The European Union has recently published criteria for opening borders to other countries. However, due to a significant increase in the number of new COVID-19 infections, Ukraine has gone beyond the limits set for tourists entering the EU. Therefore, European resorts remain inaccessible to our citizens. Earlier, the media reported that on July 4 at the airport in Athens (Greece) detained 17 Ukrainian citizens arriving from Kiev because of the ban on entry into the EU of third-country nationals; among the detainees are two children aged 8 and 9.
Therefore, in order to protect yourself from unpleasant situations at the airport, we suggest you carefully check the information about the country you intend to fly to. After all, only tourists are responsible for non-compliance with the quarantine rules of entry.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has already created an interactive online map that allows you to check the current entry and transit regime for citizens of Ukraine in any country in the world. In addition, countries zone, according to the criteria of the Ministry of Health, red and green. Ukrainians arriving from the "red zone" (where the rate is more than 40 active cases per 100 thousand population) will be sent for observation or self-isolation for 14 days after crossing the border. Ukrainians from the "green zone" (where the figure is less than 40) - will be able to avoid self-isolation.
What are the main tourist destinations for Ukrainians?
With the opening of air borders, Ukrainians are most actively going on vacation to Turkey and Egypt.
According to the map of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, medical examinations at checkpoints in Turkey provide for the presence of COVID-19 symptoms at the medical checkpoint. If symptoms are detected during the examination, a PCR test is performed free of charge. From July 1, entry is allowed subject to the mandatory availability of an insurance policy for COVID-19, which can be purchased online, from the tour operator, when purchasing tickets, as well as directly at the airport in Turkey upon arrival.
Similarly, there are currently no special restrictions on arrival in Egypt. However, in practice, tourists arriving in Egypt from the beginning of this month are asked to fill out a special declaration when boarding the plane and undergo a temperature screening upon arrival. We also draw your attention to the fact that if on the eve or at the time of departure from the country of residence it will be in the list of countries declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having a high level of coronavirus population, tourists will be required to provide the results of the last PCR test (done 48 hours before the date of travel) at entry. At the same time, tourists were exempted from the visa fee until October 31, 2020.
We will add, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine published recommendations for the tourists who are going on vacation abroad:
- Contact the airline, travel company or operator through which you booked the trip, and check the current status of quarantine restrictions in the country and check the status of your reservation. The situation may change, so stay in touch with the operator;
- In parallel, contact the diplomatic mission of Ukraine in the country where the trip is planned, as well as the mission of this country in Ukraine. Officials will be able to provide the most complete and up-to-date information on current quarantine restrictions;
- Take maximum care of your own safety. Carefully study the terms of your insurance policy. Make sure it covers losses that may occur in the event of an emergency, including coronavirus infection;
- take care of the availability of additional funds in case of emergency (cancellation of return flights and the need to purchase new tickets, forced stay in the country beyond the planned period, etc.). Bring various means of payment - payment cards, cash, etc .;
- take care of your own health. Take with you the necessary medicines "in stock" - in case of forced delay abroad;
- Check your health before traveling. This is especially true for the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and so on.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also addressed a letter to the Ministry of Infrastructure and the State Aviation Service of Ukraine with recommendations to conduct appropriate explanatory work with airlines engaged in international passenger traffic from Ukraine. The purpose of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to prevent the sale of tickets to citizens of Ukraine to countries that do not allow entry to Ukrainian tourists, and / or who do not have supporting documents required for unimpeded entry into the destination country (residence permits, educational documents, confirmation of competent authorities country of entry, etc.).
While the general situation with the incidence of COVID-19 remains quite unstable, however, it is worth thinking more than once and weigh all the pros and cons of visiting "problematic" countries. It is possible that in the near future there will be more available tourist destinations, but for now we recommend choose from the allowed tourist destinations and avoid unjustified risks.
