The coronavirus epidemic began in China, in Wuhan to be exact. It was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. The epidemic spread around the world, with crisis management varying from country to country. The year 2021 has begun with the vaccine for many countries. While waiting for the entire world population to be vaccinated, the epidemic is experiencing new waves of contamination, particularly with variants of the virus. This article lists the countries requiring Covid insurance and the Covid travel restrictions for 2021. Mondassur now includes coverage for medical expenses related to Covid-19 and epidemics in most of its international insurance plans. This article is updated weekly.
Which countries require Covid insurance?
Mondassur offers a range of international insurance policies covering Coronavirus-related medical expenses. Some countries require you to present travel insurance covering Covid-19. This list is regularly updated. Here are the main countries that require proof of insurance before boarding a plane:
Africa: Algeria, Benin, Djibouti, Tunisia, Egypt, Israel, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Togo
Asia: Cambodia, China, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Maldives, Mongolia, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates,
Americas: Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Saint Martin, Turks and Caicos Islands.
Oceania: French Polynesia, Seychelles
You’ll be covered by a good international health insurance policy, like those in our Gold range, anywhere in the world. You’ll also have the option of being covered as soon as you sign up, given the emergency nature of this infection. Mondassur advises you to take out international health insurance such as GoldExpat if you live abroad, or GoldStudent if you study abroad. Simple repatriation assistance will not cover you. You’ll be covered in your country of expatriation, as well as when you return to France or when you travel.
Almost all our international health insurance policies now cover medical expenses related to the Coronavirus. We invite you to request a quote for the travel insurance best suited to your situation. Of course, you can also contact us by email or telephone to explain your situation and get better advice.
How to travel with the Covid epidemic?
Many countries have introduced controls on aircraft arriving from affected areas, and some have closed their borders to prevent the virus spreading. These measures include proof of vaccination against Covid-19, a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old, or quarantine. Details by country can be found on the website of the official international aviation organization IATA.
How much does a PCR test cost if you need one?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends following precautionary sanitary measures in line with local instructions in each country. The “barrier gestures” should be maintained for many months to come.
The situation evolves on a daily basis, depending on the progress of the epidemic, vaccination campaigns, the success of decontainment periods in different countries and government statements. Some destinations remain totally closed, such as China, which makes entry to its territory very difficult, with the requirement of 2 PCR tests less than 48 hours old, strict quarantine once on site, and access conditions limited almost exclusively to Chinese family reunification. Regarding the opening of EU borders with countries outside the EU, the list of non-EU countries is regularly updated. Here are some regularly updated sites from the European Union:
Check the borders of countries reopening in the wake of the Coronavirus.
Read the main news on the latest developments in the global health situation following the Coronavirus outbreak.
What does quarantine mean for Covid?
Some countries have established policies for welcoming travellers, with new arrivals confined to quarantine (or quatorzaine) either systematically, or in the event of detection of fever or a positive test for Covid-19 on arrival at international airports. Travellers must then either be able to prove that they have accommodation to spend their quarantine period, or they are placed directly in establishments dedicated to receiving infected people. Some countries require you to stay in a dedicated facility until you receive the results of tests carried out on arrival. If they are negative, you are free to travel.
What are the symptoms of the coronavirus epidemic?
Clinical symptoms are those usually observed during winter flu epidemics: diffuse muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, muscle pain. They are followed by fever and respiratory signs (cough, respiratory discomfort, chest pain). The incubation period averages 5 days, and the onset of the disease is gradual, in contrast to the more sudden onset of influenza. The latest findings indicate that the virus may be present in the body for up to 20 days. Depending on the severity of clinical signs, 20% of patients require hospitalization, including 5% in intensive care. In 30% to 60% of cases, the infection causes few or no clinical symptoms. The major health crisis arises from the fact that complications of the infection set in very quickly and are very serious, with a life-threatening prognosis requiring intensive hospital resources. These complications only affect a small proportion of the population, since most other people can be carriers of the virus without becoming ill.
Coronaviruses (Covs) are a family of viruses that can cause health problems ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as MERS or SARS. The most vulnerable people are the ones most affected, and they need to follow these precautions carefully. These include the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, newborn babies and pregnant women. The case-fatality rate is around 3 to 5%.
Covid’s impact on mobility
Mobility came to a dramatic halt in March 2020, when the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic became evident. In the wake of the Omicron variant and the recent rise in Covid-19 contamination, many countries have announced new measures.
A brief update on these measures:
- As of January 8, China will lift the quarantine requirement for entry into the country. Only a negative test less than 48 hours old will be required to enter the country.
- India requires PCR testing for travelers from China, Thailand, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, and randomly tests 2% of international passengers arriving at its airports.
- Hong Kong to reopen its border with the rest of China in mid-January
- As of January 1, 2023, travelers will no longer have to undergo or pay for a PCR test upon arrival in Venezuela.
- Gambia removes all Covid-related travel restrictions
- International passengers arriving in Hong Kong are no longer subject to travel and access restrictions. Downloading the Covid mobile tracking application is no longer mandatory.
- Nigeria removes all Covid-related travel restrictions
- China eases Covid-related travel restrictions, but still won’t reopen its borders to tourists
- Sri Lanka removes all Covid-related travel restrictions
- The form for entering the Philippines has changed. The eTravel portal replaces the One Health Pass
- Tunisia has lifted all Covid-related travel restrictions
Regularly updated list
To follow the evolution of the pandemic and the countries affected.
