Irish holidaymakers looking to finally book trips further afield have welcomed the news that Thailand, Bali and the Philippines will allow tourists back this month.
All three holiday hotspots were devastated by the global pandemic as they were forced to shut their borders amid soaring infection numbers.
Each will have its own set of arrival rules, but at this point it’s understood that the easing of rules will mainly benefit those who have been fully vaccinated, or have their booster shot.
So here’s what we know so far about the reopening of Bali, Thailand and the Philippines for Irish tourists.
Bali
Officials in Bali confirmed on Tuesday that they will start welcoming back travellers from all countries later this week.
Back in October, Bali reopened to visitors from China, New Zealand and Japan, among other countries, but there have since been no direct flights, according to Tourism minister, Sandiaga Uno.
Reuters reports that from Friday, February 4, international visitors who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 will still be required to do between five and seven days of quarantine on arrival.
However, this will be the first time Irish passengers can enter Bali without a full quarantine period.
Thailand
Meanwhile, Thailand will resume its 'Test & Go' quarantine waiver for vaccinated arrivals from February 1 in response to the easing of Covid-19 infections.
This will see all passengers required to take an extra PCR test on the fifth day of arriving and they must wait for the test result at their hotel or face legal action.
Visitors will have to spend one night in a certified hotel while they wait for the result of their first PCR test taken on arrival.
Taweesilp Visanuyothin, the spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said the registration for the updated Test & Go programme will resume today with extra measures, and is open to visitors from all countries.
"Travellers must take the standard Covid-19 test on the first and fifth days of arrival and must show proof of hotel bookings for these two nights at any hotel that has a partner hospital," he said.
Philippines
The Philippines will grant entry to visitors vaccinated against Covid-19 from February 10.
Last Friday the government announced its decision and said it is in an effort to boost a tourism sector destroyed by the pandemic.
Therefore, from February 10, citizens of 150 countries on the Philippines’ visa-free entry list - which includes Ireland - will be allowed to enter.
Quarantine requirements will be removed for foreign tourists from this date, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said in a statement, but they must be vaccinated and have tested negative for Covid-19.
