international students by the end of the year.
New Zealand remains closed to foreign visitors, with no reopening date.
The South Pacific nation of Fiji, whose economy is heavily dependent on tourism, will allow vaccinated travelers from countries in Europe and Asia to enter without quarantine, along with those from the United States, from December 1 .
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© 2021 AFP