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Sunday, Jun 01, 2025

Latest travel advice for Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Dubai, Turkey and South Africa

Latest travel advice for Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Dubai, Turkey and South Africa

Travel restrictions are still in place in many parts of the world because of the coronavirus pandemic

Planning overseas travel can be complicated at the moment as advice continues to change in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

Just as you think a country is fine to visit, it's taken off the Government's air bridge list again and you face 14 days of quarantine when you get home.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has taken several countries off its "all but essential" international travel list.

But it advises travellers: "The global coronavirus pandemic is ongoing. No travel is risk-free, and disruption is still possible.

If you plan to travel read the coronavirus travel guidance to make sure you are prepared for your travel, read the travel advice for your destination, for information on current entry requirements and any local coronavirus measures that you will need to follow and sign up for email alerts for travel advice to ensure you are informed of any changes while you are travelling."

Here is the FCO's latest advice for some popular destinations in Africa and the Middle East:

Morocco


The FCO advises against all but essential travel to Morocco and its borders are not open for tourism.

From July 15, British nationals living in Morocco, as well as their families, have been allowed to enter Morocco the country.

If you’re eligible to enter, you will have to provide a negative PCR test and antibody test, be required to self-isolate at home for 14 days, and download the tracking app Wiqaytna.

British nationals in Morocco may be able to leave using special outward-bound commercial flights organised by Moroccan national airlines. Check announcements made by Royal Air Maroc and Air Arabia for further information on bookings.

Until further notice, movement into/out of Tangier, Tetouan, Meknes, Fes, Casablanca, Berechid, Settat and Marrakech is prohibited. Only those with an urgent medical need or those required to travel for work and holding both a letter from their employer, as well as an exceptional certificate of movement from local authorities, are exempt.

If you are returning to the UK from Morocco, you must self-isolate for 14 days.

Egypt



The Red Sea resort town Sharm el-Sheikh


The FCO advice against all but essential international travel continues to apply for the whole of Egypt. Those already in the country you should be aware of its pre-existing advice within the country, unrelated to Covid-19:

The FCO continues to advise against all travel to:


*  the Governorate of North Sinai.

The FCO continues to advise against all but essential travel to:


*  the Governorate of South Sinai beyond the Sharm el Sheikh perimeter barrier.

*  the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, excluding the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh.

The Egyptian authorities have advised that all arrivals into Egypt will be subject to health measures. Passengers from all countries will have temperatures observed, will be required to complete a monitoring card with personal details, and will need to provide confirmation of valid health insurance policy to airport authorities.

Currently, all foreign travellers are required to present a negative PCR test certificate (from a test conducted within the preceding 72 hours) on arrival in Egypt. This does not apply to tourists flying directly into the airports in the coastal governorates of the Red Sea (Hurghada and Marsa Alam), South Sinai (Sharm El-Sheikh) and Marsa Matrouh.

From September 1, all persons (including those who hold Egyptian nationality) arriving from overseas to any part of Egypt will be required to present a negative PCR test certificate on arrival. The Egyptian authorities have advised that PCR tests must be conducted no more than 48 hours prior to arrival in Egypt. Children under the age of six are exempt. You should check with your airline to confirm time frames for undertaking PCR tests and what proof of testing needs to be presented before you travel.

If you are returning to the UK from Egypt, you must isolate for 14 days.

Tunisia



Djerba, in Tunisia, is known for its beautiful beaches


In addition to the FCO's advisory against non-essential travel to Tunisia, the following advice within the country remains in place:

The FCO advise against all travel to:


* the Chaambi Mountains National Park and the designated military operations zones of Mount Salloum, Mount Sammamma and Mount Mghila

* the militarised zone south of the towns of El Borma and Dhehiba

* within 20km of the rest of the Libya border area north of Dhehiba

* the town of Ben Guerdane and immediate surrounding area

The FCO advise against all but essential travel to:


* all other areas within 75km of the Libyan border, including Remada, El Borma and the town of Zarzis

* the governorate of Kasserine, including the town of Sbeitla

* within 10km of the border with Algeria south of Kasserine governorate

* within 30km of the border in El Kef and Jendouba governorates south of the town of Jendouba, including the archaeological site of Chemtou

* areas north and west of the town of Ghardimaou in Jendouba governorate, including El Feidja National Park

* within 10km of Mount Mghila

* Mount Orbata


Travel to Tunisia is subject to entry restrictions:


* The UK is classified as an “orange” country. This means that visitors from the UK wishing to travel to Tunisia must take a PCR test (which detects the presence of the virus) 72 hours before they travel. From August 26, all visitors to Tunisia, regardless of where they arrive from, must take a PCR test 72 hours before they travel.

* You must show evidence of your negative test result at your point of arrival in Tunisia.

* Upon arrival in Tunisia you must self-isolate at your hotel or place of residence for 14 days.

* If you wish to pay for an additional PCR test after seven days of self-isolation, you can do so at your own expense. If the result of this second test is negative you will be permitted to end your quarantine early.

* Upon entry you must sign a declaration to confirm that you will abide by these rules.

* The Tunisian authorities are updating country classifications regularly so please ensure you check these pages for the latest status before travelling.

* Wearing of masks is now obligatory in public spaces. This includes public transport, health and educational institutions, shopping centres, sports and cultural venues as well as places of worship. Failure to wear a mask may result in a fine or imprisonment.

* Regional curfews and lock downs can be imposed at short notice as the government’s response to COVID-19 develops. You should follow the guidance of local authorities when travelling around the country.

The 14-day self-isolation period applies to anyone travelling to the UK from Tunisia.


Dubai


Commercial flights are operating to and from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) but travel is subject to entry restrictions:

* With effect from August 12 there is no longer a requirement for residents returning to the UAE, other than Dubai, to get approval before travelling. Prior

approval is still required for residents returning to Dubai.
* Visit and tourist visas are currently being issued by the Dubai authorities only. Tourists and visitors cannot travel to Abu Dhabi by air.

* All travellers to the UAE must have carried out a Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test within 96 hours and received a negative result prior to their departure. You may also need to undertake a second test on arrival, and to complete a period of self-isolation. You should check with their airline to confirm what proof of testing they need to present to the airline before travelling.

* All travellers departing from the UAE to the EU and UK will need to have a negative Covid-19 PCR test result within 96 hours prior to their departure. This is also a requirement for travellers to other countries that require a negative Covid-19 PCR test before arrival.

If you are returning to the UK from Dubai, you must isolate for 14 days.

Turkey



Tourists relax around the swimming pool at a holiday resort in Antalya, Turkey


Turkey is exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel. This is based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks. However, the following advice within Turkey remains in place:

The FCO advise against all travel to:


areas within 10 km of the border with Syria, except the city of Kilis

The FCO advise against all but essential travel to:


all other areas of Sirnak, Kilis (including Kilis city) and Hatay provinces

he provinces of Diyarbakir, Tunceli and Hakkari

All arrivals into Turkey will be subject to a medical evaluation for symptoms of coronavirus, including temperature checks. If you show symptoms on arrival, you’ll be required to undergo a PCR test coronavirus.

You do not need to self-isolate when returning to the UK from Turkey.

South Africa



A jeep side pit-stop at Sanbona in Montagu, Western Cape, South Africa


The FCO advises against all but essential travel to South Africa.

UK nationals now require a visa to enter South Africa. These will only be issued in exceptional circumstances. You should get your visa from your local South African High Commission before you book travel.

South African nationals and foreign nationals with valid permanent residence permits for South Africa may enter South Africa.

If you are eligible for entry, you will be quarantined for 14 days after arrival.

Commercial passenger flights to and from South Africa are unlikely to resume for some time. Until commercial passengers flights resume normally, you should check with your airline if they have permission from the South African authorities to fly there.

Travellers returning to the UK from South Africa must self-isolate for 14 days.

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