Lifting of restrictions in New Caledonia, ETA in sight in the United Kingdom, relaxation of entry conditions in Chile and easing of certain restrictions in Asia: the point on what you need to know.
New Caledonia: total lifting of restrictions
Since August 1, New Caledonia has again been receiving visitors without any restrictions, regardless of the origin of the travellers, informs the Tourist Office of the destination. No more sanitary or administrative formalities are required. Travelers therefore no longer need to justify a compelling reason or produce a sworn statement. The seven-day self-isolation is also removed. However, self-test kits will be distributed to travelers upon arrival at Tontouta airport until the end of August.
United Kingdom: mandatory electronic travel authorization from 2023
The English government is preparing to implement an electronic travel authorization system (ETA), a device similar to that deployed by the United States with ESTA. The project was already mentioned last year , for entry into force by the end of 2024. But things seem to be going faster than expected according to our Business Travel colleagues. All visa-exempt visitors to enter the UK will soon need to obtain an Electronic Entry Authorization (ETA), which will cost around £18 (about 21 euros). The device is expected to be trialled from March 2023 with travelers from Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain. European travelers will only be affected in a second phase: the system could then be extended to the rest of the world before the end of next year.
Chile: relaxation of entry requirements
From September 1, to enter Chile, foreign travelers must present a vaccination certificate against Covid-19 or a negative PCR test carried out a maximum of 48 hours before leaving their country of origin. Random tests at the various points of entry into the country will, however, be maintained. On the other hand, it will no longer be necessary to complete the C19 form.
Hong Kong: reduced quarantine for arrivals from abroad
Since August 12, Hong Kong has reduced the mandatory hotel quarantine from one week to three days for people arriving from abroad, reports AFP. Along with this measure, Hong Kong is implementing a health QR code system. With this device, an infected person will receive a red code preventing them from leaving their isolation. People arriving from abroad will have a yellow code at the end of their three days in the hotel and access to certain places such as restaurants, bars and cinemas will be prohibited during the four days of self-monitoring.
China: easing of restrictions in the event of Covid cases on flights
China announced on August 7 the easing of penalties against airlines when Covid cases are detected on one of their flights, after having already reduced quarantine times for travelers arriving from abroad, reports AFP . From now on, when five positive cases are detected on a flight, the company will only be suspended for one week from this air link, against two previously, said the Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) in a press release. If ten cases are detected, the link will be suspended for two weeks, compared to four previously. Only a handful of flights still connect China to the rest of the world, but they are often at prohibitive prices and are regularly canceled when passengers test positive.
