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Additional resources and FAQs regarding COVID-19

Below are additional resources and FAQs regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as they specifically relate to Diethelm Travel, our destinations, clients and guests.

This page will be updated with new information and announcements as necessary.

If you have any questions or require more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us at sales@diethelmtravel.com.

Bhutan

18 March 2020, 10:00 hours

Travel restrictions in Bhutan

From the Tourism Council of Bhutan, the tourist ban implemented on 6 March 2020 will continue until further notice. The restriction applies to all tourists regardless of nationality.

Travellers who were planning to visit Bhutan in March must postpone their trip until later this year.

Email bhutan@diethelmtravel.bt for more information or help adjusting bookings.

Cambodia

18 March 2020, 17:30 hours

Travel restrictions in Cambodia

The Cambodian government has banned entry for French, German, Spanish, Italian, Iranian and U.S. passport holders until 17 April 2020.

For anyone entering the country who has been travelling in these countries, there is an automatic 14-day quarantine in a pre-determined location.

Additionally, the following protocols are in place:

  • Temperature checks at all airports
  • 14-day automatic quarantines for those who test positive for COVID-19
  • The land border with Vietnam is closed and there is no transit via Vietnam airports for long-haul flights. Vietnam Airlines has stopped all flights between Cambodia and Vietnam.
  • Cruise ships and river cruises are not allowed to disembark in Cambodia
  • The land border with Vietnam is closed and there is no transit via Vietnam airports for long-haul flights
  • All public schools are closed
  • The Royal Palace, Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng in Phnom Penh, as well as Phare The Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap are closed
  • Museums, shows, karaoke clubs, cinemas, religious gatherings and concerts are also being closed down and we expect there will be an increasing number of social gatherings and events cancelled in the coming days

Diethelm Travel Cambodia is currently assisting agents with cancellations and arranging on-the-ground services for guests still in the country.

Email dt_cambodia@kh.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.

China

18 March 2020, 10:00 hours

Situation updates in China

Things are beginning to open up and return to normal across the country. Many open spaces, natural sights, public cultural sites and low-risk areas nationwide have reopened. Some museums, such as the Shanghai Natural History Museum, have reopened with new virus protection procedures. Hotels and restaurants are also gradually opening up, while many provinces are planning to open schools beginning as early as the end of March.

Starting 15 March, travel agencies have been allowed to organise trips for local tourists within their province.

Any travellers entering China from COVID-19 areas need to self-quarantine at home or in designated place for 14 days.

While in public, all people must wear a face mask and access to public places requires disinfection and registration.

Email reservation@cn.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.

Hong Kong

18 March 2020, 11:00 hours

Quarantines in Hong Kong

Starting 19 March 2020, the Hong Kong government announced that all arrivals from any foreign country have to undergo self-quarantine for 14 days at a home or hotel and be subject to another two weeks of medical surveillance.

Any visitors who test positive for COVID-19 will be quarantined in government camps/facilities under the supervision of medical staff.

People arriving in Hong Kong who have been to Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do in South Korea, Iran, the Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy and Veneto regions of Italy, or Mainland China in the past 14 days will also be placed in a quarantine centre for 14 days.

Email operation@hk.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.

Laos

19 March 2020, 10:00 hours

No e-Visas or visas on arrival in Laos

Starting 19 March, no foreign tourists are able to receive an e-Visa or visa on arrival when entering the country until further notice. Travellers must contact the Laos embassy or consulate in their home country to apply for a visa before travelling. There are no confirmed COVID-19 cases nor travel restrictions in Laos, however Laos nationals returning to Laos from outbreak countries are required to impose self-isolation for 14 days. All entertainment venues as well as all schools have also been closed .

Email info@la.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.

Malaysia

18 March 2020, 06:00 hours
Movement Control Order in Malaysia  

The Malaysian government implemented a Movement Control Order from 18 – 31 March 2020 across the country to slow down the spread of COVID-19 through increased social distancing. This includes:

  • A ban on all religious, sporting, social and cultural gatherings. All business and religious premises are closed except for groceries, public markets and provision stores.
  • Nationwide travel restrictions on all citizens. Those who have just arrived from abroad must undergo self-quarantine for 14 days.
  • All tourists and visitors are barred from entering the country.
  • All public and private schools are closed.
  • Closure of all government and private premises except essential services such as water and electricity, telecommunication, postal service, transport, fuel, gas, lubrication, broadcasting, banking, health, pharmacy, fire-fighting, ports, airports, prisons, security and defence, sanitary services, provision and food supply.
  • Closure of all museums, parks, tourist attractions and to cease all tour and sightseeing activities.

The Diethelm Malaysia reservation team is contacting all agents with confirmed bookings that are scheduled to arrive Malaysia in the next two weeks for further action and decision as well as assisting guests currently in Malaysia regarding changing their programme and finding options to fly home.

Email inbound@my.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.

Maldives

17 March 2020, 19:00 hours

Situation updates in the Maldives

Two more persons from a safari yacht recently tested positive for COVID-19 increasing the country’s total to 13 positive cases reported. The national alert level remains on Yellow.

All passengers and crew with travel history to the following countries or regions within the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter or to transit through the Maldives until further notice.

  • Mainland China
  • Iran
  • South Korean regions of:
  • North Gyeongsang Province
  • South Gyeongsang Province
  • Italy
  • Bangladesh, effective from 10 – 24 March 2020
  • Spain
  • France regions of:
    • Tle-de-France
    • Grand Est
  • Germany regions of:
    • Bavaria
    • Baden-Wuerttemberg
    • North Rhine Westphalia
  • United Kingdom – Effective 19March
  • Malaysia

Individual island and resort restrictions are as follows:

  • Meeru Island Resort restrictive measures have been lifted
  • Kuredu Island Resort and Kuramathi Island Resort have suspended all arrivals until further notice. The resorts continue to work with the health authorities to release the uninfected guests after a screening process by the authorities.
  • Sandies Bathala Resort has issued a closed notice starting from 15 March 2020
  • The alert level on Kuredu Island Resort, Sandies Bathala Resort and Kuramathi Island Resort remains on Orange (Level III)

Email carmen.k@mv.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.

Myanmar

16 March 2020, 10:00 hours

Quarantines in Myanmar

As of 15 March 2020, all foreign nationals who have visited the high-risk areas of Hubei province in China and Daegu and Gyeongbuk in South Korea, are not permitted to enter Myanmar until further notice. Myanmar citizens who have visited these locations will be placed in a 14-day quarantine facility upon arrival in Myanmar.

All incoming travellers from other locations in South Korea, as well as Italy, Iran, France, Spain and Germany will be placed in a 14-day quarantine facility upon arrival in Myanmar.

Email leisure@mm.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.

Philippines

17 March 2020, 12:00 hours

Enhanced community quarantine over the entire Luzon and further guidelines 

Enhanced Community Quarantine and stringent social distancing measures have been put in place over Luzon, including the National Capital Region (NCR), effective 17 March – 13 April 2020 as follows:

  • A strict home quarantine shall be observedin all households; movement shall be limited to accessing basic necessities; provision for food and essential health services shall be regulated; and there will be heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures
  • A work from home arrangement shall be implementedin the Executive branch, except the police, air force, health and emergency frontline services, border control and other critical services, which shall ensure a skeletal work force;
  • Only private establishments providing basic necessitiesand such activities related to food and medicine production, banks, money transfer services, power, energy, water and telecommunications supplies and facilities, shall be open; In all such open establishments, their respective managements shall ensure the adoption of a strict skeletal workforce to support operations, as well as all strict social distancing measures
  • Land, air and sea travel shall be restricted as follows:
    • Outbound passengers intending to depart the Philippines from any of the international airports in Luzon shall be allowed to travel for a period of 72 hours from effectivity of the Enhanced Community Quarantine.
    • Inbound international passengers, in transit upon effectivity of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, shall be allowed entry, subject to applicable quarantine procedures if coming from countries with existing travel restrictions
    • All inbound Filipino citizens including their foreign spouse and children, if any, holders of Permanent Resident Visa, and holders of 9(e) Diplomat Visas issued by the Philippine Government shall be allowed entry, subject to applicable quarantine procedures if coming from countries with existing travel restrictions

Please see this file for further details of the guidelines. The aforementioned measures shall be subject to daily monitoring and reassessment by the Inter Agency Task Force.

Email sales@ph.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.

Singapore

19 March 2020, 12:00 hours

Travel bans and social distancing in Singapore

With immediate effect, Singapore residents are advised to DEFER ALL TRAVEL ABROAD. This is to void being infected abroad and spreading infection here.

Effective 20th March 2359hrs, ALL Singaporeans, Permanent Residents, Long Term Pass Holders, Short-Term Visitors entering Singapore will be issued 14-day Stay-Home Notice ( SHN). They are not allowed to leave their residence/abode , even to purchase food and essentials.

All Short Term visitors with travel histories to the following destinations within the last 14 days are not allowed entry or transit through Singapore until further notice:

  • Mainland China
  • South Korea
  • Iran
  • Italy
  • Germany
  • France
  • Spain

All the directions can be found from the Ministry of Health here.

Email enquiry@sg.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.

Thailand

18 March 2020, 17:30 hours

Health checks and self-quarantine in Thailand

There are currently no travel restrictions entering or exiting Thailand however the Ministry of Public Health and Department of Disease have announced measures to control and prevent the widespread transmission COVID-19.

From now until 9 June 2020, all travellers from abroad are required to download the AOT Airports Application, register an account and submit the T.8 form via the application. There are counters with free WiFi at the airports including its staff to facilitate mobile downloads.

All passengers arriving through AOT airports (Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Suvarnabhumi, Don Muang, Phuket and Hat Yai) from Disease Infected Zones (China including Macau and Hong Kong, South Korea, Italy and Iran) need to provide the following documents and are required to complete a 14-day self-quarantine.

  1. A health certificate obtained in their home country within 48 hours of travelling indicating that there is no evidence of COVID-19 infection and that the traveller has had no signs of sickness in the 14 days prior to their departure date
  2. Travel/health insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 100,000 during their time travelling in Thailand
  3. The health form (T.8 form) filled out accurately and truthfully at airport
  4. Record of their location in Thailand with the disease control officers for the 14-day quarantine within one place (this is enforce by Thai law and does not allow – do not traveling around)

All travellers entering Thailand coming from or via other countries will be checked upon arrival as follows:

1)    Temperature check by the Ministry of Public Health (temperature must not exceed 37.5 degrees)

2)    Travellers with fever and at least one of the following symptoms – runny nose, sore throat or difficulty breathing – must notify the disease control officers at the quarantine office immediately upon arrival in Thailand

Email sales@th.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.

Vietnam

18 March 2020, 11:00 hours

Vietnam Border Closed to UK, North Ireland and Schengen Area Nationals

Effective from 15 March – 15 April 2020, Vietnamese authorities have closed the border to all nationals from UK, North Ireland and the 26 countries in the Schengen Area coming for travelling purposes. Even if travellers have already been granted a visa, they still are not be allowed to enter the country.

Email sales@vn.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.

FAQs

Last updated: 11 March 2020

Q: What is Diethelm Travel’s refund policy regarding booking changes or cancellations due to COVID-19?

A: We understand that travelling during this time is unpredictable and want to give you and your clients peace of mind when planning future journeys.

Book any Diethelm Travel product now and rest assured that you can cancel for a full refund – no questions asked – until 31 October 2020 (Cancellations must be made at least 7 days before travelling).

Alternatively, instead of cancelling upcoming trips, we’re happy to delay and reschedule clients’ journeys.

Q: Who can I contact at Diethelm Travel for more information regarding travel updates, booking changes or new developments? 

A: If you’re already in contact with one of our country-specific sales representatives, please feel free to reach out to them directly.

For all other questions, general enquiries or questions about our new booking and cancellation policy, please contact sales@diethelmtravel.com.

Q: What countries in Asia have travel restrictions?

A: Travel restrictions and recommended travel routes vary depending on a traveller’s home country, where they’re transiting through and what Asian country they want to enter.

As of posting, WHO “continues to advise against the application of travel or trade restrictions to countries experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks.” You can access their recommendations for international traffic in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak here or the IATA updates here.

Q: What health and safety precautions are Diethelm Travel taking?

A: The safety of our guests and employees across Asia is always our number one priority.  In addition to our already stringent health and safety procedures, we are:

  • Conducting increased team briefings, including with guides and drivers, on enhanced safety practices during the outbreak
  • Sterilising our vehicles
  • Providing guests with additional hand sanitiser
  • Providing guests with face masks if they wish to wear one
  • Regularly checking the wellbeing and temperature of on-the-ground staff. Any staff who have recently travelled to risky countries are staying home for 14 days.

Q: What should travellers do to protect themselves while travelling?

A: At this time, we recommend that travellers take general, common-sense precautions to minimise their risk. (They are smart practices any time when travelling!)

  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
  • Avoid touching one’s eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Use your elbow or a tissue to cover your cough or sneeze. Immediately throw the tissue away and wash hands.
  • Wear a face mask if you feel unwell or have a cough. (In Asia, wearing a face mask is in public is common but not necessary if you are healthy, according to WHO.)
  • Clean and disinfect with an alcohol-based disinfectant frequently touched objects and surfaces such as phones, computers or armrests.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • If you start to feel unwell, seek medical assistance, stay away from public areas and do not travel.

 Q: How has airport travel been affected in Asia?

A: Most international and regional airports throughout Asia are taking various precautionary measures to ensure the safety of all travellers such as doing body temperature checks for all passengers at security or upon arrival.

Q: Where can I find trusted information regarding COVID-19?

A: We recommend the following international organisations:

  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • International Air Transport Association (IATA)

Q: Where can I find more country-specific information regarding travel restrictions, country policies or on-the-ground updates?

A: Information, policies and procedures are changing daily. It is best to regularly check countries’ official government websites and tourism board websites for the latest information. We will also be emailing relevant important information and updating this page as necessary.

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