Surging virus numbers effect further lockdowns
The end of lockdown is in sight for Saudi Arabia as Malaysia tightens up borders with Thailand and Indonesia imposes a citywide lockdown in Jakarta
Malaysia has ordered the closure of Bukit Kayu Hitam border checkpoint, which connects on the Thai side with the Sadao border checkpoint in Songkhla province, until 25 September due to an increasing number of Covid-19 cases.
An announcement from the Malaysian government said: “Thai nationals in Malaysia who wish to return to Thailand from September 12-25 must use other checkpoints such as Betong checkpoint in Yala and Sungai Kolok checkpoint in Narathiwat. Those who have already registered to travel using the Sadao checkpoint during the said period must re-register at the immigration office or via www.dcaregistration.mfa.go.th and specify other valid checkpoints instead.”
Travellers wishing to enter Malaysia will need to provide a fit-to-travel health certificate issued within 72 hours of travel time.
Over in Indonesia, a citywide lockdown has been imposed in Jakarta, which will require all offices and workplaces to suspend operations. Still battling its first wave of the virus, Indonesia continues to record the highest number of coronavirus deaths in southeast Asia.
Israel has announced a three-week lockdown beginning 18 September following a surge of coronavirus cases in the country. People will be required to stay within 500 metres of their homes
In North America, the US and Canada have extended their border closure for non-essential travel through until 21 September, also in an effort to control the spread of Covid-19.
International travel eases in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, after six months of travel bans, plans to partially lift the suspension of international flights are to come into effect from 15 September. Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council states will be allowed to enter and exit the country from the specified date, as will others on a case-by-case basis, including civil servants, businessmen, students and those needing medical treatment abroad. Saudi Arabia has also announced that international travel restrictions will be lifted as of 1 January 2021, while strict Covid-19 precautionary procedures will continue to be adhered to.
Germany to drop country-specific travel advice
Germany has announced plans to drop its blanket travel warning to more than 160 countries and switch to country-specific advice with a ‘traffic light’ system of warnings from 1 October.
“From 1 October, unrestrictedly differentiated travel and safety information for individual countries will apply again,” the German foreign ministry said. Green, orange and red risk ratings will be assigned to countries. And only countries with low levels of Covid-19 infection and no travel restrictions will be ‘green’, where travellers will be advised to ‘take special care’.