The destinations that deserve a travel corridor
The Canary Islands and the Maldives have finally been granted travel corridors. Both archipelagos are popular options for winter sun, and have opened up the holiday map for Britons looking to get away before the end of 2020.
Infection rates on a country's islands can be significantly lower than its mainland: take the seven-day caseload in La Palma (3.63 per 100,000 people) compared to Spain’s national rate (224): it is positive that the UK Government has recognised this in recent quarantine-list updates.
Yet there are still many destinations with rates that are consistently well below 20 cases per 100,000 people (the number at which the UK Government originally considered adding a country to its quarantine list) that are still waiting to be green lit. Some of these have economies that are reliant on tourism.
Below we take a look at the places that are most deserving of being added to the UK’s travel green list, with low numbers of Covid-19, open borders and without entirely prohibitive quarantine measures (14 days or more) in place for visitors from the UK.
Egypt
The north African country has recorded a rate of just 1.4 per 100,000 people over the past seven days. It has just 1,270 active cases of the virus having seen 106,060 in total. Tourism accounts for around 12 per cent of Egypt’s GDP, and it's an ideal destination for winter sun.
Since July 1, the Egyptian Government has permitted international flights to and from Egyptian airports. All arrivals are required to present a negative PCR test certificate, which must be conducted no more than 72 hours before their flight departure time. Those travelling from London Heathrow can take their PCR test up to 96 hours before their flight departs.
Other requirements include completing a monitoring card with personal details and providing confirmation of a valid health insurance policy to airport authorities. There are local restrictions in place, including mandatory use of face masks in enclosed public spaces.
A direct flight from London to Sharm El Sheikh is just five and a half hours. Tui is offering a service from London Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh. You could leave on November 1 and return on November 8 for £338. Easyjet has direct return flights from London Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh leaving on November 7 and returning November 14 for £265.
Zambia
Zambia’s seven-day infection rate is just 2.16 per 100,000 people. It is recording just 521 active cases, as of October 23, and has had just 16,035 in total.
Zambia’s borders are open with all airports open for flights, although there is limited availability for international routes. Tourist visas are available in advance or on arrival in the country (British passport holders need a visa to enter Zambia). Visitors must prove they have tested negative for Covid-19 in the 14 days before their arrival. Passengers' temperatures are taken at the airport and those who measure 38 degrees or above, and who are displaying symptoms, will be tested and taken to a government facility for treatment and quarantine until test results are returned.
In addition, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice states: “From 20 October, all travellers wishing to leave Zambia are required to have a medical certificate stating that they have tested negative for Covid-19 in Zambia in the previous 14 days.
“To obtain such a certificate, travellers must take their negative test result to UTH Hospital, the Zambia National Health Public Institute, the District Health Office or the Public Health Office and pay a 200 Kwacha fee. Covid-19 tests must have been taken in Zambia. Holders of tests taken outside Zambia are not exempt from this requirement, even if the test was taken within the previous 14 days.”
There are no direct flights running between the UK and Zambia.
Uruguay
The Latin American country, with a relatively small population of 3.5 million (similar to that of Wales), has proved an outlier in the region in its handling of coronavirus. As of October 23, its seven-day infection rate is just 9.07 per 100,000 people. Compare this to its neighbours: Argentina’s seven-day rate is 198.3 per 100,000, while Paraguay’s is 71.5. “Uruguay continues to provide hope” for the region, said Marcos Espinal, the head of the Communicable Diseases and Health Analysis department at the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). The country has recorded just 2,701 cases in total.
As it stands, the Uruguay's entry requirements are somewhat limiting for holidaymakers. The FCDO advice states: Upon arrival you are legally obliged to go to a declared address to carry out a 7-day mandatory quarantine. On day 7 of the quarantine you will be required to have a second swab taken and wait for a negative result before being allowed to finish your quarantine period. Alternatively, you can quarantine for 14 days without having to take the second test.
Only nationals and legal residents are allowed to enter Uruguay at the moment, but pressure is mounting on the Government to reopen the main resorts – the coast, estancias, Carmelo wine region, Unesco-listed Colonia and Montevideo – to tourists, writes Chris Moss. The country is due to open its borders on November 1. Tourism, which accounts for eight per cent of GDP, typically enjoys its boom period between November and March.
At the end of June, Uruguay was the only country in the Americas included in a list of 14 countries whose residents were free to visit EU nations from July 1. The UK Government has yet to follow suit.
Uganda
This landlocked east African country usually welcomes around 15,000 Britons annually; tourism accounts for around 7.7 per cent of Uganda's GDP. Many come for its rich biodiversity, it has Africa’s highest mountain range and largest lake. Within its borders is the source of the world’s longest river – the Nile.
Uganda’s rolling seven-day rate is currently at 2.16 per 100,000 residents; the country has recorded 11,041 cases in total, as of October 23. Entebbe International Airport and Uganda’s land borders reopened on October 1. Those travelling to Uganda will be required to present a Covid-19 test certificate showing negative results on arrival, taken no more than 72 hours before boarding their plane (or crossing land borders).
Arriving passengers will be subject to temperature checks and will be screened for infectious diseases by the Port Health authorities. There are no direct flights running between the UK and Uganda in the coming weeks.
Rwanda
Rwanda’s seven-day infection rate is just 0.52 per 100,000 residents. It has recorded just 5,017 cases since the start of the pandemic.
Kigali International Airport reopened on August 1. All arrivals to Rwanda must All present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 120 hours of departure.
In addition to this, all arriving passengers are subject to a 24 hour quarantine at a designated hotel while they await results of a second Covid-19 test, taken at their own cost ($50). If the test is negative, they are free to leave quarantine. If positive, they will be moved to a government facility.
Once in the country, there is a curfew in place with movement prohibited between 10pm and 5pm. Face masks are also compulsory in public.
Namibia
The seven-day rate in Namibia is 14.5 per 100,000 people. The country has recorded 12,460 cases overall. Airports are open, although sea and land borders remain closed. There is no mandatory quarantine on arrival for visitors. The FCDO advice states: “Any person entering Namibia for tourism, business, health or education must present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 7 days before their arrival in Namibia.
“On arrival in Namibia, you will be required to provide contact details and an itinerary for the duration of your stay. You must be available for a COVID-19 test to be taken on day 5 following your entry into Namibia. Results should be received on day 7, and provided that the result is negative, you may continue with your visit as planned.”
There are no direct flights between the UK and Namibia. Flights with a single connection are operating. Most include a connection in South Africa or Ethiopia, which are also on the quarantine list. Tourism accounts for around 11 per cent of Namibia’s GDP.
Ghana
Ghana has a seven-day infection rate of just 1.3 per 100,000 people with the country having recorded 47,538 cases overall. Kotoka International Airport reopened on September 1 with limited commercial routes in operation.
People travelling to Ghana required to: complete an online health declaration form before departure; wear a face masks during their flight on landing in Accra; possibly complete a hard copy of self-declaration forms on their flight to the country; provide evidence on arrival of a negative result of a PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure; undergo a temperature check on arrival; take a mandatory test at the airport (at the cost of $150). Test results will be returned within around 30 minutes.
The FCDO advice also states: “All arriving passengers should be prepared to comply with Ghana’s COVID-19 Health Protocols. This may, depending on the test result of individuals or others on the flight, involve time in quarantine or a Government Health facility.”
Tourism accounts for around 5.5 per cent of Ghana’s GDP. British Airways is operating regular, direct flights between London Heathrow and Accra.
Bolivia
Bolivia's seven-day infection rate is 9.57 per 100,000; the country has recorded 140,445 cases overall. Commercial flights are running to and from the country (other border crossings remain closed). Passengers boarding flights to Bolivia must have proof of a negative Covid-19 test result, in some cases certified by a Bolivian consulate. Tourism accounts for 10.3 per cent of Bolivia’s GDP.
A curfew is in place in the La Paz department (which includes the city). On Monday to Friday it applies between 8pm and 5am and on the weekends between 4pm and 5am.
There are no direct flights in operation between the UK and Bolivia.
Kenya
Kenya’s seven-day infection rate is 7.9 per 100,000 people. The country has recorded a total of 47,212 cases of the virus as of October 23.
Travellers arriving in Kenya from the UK are exempt from the Government of Kenya’s 14-day quarantine requirement, but must still present evidence o a Covid-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of flying.
In addition, the FCDO advice states: “All travellers will be screened on arrival; anyone displaying symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to quarantine in the place they are staying for the first 14 days of their stay and observe Government of Kenya protocols as directed. Passengers travelling in the two rows surrounding the person displaying symptoms will be traced and required to quarantine for 14 days.”
São Tomé and Príncipe
With a seven-day infection rate of just 2.84 per 100,000 and just 935 cases since the Covid-19 pandemic began, the African island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe is much-deserving of a travel corridor.
It opened to international flights on July 16. Restrictions on UK nationals are also minimal: proof of negative COVID-19 PCR test taken in the 72 hours prior to arrival.
Where a travel corridor to open up, São Tomé and Príncipe could be the ideal escape for more adventurous travellers. "It’s ridiculous to describe anywhere as a Lost World now, but this one got seriously mislaid," wrote John Gimlette of a visit to the islands in 2017.
Pakistan
Unlike a number of Asian countries that are more popular with British holidaymakers, Pakistan does not have strict quarantine measures for arrivals. Meanwhile, its seven-day infection rate is just 2 per 100,000 people. Given these points, it is deserving of a travel corridor with the UK.
The FCDO advice for arrivals to Pakistan states: “From 5 October 2020, all international travellers to Pakistan will be required to present evidence of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 96 hours of the start of travel. However, a list of countries exempted from the mandatory test requirement can be found on the Pakistan government COVID-19 website. The list of exempted countries will be reviewed every two weeks. This UK is not currently exempted from this mandatory test requirement.”
It adds: “Travellers to Pakistan will also be required to provide their contact information through the Pass Track App or through a web-based form. If necessary you may also be able to fill in a health declaration form on arrival.”
Pakistan suggests that international arrivals self-isolate for 10 days, whether or not they are asymptomatic, but this is not enforced. Travellers are also screened for Covid-19 before leaving the country.
