As Christmas approaches, the spread of infection has picked up speed again in the world.

Several countries have introduced new restrictions in the past month and some, such as Austria, have also had nose closures.

On Friday, Denmark also announced an extensive lockdown.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which on 1 October lifted the travel warning to all countries linked to the pandemic, calls for caution and vigilance when planning trips abroad.

Among the larger travel companies, no major frequency of cancellations is yet noticeable, but both TUI, Ving and Apollo testify to a reduction in newly booked winter trips.

- We are seeing a slowdown in the number of new bookings for the winter, says Claes Pellvik, communications manager at Ving.

Adam Györki, head of communications at TUI, states that there have been slightly more cancellations as a result of omikron.

However, he emphasizes that the work continues as during the entire pandemic in terms of following restrictions on the ground.

- There are fewer bookings now than there were a couple of weeks ago, we see that effect, he says.

Thailand and the Canary Islands have been popular, and according to travel companies, relatively safe destinations during this year's Christmas weekend.

But all flags that the situation can change on the spot.

- Much will probably be as before during the pandemic as the destinations we travel to the most have had good routines for a long period.

But restrictions can change.

It is important to stay up to date on what exactly applies when you travel, says Sandra Miller Kinge, communications manager at Apollo.

Here are the restrictions that apply to the most common destinations

Thailand

A state of emergency prevails in Thailand and is valid until 31 January 2022. Flights run between Sweden and Thailand, but with certain restrictions.

On November 1, 2021, the quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated travelers from a selection of countries, including Sweden, was removed.

It still applies that those who are exempt from quarantine must still at least seven days before departure must register and receive a so-called "Thailand Pass", present a negative PCR test and spend a night in a special hotel while waiting for the results of the PCR test.

For unvaccinated children under the age of 12, the same conditions apply as accompanying parents and guardians.

Unvaccinated travelers, including Swedish citizens, must register and receive a “Thailand Pass” before departure, present a negative PCR test and complete quarantine (up to eleven nights) at the traveler's expense.

There are oral protection requirements in public spaces indoors and outdoors in almost all provinces.

A number of provinces have also introduced night curfews.

However, these have been lifted in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phuket and Rayong.

Spain

All travelers arriving in Spain by plane or boat must complete a health declaration no earlier than 48 hours before arrival.

Everyone who has reached the age of 12 who travels in from a country that is classified as a risk area, including Sweden, also needs to present a vaccine certificate, tested negative or recovered from Covid-19.

Travelers entering the country road do not need to present a health declaration.

On the other hand, passengers who have reached the age of 12 are covered by the covid test requirement / certificate / certificate if entry takes place via France.

At present, there are no such requirements for entry from Portugal.

A negative test result may be a maximum of 72 hours old on entry, or an EU-approved antigen test a maximum of 48 hours old.

A certificate of completed Covid-19 infection must be a maximum of 180 days old.

Proof of complete vaccination must be completed no later than 14 days before entry.

In most regions, there are restrictions that include closing or limiting the opening hours of bars, restaurants and other entertainment venues.

There are also restrictions on crowds and the number of people in shops, restaurants and bars.

There are also requirements for covid certificates at major events and at restaurants.

Violation of the restrictions can lead to fines.

Spanish authorities recommend always wearing a mouth guard.

Italy

Since 16 December, Italian authorities have required all entrants to be able to present a negative covid test.

This also applies to holders of the EU's digital covid certificate issued after vaccination or health declaration.

Negative antigen test must not be older than 24 hours upon entry into Italy, PCR test must not be older than 48 hours.

For unvaccinated persons as well as persons who can not show a negative covid test, a requirement is set for five days of compulsory self-isolation.

A new antigen or PCR test needs to be performed to complete the isolation.

The regulations currently apply until 31 January 2022.

Evidence must be provided on completed vaccination at least fifteen days after the second vaccination dose, after a single dose for Johnson & Johnson or for people who have recovered from covid-19 and where a doctor has prescribed only one dose.

The certificate of health declaration from covid-19 must not be older than 180 days.

Children under the age of six are exempted from the requirement to present the EU digital covid certificate.

In Italy, there are several restrictions where the country has been divided into different risk zones and two different covid certificates.

To be able to go to a restaurant, sporting event, gym, cultural center, nightclubs or nursing home, a valid Super Green Pass is required.

It is also required for access to certain ski resorts.

A so-called Basic Green Pass, which corresponds to the EU's covid certificate issued after a negative antigen or PCR test, is required for, among other things, domestic transport, hotel accommodation and access to workplaces.

People with a body temperature above 37.5 degrees should stay at home.

Austria

Upon entry from Sweden to Austria, a covid certificate of vaccine, a history of infection or a negative covid test is required.

Persons with covid certificates do not need to fill in Pre-Travel-Clearance and do not go into quarantine after entry.

Only PCR tests that are not older than 72 hours are approved.

Antigen testing is generally no longer accepted.

If a valid covid certificate cannot be presented, a covid test must be done within 24 hours of entry.

The vaccination certificate is valid for a maximum of 270 days from the vaccination.

The third dose is valid for a maximum of 270 days.

Certificate of completed infection is valid for a maximum of 180 days.

Disease at the time of infection must have been confirmed by a molecular biology test, such as a PCR test.

Certificates of antibodies are not accepted.

Travelers may travel through Austria by car, train or bus from a country that Austria classifies as a risk country without the requirement of a negative coronation test or quarantine, provided that no stop is made in Austria and that the departure can be secured.

This also applies to airport transit.

There are local restrictions in the country with requirements for both vaccination, PCR tests and completed infections.

From 12 December, requirements for vaccination or recovery from covid-19 apply to hotels, restaurants, Christmas markets, après ski and ski gondolas, among other places.

France

On 16 December, the entry rules in France were amended.

For Sweden, this means that fully vaccinated travelers can travel in without showing a negative covditest.

However, temperature is taken when boarding, it must not exceed 38 degrees.

French ski resorts are open during the season, however, with a number of restrictions and requirements for corona passes.

Coronapass also applies to museums, restaurants, hospitals, flights, trains, buses, ski lifts, cinemas and sports and cultural events for more than 50 people.

Between 10 December and 6 January, nightclubs are closed.

It is also mandatory to wear mouth guards outdoors at crowds, in public transport, taxis and indoors in shops.

Non-vaccinated and children who have reached the age of twelve must present either a negative covid test that must be at most 24 hours old, or a recovery certificate that is at least eleven days old and at most six months old.

Specific regulations apply to overseas French territories.

Guadeloupe and Martinique have a curfew between 19-05, where they are also warned of demonstrations and popular movements.

Restrictions also apply to Réunion and Polynesia as well as New Caledonia.

USA

The United States has lifted the entry ban for vaccinated travelers.

However, restrictions related to covid-19 vary between states.

The authority for control of the spread of infection has decided that everyone who enters the country must present a negative covid test taken before departure.

The time of the test varies depending on the vaccination status and age.

For more information, see each state's health authority.

The information was obtained on 17 December 2021. Advice, recommendations and restrictions can be changed quickly, which is why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises to always read and follow updates on specific destinations and places.

Source: Sweden Abroad