In a week when most European countries saw hospitals reach near-saturation point, many nations had no choice but to implement lockdowns, curfews and new travel restrictions.
The U.K. reached 50,000 deaths, many countries moved from implementing curfews to full lockdowns, Denmark and other countries restricted movement due to a Covid-19 outbreak in minks and many European countries entered red lists, meaning residents from those countries cannot travel without a negative PCR test.
Here is an updated mid-November recap, country by country; who can get in, what they need to do before and when they get there and how much they can travel about once they’re on the ground (if at all).
New EU-wide restrictions on third party countries
This was the second week where the ECDC map was red for most EU countries. Part of southern Norway turned red from yellow and the south of Finland turned green.
The current list of travel restrictions across Europe is coordinated for most countries by using the ECDC traffic light map (where arrivals from red countries are more restricted than arrivals from green, who can travel freely) and there is a list of EU approved third-party countries.
This list is now reduced to the following countries: Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Uruguay. Arrivals from China are also allowed, assuming reciprocity occurs (i.e. that China accepts EU arrivals).
Austria—under curfew for November, ski resorts closed
Entry from most EU+ countries is currently okay without restrictions, except for parts of Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Portugal, Spain and the U.K.–where either quarantine is required or a negative Covid-19 test, taken within the last 72 hours.
Arrivals from international third-party countries (not in the EU+ area) is strictly forbidden, with the exception of the U.K. and Switzerland.
For the month of November, Austria has closed ski resorts and hotels, restaurants and bars (except for take out) and Christmas markets. A curfew is in place between 8pm and 6am.
Belgium—in lockdown for November
Non-essential travel to and from outside EU and Schengen countries remains prohibited and all passengers arriving in Belgium by air or sea must fill in a “Public Health Passenger Locator Form” and give it to border authorities.
For incoming visitors to the country, Belgium is using the ECDC traffic light system and obliging anyone arriving from red zones after 15 November to test negative upon arrival or quarantine for 14 days. As per the ECDC map above, most of Europe is currently a red zone.
Belgium is currently in lockdown, with non-essential shops closed and people are working from home where possible. As outlined by Politico, people are only allowed to socialise with one person outside of their household (and it must always be the same person). Four people are allowed in someone’s home, if social distancing rules are followed, and the group must stay the same throughout the lockdown.
Bulgaria—mass tests people near mink farms
The list of countries able to arrive in Bulgaria without restrictions has been the same since 16 July–they include the list of EU approved countries and EU member states.
Arrivals from Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia, North Macedonia, Albania, Kuwait, Moldova, Israel and any other third country must have a negative Covid-19 test and sign a health declaration. U.S. visitors are not on the list of 46 allowed countries.
Bulgaria has 7 million residents and has recorded 1,771 deaths.
Face masks are now obligatory in all outdoor spaces, which Minister of Health, Kostadin Angelov, hoped would slow the spread of the virus by about 30% and help alleviate pressure on hospitals.
On 6 November, Bulgaria ordered mass PCR testing for people in the vicinity of two mink farms in the country, after the virus mutated from mink farms in Denmark.
Croatia—still has open borders, even to U.S.
Croatian borders are open to more than just EU nationals and also include U.K., Switzerland, Norway, Lichtenstein, Andorra, San Marino, Monaco and Holy See visitors.
Croatia is also allowing other access from other countries–including the U.S.–if travelers meet requirements and hold a valid negative Covid-19 test result–otherwise they must quarantine. Everyone must also fill in an online form to hand in at the border.
Much like other EU countries, Croatia is experiencing rising infection rates and has implemented mandatory mask wearing and a limit on public gatherings. The Prime Minister is resisting a lockdown.
Cyprus—EU+ countries must now test
After placing the country under a curfew on 22 October, Cyprus was forced to place the entire southwest region under lockdown. ABC News reported that Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou deemed it necessary after consultations with the ECDC—infections in the Limassol and Paphos districts jumped from 28% to 70% of the national average in the last six weeks while two-thirds of hospitalized COVID-19 patients now receiving treatment hail from there.
At its borders, Cyprus has three categories based on a country’s epidemiological situation, and updates the list to announce who can enter and how. Every passenger must fill in a Cyprus Health Pass upon arrival.
There are currently only 7 countries on list A, the most epidemiologically sound, where no restrictions are in place: Australia, Finland, Germany, Korea, Republic of Latvia, New Zealand and Thailand.
List B–passengers coming from these countries need to test negative for the virus no later than 72 hours prior to their arrival and include: Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland and Sweden are now on this list. They join Norway, the U.K., San Marino, Hong Kong, Uruguay, China, Rwanda, Serbia and Vatican City.
Countries in category C are considered to be highly affected and must choose between taking a PCR test or self-isolating when entering Cyprus. They can also present the negative results of the Coronavirus test, which should not be older than 72 hours. This list now includes these EU+ countries: Belgium, Austria, Bulgaria, Ireland, France, Luxembourg, Croatia, Spain, Romania, Italy, Netherlands, Malta, Hungary, Portugal, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Monaco, Andorra, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Morocco, Montenegro and Algeria.
As of Wednesday, Cyprus has recorded 6,461 confirmed cases and 33 deaths.
Czech Republic—new rules for international arrivals
As of November 9, arrivals will be grouped into red, yellow and green categories, with red being the most at risk.
Travelers from the green and green list can enter freely, but international arrivals for work or study from the yellow group must fill out a form and a negative PCR test. Arrivals from red list countries must fill out an entry form and show a negative PCR test or go into quarantine.
Yellow list countries are Australia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Japan, Korea, Cyprus, the Hellenic Republic (Greece), Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Norway, New Zealand, Sweden, Thailand, and Vatican City.
Denmark—the north under lockdown
There is a helpful list in English entitled “Is My Country/Region Open or Banned?” where countries fall into border regions, open countries (yellow on the ECDC map) and high-risk countries.
Any country that isn’t EU, Schengen or the U.K. is banned but even people arriving from high-risk areas (as per the ECDC map) inside these allowed areas, for example, France or Italy, must have proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours.
The country placed almost a million people into lockdown in North Jutland after a mutated version of Covid-19 was found in 12 people, infected by minks. BBC reported that 17 million minks would be culled as a precaution.
Bars and restaurants must currently close at 10pm.
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Estonia—still open to EU+ nationals
EU citizens plus Schengen nationals, as well as visitors from the U.K., Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican can visit if they do not have symptoms.
Arrivals from other countries not mentioned on this list must go into a 14-day quarantine.
Finland—negative tests from 23 November onwards
From November 23, travelers arriving from all EU, Schengen countries, and the U.K. will be allowed in (even with high rates) but they must have proof of a negative Covid-19 test, taken in the 72 hours prior to arrival. They will then have to quarantine for 72 hours until a second negative test, which will give them the freedom to travel Finland without restrictions.
Since October 12, arrivals from Cyprus, Latvia and Lichtenstein have not been allowed to enter without quarantine and until November 23, arrivals will be allowed in without self-isolating for 14 days if they arrive from a country which has less than 25 cases per 100,000 people in the last fortnight.
Finland currently has internal restrictions on operating hours for some businesses and home working is encouraged at all times. Restaurants and bars are currently under reduced hours until 31 October.
France—in lockdown and testing all arrivals
As France headed into its second lockdown, the French Health Minister Olivier Véran announced even stricter travel restrictions in Paris, saying “the second wave is here, and it is violent.”
President Emmanuel Macron banned all non-essential trips, and though internal borders with the European Union area are open, all external borders have been closed. France is deploying rapid thirty-minute testing at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport and all ports, which are much quicker but less accurate than the three-day turnaround for standard tests.
Macron said that “no traveller should be able to enter European territory without being certain that he is not carrying the virus.” French Prime Minister, Jean Castex, also emphasized that all arrivals would need testing.
All arrivals must now present a filled in attestation swearing that they do not have Covid-19 symptoms and that the reasons for travel. Anyone with symptoms upon arrival must self-isolate immediately.
Germany—reduces quarantine to 10 days, with test
Germany’s rates of contracting Covid-19 are increasing; the country has doubled the number of patients in intensive care in just 10 days and set a new record of over 21,500 new confirmed cases on Friday.
On 2 November, the country went into lockdown but from 8 November it is changing its travel regulations slightly. Currently, all visitors arriving, who have been in high-risk countries 14-days prior, must take a Covid-19 test and remain in quarantine until the results come back (usually a few hours and the test is free). If the results are positive, they must quarantine for 2 weeks but after 8 November, this period will become 10 days. Anyone else with a negative test must quarantine for 5 days.
Thousands took to the streets in Liepzig on Saturday to protest against the further restrictions of movement.
It has, as reported by Euronews, offered to pay for Covid-19 tests in the first three days of arrival, for people arriving from high-risk countries.
Greece—all arrivals must have a negative PCR test
The country was put into its second lockdown on 7 November, following the first one in spring by its prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. It will last 3 weeks.
As a result, it asked all foreigners entering the country to have proof of a negative PCR test, not older than 72 hours. Travel outside of homes and workplaces is heavily discouraged.
Greece is one of only three places labelled yellow this week by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) across all EU+ countries—meaning that only parts of Greece, Finland and Norway are safe to travel to, during this week.
Hungary—goes into lockdown with borders closed
Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary announced new measures lasting 30 days–a general curfew from 8pm to 5am and banned all public events, capping family and private gatherings at 10 people.
Restaurants will only be able to offer delivery services. High schools and above were moved to online classes with all other schools remaining open (following suit with most other EU countries looking to reduce the heavy impact of childcare). Gyms, indoor swimming pools, museums, theaters and zoos will be closed.
Nearly 2,500 people have died from the virus but 75% of these has been since 1 September.
The country had opened its borders without restrictions to citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area (excluding the United Kingdom) and Switzerland on 21 June. However, it closed its borders on September 1 to all foreign nationals, after spiking rates of infection–and this order has recently been extended.
Iceland—says internationals without visas must leave
Anyone who was visiting Iceland on March 20 when the pandemic forced the closure of many international borders had been allowed to stay in the country, after registering with the Directorate of Immigration.
Beyond 10 November, anyone without a residence permit or visa must leave. Anyone who claims they are finding it difficult to leave after this date, must show proof.
Iceland is currently operating a policy of double screening, which has been extended until December. International arrivals have to choose between either going directly into a 14-day quarantine or choosing to do two tests; one when they arrive and one after 5 or 6 days of quarantine, after which they are free to travel without restrictions around the country if they are negative.
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Ireland—in lockdown until 1 December
Ireland implemented the ECDC’s traffic light map of travel restrictions for the first time, meaning it adheres to the same guidelines as most other EU countries.
It’s citizens are still in the middle of a six-week lockdown until 1 December, with all non-essential shops closed, restaurants can only offer takeout, and people must not travel further than 5 kilometers (3 miles) from their homes. Schools will stay open. The BBC described it as “harsh measures with a Christmas carrot“, hoping it might save the festive period.
Italy—in lockdown as hospitals saturated
In Naples, hospitals were so overstretched Tuesday that ambulances were forced to queue outside the gates, with doctors distributing breathing apparatus outside until the patients could be brought in one by one.
The WSJ reported that patients were on gurneys in corridors inside Milan’s hospitals with doctors having to prioritize who came into ICU rooms first.
AP reported that eight regions in Italy have moved into the red-alert zone with more than half of their hospital beds dedicated to coronavirus patients.
As rates spiked across Italy, many of its regions were put into strict lockdown conditions with the closure of many non-essential businesses across the country.
AP News reported that the northern regions of Lombardy (which includes Milan), Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta and the southern region of Calabria, the toe of Italy’s boot, will be under increased restrictions for the next 15 days.
This implies the closure of all non-essential stores, take-out only service for bars and restaurants, distance learning for students 12 and over and a ban on leaving hometowns except for work, health or other serious reasons.
Sicily and Puglia, two other southern regions, are now under a second tier of restrictions. The rest of Italy is under a 10 pm curfew with restaurants forced to close by 6 pm.
All arriving passengers into Italy must complete a passenger form and most arrivals from EU member states don’t need to quarantine. However, arrivals from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Spain and the U.K. must show a negative swab test within 72 hours of arrival or take one at an airport or Italian health clinic.
Every other country is restricted to a reason and must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine period.
Germany asked any arrivals who had been in Italy during the past ten days to self-isolate, beginning 8 November.
Latvia—all EU countries are now on quarantine list
Latvia updated it requirements on November 6, and now anyone arriving from a country where the 14-day cumulative indicator is higher than 50, must go into a 10-day quarantine (previously Estonia, Finland, Norway and Cyprus were exempt).
All other EU countries, plus the U.K. must enter a ten-day quarantine, as per ECDC recommendations. Since October 12, all arrivals must fill in an electronic form 48 hours before arriving in the country.
Latvia introduced a state of emergency from 9 November to 6 December with restrictions on movement around the country and with reduced access to services during this time.
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Lithuania—now under lockdown for November
As of 7 November, the country is in a three-week lockdown.
As of 26 October, the country has been following the ECDC traffic light map for allowing access. Lithuania is allowing access from EEA countries but those countries which are red or gray are subject to the requirement of testing for Covid-19 or a 10-day isolation.
Luxembourg—under curfew and EU outsiders banned
Luxembourg has not restricted its border from other European visitors, although travel from outside Europe is banned until (at present) 31 December. It is also allowing visitors from the countries recommended by the EU.
Since 30 October, it has had an 11pm curfew in place.
Malta—bars closed and tests increase
Malta is operating a system of green, amber and red lists. Travelers arriving from countries on the green list don’t have any restrictions—this list of countries is smaller than it was.
Countries on Malta’s ‘green list’ which currently don’t have restrictions are: Andorra, Australia, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy (expect for passengers arriving from Milan and Rome all airports, and Bologna, Naples, Perugia, Pescara, Pisa, Trieste, Turin, Venice), Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Monaco, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal (except for passengers arriving from Porto), Romania, Rwanda, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, U.K. (except for passengers arriving from Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham), Uruguay and Vatican City.
Other countries are on an ‘amber list’ where visitors need to show negative Covid-19 tests taken within 72 hours prior to boarding flights to Malta. As of 13 November, amber list countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy (Milan and Rome all airports, and Bologna, Naples, Perugia, Pescara, Pisa, Trieste, Turin, Venice), Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal (Porto), Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia and the U.K. (Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham)
All other countries are on the red list and arrivals from these must have spent at least the 14 days prior in a safe corridor country before reaching Malta. It is also recommended that they take a PCR test 72 hours before they arrive.
Malta has mandated the wearing of face masks everywhere, the closure of bars and social clubs for a month, and the lowering of group gatherings in public to six people. Despite rising infection rates, most of the population is against a more pronounced lockdown.
The Netherlands—banned meetings more than 2 people
The Netherlands is currently on lockdown, which bans meetings of more than 2 people not from the same household. It is returning on 19 November to a partial lockdown that it first reintroduced in October. It is strongly advising people not to travel abroad or book any trips abroad until mid-January unless absolutely necessary.
You do not need to quarantine if you’re traveling from the EU-wide safe list, namely, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore (as of 27 October) South Korea, Thailand, Uruguay and China (Canada, Tunisia and Georgia have been removed).
However, anyone arriving from most EU countries must self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival, even if they have no symptoms and a negative test result. The list involves: Andorra, Aruba, Austria, Belgium, Bonaire, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark (city of Copenhagen, Faaborg-Midtfyn, Slagelse, Aarhus, Køge, Solrød and Greve), France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia (City of Riga), Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Norway (Oslo), Poland, Portugal (all regions except the Azores region), Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K.
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Norway—southern area turns high risk
Norway implemented the requirement of negative PCR tests for anyone coming from a Covid-19 high-risk country, as designated red by the ECDC map (the map shows that a southern part of Norway turned red from orange). Quarantine is currently 10 days.
Norway’s prime minister Erna Solberg announced new stay-at-home measures to reduce social contact as much as possible until early December. A stricter lockdown will come into force from 10 November until the end of the month.
Poland—in lockdown for November
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki introduced tighter restrictions from 7 November until the end of the month, adding that this was “the penultimate step before a total national lockdown”—all schools are now using remote learning, all restaurants, bars and pubs are closed (takeaways and deliveries are allowed), as are all non-essential shops.
Borders are open for EU, EFTA and U.K. nationals with no quarantine conditions.
Portugal—curfew announced for 7.1 million people
Portugal returned on Monday to a state of emergency that essentially provides the government with greater powers to announce and enforce lockdown and travel restrictions. The state of emergency runs until 23 November and involves a nighttime curfew of about 7.1 million residents of Portugal’s 10 million from 11pm to 5am.
However, France 24 announced that the next two weekends will be slightly stricter as the curfew begins at 1pm in the afternoon for both Saturday and Sunday.
The country recorded 5,550 new coronavirus cases, the highest daily figure since the pandemic started, on Friday 6 November. The number of patients in Portugal’s intensive care units is now also greater than at the peak in April.
U.K., EU and Schengen area arrivals are allowed to visit, as are the EU-mandated countries. Everyone will undergo airport screening and temperature checks and some people might be asked to take a Covid-19 test and isolate until they get the results.
Romania—under a nighttime curfew
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has placed a 30-day nighttime curfew on the country from 11pm to 5am and all stores must close at 9pm.
People coming from EU countries and U.K., Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein may visit Romania but they must quarantine for 14 days if the incidence rate in their country of origin is greater than the one in Romania.
Slovakia—lockdown during nationwide testing
Slovakia was under a partial curfew, but from 9 to 14 November it is under a stricter lockdown, running from 5am to 1am the following day. It is currently undertaking nationwide testing of its entire population over the age of 10, at which point it will make a decision on future restrictions.
Externally, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Slovenia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the UK, and the Vatican City are on the list of ”low-risk countries and territories“.
Slovenia—only 8 countries have unrestricted access
Only 8 countries are currently on Slovenia’s ‘green list’–Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, Thailand and Uruguay—and not subject to any restrictions.
Many countries around the world are now on the red list, where arrivals must possess a negative Covid-19 PCR test or quarantine for ten days. This includes 31 EU, EEA and Schengen countries plus the U.K. The red list also includes 116 other countries, including the U.S.
If countries don’t appear on the green or red list, they are presumed to be on the orange—where entry is allowed unrestricted without needing a negative Covid-19 test or quarantine.
The government recently imposed a curfew and then a further partial shutdown to try to slow the rise in Covid-19 infection rates.
Spain—under curfew and PCR tests now required
Spain’s state of emergency came into effect 1 November putting the entire country under a nationwide curfew from 11pm to 6am.
Travelers arriving into Spain from EU member states, Schengen area countries and the UK do not have to self-isolate and it is open to the 15 non-member states approved by the EU Council.
From November 14, all arrivals into the Canary Islands, must be in possession of a negative Covid-19 test taken 72 hours before arrival, if aged over 6 or over.
And from 23 November, all arrivals from high risk areas will also need to show a negative PCR test.
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Sweden—proposing ban on alcohol sales
The Swedish government has proposed a ban on alcohol sales after 10pm at all bars and restaurants—if approved, it would come into effect on 20 November and last until February 2021.
Sweden didn’t lockdown like other countries but regions have now been given the power to introduce local restrictions. These include working from home, and only visiting shops for necessary tasks.
Sweden currently has a ban on all non-essential travel from outside the EU/EEA area until 22 December.
Switzerland—trains reduced to neighboring countries
Switzerland’s regions are responsible for implementing local lockdowns as appropriate and many have implemented procedures, such as limiting gatherings. Masks in enclosed public spaces are mandatory.
Travel is possible between Switzerland and EU+ countries and the U.K., but the number of trains between Italy, Germany and France have been cut because of concerns over rising cases. Residents of non-Schengen countries can only enter in exceptional circumstances, and this includes the U.S.
Anyone arriving from a high-risk country must go into quarantine or face a fine and crucially, a negative PCR test does not exempt travelers. This list currently contains 61 EU and other countries, including the U.S.
Andorra, Armenia, Belgium, Czech Republic and parts of France were added more recently on 29 October.
U.K.–on lockdown and travel banned
England moved away from its three-tiers of restrictions around the country to a month-long general lockdown for everyone. Beginning 5 November, it will last for four weeks.
Prime minister Boris Johnson said, “this means people cannot travel internationally or within the U.K. unless for work, education or other legally permitted exemptions. Overnight stays away from primary residences will not be allowed, except for specific exceptions including for work.”
Britons are currently allowed to travel through a “travel corridor” system, where countries are put on safe lists, meaning that travelers do not need to quarantine upon their return. However, as Covid-19 rates have been spiking across the EU and the U.K., this list of safe countries is getting smaller and smaller. Germany and Sweden were the latest countries to be removed from the safe list on 7 November. The government is offering hope to travelers with the promise on 9 November of bringing in rapid testing at airports very soon.
AP reported that the U.K. became the fifth country in the world (after the U.S., Brazil, India and Mexico) to record more than 50,000 coronavirus-related deaths.
All arrivals must complete a travel locator form and Wales and Scotland have followed similar rules for entry.
