Japan, Barbados and other holiday hotspots that require pre-travel Covid tests

USA, Indonesia and the Philippines are some of the countries which have strict entry requirements including pre-departure coronavirus tests

More than a dozen prime holiday destinations still have testing requirements for incoming tourists, even if they’re fully vaccinated.

News broke this morning that Spain will soon lift its ban on unvaccinated visitors, paving the way for unjabbed tourists to enjoy all the country has to offer – so long as they produce a negative Covid test.

All other European countries have already eased their entry requirements considerably, allowing anyone who can show a vaccine certificate, proof of previous recent infection or negative test results to enter.

Parts of the rest of the world – where vaccination rates may be lower – still have strict testing rules when it comes to visitors, including the US, Japan and Barbados.

Below is a list of countries which require the fully vaccinated to take a test before they arrive.

Many other countries, not included in this list, have no rules for the double jabbed, but insist that the unvaccinated can prove they’re Covid negative.

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South Korea

Fully vaccinated adults need to take a PCR two days before arriving, while the unvaccinated must quarantine for seven days once there and complete a test.

Children aged five and under do not need to have a negative test result to enter, whether jabbed or not.

Japan

Fully vaccinated travellers must complete a PCR within three days of arrival, while the unvaccinated have to get tested and quarantine for seven days once there.

Japan is currently not open to tourists.

French Polynesia

The fully jabbed need a PCR test three days before departure or an antigen two days before.

Unvaccinated children aged 12-17 can accompany their vaccinated parent or guardian, taking the same tests, while 11s and under are exempt from testing.

New Zealand

While New Zealand has reopened itself to UK visitors as of May 1, it still has fairly strict entry rules in place.

If you’re over 17 you must be double jabbed and have tested negative via PCR 48 hours before your flight leaves, or have had an antigen test within a day before.

Children aged 16 and under are exempt from the fully vaccinated rule, but those aged two to 16 must test.

The USA

All fully vaccinated travellers must take a Covid test 24 hours before arrival.

There are suggestions within the industry that this requirement may be dropped next month.

Unvaccinated travellers are currently not permitted to enter the USA for tourism.

The Caribbean

Barbados, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas are the four Caribbean islands which still require a test.

You can either take a PCR three days before arrival, or an antigen in the 24 hours before.

For Trinidad and Tobago, only fully vaccinated travellers can visit and must take a PCR or an antigen test within 72 hours before their arrival time.

Vaccinated travellers to the Bahamas must take a PCR or antigen test within three days of arriving.

Malaysia

Fully vaccinated visitors must have had a PCR two days before arriving, while the unvaccinated have to also have a test and quarantine for five days once there.

Indonesia

For adults, the fully vaccinated need to take a PCR test two days before touching down, a second once there, and then self-isolate until the results come in.

Unvaccinated travellers can go, but must take a second PCR test on arrival and quarantine for five days.

It’s worth noting that if you want to visit for tourism purposes, you’ll need to apply for a visa online before travelling.

Morocco

Adults must be fully vaccinated and be able to show a negative PCR result within 48 hours of arrival, while children aged six to 17 must show a test but don’t need to be vaccinated.

Children under six are exempt from all requirements.

Madagascar

While travellers to Madagascar don’t need to be vaccinated, they must have had a PCR test done within three days of arriving, and a £13 antigen once there.

Rwanda

Rwanda is one of the stricter countries when it comes to Covid rules.

A professionally administered rapid antigen test has to be taken within three days of departure and then a PCR on arrival.

While you await results you must self-isolate.

Uganda

All arrivals to Uganda by air need to take a PCR test within the 72 hours before travel, regardless of vaccination status.

Those coming into the country on land are exempt.

You’ll also need to apply for a visa to be granted entry.

The Philippines

The Philippines only allows in fully vaccinated travellers who have had either a PCR test two days before arriving, or an antigen the day before.

Children aged 11 and under are allowed to accompany vaccinated parents while unvaccinated, with those aged three and under exempt from testing.

Vietnam

Only the double jabbed and those with a negative PCR test taken within three days of arriving may enter, aside from children under two, who are exempt.

Thailand

If you are fully vaccinated and travelling through the Thailand Pass, you do not need to take a pre-travel Covid test.

Those who are unvaccinated will need to take a PCR test no more than 72 hours before departure – this will exempt you from quarantine requirements.

• Travel restrictions can change quickly due to the nature of the pandemic. Always check the latest Foreign Office advice before booking or going on a trip.

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