Due to the spread of a new coronavirus strain that has been identified in Britain, countries are not only tightening quarantine, but also the rules regarding the entry of foreigners into their territories.
Restrictions on entry to Turkey
Thus, from December 28, everyone who arrives in Turkey must have a certificate of a negative coronavirus test. From December 30 this applies to those arriving by land and sea transport, writes Hurriyet Daily News.
According to the Minister of Health of Turkey Fahrettin Koji, the test should be made no later than 72 hours before arrival. Citizens of other countries will have the opportunity to be tested when entering Turkey. If a disease is detected, they will be quarantined.
At the same time, the restrictions that have been introduced due to the spread of a new coronavirus strain will remain in effect until March 1, 2021.
Restrictions on entry to Poland
New rules of entry for all citizens were approved by the Polish government. They have begun to operate today, December 28, according to the Ukrainian Embassy in Poland.
Entry to Poland is allowed to:
- spouses or children of Poles, or those who are under the care of a Pole;
- people who have a Pole's card or the right to permanent or temporary residence in Poland;
- people who have the right to regular or seasonal work in Poland on the same grounds as Poles;
- those who are studying in Poland and their attendants;
- scientists conducting research in Poland;
- spouses, children of citizens of the European Union, the European Free Trade Agreement or Switzerland;
- those who have a permanent residence permit or a long-term resident card of an EU member state, the European Free Trade Agreement or Switzerland, and their family members who travel to Poland for transit;
- drivers of international passenger, freight, or combined transport who enter to the perform their official duties;
- seafarers, fishermen, employees of offshore production or drilling platforms to perform their official duties;
- employees of diplomatic and consular offices, representatives of international organizations and members of their families and those who cross the border on the basis of a diplomatic passport;
- passengers of aircraft carrying out an international flight from an airport located on the territory of states that are not subject to the air traffic ban and belong to at least one of the above categories of Ukrainian citizens, or have a residence permit in Georgia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, Republic of Korea, Tunisia, Australia;
- those entering Poland on the basis of a national visa for repatriation, or as repatriate family members;
- those entering to participate in sporting events;
- those entering on the basis of a visa to work for humanitarian reasons;
- those entering on the basis of a visa issued to participate in the program Poland. Business Harbor;
- foreign entrepreneurs and foreign companies’ representatives who enter Poland for commercial purposes, but they need to obtain the consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland.
Who may not be quarantined in Poland
- this applies to those who have a negative coronavirus test;
- drivers and crew members of air, railway, shipping and motor vehicles, whose professional activities are related to the field of international passenger, freight or combined transport;
- maritime administration inspectors;
- passengers of ships plying between the ports of the European Union member states, the European Free Trade Agreement—parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area;
- persons studying in Poland, as well as scientists who conduct research on the territory of Poland;
- persons passing the eighth grade exam in January 2021 that takes place in adult schools where education ends in the fall semester;
- employees of diplomatic and consular institutions, representatives of international organizations and members of their families, as well as other persons crossing the border on the basis of a diplomatic passport;
- persons working at agricultural enterprises;
- persons holding a permanent residence permit or long-term resident card of the European Union member state, the European Free Trade Agreement—a party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or the Swiss Confederation, as well as their family members;
- athletes, coaches, doctors, physiotherapists, referees, accredited journalists who enter Poland to participate in sports events and have supporting documents from the competition organizer;
- medical workers entering the territory of Poland for the purpose of employment in the healthcare sector.
New rules for entering Israel and Japan
The Israeli authorities also closed the entry to the country for foreigners. It happened back on December 23, Haaretz writes. Entry is prohibited for foreign nationals arriving from England, Denmark and South Africa, where a new COVID-19 strain was previously identified. The ban also applies to journalists.
At the same time, Israeli residents who arrive in the country will have to isolate themselves for 14 days in special hotels or do a coronavirus test. The result of the test should be negative.
Japan has restricted entry to the country for all foreigners who do not reside there permanently. According to Kyodo News, the ban will be in effect from December 28 until the end of January 2021.
Context. A new mutation of the coronavirus was recently discovered in the UK. According to the country's Secretary of State for Health & Social Care Matt Hancock, the situation with the mutated virus is out of control because it is spreading too quickly.