*UPDATED 24/12 14:10* Travel Restrictions for people travelling from the United Kingdom

Last Updated: Wednesday 24th December, 24rd December, 14:10GMT
Next Update: Thursday 25 December 01:00GMT (Planned as a new post).

Editors note – A new post has gone live at 1am, with updated restrictions and a better title. As such – comments are closed for this article. Thank you for your support.

The fallout of the new strain of COVID-19 emanating from the UK continues to have a major travel impact, with European countries, as well as other countries around the world closing their borders to arrivals from the United Kingdom.

Updated 14:15 24th December

China – All direct flights from the UK to mainland China have been suspended. This measure will be subject to a future review but no date has been given. British nationals travelling to China from a third country should follow the directions on the website of the local Chinese Embassy or consulate for requirements from that country. You will need a valid visa to enter China. Chinese Visa Application Centres in London and Belfast are closed until further notice. The Application Centres in Manchester and Edinburgh will be closed from 27 December until further notice – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china
Taiwan – All passengers arriving directly from the UK, or those who have been in the UK in the previous 14 days, will be required to complete their mandatory 14 day quarantine at a designated quarantine centre Foreign nationals are permitted to enter Taiwan provided they are not entering for tourism or to visit friends. You will need to apply for a visa before travelling. Foreign nationals entering Taiwan must provide a negative COVID-19 test report completed in the three working days prior to boarding their flight. Travellers from destinations designated as low risk by local authorities may be eligible for a reduced self-isolation period. Limited transits are now permitted – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/taiwan
Thailand – All travellers entering Thailand will be subject to a 14-day state quarantine at a Thai government-designated facility at your own expense. If suspected of carrying COVID-19, you may be denied entry into the country – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand
South Africa – Most new cases are caused by a new variant of COVID-19. The South African authorities have said that the new variant may be more contagious and that Covid-19 is currently spreading rapidly. Details on COVID-19 case numbers and current regulations are available at www.sacoronavirus.co.za. In response to the new variant of COVID-19 in South Africa, there are restrictions on passengers arriving in the UK from South Africa. Direct flights from South Africa have been suspended. Visitors arriving into the UK who have been in or transited through South Africa in the previous 10 days will not be permitted entry. British and Irish citizens, and third country nationals who hold valid residence permits or indefinite leave to remain in the UK will still be able to enter via indirect routes from South Africa upon completion of a passenger location form but are required to self-isolate for ten days along with their household – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa
Montenegro – From 25 December entry to Montenegro for UK nationals, will be available only with a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours. If you’re eligible to enter Montenegro, it remains possible that you may need to self-isolate for a period of 14 days, or go into quarantine in state-arranged accommodation, if you are displaying symptoms of coronavirus or have had contact with those who are displaying symptoms. Decisions will be made at the discretion of sanitary inspectors – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/montenegro
Myanmar – he government of Myanmar has suspended all international commercial passenger flights from any of its airports until 31 December. It will then review the situation. It has been reported that Myanmar may restart some commercial flights from early 2021. This is likely to include updates to the entry requirements for Myanmar, and these requirements may differ depending on your travel history, and the COVID-19 situation in any countries you have may recently been to. You should ensure to check the rules regularly before travelling to Myanmar – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/myanmar
Estonia – From 22:00 GMT Sunday 20 December, Estonia will not be permitting the operation of air passenger services to or from the United Kingdom. On 23 December Estonia announced that these arrangements would last until at least 31 December 2020. If you’re arriving to Estonia from the UK, you’ll need to complete and submit a customer locator form (either at the port of entry or electronically before arrival) and self-isolate for 14 days – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/estonia
Hong Kong – On 23 December, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government announced that from 00:01 on 24 December, travellers who had visited the UK for more than two hours within the past 21 days would be denied entry to Hong Kong. Travellers from overseas countries/territories, who are not Hong Kong residents, will be denied entry If you are eligible to enter Hong Kong and have not been in the UK for two hours or more in the past 21 days, you will be required to take a mandatory medical coronavirus test upon arrival and quarantine in a hotel approved by the Hong Kong SAR government for 14 days at your own expense. Though UK arrivals are currently prohibited, the Hong Kong SAR government has mandated that all future UK arrivals must quarantine in an approved hotel for 21 days at your own expense. This period may be extended to 28 days at the discretion of the Hong Kong SAR government. Transit services at Hong Kong International Airport have resumed for passengers who can be checked through from port of origin to final destination – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/hong-kong
Nepal – Entry is currently prohibited for certain foreign nationals, including British nationals, with limited exceptions. The Government of Nepal has restricted entry of all passengers originating from or transiting the UK, effective from 11:59pm (local time) 23 December until further notice. In addition, tourist and other visas will not be issued by the Embassy of Nepal in London until further notice – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nepal

Updated 03:15GMT 24th December

Italy – The Italian government announced on 23rd December that flights between the UK and Italy could resume after a temporary pause. However, with immediate effect and until 15th January, entry into Italy from the UK is only permitted for those with official residency in Italy OR those with absolute necessity, which must be declared in writing. Until 6th January, those wishing to fly must present the airline with a negative Covid-19 rapid antigenic or molecular swab test taken no more than 72 hours before travel. You must ALSO take a Covid-19 rapid antigenic or molecular swab test on arrival in Italy – arrivals by air from the UK will take this test at the airport. Whatever the result of the two swab tests, those arriving in Italy from the UK must ALSO report to their local health authorities on arrival AND must quarantine for 14 days – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy
Bulgaria – On 23 December the Bulgarian Government announced that it would lift its ban on air travel between Bulgaria and the UK with immediate effect, but with a new Covid-19 testing requirement in place for all travellers to Bulgaria. A temporary ban remains in place at all air, road, rail and sea border crossings into Bulgaria) on travellers arriving from the UK. Bulgarian citizens and British nationals who are able to demonstrate that they have valid residence status in Bulgaria, as well as members of their families, and a small number of other categories of traveller are exempted from this ban. This temporary ban on entry will continue to be in force even now that the Bulgarian Government has confirmed that flights may resume – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bulgaria
Canada – The Canadian government has suspended all inbound commercial and private passenger flights from the UK until 6 January. Passengers arriving via alternative routes who have been in the UK in the previous 14 days will be subject to enhanced screening and receive additional direction from the Government of Canada. Entry to Canada is limited, except for temporary foreign workers, most international students, Canadian citizens and permanent residents or their immediate and extended families, provided they remain in Canada for 15 days or more – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/canada
Slovakia – Effective from 0001 (local time) on 24 December Slovakia has lifted the suspension of direct passenger flights from the UK. Direct passenger flights are permitted from this time. If you decide to travel to Slovakia, you must register in advance with the Slovak Public Health Authority, enter self-isolation on arrival and take a RT-PCR test for COVID-19 no earlier than 5 days after arrival. If you have spent the previous 14 days solely in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland, you are exempt from the above requirement if you can show a negative test result no older than 72 hours. This can be either an RT-PCR test from a laboratory outside Slovakia, or an Antigen test from Austria or the Czech Republic. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/slovakia
Sweden – A temporary entry ban applies to all passengers arriving from the UK. British nationals who can demonstrate that they live or work in Sweden or have urgent family reasons are exempt. Swedish citizens are also exempt. The ban has been in place since 21 December at 2300 (UK time). The exemption for those living or working in Sweden, or with urgent family reasons, applies from 2300 (UK time) on 23 December until 21 January 2021. The Swedish Government has suspended all passenger flights from the UK to Sweden until 1500 (UK time) on 31 December.- https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sweden
Switzerland – On 20 December, Switzerland announced a general entry ban for all travellers from the UK, and suspended all flights between the UK and Switzerland. On 23 December, the Swiss Government introduced an exemption to allow passenger flights to/from the UK from 24 December for the purpose of enabling residents of UK and Switzerland to return in both directions. Anyone arriving in Switzerland from the United Kingdom since the 14 December, regardless of nationality, is required to self-isolate for 10 days from the date of arrival. British citizens currently in quarantine who intend to travel to the airport will need to follow protective measures to remain in quarantine; your local cantonal authorities will be able to advise on this, which may include avoiding public transport. – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/switzerland
Netherlands – From Wednesday 23 December the Dutch Government requires passengers from the UK aged 13 and above to be in possession of a negative PCR COVID-19 test result. This test should be taken no more than 72 hours before arrival in the Netherlands. This requirement is applicable to passengers on aeroplanes and passenger ferries. If you’re travelling to or from the Netherlands by air you must complete a health screening form and have it ready to show on request during your journey, whether you are at the departure airport, on the aircraft or at the arrival airport If you’re travelling to the Netherlands from the UK, you should also self-isolate for ten days upon arrival in the Netherlands. If you’re staying in the Netherlands for fewer than ten days then you should quarantine for the duration of your stay – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/netherlands
Greece – All arrivals need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, undertaken within the 72 hour period before your time of arrival into Greece. Anyone entering Greece will also be asked to undergo a rapid test for COVID-19 on arrival. Arrivals from the UK before 6am local time on 25 December will be required to self-isolate for 7 days in the event of a negative test result. Arrivals from the UK between 6am local time on 25 December and midnight on 7 January will be required to self-isolate for 10 days in the event of a negative test result. In both cases, travellers will need to undertake a further PCR test at the end of their period of self-isolation. Anyone entering Greece from the UK after 0600 on 22 December will be asked to undergo a rapid test for COVID-19 on arrival, and will be required to self-isolate for 7 days in the event of a negative test result. If the result is positive, the Greek authorities will ask you to quarantine until advised otherwise. This is in addition to providing evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test undertaken within the 72 hour period before your time of arrival on Greece – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece
Czech Republic – From midday on Wednesday 23 December, flights from the UK to the Czech Republic are allowed, but only for passengers who are either a Czech citizens or have residency in the Czech Republic. You must present a negative RT-PCR or antigen test that has been taken in the UK and is no older than 72 hours. After your arrival in the Czech Republic, you must undergo a mandatory 5-day quarantine until you have a negative RT-PCR or antigen test. You are also required to fill in the Passenger Locator Form and present it upon arrival. – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/czech-republic
Indonesia – With effect from 23 December 2020 until 8 January 2021, any traveller who begins their journey from the UK will not be allowed to enter Indonesia – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia
Kyrgyzstan– British nationals are allowed to enter Kyrgyzstan. A negative PCR test from no more than 72 hours before your arrival by air, or 120 hours for arrival by land, is now needed for entry into Kyrgyzstan. If your journey is delayed and your test becomes out of date you will need to have a PCR test on arrival. If you’re planning to cross into Kyrgyzstan through one of the land borders you should check ahead that the border crossing you’re planning to use will allow British citizens to cross and for any additional Coronavirus restrictions, and delays they may cause – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kyrgyzstan
Malta – From 22 December Malta has suspended normal commercial flights from the UK. Unauthorised travel from the UK to Malta will not be permitted, however Maltese Nationals and those with residency permits currently in the UK will be able to return. Air Malta will continue to operate regular flights for those planning to travel to Malta or return to the UK. From 22 December all passengers from the United Kingdom will be required to provide Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) negative test prior to travel. Passengers will also be subject to PCR test on arrival and a mandatory 14 day quarantine with a further PCR test between day 5 and 7.- https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malta
Norway – Additional restrictions on travel to/from the UK until 27 December with the possibility of a further extension into 2021. If you were due to travel to/from the UK please contact your travel operator. For more information, see the information from the Norwegian government, as well as from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration. In addition to existing restrictions, until 10 January travellers from the UK will be required to take a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival and a second test no earlier than 7 days after arrival, Register on arrival and Notify your local municipality where you are staying – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/norway
Poland – Flights from UK to Poland suspended from midnight 21 December until at least 6 January. From 28 December you are required to self-isolate on arrival in Poland if you enter by public transport, or have coronavirus symptoms, or have come into contact with someone who has. A New Year’s Eve curfew is planned from 7pm on 31 December to 6am on 1 January . During this time there will be a ban on travel or movement – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/poland
Seychelles – The Government of Seychelles has announced that, with effect from Monday 28th December, the United Kingdom will no longer feature on the list of countries from which visitors may travel to Seychelles. Dual nationals, permanent residents and approved work permit holders may continue to travel from the United Kingdom to Seychelles but will be required to quarantine or self-isolate on arrival, subject to direction from the Public Health Authority, for ten days in accommodation approved by the Public Health Authority. These measures will be in effect until the 31 January 2021 and will be subject to review before that date – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/seychelles
Laos – The government of the Lao PDR has suspended the visa on arrival service at all international entry points, and no visas are being issued to people travelling from a country with COVID-19, including the UK. Anyone arriving in Laos with a visa will need to quarantine at a government facility or approved hotel for 14 days at their own expense – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos

Update 13:15 23rd December

Kosovo – Kosovo have announced they will be restricting travel to/from the UK from 23 December 2020 – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kosovo
Ireland – The Irish Government has extended the ban on flights and passenger ferry journeys from Great Britain to Ireland until 31 December. This applies to people in Great Britain regardless of nationality. Essential supply chain workers are exempt (see ‘Entry rules in response to coronavirus’ below). Ferry crossings from Great Britain to Ireland will continue for freight, including accompanied freight, but not passengers. Ferry crossings from Ireland to Great Britain will continue for passengers and freight and you are advised to follow relevant local UK guidance on arrival. – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ireland
South Korea – On 23 December the Government of the Republic of Korea announced that direct flights from UK to South Korea will be temporarily suspended until 31 December 2020 and that South Korean diplomatic missions in the UK will also suspend the issuing of quarantine exemptions from 23 December – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-korea
Denmark – The Danish government has suspended all flights from the UK to Denmark until midnight on 24 December in order to assess measures for the new variant of coronavirus. From 25 December until 3 January those resident in the UK will not be able to enter Denmark, with a few exceptions. See entry requirements. Danish citizens, UK nationals or persons currently in the UK resident in Denmark will be able to enter. – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/denmark
Turkey – Turkey has suspended air travel to and from the United Kingdom. British nationals may not travel by air to Turkey unless they possess Turkish residency permits and travel on Turkish air operators.All arrivals into Turkey will be subject to a medical evaluation for symptoms of coronavirus, including temperature checks. All passengers who have visited the UK will be required to undergo a PCR test on arrival in Turkey. Passengers who have visited the UK will then be required to self-isolate for seven days starting from the date they left the UK. On day seven they will be subjected to a further PCR test. If that test is negative then quarantine will be ended – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey
Singapore – On 22 December, the Singapore government announced that from 23:59 Singapore time on 23 December, travellers who have been in the UK in the previous 14 days before travel, including for transit, will not be permitted to enter or transit Singapore. This includes all long-term and short-term Singapore pass holders and those with previous permission to travel to Singapore. Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are excluded from this change and are still able to enter Singapore, but must undergo COVID-19 tests upon arrival in Singapore and at the end of their mandatory 14 day quarantine period – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/singapore
Sri Lanka – The Sri Lankan government has suspended all passenger flights from the UK travelling to Sri Lanka from 2am on Wednesday 23 December. You should consult your airline operator before travelling. Entry to Sri Lanka is currently prohibited for all non-nationals – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sri-lanka
Philippines – The Philippines has temporarily suspended flights from the UK to the Philippines starting at 12:01am on 24 December until 31 December 2020. Entry to the Philippines is currently prohibited except for Philippine nationals and former Philippine nationals, including their spouses and children, members of international organisations already accredited to the Philippines, and foreign nationals holding valid residency permits – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/philippines
Japan – From 24th December, foreign nationals arriving from the UK and in possession of visas issued since 1st October under the ‘Global Residence Track’ will not be permitted to enter Japan. Residents of Japan returning from the UK may re-enter, but those on the Short-Term Business Trips scheme will no longer be exempted from quarantine requirements. Short-term visitors who have been in the UK and other select countries in the last 14 days are currently unable to enter Japan, unless in exceptional circumstances. From 24th December, foreign nationals arriving from the UK and in possession of visas issued since 1st October under the ‘Global Residence Track’ will not be permitted to enter Japan. Residents of Japan returning from the UK may re-enter, but those on the Short-Term Business Trips scheme will no longer be exempted from quarantine requirements. – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan

Update 03:00 23rd December

France/Belgium/Netherlands – See this link for the new changes.
Croatia – Croatia have announced they will be prohibiting entry for non-Croatian air passengers from the United Kingdom until 31 December – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/croatia
Cyprus – On 21 December, the Cypriot authorities publicly advised against all but essential travel to the UK from Cyprus, and a mandatory authority-assigned quarantine of a minimum of 7 days for all arrivals into Cyprus from the UK. Following this announcement, the authorities have informed the British High Commission, but not yet publicly announced, that the UK is now in Cyprus’ Category C. This means that visitors from the UK are not permitted to travel to Cyprus. Legal residents of Cyprus and Cypriot ID holders, who are permitted to enter Cyprus on presentation of proof of residence or Cypriot nationality, will be tested on arrival in Cyprus and then transferred to authority-assigned quarantine facilities for a minimum of 7 days – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cyprus
Jordan – On 21 December the Jordanian government suspended all direct air passenger flights between the UK and Jordan from 21 December 2020 to 3 January 2021. Indirect routes remain unaffected for outbound flights from Jordan – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/jordan
Iraq – On 22 December the Government of Iraq announced a ban on passengers travelling to and from the UK – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iraq
Israel – The Israeli authorities have announced that with effect from 23 December , foreign nationals will not be permitted to enter unless they are citizens of Israel – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/israel
Jamaica – The Government of Jamaica has banned all flights coming from the UK into Jamaica until 4 January 2021 – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/jamaica
Luxembourg – The Luxembourg government have banned all air passenger flights between the UK and Luxembourg from 00:00 (CET) on Sunday 20 December 2020 until 3 January 2021 – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/luxembourg
North Macedonia – North Macedonia have suspended all direct flights from the United Kingdom until the end of 2020. Passengers arriving from the UK via any route need to self-isolate for 14 days and fill in a form regarding personal and accommodation details on arrival. – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/north-macedonia
Germany – The German Government has extended its ban on all air passenger flights arriving from the UK to Germany to a ban on all forms of transport until Wednesday 6 January. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/germany
Spain – Spain have announced they will be restricting passenger travel from the UK (by air and sea) from 6pm on 22 December until 6pm on 5 January, with the exception of Spanish nationals and those legally resident in Spain. This includes flights from the UK to the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain
Hungary – Hungary has announced they will be restricting flights to/from the UK from 00:01 Tuesday 22 December. These restrictions are additional to measures outlined below. Cargo flights will not be affected by the new restrictions. The ban is in effect until 8 February 2021 – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/hungary
Qatar – From 22 December, all residents arriving on flights originating in the UK will be required to stay at one of two dedicated hotels for their quarantine period: Intercontinental Doha Hotel or Mercure Grand Doha. These must be booked through Discover Qatar, where information is also available on moving any reservation already made for another hotel – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/qatar

Update 13:00 22nd December

Sudan – The Sudanese Civil Aviation Authority has announced they will be restricting air travel from the UK, Netherlands and South Africa from 23 December 2020 until 5 January 2021 – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sudan
Moldova – The Moldovan government has announced the suspension of all UK flights to and from Moldova with effect from midnight on 23 December. This includes passengers transiting the UK en route to Moldova – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/moldova
El Salvador – Travel to El Salvador is currently banned to travellers who have been in the United Kingdom in the last 30 days or whose flights have included a layover there – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/el-salvador
Uzbekistan -From 21 December 2020 until 10 January 2021, British nationals either arriving directly from the UK or who have been in the UK in the last 14 days, are not permitted to travel to or to enter Uzbekistan. All other foreign nationals, with the exception of Uzbek nationals, who are arriving from the UK or who have visited the UK in the last 14 days are not permitted to enter the country either during this period – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/uzbekistan

Update 01:00GMT 22nd December

Austria – The Austrian Government has announced that from 00:00 on 22 December 2020 until 1 January 2021 a landing ban will be in place for all flights from the UK.- https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/austria
Russia – On 21 December 2020 the Russian government announced the suspension of flights between the UK and Russia from 22 December 2020, for a period of one week. – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/russia
Oman – On 21 December 2020, the Supreme Committee announced the closure of its land, sea and air borders with effect from 22 December at 1 am. This will remain in place for 7 days and will be subject to review by the Omani authorities. During this time, it will not be possible to enter or leave Oman – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/oman
Kuwait – On 21 December 2020 the Government of Kuwait announced that land, sea and air borders would close with immediate effect until the end of 1 January 2021, subject to review. Commercial flights to and from Kuwait will be suspended for this period. – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kuwait
Peru – All flights to Peru originating in Europe for a period of two weeks. Direct flights from the UK and those with a stopover in the UK are suspended until further notice. Non-Peruvian citizens or residents who have been in the UK during the last two weeks are prohibited from entering Peru – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/peru
Argentina – The Argentine government has banned all flights between the UK and Argentina from Tuesday 22 December and until further notice – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/argentina
Mauritius – From midnight local time on 21 December, the Government of Mauritius has, in response to the COVID-19 situation, advised that individuals who have been in the UK within the previous 15 days will not be allowed entry to Mauritius. This decision will be reviewed on 31 December – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mauritius
Portugal -Since 23:59 (GMT) on Sunday 20 December 2020 the Portuguese government has placed restrictions on all passenger travel into Portugal from the UK, with the exception of Portuguese citizens and those legally resident in Portugal (and their family members) – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal
Grenada – The Government of Grenada has from 20 December suspended all air traffic between UK and Grenada and not allowing entry to anyone with UK travel history of previous 14 days – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/grenada
Pakistan – On 21 December, the Pakistan government announced that inbound travellers from the UK, or those who have been in the UK in the last 10 days, will not be able to enter Pakistan. This will apply for a seven day period from 00:00 hours on 23 December to 23:59 on 29 December. This decision will be reviewed on 28 December. Pakistani passport holders who travelled to the UK on visitor/temporary visas will be allowed to return to Pakistan with some additional arrangements on arrival – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/pakistan
Paraguay – Residents of Paraguay who have visited the UK since 7 December are required to seek the permission of the Paraguayan government to enter Paraguay, arrive with a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival and remain in quarantine for 10 days in a ‘health hotel’ or government provided accommodation. Arrivals to Paraguay from the UK between 14 December and 21 December should isolate at home for 7 days from their arrival date

Updated 13:00GMT 21st December

India – has decided that all flights originating from UK to India to be suspended from 23.59 hours, 22nd December 2020. till 31st December 2020 (23.59 hours). Entry via a 3rd party country (eg Dubai) will result in you not being able to enter the county – Government Tweet Link,
Saudi Arabia – has also banned all international travel to and from its borders

Updated 09:30GMT 21st December

Finland – has announced they will be restricting travel from the United Kingdom from 1200 on Monday 21 December until Monday 04 January –https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/finland

Updated 01:00 21st December

Lithuania – will be restricting travel from the UK from 04:00 21 December until 23:59 31 December – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/lithuania
Romania – From 24:00 (CET) December 20 all arrivals from the UK, regardless of nationality, are required to self-isolate for 14 days and from 19:00 (CET) 21 December all passenger flights to and from the UK will be banned for 14 days – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/romania
Columbia – Direct flights to/from London will be suspended from 20 December until further notice. Passengers who have arrived directly or indirectly from the UK from 13 December will be contacted and required to self-isolate for 14 days. Passengers arriving in Colombia from other destinations, and whose journey has started in the UK, will be required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/colombia

Original Countries List (note, some have changed their ban stance, updated above)

Latvia – From 21st December at 00:00 until 1st January, Latvia will not be permitting the operation of passenger carriers to or from the United Kingdom – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/latvia

What is this about and why?

I’m turning the explanation of what has happened to people who can explain it better than me. Dr John Campbell explains it in a concise manner, for those who need to understand in a minute, as well as those who are intrested in the detail.

There are also good guides at BBC News, Sky News, The Guardian, The Independent,

What next?

We’ll need to see what the European Commission decides next, as well as Her Majesties Government.

Suffice to say, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the new strain “was out of control. We have got to get it under control”, you know this year isn’t going to get any easier quicker.

Where can I get more information?

You’ll need to be keeping an eye on the governmental web site for the country you’re interested in. In addition, keep an eye on the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Travel Advice at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

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UPDATED 24/12 14:10 Travel Restrictions for people travelling from the United Kingdom