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Global Mobility Restriction Overview
Weekly Update • 28
February 2022
COVID-19 Mobility Impacts Update Series
https://migration.iom.int ● dtmcovid19@iom.int
◼ Key Definitions
Entry restrictions: These are total restrictions which do not allow the entry of passengers of a given country,
territory, or area (C/T/A). These include a complete border closure, nationality ban, suspension of visa issuances,
and suspension of flights, etc.
Conditions for authorized entry: These are partial restrictions in the form of specific requirements upon which entry
is incumbent. These conditions include medical measures, new requirements on visa/travel documents or other
specific requirements for entry. Partial restrictions may be applicable to all passengers or exempt groups such as
specific nationalities or immigration status.
No Restriction: This refers to the removal of COVID-19 related international air travel restrictions that were issued
after 10th March 2020 on IATA’s website
Exceptions: Refers to specific individuals, nationalities, or immigration status to whom the specific COVID-19 related
travel restriction issued by a C/T/A do not apply. Conditions for authorized entry may also apply to specific exception
groups to enable their mobility.
Please note: This output represents the implementation of the third phase of Air Travel Restriction Methodology. In this phase, previous categories of Medical
and Visa Restrictions have been recategorized as conditions for authorized entry under partial restrictions. For more information please see here.
Disclaimer: This update strives to use terms in conformity with the IOM’s Glossary on Migration to describe mobility restrictions in relation to COVID-19
outbreak. Given the sensitive nature of the information, those terms are used to the best of our knowledge and within the limit of our possibilities to confirm
political correctness while producing a timely update. This analysis does not aim to provide exact information on travel requirements. For specific and updated
travel information, kindly refer to respective Consular authorities of the destination country. International Air Transport Association (IATA) and relevant airline
companies may be a valid alternative to explore. Corrections are very welcomed and should be submitted to DTM COVID-19 dtm[email protected] to ensure
consistency of information in the database repository.
Global Mobility Restriction Overview
Weekly Update • 28 February 2022
COVID-19 Mobility Impacts Update Series
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
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◼ Overview
The impact of COVID-19 on global mobility appears to be diminishing. As of 25 February 2022, a total of 430 million cases
1
of COVID-19 have been recorded globally, including more than 5.9 million deaths. Simultaneously, the World Health
Organization reports more than 10.5 billion doses of the vaccine have been administered globally as of 27 February 2022. A
total of 226 countries, territories or areas (C/T/As) have issued 122,823 travel related measures as of 28 February 2022,
indicating a 1.8 per cent increase from 120,699 travel related measures issued on 21 February 2022. Of these, 20,852 were
reported as entry restrictions and 101,971 were reported as conditions for authorized entry. In the reporting period, there
was a 3.3 per cent increase in conditions for authorized entry and a 5.17 per cent decrease in entry restrictions. In terms of
conditions for authorized entry, there was a 10.5 per cent increase in location surveillance such as passenger locator forms.
In the reporting period, there was a 7.3 per cent decrease in restrictions on arrivals from a specific C/T/A. In parallel to existing
travel restrictions, a total of 208 countries, territories or areas have issued 961 exceptions enabling mobility. Between 21 and
28 February 2022, 10 countries, territories or areas have issued 24 new exceptions whilst 14 countries, territories or areas
removed 51 exceptions.
◼ Restrictions and Conditions for Authorized Entry
Number of restrictions and conditions for authorized entry
As of 28 February 2022, 226 C/T/As have imposed restrictions and conditions for authorized entry. Entry restrictions for
passengers from restricted C/T/As represent 14 per cent of all restrictions and conditions. Medical measures are the most
common condition for authorized entry representing 76 per cent of the total number of conditions and restrictions. In contrast,
visa requirements represent 3 per cent of total restrictions and conditions.
Changes in the number of travel measures over time, by type
1
WHO defines the confirmed case as “a person with laboratory confirmation of 2019-nCoV infection, irrespective of clinical signs and symptoms.”
Global Mobility Restriction Overview
Weekly Update • 28 February 2022
COVID-19 Mobility Impacts Update Series
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
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◼ Changes in Entry Restrictions and Conditions for Authorized Entry, Over Time
The map below provides a global overview of the changes between the type of measures issued by C/T/As and gradual
increases in the issuance of ‘entry restrictions’ (e.g. total entry restrictions for passengers) and/or ‘conditions for authorized
entry’ (e.g. medical measures in the form of PCR test, quarantine, etc.). As of 17 March 2020, only 90 governments and
authorities across the world had announced COVID-19 related travel measures, by 21 May 2020 this number increased to
221 whereas as of 28 February 2022, 226 out of 247 C/T/As (91%) have issued some form of entry restrictions or conditions
for authorized entry at international airports.
Global Mobility Restriction Overview
Weekly Update • 28 February 2022
COVID-19 Mobility Impacts Update Series
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
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Entry restrictions vs. conditions for authorized entry – Global overview
Entry restrictions vs. conditions for authorized entry – Regional overview
The chart below shows the shift from ‘entry restrictions’ to ‘conditions for authorized entry’ over time. In April 2020, entry
restrictions constituted 80 per cent of all COVID-19 related measures (coloured in red), but this proportion has gradually
decreased to 21 per cent, as of 28 February 2022.
Although most of the IOM regions have gradually shifted from ‘entry restrictions’ to ‘conditions for authorized entry’ there are
important differences in terms of timing and severity of measures. For instance, the IOM regions of
Central and West Africa
and
East and Horn of Africa
have seen the sharpest shift from restrictions to conditions, with strict entry restrictions representing
less than 5 per cent of the total travel related measures as of 28 February 2022. On the other hand, IOM regions of
European
Economic Area
and
Asia and the Pacific
have seen a less significant shift from restrictions to conditions, with restrictions
representing over 50 per cent of the total travel related measures in the last reporting period. These regional differences over
time reflect the dissimilar evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in different geographical areas.
Global Mobility Restriction Overview
Weekly Update • 28 February 2022
COVID-19 Mobility Impacts Update Series
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
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◼ Key Highlights on Restrictions and Conditions for Authorized Entry
This section illustrates the changes in the number of restrictions (coloured in red) and entry conditions (coloured in yellow)
in the last week. Between 21 and 28 February 2022, 20 C/T/As added or removed some restrictions and/or conditions for
authorized entry. While 6 C/T/As removed existing conditions for authorized entry, 9 C/T/As removed total restrictions. There
were 11 C/T/As issuing new conditions and 2 C/T/As issuing new restrictions.
Top 10 C/T/As with most significant changes in the number of travel measures since last update
2
Key Highlights
- Passenger bans were extended by Marshall Islands until 31 March 2022 and by Falkland Islands until further notice.
- Passenger bans were lifted. Australia lifted the total passenger ban and issued conditions for authorized entry requiring
that all incoming passengers must have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, a negative COVID-19 test taken at most three
days before departure and complete a "Digital Passenger Declaration". Iceland lifted all COVID-19 entry regulations. Poland
lifted the general passenger ban, but all passengers must complete a Passenger Locator Form and present it upon arrival.
Canada removed its general passenger ban; passengers must now be fully vaccinated to enter, with an exception for
children under 12 travelling with their vaccinated parents. Spain lifted its general passenger ban. However, passengers
arriving to Spain must have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate. This does not apply to passengers arriving from the
European Economic Area; nationals and residents of Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland or Holy See; passengers residing in Bahrain, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region, China, Macao Special Administrative Region, China, Taiwan Province of the People’s
Republic of China, Colombia, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, New Zealand, Peru, Qatar, Rwanda, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Uruguay; and military personnel. Also, passengers entering Spain must have a negative
COVID-19 antigen test taken at most 24 hours before arrival or a negative COVID-19 NAAT test taken at most 72 hours
before arrival. This does not apply to passengers younger than 12 years old and to passengers arriving from People’s
Republic of China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, Macao Special Administrative Region, China, Taiwan
Province of the People’s Republic of China, Colombia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Qatar, Rwanda, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
or United Arab Emirates.
- Passenger bans were lifted for passengers arriving from specific C/T/As. Chile lifted the passenger ban for passengers
who, in the last 14 days, have been in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa or Zimbabwe.
Similarly, Grenada lifted the passenger ban on travellers who have been in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South
Africa and Zimbabwe in the past 14 days.
2
Please note that changes in the chart reflect actual timely shifts in measures, and additional changes that are resultant of internal quality control.
Global Mobility Restriction Overview
Weekly Update • 28 February 2022
COVID-19 Mobility Impacts Update Series
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
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- Flight suspensions were lifted. Kazakhstan ended its flight suspensions on all C/T/As. Previously, only repatriation flights
and flights from Armenia, Belarus, Egypt, Germany, Georgia, Republic of Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, the Netherlands,
Qatar, Russian Federation, Turkey, Tajikistan Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan were exempt from the flight
suspensions.
- Singapore removed the restriction on passengers in transit provided they have their baggage checked through to their
destination.
- Conditions for authorized entry were removed. United Arab Emirates removed the negative COVID-19 PCR test
requirement for passengers with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or recovery certificate and removed the negative PCR
test requirement for passengers transiting through Abu Dhabi (AUH). Tunisia lifted the mandatory five-day quarantine for
arriving passengers. Passengers arriving to Latvia will no longer need to complete a COVID-19 pass before departure
after 28 February 2022. Bahrain removed the testing requirement upon arrival for all passengers. Oman removed the
condition for authorized entry that specifies that vaccine certificates must have been issued at least 14 days before arrival.
Oman also removed the COVID-19 PCR testing requirement before arrival and the mandatory registration form before
arrival. Slovakia removed the 14-day quarantine requirement for passengers who, in the past 14 days, have been in
Botswana, Eswatini, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, Israel, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles,
South Africa and Zimbabwe. Uganda removed the entry condition that all passengers are subject to a COVID-19 PCR test
upon arrival at their own expense and must self-isolation until test results are ready. Singapore removed the condition for
authorized entry requiring that passengers make a payment for a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival at passengers’ expense.
- Conditions for authorized entry were specified. Togo specified that the COVID-19 test can also be paid upon arrival.
Namibia specified that passengers must now have either a recovery certificate issued at most three months before arrival,
or a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 72 hours before arrival. This does not apply to nationals and permanent
residents of Namibia. They must have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated at least
14 days before arrival. This also does not apply to passengers younger than 5 years old.
- Conditions for authorized entry for airline staff were issued. Viet Nam removed a requirement that airline crew arriving at
Tan Son Nhat International Airport must present pre-arrival negative test results. Airline crew entering Uganda are no
longer subject to a COVID-19 test upon arrival at their own expense and do not need to self-isolate until results are ready.
- New conditions for authorized entry were issued. Passengers entering Oman are now subject to a COVID-19 PCR test
upon arrival or within 24 hours after arrival. Passengers entering Colombia must now submit a check migration form at
most 72 hours before departure (in the previous update this was 24 hours before departure). Passengers entering the
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela are subject to a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival. All passengers entering Austria are now
subject to a 10-day quarantine unless they are exempt. Exemptions include passengers with a negative COVID-19 antigen
test taken at most 24 hours before arrival or a PCR test taken at most 72 hours before arrival. Passengers with a COVID-
19 recovery certificate issued at most 180 days before arrival or with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that at
most 270 days before arrival they were fully vaccinated or received a booster dose are also exempt. France issued a new
entry condition for all passengers. Passengers must complete a Digital Passenger Locator Form found online.
- Changes to conditions for authorized entry were made. The mandatory quarantine period was reduced by New Caledonia
for all passengers to seven days, down from 14 days.
- COVID-19 vaccination requirements were expanded. Canada will now accept the COVID-19 vaccines Covovax and
Nuvaxovid (Novavax). Hungary included passengers with an immunity COVID-19 certificate issued by Albania, Andorra,
Armenia, Bahrain, Benin, Cabo Verde, Taiwan Province of the People's Republic of China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Egypt,
El Salvador, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Hungary, Iceland, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Maldives, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, North
Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, Uruguay, Uzbekistan or Holy See and minors under 18 years old in their company in the exception group to the
passenger ban. Czechia will now accept vaccination certificates issued in Benin and Jordan as exceptions to its passenger
ban and to its pre-departure testing requirement. Similarly, Czechia will accept recovery certificates issued in Benin and
Jordan as exceptions to its pre-departure testing requirement. Brazil expanded its exceptions to the COVID-19 vaccination
requirement. Passengers younger than 12 years old are now exempt. The Philippines updated the list of countries from
which vaccines are accepted. Vaccination certificates issued in Egypt, Palau, Uruguay, Macao Special Administrative
Region, China, Indonesia, Chile, Ecuador, Egypt, Papua New Guinea Palau, Peru, Syrian Arab Republic, Myanmar and
British Virgin Islands are now accepted, while vaccination certificates issued in Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia and Viet Nam are
no longer accepted.
Global Mobility Restriction Overview
Weekly Update • 28 February 2022
COVID-19 Mobility Impacts Update Series
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
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◼ Exceptions to Entry Restrictions
Number of C/T/As by type of exception
3
C/T/As are most likely to issue at least one exception for children below a certain age (141). Exceptions for Nationals and for
Residents and their families, issued at least once by 94 and 92 different C/T/As respectively, represent two of the other most
common groups receiving exceptions.
Changes in the number of exceptions over time: groups that are allowed to enter
4
3
‘Others’ category involves any exempted groups which are not included in the exception categories listed. Passengers with a test proving presence of IgG antibodies, passengers
with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, passengers with certain visa types, accompanying individuals to persons requiring urgent medical treatment can be given as examples for
the exception groups in this category.
4
The chart shows the most significant exempted groups that are allowed to enter. Note that for simplification purposes ‘Others’ and ‘No exceptions’ categories are not
represented.
Global Mobility Restriction Overview
Weekly Update • 28 February 2022
COVID-19 Mobility Impacts Update Series
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
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Noticeable Trends for Exceptions:
• As of 28 February 2022, a total of 961 exceptions, enabling mobility, have been issued by 208 C/T/As.
• The C/T/As issuing the highest number of exceptions were Bosnia and Herzegovina (21), the Netherlands (21),
Ukraine (18), Sweden (15), United States of America (15), Serbia (13), Germany (13), Hungary (13), Argentina
(12) and Qatar (11).
• Between 21 and 28 February 2022, 10 countries, territories or areas issued 24 new exceptions, while 14 countries,
territories or areas removed 51 exceptions.
◼ Exceptions and Corresponding Conditions for Authorized Entry
The conditions for authorized entry refer to additional requirements or measures that specific exempt individuals or groups
need to fulfil to enter a given C/T/A. The below chart demonstrates the most frequently imposed conditions for authorized
entry such as quarantine, health declaration forms, and medical certificates, that are applicable to specific exceptional groups.
Exception groups and associated conditions for authorized entry
Noticeable Trends for Conditions for Authorized Entry for Exempted Groups
• Of the 208 C/T/As issuing exceptions for entry, a total of 152 have issued 1,377 conditions for authorized entry for
exempted groups.
• The top ten C/T/As issuing the highest number of conditions for authorized entry for exempted groups were Kuwait
(37), the Netherlands (31), Switzerland (29), Indonesia (28), Curaçao (28), Israel (28), Germany (27), Argentina
(27), Singapore (25) and Thailand (25).
• The main condition for authorized entry for exempted groups was to provide a medical certificate upon arrival, which
was issued at least 342 times, followed by a Health Declaration or Travel History Form 304 times.
Global Mobility Restriction Overview
Weekly Update • 28 February 2022
COVID-19 Mobility Impacts Update Series
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
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◼ Key Exceptions Highlights
- Exceptions to the passenger ban were removed. Czechia removed an exception to its passenger ban for passengers who,
in the past 14 days, have only been in Bahrain, Chile and Uruguay. Singapore removed two exceptions to the passenger
ban: one for passengers with a Student's Pass (STP) or a Student's Pass In-Principle Approval (STP IPA), and another
for passengers who have only been in or transited through Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China and Macao
Special Administrative Region, China in the past 14 days.
- Exceptions to the passenger ban were issued. Kazakhstan updated its list of nationals of other C/T/As who are exempt
from its passenger ban. These include nationals of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada,
Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Islamic
Republic of Iran, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia,
New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, United States of America, Holy See, Viet Nam, as well as passengers with a Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region, China passport.
- Exceptions to the passenger ban were specified. Germany specified exceptions for fully vaccinated passengers. These are
passengers with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated at least 14 days and at most
270 days before departure, or passengers who are fully vaccinated and received a booster dose; they are now exempt
from the passenger ban. Previously, the booster dose was not included, as well as specifications for passengers receiving
the Janssen vaccine (passengers must now have two doses of Janssen or a second dose of another accepted vaccine).
This exemption also applies to passengers' accompanying children younger than 12 years old. Germany issued the same
specifications for the vaccine certificates exempting passengers from the testing requirement before arrival.
- The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela issued exceptions to its flight suspension for flights from Portugal.
- Exceptions to conditions for authorized entry were removed. The Philippines removed the exception for airline crew from
completing the One Health Pass registration form; they now must complete the form.
- Exceptions to conditions for authorized entry for passengers arriving from specific C/T/As were issued. Oman added
exceptions to the condition for authorized entry requiring that passengers must have health insurance to cover COVID-19
related expenses for at least one month. This does not apply to nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.
- Exceptions to conditions for authorized entry were issued. New Zealand issued new exceptions to the requirement that
passengers must present a voucher upon arrival which confirms their allocation to a place in managed isolation. Nationals
and residents of New Zealand arriving from Australia or Tonga with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they
were fully vaccinated at least 14 days before departure are now exempt. They must in the past 14 days have only been
in Australia, Cook Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu or Vanuatu. Partners and dependent
children of nationals or residents of New Zealand arriving from Australia or Tonga are also exempt. They must have a
COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated at least 14 days before departure. They must in
the past 14 days have only been in Australia, Cook Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu or
Vanuatu, and passengers arriving from Vanuatu, must in the past 14 days, have only been in New Zealand or Vanuatu.
South Africa issued a new exception to the condition for authorized entry that passengers entering or transiting through
South Africa must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation
point. Exceptions were issued for passengers with a COVID-19 recovery certificate and a positive COVID-19 test. Republic
of Korea issued an exception for nationals of Republic of Korea and their family members arriving from Ukraine from
having a printed negative COVID-19 test taken at most two days before departure from the first embarkation point.
- Exceptions for children were issued and/or changed. Pakistan issued new exceptions to the vaccination certificate
requirement for nationals of Pakistan younger than 18 years old and for passengers younger than 12 years old who are
nationals of a country other than Pakistan. Republic of Korea reduced the age from 6 to 5 years old for the exception to
the condition for authorized entry that passengers must present a printed COVID-19 test taken at most two days before
departure. Similarly, Uganda increased the age from 3 to 6 years old for the exception to the requirement that passengers
must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point.
