Though most countries around the world have dropped all entry requirements related to COVID-19 in the past year or so and travel has mostly returned to normal, this isn’t the case everywhere. A small handful of Asian nations still have COVID entry restrictions in place.
Before you travel to the following places, make sure to follow these guidelines:
Mainland China
All inbound passengers to mainland China are still required to take a COVID-19 RT-PCR or rapid antigen test within 48 hours prior to boarding their flight. They will only be permitted to travel to China with a negative test result.
Once you have the negative test result, you’ll need to declare it with China customs by filling out a health declaration form either through the WeChat program of China Customs, or through https://htdecl.chinaport.gov.cn or the China Customs app.
Upon arrival in China, you will need to complete the customs clearance procedure with your customs health declaration code.
Once you’ve entered the country, you’ll need to continue to abide by any epidemic prevention and control measures that may exist depending upon where you stay.
Myanmar
To travel to Myanmar, you will need to provide proof that you have received full COVID-19 vaccination with a vaccine that is approved by the Ministry of Health no more than 14 days prior to your arrival in Myanmar, and a negative RDT test issued no more than 48 hours prior to your arrival in Myanmar, or a negative COVID-19 RDT-PCR test issued no more than 48 hours prior to arrival in Myanmar if you are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated. Children under 12 years of age are exempt from this requirement.
Travelers will also have to submit a health declaration form, and pay 15,000 MMK for RDT fees.
All foreign visitors to Myanmar must purchase COVID-19 medical insurance from Myanma Insurance.
Iran
All travelers to Iran who are over 12 years of age must provide a valid certificate of double COVID-19 vaccination that is in English and was issued at least 14 days prior to their flight.
Those who cannot provide a certificate of vaccination may present a negative RT-PCR test result from no more than 72 hours prior to departure from their first point of embarkation.
Please Note
The preceding information is taken directly from official Embassy sources and should be taken as general guidelines based on publicly available information. These requirements can change quickly, and updated requirements are not always published on government websites in all languages in a timely manner.
Therefore, you should make sure to check with government sources prior to your departure so you stay compliant with any remaining rules.
Insurance is Still Essential
If you are concerned about COVID-19, you can certainly still purchase COVID-19 travel medical insurance.
Even if you aren’t particularly concerned about COVID-19, travel medical insurance is still something all international travelers should have. There are plenty of illnesses and injuries that are not related to coronavirus and can occur when you travel abroad. These are not likely to be covered by your domestic health insurance, or the mandatory COVID insurance you must purchase to enter Myanmar. A travel medical insurance plan can cover you for any new illness or injury that occurs after the effective date of the policy on your trip, so you don’t get stuck with an unaffordable bill.