The Indian Ocean is home to an array of tourist hotspots, sandy beaches, and breath-taking landscapes. From the revolutionary city of Dubai to the remote islands of The Maldives, your clients are now able to explore with limited restrictions and finally book that dream holiday destination.
Covid-19 has come with numerous rules and regulations for travelling abroad. To make your client’s holiday search easier, we have complied a list of all popular destinations in or around the Indian Ocean to aid with familiarising them with any requirements they must adhere to before and after arrival.
This article will be regularly updated with the latest Covid-19 rules and regulations. Many of the regulations are likely to change in the upcoming months.
Is your client’s dream holiday destination not on this list? Check out our Southeast Asia & Australasia Covid-19 Travel Guide for more exciting locations here.
Bahrain
Entry Requirements
Upon Arrival
Entry Requirements
- There are currently no Covid-19 testing or quarantine requirements for visitors regardless of vaccination status.
Upon Arrival
- Face masks are compulsory in all healthcare facilities.
Comoros
Entry Requirements
Upon Arrival
Entry Requirements
- All travellers, regardless of vaccination status, are required to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure.
Upon Arrival
- All visitors over the age of 18 are required to provide proof of full vaccination upon entering public spaces, including (but not limited to) supermarkets, restaurants, banks, and public transport.
- Face masks are mandatory in all public spaces, including public transport.
Kuwait
Entry Requirements
Upon Arrival
Entry Requirements
- There are currently no Covid-19 restrictions regardless of vaccination status and country of departure.
Upon Arrival
- Face masks are mandatory inside all indoor public spaces, including restaurants and shopping malls.
Madagascar
Entry Requirements
Upon Arrival
Entry Requirements
- All travellers must provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before travel.
Upon Arrival
- All travellers are required to undergo an antigen test upon arrival at their own expense.
- Face masks and social distancing are recommended in all public places.
Maldives
Entry Requirements
Upon Arrival
Entry Requirements
- All travellers are required to complete a Traveller Health Declaration form 48 hours before departure.
- Fully vaccinated travellers must provide proof of full vaccination. Travellers who have recovered from Covid-19 must also present a valid certificate of recovery.
Upon Arrival
- Temperature checks and screening procedures are in place for all travellers upon arrival.
- Travel between islands is currently restricted, and varies depending on the visitor’s vaccination status, as well as the island’s vaccination rate. Additional Covid-19 testing and quarantine may be in place.
- Face masks are mandatory in health facilities and public spaces in outbreak areas.
Mauritius
Entry Requirements
Upon Arrival
Entry Requirements
- Vaccinated travellers must provide valid proof of vaccination to avoid quarantine. A valid certificate of Covid-19 recovery is also permitted.
- All travellers are recommended to fill out the digital Mauritius All in One travel form prior to departure.
Upon Arrival
- Unvaccinated travellers are required to undergo mandatory 7-day quarantine. A PCR test will be administered on the day of arrival and day 7. Once the second test comes back negative you will no longer have to self-isolate.
- An antigen test will be carried out at your hotel on the day of arrival. Once the result comes back negative you are free to enjoy the hotel facilities.
- Social distancing measures and face masks are mandatory in all public spaces.
- Nightclubs and bars remain closed.
Oman
Entry Requirements
Upon Arrival
Entry Requirements
- All travellers over the age of 18 are required to provide valid proof of full vaccination via QR code.
- All travellers must provide proof of travel/health insurance, covering at least 30 days of Covid-19 treatment.
- Unvaccinated travellers without medical exemption are not currently permitted entry.
Upon Arrival
- Face masks are mandatory in all public places.
- Public gatherings are currently prohibited.
- A vaccination certificate with a QR code is needed upon entry to many public places, including (but not limited to) shopping malls and restaurants.
Qatar
Entry Requirements
Upon Arrival
Entry Requirements
- Fully vaccinated travellers must present valid proof of vaccination prior to arrival.
- All travellers must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours before travel.
- All travellers must register via the pre-registration platform at least 3 days prior to arrival.
Upon Arrival
- Unvaccinated travellers must quarantine upon arrival for 5 days, with a rapid antigen test to be administered on the final day of self-isolation. Fully vaccinated visitors, as well as those with proof of Covid-19 recovery, are exempt from quarantine.
- Face masks and social distancing measures are mandatory in most public spaces, including public transport.
- It is compulsory to have access to Qatar’s contact tracing app ‘Ehteraz’ for entry into many public venues. If you are not fully vaccinated, entrance to some public places may be denied.
Saudi Arabia
Entry Requirements
Upon Arrival
Entry Requirements
- All visitors must complete the Registration Immunization Information Form prior to travel.
- All visitors must purchase Covid-19 insurance prior to travel.
Upon Arrival
- Face masks are mandatory in all enclosed public places.
- Visitors are required to download the Tawakkalna app in order to enter some public places, including public transport, and government and private venues.
Seychelles
Entry Requirements
Upon Arrival
Entry Requirements
- All unvaccinated travellers must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to departure, or a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure. Recovered travellers do not need to provide a test upon presentation of a valid certificate of Covid-19 recovery.
- All visitors must complete an application for entry form before travel.
- All visitors must purchase valid travel and health insurance covering Covid-19 prior to travel.
Upon Arrival
- Temperature checks are in place upon arrival for all visitors.
- Visitors are required to stay in licensed and certified accommodation for the entirety of their stay.
- Face masks and social distancing measures are mandatory in all public spaces.
Sri Lanka
Entry Requirements
Upon Arrival
Entry Requirements
- All travellers are advised to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation prior to entry.
- All travellers must complete an online pre-travel health registration form prior to travel.
- All travellers must purchase Covid-19 travel insurance prior to travel.
- Fully vaccinated travellers must provide valid proof of vaccination before entry. Covid-19 recovery certificates are also valid.
- Unvaccinated travellers over the age of 12 must provide a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to arrival, or a negative Rapid Antigen Test taken within 48 hours prior to arrival.
Upon Arrival
- Some hotels may require evidence of a negative PCR test upon arrival.
- Social distancing measures and face masks are mandatory in all public areas.
United Arab Emirates
Entry Requirements
Upon Arrival
Entry Requirements
- Unvaccinated travellers over the age of 16 who do not have proof of Covid-19 recovery are required to present a negative Covid-19 test taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure.
- Fully vaccinated travellers must provide valid proof of vaccination. Those who have recovered from Covid-19 must present a valid certificate of recovery.
- All travellers must purchase medical travel insurance covering Covid-19 before departure.
Upon Arrival
- Upon arrival, visitors may be required to undergo a Covid-19 PCR test and will have to quarantine until the result comes back negative.
- A ‘green pass’ is mandatory for all visitors to enter public places. This can be obtained via full vaccination or regular Covid-19 testing.
- Social distancing measures and face masks are mandatory in all indoor public places.
