Travel Updates

We are committed to keeping our partners and clients informed of the latest travel developments in Southeast Asia. Please click on the date to view the updates. Any questions or concerns, please contact care@trailsofindochina.com

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS IN ASIA

Updated 31 March 2022

VIETNAM:

Pre-Arrival

  • Valid visa/ visa exemption policy for 13 countries (Russia, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, the U.K., France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Belarus) for a maximum of 15 days .
  • E-visa is now available. Go to: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/web/guest/trang-chu-ttdt
  • Vaccination certificate: Tourists from 12 years old and above must have received at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with the second dose administered not more than six months at the time of entry, or they have proof of COVID-19 recovery within six months that were issued by relevant authorities of the countries where they were treated, and that Vietnam recognizes. (not compulsory)
  • Negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours for PCR test or within 24 hours for rapid test prior to arrival
  • Required medical or travel insurance including coverage for Covid-19 treatment worth at least US$10,000
  • Arrivals via roads can have their COVID-19 tests done at the border gates prior to entry

Arrival

  • Fill out Vietnam Health Declaration form at https://tokhaiyte.vn/
  • Install Vietnam’s COVID-19 app (PC-COVID) and the app would need to be on during their entire stay in the country
  • For arrivals via air routes, people with suspect COVID-19 symptoms must be tested at the airport (rapid tests), while others can leave for their registered accommodation/hotels, self-quarantine for 24 hours and undergo a COVID-19 test

During Stay

  • Monitor health for 10 days as per health ministry protocol

 

CAMBODIA:

Pre-Arrival

  • Guests should check with airlines before their flight to Cambodia to clarify any requirements before boarding their flight.

Arrival

  • Visa: All travellers by air, sea and land are eligible to obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA) when entering Cambodia
  • Proof of full vaccination: At least 14 days prior to departure to Cambodia to be presented upon arrival; should show vaccine type and date of vaccination.
  • Proof of health/medical insurance: covering COVID treatment with a minimum coverage of $50,000 USD. Those who do not already have it can purchase it upon arrival for $90USD.
  • Download ‘Tracerapp‘ before exiting the airport.
  • Children under the age of 18 do not need to be fully vaccinated to enter without quarantine as long as parents/guardians are fully vaccinated.

During Stay

  • Guests are encouraged to wear masks in public.
  • Guests who test positive for COVID during their stay will be allowed to receive treatment or to self-isolate in their hotel.

 

LAOS:

In Phase 1 (01 Jan to 31 Mar 2022), fully vaccinated travelers with the following nationalities may enter the country without quarantine: Australia, Austria, Belgium Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, The Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.

Travel will be restricted to Green Travel Zones (Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Vang Vieng) and after a minimum of 3 nights here they can then explore Green Travel Trails (Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khouang, Khammouane and Champasack).

Entry Points: Vientiane

Requirements include:

Pre-Arrival

  • Proof of full vaccination no less than 14 days before departure
  • Proof of negative COVID-19 PCR test result, issued within 72 hours of departure
  • Medical insurance policy with coverage of at least 50,000 USD
  • Pre-booked tour through a tour operator with Lao Travel Green Zone Plan license (We will submit an application on behalf of guests with proof of full vaccination, full itinerary, hotel confirmation and flight details)
  • After applications are approved by authorities, clients will need to apply for tourist visas with their nearest Lao Embassy.

Arrival

  • Download the contact tracing app ‘LaoStaySafe’
  • PCR test on arrival at airport
  • Transfer to a ‘LaoSafe’ certified hotel and wait up to 24 hours for results from the PCR test. If negative, guests are free to explore Green Zone areas.

During Stay

  • Guests must stay in LaoSafe certified hotels
  • Guests must use the LaoStaySafe app
  • After a minimum of 3 days in a Green Zone area, guests will be free to explore areas designated as Green Trail destinations.

Phase 2 is scheduled for 01 April to 30 June 2022

Countries Eligible: to be determined.

Entry Points: 1. Wattay International Airport 2. Luang Prabang Airport 3. Friendship Bridge 1 Nongkhai Vientiane 4. Friendship Bridge 2 Mukdahan – Savannakhet 5. Friendship Bridge 3 Nakhone Phanom- Thakek 6. Borhan- Borten Lao -China 7. Lao Bao -Lao Vietnam Savannakhet 8. Chongmek – Pakse- Oubon Rasathany 9. Lack Sao – Khammouane Vietnam

Green Zone Areas: Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khoung, Khammouane, Champasak, Savannakhet. After a minimum of 3 nights here they can then explore Green Trail Areas.

Green Trail Areas: Houay Xay district of Bokeo Province, Luang Namtha, Sekong, Salavanh

Phase 3 is from 01 July 2022 onwards. Details to be updated.

 

THAILAND:

TEST & GO

Points of entry:

  • By air (direct international flight or transit domestically via dedicated flights.)
  • By land (at the border checkpoints in Nong Khai, Udon Thani, and Songkhla.)
  • By water (yachts.)

Who can enter Thailand?

  • For arrivals by air and water: Fully vaccinated Thai citizens and foreign travellers from all countries/territories.
  • For arrivals by land: Fully vaccinated Thai citizens and foreign travellers from neighbouring countries connecting with the reopened border checkpoints (Nong Khai, Udon Thani, and Songkhla).

Pre-Arrival

  1. A Thailand Pass (via https://tp.consular.go.th/) for arrivals by air and land; or a Certificate of Entry (via a Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General) for arrivals by water.
  2. An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$20,000. Thais and foreign expatriates under Thailand’s national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.
  3. A proof of prepayment for 1 night of accommodation at government-approved hotel/s; such as, SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) on Day 1, which should also include the expenses for 1 RT-PCR test on Day 1 and 1 Antigen Self-Test Kit (self-ATK) on Day 5. 
  4. A Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination/Recovery

Arrival

  1. All travellers must undergo entry screening including body temperature check, and presenting the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks.
  2. Proceed to the prearranged accommodation or medical facility to undergo the Day 1 RT-PCR test.

During Stay

  1. Travellers are advised to strictly follow standard, good personal hygiene practices; such as, wear a mask in public, maintain hand hygiene (washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer), and keep physical distance of at least 1 metre from others.
  2. All travellers must download and install the MorChana application, and set it on at all times for the COVID-19 precautionary measures and to record the self-ATK result on Day 5 in the application.

Guidelines for Domestic / International Departure

  • For domestic departure, travellers must show proof that they have received a negative result for their Day 1 RT-PCR test.
  • For international departure, it is the responsibility of travellers or their organisations to make sure that the travellers meet the requirements of their specific international destination regardless of the point of departure.

For official information from TAT, please check out this link:

https://www.tatnews.org/2022/02/thailand-reopening-exemption-from-quarantine-test-go/

SANDBOX

For official information from TAT, please check out this link: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/02/thailand-reopening-living-in-the-blue-zone-17-sandbox-destinations/

HAPPY QUARANTINE

For official information from TAT, please check out this link: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/02/thailand-reopening-happy-quarantine-nationwide/

 

INDONESIA:

Pre-Arrival

  • Vaccination: Guests should have at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to departure to be considered fully vaccinated.
    • Proof of full vaccination: Printed copies and vaccination must be submitted and verified by the Care Protect Application (Peduli Lindungi)
    • Children: Children 17 years of age or younger do not need to be vaccinated and are eligible to enter Indonesia as long as their parents are fully vaccinated; the required documents will be based on the parents.
    • Unvaccinated / partially-vaccinated including those who have recently recovered from COVID face a mandatory 5-day/4-night quarantine.
  • Visa on Arrival (VOA): applicable for fully vaccinated travellers of 42 nationalities and is currently only available for arrivals to the island of Bali. 
    • Current Countries: Australia, Argentina, Brazil, United States of America, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Philippines, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, India, Seychelles, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, China, Tunisia.
      • Other nationalities will still need to apply online for B211A visas. Sponsors are no longer needed. The link for the online visa application is here.
    • Validity is for 30 days, which can be extended once for another 30 days. 
    • Cost is IDR 500.000 per person (equivalent to approximately US$ 35 per person or EUR 32 per person or GBP 27 per person) with the same cost for adults and children. 
      • Payment on arrival can be done either by cash payment (either in IDR or other major currencies) or by debit or credit card (only Visa and Mastercard accepted). 
    • Departing: travellers who are entitled to the VOA can exit Indonesia from any international airport / harbour. 
  • Health Insurance: Proof of health/medical insurance including COVID-19 treatment in case of infection with a minimum coverage of $25,000 USD per person
  • Hotel Booking: Proof of 1-night booking at CHSE-approved hotel. CHSE Certified means they have been evaluated by the government on the basis of their pandemic readiness on the following criteria: cleanliness, health, safety and environmental sustainability (CHSE). Most hotels we work with are CHSE Certified.
  • Customs: Register Electronic Custom Declaration (e-CD), the form is here
  • Entry Points: Guests are able to enter by land, sea or air to enjoy quarantine-free access to Indonesia.
    • Visa on Arrival (VOA) is only available for entry in Bali by air or sea.
      • Air: 
        • Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS), Denpasar, Bali
        • Zainuddin Abdul Madjid Airport, (LOP) Lombok, Nusa Tenggara Barat
        • Juanda Airport, (SUB) East Java
        • Soekarno Hatta, CGK (Jakarta – Banten), Sam Ratulangi, MDC (Manado, Sulawesi Utara, Raja Haji Fisabilillah, TNJ (Tanjung Pinang, Bintan Kepulauan Riau), Hang Nadim, BTH (Batam – Kepulauan Riau),
      • Sea:
        • Tanjung Benoa
        • Bali Batam
        • Kepulauan Riau Bintan
        • Kepulauan Riau Nunukan
        • Kalimantan Utara
      • Land: 
        • Aruk
        • Kalimantan Barat Entikong
        • Kalimantan Barat Motaain
        • Nusa Tenggara Barat

Arrival

  • Local Insurance: Jaga Wisata is optional and can be purchased at the airport upon arrival to Indonesia. It covers both hospitalization and quarantine for 30 days as well as the cost of hotel isolation in mild cases, which some international insurance packages may not cover. It costs IDR 500,000 or roughly $35 USD.
  • PCR Test Upon Arrival: will be performed at the airport. Guests will then be transferred to their hotel.
    • The cost of the test is IDR 275,000 or roughly $20 USD per person.
  • 1-Night Hotel Stay: Guests must wait in their room until receiving results from the test to be sent via email and the Peduli Lindungi Care Protect application.
    • The average length of time for results to be delivered is just 3 to 6 hours.

During Stay

  • No COVID testing will be required for fully-vaccinated guests to travel domestically by air, sea or land within Indonesia.
  • Mask wearing is mandatory when in public places including tourist sites.
  • Control of vaccination status at some malls/sites

 

SINGAPORE:

Pre-Arrival

  • Proof of full vaccination with the following vaccines at least 2 weeks before arrival in Singapore:
      • All vaccination certificates, regardless of where they were issued or whether they are digitally verifiable or not, will be accepted.
      • Children 12 and under are exempt from vaccination requirements.
  • PCR test or professionally-administered ATK test within 48 hours of departure to Singapore
  • Health insurance covering COVID-related medical expenses with a minimum coverage of SGD$30,000
  • Visa (if applicable)

Arrival

  • Download and install TraceTogether app to aid in contact tracing

During Stay

  • Guests must adhere to local regulations relating to COVID safety.
  • Guests must remain contactable using declared contact information throughout their stay

 

MALAYSIA:

Malaysia is open to fully vaccinated travellers from all countries with a ‘Sandbox-style’ entry scheme called the Langkawi International Travel Bubble (LITB).

Overview of Langkawi Travel Bubble (LITB):

  • Fully vaccinated visitors can enter for a minimum stay of 3 days without quarantine. Guests who already have a booster need to stay on Langkawi Island for 5 days before traveling domestically (except Sabah/Sarawak); guests without booster need to stay 7 days.
  • Currently, all arrivals are entering by air either directly in Langkawi Island, or through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Guest may also enter Malaysia through Kuala International Airport 2 (KLIA 2).

Pre-Arrival

  • Visa (if required)
  • Proof of full vaccination at least 14 days prior to departure to Malaysia
  • Proof of health/medical insurance covering COVID treatment in case of infection with a minimum coverage of $80,000 USD.
  • Negative test results from a PCR test within 48 hours of departure to Malaysia for travelers aged 7 and above.
  • Download MySejahtera App
  • Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by fully-vaccinated parents or guardians.
  • Visitors must use a travel agency that is registered in Malaysia, and must engage a tour guide during transfers and tour activities. Independent travelers are not currently being allowed to partake in the travel scheme.
  • Guests should bring along RTK saliva self-testing kits to self-test when needed, though they may also purchase these on-site.

Arrival

  • Upon arrival, visitors will be given an ID Tag by a health screening official who will check:
    • Digital/printed negative PCR test result
    • Certificate of vaccination
    • Health Declaration Form
    • Proof of insurance
  • Travelers must undergo a PCR test upon arrival at the airport in KL (during transit) or in Langkawi
  • Download ‘MySejahtera App’ before exiting the airport.

During Stay & Departure

  • Guests who are fully vaccinated and have a booster shot, can leave for a domestic destination after Day 5, guests who do not have a booster shot after Day 7
  • For international flights, subject to the requirements of the next country guests will be visiting, a PCR test may be required

 

PHILIPPINES:

Who can enter the Philippines?

  • Beginning 10 February 2022, the Philippines will allow entry to all foreign travelers from countries that do not require a visa for entry, including: Australia, New Zealand; Finland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, UK; Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru; Canada, USA

Requirements for Fully Vaccinated Travelers:

  • Beginning April 01, 2022 – Either of the following COVID Test results will be accepted for Inbound International travelers
  • a.      Negative result of RT-PCR Test administered a maximum of 48 hours before departure from origin country, provided that the traveler does not leave the airport during transit. 
  • b.      Negative result of Rapid Antigen Test, administered a maximum of 24 hours before departure from origin country, provided that the traveler does not leave the airport during transit.  
  • Valid passport (at least 6 months at time of arrival) and outbound ticket.
  • Valid proof of vaccination
  • Travel Insurance for COVID 19 treatment costs from reputed insurers, with a minimum coverage of USD 35,000.00 for the duration of their stay in the Philippines.
  • All international travelers entering the Philippines must register online at https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/, and obtain the One Health Pass from the Bureau of Quarantine.

* All international travelers who fulfill these requirements are exempted from Quarantine stay requirements upon arrival. Children below 12 yrs of age are exempted from these requirements.

Valid Proof of Vaccination:

  • World Health Organization (WHO) International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis.
  • VaxCertPH
  • National/state digital certificate of the foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement unless otherwise permitted by the Philippine authorities.

Travelers continuing to other local destinations are subject the testing and travel regulations of the destination’s local government unit (LGU).

LGU guidelines are currently under review and subject to change. Rest assured can and will assist you in confirming the local travel regulations and whatever registration requirements are needed.

Vaccines approved by Philippine Food and Drug Adminstration

As of May 5, 2021, the Philippine FDA has issued an EUA to the Pfizer-BioNTech, AztraZenecaPharmaceuticals, Sinovac, GamaleyaSputnik V, Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen, Bharat BioTech’sCovaxin, and ModernaCOVID-19 vaccines.

Unvaccinated/Partially Vaccinated Travelers or those Travelers who cannot present valid proof of vaccination

  1. Valid passport (at least 6 months at time of arrival) and outbound ticket.
  2. Negative RT-PCR Test taken 48 hours before departure.
  3. Mandatory facility-based quarantine, with RT-PCR testing on the 5thday. Guests may leave quarantine after negative result is achieved, but will be required to continue quarantine (at home or a hotel) until the 14thday.

For more information and a guide on travel rules, requirements, and processes when arriving in the Philippines, visit https://bit.ly/PALTravelsToPH

 

SOUTH KOREA:

 

 

 

SRI LANKA:

From the 1st of March, Sri Lanka no longer requires a Pre-Departure PCR or Antigen tests for fully vaccinated travellers! In addition, they have simplified the health declaration process once again allowing paper health declaration as well as allowed on arrival application or insurance and ETA if needed.

  • ALL international travelers with no minimum number of days required for a stay
  • Fully vaccinated travellers – zero-day quarantine

Pre-Arrival

Arrival

At the airport produce the following:

  • Original vaccination certificate/ card (together with a certified copy of English language translation if the certificate/ card is not in English or if relevant data are not indicated in English).
  • QR code generated after filling the online Health Declaration Form (in mobile phone/ hard copy).

During Stay

Fully vaccinated travellers are allowed to make their own arrangements for accommodation, airport transfers and local transportation. However, advised to use safe and secure certified accommodations and travel agents to ensure their health and safety.

 

NEPAL:

Pre-Arrival

 

  • From 11 March, 2022 international travellers will be able to easily travel to the Himalayan region without undergoing a pre-departure PCR test.
  • No quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travelers
  • Vaccination certificate
  • Hotel booking
  • International Traveler Online Form
  • Mountaineering/Trekking permits if applicable

Arrival

  • Visa can be obtained on arrival
  • 5 -18 years old travellers – required to get COVID-19 rapid test at entry points

During Stay

Local destinations may have their own entry protocols. Check with your agent before you go. They are not restrictive but best to be updated.

 

MALDIVES:

Entry Requirements:

  • No quarantine requirements
  • Vaccination certificate, if available
  • Negative COVID-19 test taken within 4 days prior to arrival, regardless of vaccination status
  • All tourist arrivals to the Maldives will be provided with a 30-day validity visa on arrival.
  • A self-declaration health form submitted within 24 hours prior from/to your departure flight. This is an online form to be completed via this link.
  • Fully vaccinated travellers (18 years and above) i.e., those who have completed a minimum of 14 days from the prescribed dose(s) of the approved vaccine, do NOT need to undertake the pre-departure RT-PCR test and no arrival testing as well (random testing will still be carried out for symptomatic travellers)
  • For unvaccinated children above the age of 1, RT-PCR test valid for a minimum 96 hours prior to the first port of embarkation will be required.
  • Download TraceEkee for movement and health monitoring
  • A negative RT-PCR test (valid for minimum 72 hours) is required if moving between resorts during a single stay.

Arrival

  • Proceed to accommodation
  • Follow hotel safety protocols

https://immigration.gov.mv/travel-advisory-to-the-maldives/

https://visitmaldives.com/en/covid19-updates

Please note that these plans are not final and official. The national governments may change their plans and extend border closures depending on the COVID-19 situation.

 

MYANMAR:

The news about Myanmar’s reopening plan was announced but the government haven’t released any information on the visa procedure yet, or confirmed whether entry will be allowed from all countries. Currently, only visitors with business visas are allowed entry.

Also, one week quarantine and two tests in country will not be very appealing for tourists, considering other countries in the region are removing these requirements, but at least it is a step in the right direction!

Hopefully, we will have more news in the coming time and update accordingly.

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/myanmar-to-reopen-to-international-tourists/?utm_source=thaip.bs&utm_medium=urlshortener&utm_campaign&utm_term&utm_content

 

CHINA:

 

 

HONG KONG:

 

TAIWAN:

 

JAPAN:

The official line from the government is as of 1st March 2022 Japan is only allowing visitors to Japan for business or employment purposes. I.E. Not for tourism.

However, there has been a significant recent relaxing of restrictions to allow these categories of visitors and we expect that this  change in attitude and gradual opening of the gates will accelerate. Our hope (and the word on the grapevine) is that tourists will be allowed to come in after the summer assuming nothing else changes.

 

BHUTAN:

  • Bhutan is not currently accepting any applications for tourist visas or tourism travel permits.

 

HEALTH & SAFETY MEASURES POST COVID-19

Our passion for discovering and introducing Southeast Asia is as strong as ever, and we remain committed to providing you experiences of a lifetime. The purpose of the following guidelines is to help mitigate the spread of contagious diseases on trip.

HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE

Trails of Indochina has appointed a health & safety committee to oversee and implement these new health & safety measure in all destinations. The committee will meet regularly to review the policies and vendors to ensure we are doing everything possible to achieve the necessary health & safety preparedness.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

In accordance with travel restrictions and health advice offered by government advisories worldwide Trails of Indochina will work with partners and customers to apply social distancing where possible.

GROUP VEHICLES

For larger vehicles and coaches, we will have the option for larger vehicles and less guests per vehicle thereby creating more personal space for each guest.

FIT VEHICLES

For smaller vehicles, we will approach this on a case by case basis. As smaller FITs are normally family members, there is no requirement for social distancing. There will be different requirements.

BOATS

We aim to provide appropriate social distancing for our guests when using boats while on tour. There are many considerations, so each trip & booking must be reviewed on a case by case basis. For private charter vs join-in, day boat & overnight boats we are working with these vendors to understand their on-board procedures and will act accordingly to ensure safety consideration for our guests.

HOTEL LOBBY DURING CHECK-IN

We will ask hotels to ensure physical distancing will be implemented in the event of queues or waiting and all keys and pens used to complete the check-in procedure should be sanitized. Where possible and appropriate, our guide can assist guests checking in and keep an eye for social distance
and hygiene.

SIGHTSEEING

Trails of Indochina have always aimed to avoid the crowds when we do our sightseeing to popular locations. We will continue to visit at off-peak areas, use alternative entry & exit points and apply other measure to avoid crowds.

PLANES

Different airlines apply their own policy for social distancing and hygiene. We are currently working with all airlines in Asia to advise and collect this information and make it available for all business partners.

HYGIENE IN VEHICLES

At a minimum, clean & disinfect all hard non-porous surfaces within the interior of the vehicle such as hard seats, arm rests, door handles, seat belt buckles, light and air controls, doors and windows, and grab handles.
Empty any waste baskets regularly. TOI will provide hand sanitizer in the vehicles for guests to use during the trip, before and after visiting sightseeing locations.

MASKS & SANITIZER

We will aim to make Masks & Hand sanitizer available for all guests traveling with us in 2020 and 2021.

RESTAURANTS

Trails of Indochina will work with restaurants who have appropriate and strict health & safety guidelines including cleanliness & hygiene. Where possible, TOI will keep a copy of the hygiene certificate on file.

BOATS & HOTELS

Trails of Indochina will work with overnight boats and hotels who have appropriate and strict health & safety guidelines including cleanliness & hygiene. Where possible, TOI will keep a copy of the hygiene certificate on file.

DAILY HEALTH CHECKS FOR GUIDES & DRIVERS

Guides and Drivers will be required to take their temperature each morning and report to the operations manager before starting their day. If they have a fever, they cannot work and the company will find an alternative.

GUIDE & DRIVER HYGIENE

Guide and driver will wash their hands frequently throughout the day and use hand sanitizer each time they get in the vehicles with guests. Guides and rivers should do this in view of guests so guests will feel secure that hygiene is being taken seriously. Drivers should also wipe down and sanitize the hard surfaces in vehicles at each stop. This includes hard seats, arm rests, door handles, seat belt buckles, light and air controls, doors and windows, and grab handles.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT

Guides and key Customer Care Staff will be briefed and trained on how to respond to travelers with symptoms of COVID-19. These measures are also covered in TOI’s Crisis Management Plan which is
updated regularly.

GENERAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR TRAVELERS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Guests are encouraged to take sensible precautions against COVID-19 during their trips with Trails of Indochina. The World Health Organization outlines these basic practices to keep yourself and your loved ones safe:
1. Avoid travelling if you have a fever and cough. If you have fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, alert health care services and share with them your recent travel history.
2. Maintain social distancing. Where possible, stay a metre or more away from others, especially those who are sneezing or coughing, or have fever.
3. Wash your hands regularly with soap and running water. You can also use an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer to spray your hands as often as you like.
4. Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of dirty tissues immediately and wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.
5. Avoid contact with live animals. Wash your hands with soap and water if you touch live animals or animal products in markets.
6. Eat only well-cooked food. Make sure your meals especially animal proteins and dairy products are thoroughly cooked and prepared in a sanitary environment.
7. Discard single-use masks. If you choose to wear a single-use mask, ensure it covers your nose and mouth, avoid touching the mask, and wash your hands after removing it. Bring masks from home as they can sometimes be difficult to buy in Southeast Asia.

DEALING WITH SICKNESS (FOLLOWING ECDC GUIDANCE)

TOI representatives to look for symptoms

  • Fever (person feels warm to the touch, gives a history of feeling feverish, or has an actual measured temperature of 100.4°F [38° C] or higher) that has persisted for more than 48 hours OR
    • Fever AND one of the following: persistent cough, difficulty breathing, appears obviously unwell https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/COVID-19-
    resourcesfor-contact-tracing-2-March-2020.pdf

Guidelines established for trip representatives with Medical input on what action should be taken and when. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/COVID-19-resourcesforcontact- tracing-2-March-2020.pdf

  • Identify sick passenger who meet the above description.
  • Discuss situation with that passenger immediately and arrange for medical services. Depending on the location of the trip, this could be either arranging for the passenger to go to a doctors’ office/hospital, have a doctor come to the hotel or the most suitable medical review based on local conditions.
  • Offer a facemask, if available for the sick person. If a facemask is not available, ask the sick person to cover their mouth and nose with tissues when coughing or sneezing.
  • Minimize contact between the sick person and everyone else. If possible, separate for mothers (2 meters or 6 feet is ideal).
  • Wear disposable gloves when tending to a sick traveler or touching body fluids or potentially contaminated surfaces. Remove gloves carefully to avoid contaminating yourself, then wash hands.
  • Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces according to transportation protocol.
  • Determine what actions should be taken based on the information/status of the medical services:
    • Self-Isolate – passenger agrees to avoid contact with other passengers and trip representative until a more comprehensive medical prognoses can be received.
      o Mandate quarantine – limiting movement and access to sleeping quarters until government/medical expertise can evaluate.
      o Exit from the trip / refusal to rejoin
      o Soliciting assistance from local government officials

We encourage our guests to stay up to date on government advice from their own countries. Here are some helpful links to get started:
• USA, CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• Public Health England: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
• Australia Dept of Health: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novelcoronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
• New Zealand Ministry of Health: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-andconditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Asia now open to international leisure travelers?

After battling wave after wave of COVID-19 infections earlier this year, Asia is now slowly recovering and are starting to reopen the borders for leisure travel. Countries such as Thailand and Singapore, as well as Sri Lanka and Maldives have already allowed travelers to enter their ports, with COVID-19 tests and different quarantine policies implemented. 

How do you ensure the safety of your guests?

The safety of our guests is out top priority. As such, we have established a detailed Health & Safety Policy in all of the destinations we offer. These precautionary measures are in accordance to World Health Organization policies. Social distancing, wearing of masks, sanitation and many other measures will be implemented for guests, tour guides, drivers and everyone involved in your trip.

Is it safe to travel to Asia this year?

While some destinations in Southeast Asia have the health crisis under control and have started offering special visas for travelers, the global pandemic is still very much present. Therefore, it is really not safe to go on leisure trips this year. Several restrictions are still in place, which may hinder you from enjoying your holiday. We will definitely inform you of when our part of the world will reopen to international travelers.

What are your booking and cancellation policies?

We offer most flexible terms at the moment with no cancelation charges. However, we do not recommend to book any trips between now until Q4 2021 to avoid wasting our resources for booking and then canceling due to border closure and on-going pandemic in the world. For further information, please contact our Sales Team.

When is the most practical time to travel?

While the situation continues to evolve at unprecedented pace, we are looking towards the second half of 2022 for the full reopening of our destinations in Asia. We will continue to update you on this  through our monthly newsletter, social media updates and virtual meetings.

 

Responsive To Our Client's Needs

Our team of Travel Experts are dedicated to responding to client's needs and requests in a timely manner. With our 24/7 Customer Care Hotline, travelers can be assured that assistance is available for any last minute requests and emergency