We are thrilled that most of our favourite cycling destinations in Asia are now open or easing their restrictions making it much easier to travel. Vietnam and Cambodia have recently removed almost all restrictions and Thailand is making it much easier for international visitors to enter. Once in Asia, life is pretty-much back to normal and all our cycle trips are back up and running. We think now is absolutely the best time to visit, before the tourists return, so to keep you updated here's a roundup of what's happening around Asia with information on what you need to do to enter. For more advice or to book your place on one of our cycle trips just contact us and chat with one of our team - we would love to hear from you.
THAILAND
Starting April 1, international arrivals under any of the current three entry schemes – TEST & GO, Sandbox, and Alternative Quarantine (AQ) – will be allowed to enter Thailand without the need to show proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of travel.
Test & Go: Application on: https://tp.consular.go.th Requirement: Certificate of Vaccination, SHA Extra+ hotel reservation for the 1st night in Bangkok including of PCR test upon arrival and obligation to wait in the hotel room until results are published), An antigen self-test on Day 5 is included in the package. Insurance with minimum coverage of 20,000 USD is also needed.
Sandbox staying period Reduced to 5 days from currently 7 days. After completing five days within the Sandbox destinations, travellers will be allowed to travel domestically within Thailand.
AQ requirement: Quarantine reduced to 5 days and an RT-PCR test on Day 4-5.
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CAMBODIA
Today, Cambodia stopped requiring international travellers to test for Covid-19 upon entering the country. Press Release No. 089 of the Ministry of Health dated 17 March 2022 on the easing of entry requirements to be effective from 17 March: Rescind the requirement for a negative COVID-19 PCR test result. Travellers who are not fully vaccinated or not vaccinated at all, are still required to undergo mandatory 14 days quarantine at a location to be designated by the Ministry. Rescind the requirement for a rapid test upon arrival. Despite the abolishment of the requirements, the Ministry of Health continued to encourage travellers and others to carry out self-tests to ensure they are free of COVID-19. Resume the Visa on Arrival service for all travellers entering by air, land and water. Notice: All travellers are advised to also confirm the travel, entry and transit requirements with their airlines and Embassies of the countries where they will lay over to avoid trouble at the airport
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VIETNAM
All Vietnam destinations are open. No self-isolation is required. Here are key points of the new guidelines: RT-PCR test + visa + travel insurance now accepted for entry.
Upon arrival, you must present: Negative Covid-19 test result per passenger: Travellers entering via air: Present a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result (except children under 2 years old) using RT-PCR/RT-LAMP method within 72 hours before entry into Vietnam. Or have a negative rapid test result within 24 hours before departure, certified by the competent authority of the country where the test is performed. Travellers entering via land, rail and sea routes: present negative test result as mentioned in section above. In case not presenting proof of a negative test result for SARS-CoV-2 as specified above, entrants are required to undergo a SARS-CoV-2 test at the border gate before entry (using RT-PCR/RT-LAMP method or rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2). Upon receiving a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result, they are allowed to enter and join tour activities. If the RT - PCR test result returns positive, they must follow strictly the regulations of the health authority. Children under 2 years old are not required to be tested for SARS-CoV-2. Having not been vaccinated against COVID-19 or having never been infected with SARS-CoV-2 before, they are allowed to enter and to join outdoor activities with their parents and relatives. Proof of valid medical/travel insurance covering Covid-19 treatment. Minimum cover USD10,000. Downloaded PC-Covid mobile app (Apple/Google Play) which must be presented to enter all VN establishments.
Insurance requirement: Purchase medical/travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum of $10,000 cover. This typically costs about USD 40.
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SRI LANKA
Fully Vaccinated travellers are exempted from pre-departure COVID-19 PCR/ Rapid Antigen tests starting on 1st March 2022 onward. No minimum number of days is required for a stay. No restrictive quarantine required. “Fully Vaccinated” travellers can stay at any type of accommodation and no on-arrival PCR test required.
“Non-Fully Vaccinated’’ travellers must stay in a ‘Flexible bio-bubble’ with all facilities of the hotels made available and ability to visit approved tourist sites.
Children below 12 years are exempted from on-arrival and exit PCR / Rapid Antigen tests. Ensure you have the mandatory COVID 19 Insurance of 12 USD with one month cover of 50,000 USD required for all travellers (whether fully vaccinated or not vaccinated). https://portal.pionline.lk/covidinsurance/ Visitors can apply for online visa through eta.gov.lk. Visitors must submit the mandatory Health Declaration Form at https://airport.lk/health_declaration/index Ensure you are aware of the documents that need to be submitted and carried with you to ensure a hassle-free visit.
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INDIA
This Standard Operating Procedure is valid from 14th February 2022 onward For pre departure, all travellers should Submit complete and factual information in self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha portal (https://www.newdelhiairport.in/airsuvidha/apho-registration) before the scheduled travel, including last 14 days travel details. Upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report* (The test should have been conducted within 72 hrs prior to undertaking the journey) or Certificate of completing full primary vaccination schedule of COVID-19 vaccination**.
Before Boarding: Do’s and Don'ts shall be provided along with ticket to the travellers by the airlines/agencies concerned. Airlines to allow boarding by only those passengers who have filled in all the information in the Self Declaration Form on the Air Suvidha portal and uploaded the negative RT-PCR test report or Covid -19 vaccination certificate of having completed the primary vaccination schedule**. The quarantine requirements differ from state to state, please check for more information from this link https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/sites/default/files/Statewisequarantine_regulation-converted.pdf
Upon Arrival: A sub-section (2% of the total passengers in the flight) shall undergo random postarrival testing at the airport on arrival.
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NEPAL
Important notice for passengers travelling to Nepal Passengers entering Nepal from abroad by air or land must submit a certificate of full vaccination against COVID-19. Passengers who are unable to submit such certificate will have to submit the certificate with negative report of Covid-19 test (RTPCR, True NAAT, Gene Xpert) within 72 hours of starting the journey. Vaccine Card / Covid Test Certificate will not be mandatory for persons below 5 years of age. For the passengers going to other countries by air route from Nepal, the concerned airlines have to inform their passengers about the COVID-19 related health protocol of the destination country. The health-related documents to be submitted by the passengers departing from Nepal will be as per the health-related criteria of the destination country as prescribed by the concerned airlines. Under the prevailing law, all foreign nationals with a certificate of complete vaccination against covid-19 or a negative certificate of the Covid-19 test will be able to obtain an on-arrival visa from Immigration Offices at the entry points. But citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Syria, and passengers travelling with travel documents must bring visas from Nepali embassy or missions abroad. Foreign / Nepalese nationals entering Nepal from abroad will not have to remain in quarantine except it seems necessary while examining health condition. The people entering Nepal will have to fill up the passenger details form (named CCMC form) which they have been filling before. Nepali embassy/missions in abroad will issue tourist entry visa as in the past before Covid-19 pandemic.
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INDONESIA
Foreign nationals must be fully vaccinated before entering Indonesia and must show their vaccination certificate to immigration officials upon arrival.
In addition to a valid visa, the foreign traveler must present a PCR test result stating that they are free of COVID-19, taken within a minimum of 48 hours from the time of departure;
Foreigner travellers must have health insurance (coverage of at least US$25,000) and can cover the needs for COVID-19 treatment; and
They must also fill out the electronic Health Alert Card (e-HAC) through the PeduliLindungi application.
Upon arrival, if the foreign traveler has only received one dose of vaccination, they must quarantine for 5 x 24hrs, and undertake a second PCR test on the 4th day of quarantine. If the foreign traveller is double vaccinated or has received a booster jab, then they do not require quarantine. However, they must stay in their place of accommodation and wait for the results of their COVID-19 test (usually within 24hrs). If positive, the foreign traveller will be referred to a government isolation facility at their own cost.
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LAOS
Laos is officially open for tourism. Currently in Phase 1 of a 3-phase ‘Lao Travel Green Zone Plan’, fully vaccinated travellers from 30 countries may enter Vientiane and, after up to a 48h quarantine while waiting for results from a PCR test on arrival, explore ‘Green Zones’ of Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng before being able to explore ‘Green Trails’ including Oudomxay, Xataboury, Xieng Khouang, Khammouane and Champasak. More details below.
Requirements: Currently, travellers can only enter Laos by booking through an approved tour operator or travel agency (Spiceroads is an approved tour operator). The following conditions will then apply for visitors to Laos during all three phases of the Lao Travel Green Zone Plan.
NOTE: the same conditions apply to all 6 years of age and above.
Children under 6 do not need to be vaccinated and do not make a PCR test on arrival.
Pre-Arrival:
Proof of full vaccination no less than 14 days prior to arrival PCR test no more than 72 hours before arrival Health coverage of no less than $50,000 per person Spiceroads can submit an application on behalf of guests with proof of full vaccination, full itinerary, hotel confirmation and flight details After applications are approved by authorities, clients need to apply for a tourist visa at the nearest Lao Embassy/Consulate. Arrival:
Download the contact tracing app ‘LaoStaySafe’ PCR test on arrival at airport. Transfer to a ‘LaoSafe’ certified hotel and wait up to 48h for results from the PCR test. If negative, guests are free to explore Green Zone areas. During Stay:
Guests must stay in LaoSafe certified hotels Guests must use the LaoStaySafe app After a minimum of 3 days in a Green Zone area, guests will be free to explore areas designated as Green Trail destinations.
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PHILIPPINES
Fully vaccinated travellers: No quarantine.
Partially vaccinated travellers and Unvaccinated travellers: 6-day facility-based quarantine RT-PCR test to be taken on the 5th day Home quarantine until the 14th day from arrival
Fully vaccinated inbound travellers, regardless of country of origin, will no longer be required to undergo facility-based quarantine provided they can present proof of their fully vaccinated status. They can present an International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) from the World Health Organisation, a VaxCertPH digital vaccination certificate from VaxCertPH, or a national/state digital certificate of the foreign government where they were vaccinated, which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement.
They also need to present a negative RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours prior to their departure from the country of origin. They will still need to self-monitor for symptoms for 7 days from their arrival. Should they have COVID-19 symptoms, they need to report it to the local government unit.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated international travellers are required to undergo facility-based quarantine for 6 days and will be released when they get a negative result from the RT-PCR test to be taken on the 5th day. They will also need to undergo home quarantine afterward until the 14th day from their arrival. The local government unit will be monitoring those under home quarantine.
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We look forward to welcoming you back to Asia , where you will find a friendly reception and Safe, Fascinating, and Professionally Supported Travels with Spiceroads.
Please note: this is the latest update on 28th March 2022 but due to the uncertainty of the Covid-19 situation, the schedules may be subject to change. Please check again before you travel.
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SpiceRoads is the world’s leading cycle touring company creating, curating and operating cycle trips in exotic, exciting and emerging destinations in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. As we enter a new era for travel, with more of our beautiful cycling locations reopening, we hope you'll join us on a bicycle journey to see new places, create new stories and experience a new adventure. We are an independent, owner-operated company of passionate cyclists that love to travel the world by bicycle and we create and operate all our trips, which are run by local cycling hosts. Come join us on your next adventure
