Fiji opened its borders to foreign tourists on December 1, 2021. All visitors 16 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated. There is no requirement for quarantine and Covid testing prior to departure, although you must book a Covid-RAT test in the country and present travel insurance with Covid cover before leaving for Fiji. Turkey was one of the first countries to reopen, with restaurants, museums and hotels reopening in 2020. However, the country introduced new restrictions — including a curfew and interstate travel bans — after a significant increase in cases in the first half of 2021. Since July 1, the Turkish government has lifted restrictions and travelers can move freely around the country. Starting at 6. However, proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test within 48 hours is required for intercity travel by bus, plane, train or other public transport. Citizens do not need to quarantine as long as they present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their flight or an antigen test within 48 hours. It should be noted that U.S.

travelers can bypass the above if they provide official proof of full vaccination or COVID-19 infection within the last six months at least 14 days prior to arrival. South Korea is open to all travelers, without quarantine. However, all travelers must take a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival and self-isolate at their accommodations until they receive a negative result. Quarantine may be required for passengers who test positive. China, the initial epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, began reopening in 2020. Starting in December 2020, U.S. citizens with valid residency permits and visas will be able to enter mainland China if they provide two test results prior to departure: a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test (within 72 hours of departure) and an IgM antibody test. Travelers must submit the results to the Chinese Embassy to obtain a green health code or health declaration form to enter (more information here).

Upon arrival, U.S. travelers must complete a 14-day quarantine, and additional health screenings are also available at Chinese airports. The U.S. Embassy in China notes on its website that while domestic travel restrictions have been eased, local rules vary widely and change rapidly. All international arrivals, they say, should be prepared to quarantine at a government-chosen facility or hotel at their own expense, even if they reside in China. Nepal began welcoming hikers and mountaineers to the country in October 2020. As of September 24, 2021, the country allowed fully vaccinated tourists to visit without quarantine. Upon arrival in Nepal, vaccinated tourists must present: proof of vaccination; a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of entering Nepal; a copy of any mountaineering/trekking permits or related permits, if applicable; Proof of hotel reservation; and a printed copy of the online arrival form for international travellers. Unvaccinated travelers are also allowed, but in addition to the above documents, they must present a letter of recommendation from their travel agent/trekking/travel to Nepal and a visa from Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad. Visas on arrival are not available for unvaccinated travelers.

There are no quarantines, tests and no travel restrictions for vaccinated travelers, while unvaccinated travelers only need to take an ATK rapid test within 48 hours of their departure for Laos and present the results upon arrival to enjoy the same entry. Everything else, including visas and entry, returns to pre-Covid standards, although visas on arrival are now charged $40 per person. Travelers are allowed to enter Sri Lanka without proof of negative COVID-19 test results. Quarantine is no longer required for vaccinated travelers, although unvaccinated visitors must be quarantined for seven days at a government hotel upon arrival. Health insurance is required to participate. Bhutan plans to fully open its doors to international travelers from September 2022 without quarantine. Currently, however, a 5-day quarantine for travelers is still required. Sri Lanka will allow U.S. citizens to travel starting Aug. 16 provided they obtain a valid tourist visa, present a negative PCR test, take another test upon arrival, and quarantine at a government hotel for one to two nights (if fully vaccinated) or 14 days (if partially or unvaccinated) at a government hotel. In addition, the government imposed a night-time curfew from 10 p.m. at 4 a.m., and there are some restrictions on travel between provinces due to outbreaks.

To be honest, it is very difficult to know what a trip will look like in a few months! The face mask rules that exist now may not be the same. Currently, almost all Asian countries are very strict with masks. I would recommend asking this question in our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/SEABackpackerCommunity/. This way, you can hear local travelers right now. Cambodia has suspended its e-visa and visa-on-arrival programs, but issues visas to international visitors for diplomatic, official or business reasons. Entry requirements are among the strictest: All foreign travelers must leave a $2,000 security deposit at the entrance, which will be used for a mandatory 14-day quarantine at a government-selected hotel, testing, and transportation from the airport.