3 Asian countries still have Covid-19 entry requirements in August 2023 - here are which ones

While most countries in Asia have now dropped Covid-19 entry requirements, mainland China, Myanmar and Iran are holding out – here are their respective rules

Some countries that have dropped measures still require travellers to submit a health declaration form upon arrival, such as the Philippines

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A passenger goes through border control at Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, in China’s Hainan province, on July 26, 2023. Mainland China is one of only three countries left in Asia that still have Covid-19 entry requirements. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 7:15pm, 7 Aug 2023Updated: 10:37am, 8 Aug 2023

It has been more than three years since the World Health Organization declared the Covid-19 outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, and most of the world has rebounded from complete lockdowns to restriction-free travel.

But while most countries have dropped mandates for proof of vaccination and negative test results, there are still a number that have Covid-19 entry requirements in effect.

Three of those are in Asia (at the time of writing), so be sure to pay close attention to their respective rules if you’re planning on visiting.

1. Mainland China

Although quarantine and vaccine requirements have been lifted for visitors to mainland China, all arrivals are still required to take either a PCR or RAT test 48 hours before their flight.

Tourists take a selfie at Zhuge Village in Lanxi City, in China’s Zhejiang province, on August 1, 2023. Photo: Xinhua

They then have to declare a negative test result by filling in the Health Declaration Form on the China Customs website, through the China Customs app, or via China Customs’ WeChat account.

Airlines will no longer check for negative test results, but customs officials may conduct inspections. Those who enter with an abnormal health declaration, fever, or other Covid-19 symptoms may be required to undergo further testing and medical investigation.

2. Myanmar

Upon arriving in Myanmar, travellers will be expected to show printed copies of a vaccination certificate that indicates full vaccination 14 days before arrival (with a vaccine recognised by the country’s Ministry of Health), or the negative result of a PCR test taken 48 hours before arrival.

Tourists visit the Shwedagon pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar on March 3, 2020. Photo: Getty Images

Children under the age of 12 are not required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result if they are travelling with fully vaccinated guardians.