Bangkok Lonely beaches in Thailand, deserted temple ruins in the Cambodian complex of Angkor Wat and a tourist-free Bali: for two years, the pandemic largely paralyzed the travel business in Southeast Asia.
The tourism industry, which according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) accounted for twelve percent of Southeast Asia’s economic output in 2019, is hoping for an important boost. In detail, however, the rules still differ significantly. These are the rules at a glance.
From April 1, tourists will be allowed to enter Malaysia for the first time since the pandemic began – previously the borders were only open to locals, expats and business travelers.
Foreigners no longer need a special permit before entering the country. If you want to visit the capital Kuala Lumpur, islands like Langkawi and Penang or the rainforests of Borneo, you have to register in advance in the MySejahtera app and upload your vaccination documents there at least five days before departure.
In addition, a negative PCR test is required, which was carried out within 48 hours before departure. Upon arrival, travelers must present the result of a professionally performed antigen test within 24 hours. There are test centers at the airport, among other places.
Upon arrival, travelers to Malaysia must be tested – there are appropriate places at the airport, among other places.
(Photo: Reuters)
Fully vaccinated people who test negative are allowed to move freely. Those who are not vaccinated must isolate themselves for five days. If the test is positive, isolation is ordered for seven or ten days, depending on the vaccination status.
Thailand: Complex entry procedures are becoming a little easier
Thailand, Southeast Asia’s most popular tourist destination, is also relaxing entry rules from April 1st. From then on, travelers will no longer have to present a negative PCR test before departure. However, other provisions remain in place: Only fully vaccinated people escape a quarantine lasting several days. Before departure, vacationers must apply for a so-called Thailand passport, which acts as an entry permit. Among other things, vaccination certificates and proof of health insurance must be submitted online. The procedure can take more than a week.
In addition, vaccinated Thailand vacationers must carry out a PCR test on arrival and are only allowed to leave their hotel if there is a negative result. Anyone who tests positive for the corona virus is isolated in a hotel or hospital regardless of symptoms. Those who are not fully vaccinated will be sent to a five-day hotel quarantine upon arrival.
Vacationers must apply for a so-called Thailand passport before departure, which acts as an entry permit.
(Photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire)
Representatives of the tourism industry criticize the current procedure as too complicated – and fear that many vacationers see the hurdles as too high. Thailand’s Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced that further easing could come from June if the infection situation in the country does not worsen by then.
Otherwise, the country threatens to fall behind in the competition for tourism income: “We must not allow ourselves to fall behind other countries that have fewer restrictions than we do.”
Vietnam: A test before entering the country is enough
For two years, Vietnam’s borders were completely closed to tourists. Since March 15, the government in Hanoi has been allowing holidaymakers back into the country. Given the country’s extremely strict “zero Covid” policy at the beginning of the pandemic, entry requirements are now decidedly relaxed: travelers only need to show a negative PCR test issued within 72 hours of departure – or one certified by the authorities negative antigen text carried out no more than 24 hours before departure. Proof of vaccination is not necessary. German citizens do not need a visa for a stay of up to 15 days.
There will then be no quarantine or testing requirements upon arrival in Vietnam – a fundamental departure from the previous policy of caution, which provided for 14-day isolation in a quarantine facility for incoming businessmen and Vietnamese citizens.
Since March 15, the government in Hanoi has been allowing vacationers back into the country.
(Photo: Reuters)
Despite the easing, no rush to tourist destinations such as Halong Bay in the north or the tropical island of Phu Quoc in the south is expected. Because the most important visitor groups are likely to stay away from the country.
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Chinese and South Koreans made up more than half of Vietnam travelers before the pandemic. In both countries, however, tourists still have to be in quarantine after returning home – which makes international travel extremely unattractive.
Vietnam’s expectations for 2022 are therefore cautious. The government expects a total of five million guests from abroad – just over a quarter of the number of visitors in 2019.
Singapore: No mask requirement outdoors
As easy as Vietnam, Singapore will make it for travelers from April 1st. From then on, anyone who has been vaccinated twice only has to show a negative test, which was issued within 48 hours before departure.
Masks will no longer be required to be worn outdoors in Singapore from April 1st.
(Foto: imago images/NurPhoto)
No further test is required upon arrival – and no quarantine either. Special entry permits are also no longer necessary. In addition, the measures that apply within the country are relaxed.
For example, masks no longer have to be worn outdoors. Singapore’s Prime Minister spoke of an “important milestone” for the city-state in its attempt to live with the virus.
The relaxation of entry rules will “reconnect Singapore to the world”. Unvaccinated foreigners are not allowed to enter the country with a few exceptions.
Indonesia: Almost quarantine-free to Bali
The Indonesian government relaxed the entry rules significantly at the end of March and largely rolled back the previous quarantine regulations nationwide. The easiest way to enter is currently via the holiday island of Bali. There, the authorities issue German citizens with a visa for around 30 euros upon arrival, which is valid for 30 days. When landing in other parts of the country, such as the capital Jakarta, this is not yet possible. If you want to fly there directly, you have to apply for a visa before departure.
PCR tests are also necessary. A first test must be taken within 48 hours before departure and be negative in order to be able to travel to Indonesia. On arrival there will be another PCR test.
Those who have been vaccinated twice can wait in their hotel room for the result. Once they test negative, they are allowed to move freely around the country. If the test is positive, those affected will be isolated at their own expense. Anyone who is not fully vaccinated must be in quarantine for five days.
Indonesia, which currently holds the G20 presidency and is planning a summit meeting in Bali in November, hopes that the relaxed regulations will provide a way out of the tourism slump. In January, only around 144,000 foreigners traveled to the country of more than 270 million inhabitants. Before the pandemic, monthly visitor numbers were typically over a million.
Philippines: Further easing on April 1st
The Philippines largely opened their borders back in February. Since then, most travelers only need a negative PCR test, which was carried out within 48 hours before departure, and a vaccination card that documents full vaccination protection. So far, this regulation has applied to all countries whose citizens do not need a visa to visit the Philippines – including Germany. From April 1, the easing will be extended to all states. Unvaccinated foreigners are not allowed to enter the country.
Cambodia: No testing, no quarantine – with full vaccination
Cambodia is the only country in Southeast Asia to have removed all testing and quarantine regulations. Since mid-March, holidaymakers have only had to show a vaccination certificate upon entry in order to move freely in the country.
Anyone who is not fully vaccinated must go into quarantine for 14 days. The issuing of visas on arrival (“Visas on Arrival”), which were stopped during the pandemic, is now possible again. “Now is the time to open up the economy by learning to live with Covid,” Prime Minister Hun Sen said.
Myanmar: The junta is also letting holidaymakers into the country again
From April 17, Myanmar wants to open up to foreign tourists again. However, the country, which has been ruled by a military junta since a military coup a year ago, has the region’s strictest entry rules.
All travelers must first quarantine for a week before being allowed to travel through the country.
(Photo: Reuters)
Only fully vaccinated people are allowed into the country. All travelers must first quarantine for a week before being allowed to travel through the country. Two PCR tests will be carried out during this quarantine. However, the strict conditions are not the only reason why holidaymakers should continue to avoid Myanmar: since the military took power, the country has repeatedly been shaken by violent clashes. The Federal Foreign Office warns against traveling to Myanmar.
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