Europe: Further countries suspend international travel with UK as of Dec. 22 due to new COVID-19 strain /update 2

Event

As of Dec. 22, authorities in further European countries have instituted bans of varying durations on passenger transport with the UK in response to a new strain of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) discovered primarily in the southeast of England, including London. Specific measures that have been implemented include:

• Austria: All passenger flights connecting with the UK are suspended until Jan. 1, 2021

• Belgium: 24-hour ban on all passenger flight and rail traffic with the UK is in effect until at least 2359 Dec. 22

• Bulgaria: All direct passenger flights with the UK are suspended through Jan. 31, 2021

• Croatia: All passenger flights connecting with the UK currently are suspended until at least the end of Dec. 22

• Czech Republic: All passenger flights connecting with the UK are currently suspended until 0000 Dec. 31

• Denmark: All passenger flights connecting with the UK are suspended through to 0900 Dec. 23

• Estonia: All passenger flights connecting with the UK are suspended until Jan. 1, 2021

• Finland: All passenger flights connecting with the UK are suspended until Jan. 4, 2021

• France: A temporary suspension of all passenger flight, ferry, and rail services with the UK is in effect until at least 2300 Dec. 22

• Germany: All flights with the UK are suspended through 2300 Dec. 31

• Ireland: Flights and passenger ferry services with mainland UK are suspended until at least 0000 Dec. 22; the land border with the UK, as well as freight ferry services for essential supply lines, is unaffected

• Italy: All passenger flights with the UK are suspended through at least Jan. 6, 2021; travelers who have stayed in or transited the UK within the past 14 days prohibited from entering Italy, even if asymptomatic

• Malta: All passenger flights connecting with the UK are indefinitely suspended

• Netherlands: Passenger flights from the UK are banned through at least Jan. 1, 2021

• Latvia: All passenger flights connecting with the UK are suspended until Jan. 1, 2021

• Lithuania: All passenger flights connecting with the UK are suspended until Jan. 1, 2021

• Poland: All passenger flights connecting with the UK are suspended until at least Jan. 6, 2021

• Portugal: Entry from the UK is restricted to Portuguese nationals and their family members only until further notice; all arrivals must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within the previous 72 hours

• Romania: All passenger flights connecting with the UK are suspended until Jan. 4, 2021

• Spain: Entry from the UK is restricted to Spanish nationals and residents only until further notice

• Sweden: All passenger flights connecting with the UK are suspended until 1500 Dec. 23; entry from the UK is restricted to Swedish nationals and residents only until 2300 Jan. 21, 2021

• Switzerland: All passenger flights connecting with the UK are suspended until further notice

Additional countries, including those outside of Europe, could impose similar bans on travel to/from the UK, as well as other countries where the mutation has appeared. Some cases of the mutated virus have also been detected in Australia, Denmark, and the Netherlands; a similar, albeit not identical variant has materialized in South Africa.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements, particularly to the UK or other countries where the new virus strain has been detected. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.