Luxembourg: Authorities ease travel restrictions from certain countries effective Jan. 15 /update 27

Luxembourg eases travel restrictions from certain countries effective Jan. 15; other COVID-19 measures remain in place.

Event

Authorities are no longer applying tighter restrictions on travel from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe effective Jan. 15. The tighter measures were previously due to concerns regarding the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Domestic Measures
Nonessential businesses and entertainment venues are permitted to operate, provided they adhere to strict social distancing requirements. Facemasks are mandatory in enclosed public spaces and at gatherings of more than 10 people. A CovidCheck certificate issued by Luxembourg authorities confirming if the holder is vaccinated against, recovered from, or recently tested negative for COVID-19 is required to utilize many facilities; access to certain establishments is restricted to vaccinated or recovered individuals only. A CovidCheck certificate is also required for employees attending workplaces effective Jan. 15.

International Travel Restrictions
Travelers from countries within the EEA and Schengen Area and residents of Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Kuwait, New Zealand, Peru, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, UAE, Uruguay, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are permitted to enter Luxembourg. Most travelers from other countries remain prohibited, though exceptions exist for essential work, study, and family reasons.

Nonessential travel is also permitted for individuals with a vaccine certificate recognized by Luxembourg authorities; as of Jan. 17, this includes EU Digitical COVID Certificates and certificates issued by authorities in Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Canada, El Salvador, Faroe Islands, Georgia, India, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Panama, North Macedonia, San Marino Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vatican City, and Taiwan.

Luxembourg requires all incoming international air travelers to present documentation before boarding proving that they have either received a full course of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), have recovered from COVID-19 in the previous six months, or have tested negative for COVID-19 using PCR test taken in the previous 48 hours or an antigen test in the previous 24 hours.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Carry proper identification documents to present at security checks. Heed all official advisories and remain nonconfrontational if stopped by authorities. Consider delaying travel if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19. 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.