Coronavirus travel: Where can I go right now?

A guide to Gapforce destinations

LAST UPDATED 14th October 2021

The information in this article provides a simple guide to the latest entry requirements in response to Covid-19 for all of the countries our programs visit. Whilst we endeavour to provide the most up-to-date information available, restrictions can and do change on a regular basis so please use this information as a guide only and not as official travel advice.

The entry requirements described here are in addition to the usual requirements for entry to your destination e.g. visas. Furthermore, you may also be required to comply with further testing or quarantine requirements upon your return to your home country. It is your responsibility to check the latest updates with local governments before travelling and ensure you can fulfil and comply with all necessary requirements both before you join your program and also upon your return home.

When deciding which countries are safe to restart running programs to, Gapforce takes into account the advice of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and, unless there are exceptional circumstances, we will not run any program in a destination where they advise against all but essential travel.

UK-based travellers: From 4 October 2021, a traffic light system that determines the requirements for entry back into the UK at the end of your program, depending on which countries you have been in during the previous 10 days, was replaced by a single red list and ‘Rest of the World’.  Travellers returning from non-red list countries will need to follow the requirements outlined in the table below depending on whether they are fully vaccinated. We have colour-coded the list of countries below so you can track the requirements you will need to comply with, at your own expense, if you fly home to an airport in England. This system is reviewed reguarly and countries can change colour at short notice. Please see the FCDO website for the latest information. Requirements for arrivals into other UK home nations may differ slightly on occasion, so it is important to check before travel. Please note that NHS tests are not accepted and must be organised and paid for privately. Please contact the Gapforce office if you would like some suggestions of test providers.


Rest of the World - fully vaccinated
  • Take a pre-booked PCR test on day 2 after arrival back into the UK
  • Complete a passenger locator form on arrival
Rest of the World - not fully vaccinated
  • Take a covid-19 test within 72 hours prior to arrival in the UK
  • Complete a passenger locator form on arrival
  • Take a pre-booked PCR test on day 2 and 8 after arrival
  • Self-isolate at home for 10 days with option to book a test for day 5 and be released if result is negative
Red List Countries - all travellers
  • Take a covid-19 test within 72 hours prior to arrival in the UK
  • Complete a passenger locator form on arrival
  • Pay £2285 to quarantine in a managed hotel for 10 days and take 2 covid-19 tests

South and Central America

Costa Rica – No testing requirements on arrival, must provide proof of specific Covid-19 insurance cover if not fully vaccinated, must complete an advance epidemiological information form prior to arrival. From Dec 1 2021: Proof of full vaccination is required for entry into shops, restaurants, adventure tourism and sporting establishments, plus some other businesses.

Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands – Land borders with Peru and Colombia are closed. International arrivals into mainland Ecuador must present a negative PCR test or a certificate confirming full vaccination. Foreigners wishing to enter the Galapagos islands must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to the date of arrival to the islands. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Ecuador.

Panama – Travellers from ‘low risk' or 'high risk' countries are exempt from requiring a negative PCR test and quarantine upon arrival if they have registered digitally and physically present their vaccination card with two doses, the last being at least 14 days old.  If you are not fully vaccinated and travelling from a ‘high-risk’ country (which includes UK, South Africa and other South American countries), you must present a negative PCR or antigen test taken 72 hours before arrival and complete 72 hours quarantine at an approved hotel before taking an additional test before you can be released. If you are not fully vaccinated and travelling from a ‘low-risk’ country, you are required to present a negative PCR or antigen test taken 72 hours before arrival in order to be exempt from 72 hour quarantine.  An electronic affidavit must be completed by all travellers. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Panama.

Peru – All travellers must provide proof of a negative PCR Covid-19 test on arrival taken within 72 hours before the flight. Whilst it is not mandatory to show evidence of vaccination for entry to Peru, this could change at short notice. Entry of foreign nationals who travel from South Africa or who have stopped over in South Africa in the last 14 calendar days and do not reside in Peru, is banned until at least 17 October. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Peru.

Asia & The Pacific

Australia – Borders are closed to nearly all foreign tourists.

Cambodia – All land borders are closed. Pre-arranged visa, medical certificate and proof of insurance to be produced prior to boarding flight to Cambodia. All foreigners are subject to covid-19 testing after their arrival flights. Mandatory 14 days quarantine in approved pre-selected hotel required on arrival before being tested again on day 13. Foreign travellers on types E or C visas are required to pay $2000 deposit on arrival at the airport for Covid-19 service charges.

Fiji – Borders are closed to foreign tourists.

India – All regularly scheduled international flights to India are suspended. All land borders are closed.

Nepal – Travellers must provide proof of negative PCR Covid 19 test taken within 72 hours before arrival or proof of full vaccination status, a pre-arranged visa (unless you are fully vaccinated in which case you can get a visa on arrival), a hotel booking that allows at least 10 days of quarantine in Nepal (if not vaccinated), proof of travel insurance cover, completed online form.

Thailand – Foreign tourists must apply online for permission to travel before arrival. All travellers arriving outside of Phuket are required to complete 14 days quarantine and undergo Covid-19 tests in a State facility. Restrictions expected to be eased in November 2021 when fully vaccinated and tested tourists may be allowed entry without quarantine. 

Vietnam – Foreign travellers are not permitted entry.

Africa

Seychelles – All visitors must present a negative PCR test, taken within 72 hours prior to departure, and must stay in approved accommodation. There will be no quarantine requirement and no restriction on movement for most visitors upon entry to Seychelles.

South Africa – All travellers need to produce a verified paper copy of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure and complete an online health questionnaire prior to arrival. 

Zimbabwe – Foreign travellers are required to produce a negative Covid-19 test result taken within 48 hours of departure to Zimbabwe and self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. A negative Covid-19 certificate, issued within 48 hours of boarding your flight, must be presented upon leaving Zimbabwe. 

Europe

Austria –  Travellers must provide proof of either full vaccination status, negative Covid-19 test or proof of recovery from Covid.  If you are not fully vaccinated, you must also self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival and complete a pre-travel clearance form not more than 72 hours before entry. 

FranceTraffic light system in place governing travel to and from France. UK and US are currently ‘amber’ meaning entry into (and exit from) France for tourism purposes is not permitted unless traveller is fully vaccinated. Arrivals from ‘green’ countries e.g. Canada require either a negative Covid-19 test or proof of full vaccination. All arrivals to complete a ‘sworn statement’ form self-certifying that they have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight and suffer no symptoms associated with coronavirus.

Germany – Only fully vaccinated tourists from ‘high-incidence areas’ e.g. UK may enter and must complete an online registration form before arrival.  Travellers from all other areas must provide proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test result taken prior to arrival.

Czech Republic – Only fully vaccinated tourists who can show a negative covid-19 test result may enter.

Italy – Tourists must show negative covid-19 test result taken within 48 hours prior to arrival, and complete a passenger locator form. If you are not fully vaccinated, you must additionally notify the Prevention Department to inform the local area of your visit, travel to your destination in private transport and self-isolate for 5 days before taking a further test.

Netherlands – Only fully vaccinated tourists may enter.

Spain – All travellers to complete a pre-departure declaration form. Different testing and entry requirements only in place for travellers who have been in ‘risk countries’ during the 14 days prior to arrival in Spain. All travellers are required to present proof of full vaccination.

England and WalesTraffic light system in place; requirements vary depending on which countries you have been in during the 10 days before arrival. Entry not permitted to travellers coming from red list countries, unless they are British or Irish nationals. Travellers from amber list countries must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival and comply with extra testing requirements. Test to release option available after day 5 of isolation. Travellers from amber countries who have been fully vaccinated in the US or EU are exempt from the 10 days self-isolation requirement, but must test negative on day 2 after arrival. Travellers from green list countries must present a negative covid-19 test on arrival and test negative again on day 2 after arrival. All travellers must complete a passenger locator form on arrival.