Below are additional resources and FAQs regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as they specifically relate to Diethelm Travel, our destinations, clients and guests.
This page will be updated with new information and announcements as necessary.
If you have any questions or require more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us at sales@diethelmtravel.com.
18 March 2020, 10:00 hours
Travel restrictions in Bhutan
From the Tourism Council of Bhutan, the tourist ban implemented on 6 March 2020 will continue until further notice. The restriction applies to all tourists regardless of nationality.
Travellers who were planning to visit Bhutan in March must postpone their trip until later this year.
Email bhutan@diethelmtravel.bt for more information or help adjusting bookings.
18 March 2020, 17:30 hours
Travel restrictions in Cambodia
The Cambodian government has banned entry for French, German, Spanish, Italian, Iranian and U.S. passport holders until 17 April 2020.
For anyone entering the country who has been travelling in these countries, there is an automatic 14-day quarantine in a pre-determined location.
Additionally, the following protocols are in place:
Diethelm Travel Cambodia is currently assisting agents with cancellations and arranging on-the-ground services for guests still in the country.
Email dt_cambodia@kh.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.
31 March 2020, 10:00 hours
Situation updates in China
Things are beginning to open up and return to normal across the country. Many open spaces, natural sights, public cultural sites and low-risk areas nationwide have reopened. Some museums, such as the Shanghai Natural History Museum, have reopened with new virus protection procedures. Hotels and restaurants are also gradually opening up, while many provinces are planning to open schools beginning as early as the end of March.
Starting 15 March, travel agencies have been allowed to organise trips for local tourists within their province.
Any travellers entering China from COVID-19 areas need to self-quarantine at home or in designated place for 14 days.
While in public, all people must wear a face mask and access to public places requires disinfection and registration.
China has decided to temporarily close the borders for foreigners with a valid visa or residence permit from 28 March. Entry with diplomatic passports, official, honorary or C visas is still possible. Foreigners wishing to enter China for economic, scientific, technological and humanitarian purposes should still apply for visas at Chinese embassies and consulates.
Email reservation@cn.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.
23 March 2020, 16:00 hours
Travel restrictions in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Government will implement travel restrictions for all foreign tourist and also transit arrivals to the city from 00:01 hours on Wednesday, 25 March and would last for 14 days.
All non-Hong Kong residents who arrive at the airport will be refused entry, along with anyone from mainland China, Macau or Taiwan who has a recent travel history elsewhere.
Those arriving from Macau or Taiwan directly will be allowed in, but subject to quarantine orders, as has been the case for mainland arrivals for some weeks.
Email operation@hk.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.
19 March 2020, 10:00 hours
No e-Visas or visas on arrival in Laos
Starting 19 March, no foreign tourists are able to receive an e-Visa or visa on arrival when entering the country until further notice. Travellers must contact the Laos embassy or consulate in their home country to apply for a visa before travelling. There are no confirmed COVID-19 cases nor travel restrictions in Laos, however Laos nationals returning to Laos from outbreak countries are required to impose self-isolation for 14 days. All entertainment venues as well as all schools have also been closed .
Email info@la.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.
18 March 2020, 06:00 hours
Movement Control Order in Malaysia
The Malaysian government implemented a Movement Control Order from 18 – 31 March 2020 across the country to slow down the spread of COVID-19 through increased social distancing. This includes:
The Diethelm Malaysia reservation team is contacting all agents with confirmed bookings that are scheduled to arrive Malaysia in the next two weeks for further action and decision as well as assisting guests currently in Malaysia regarding changing their programme and finding options to fly home.
Email inbound@my.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.
1 April 2020, 08:00 hours
Situation updates in the Maldives
The total to 18 positive cases have been reported. The national alert level remains on Yellow.
All passengers and crew with travel history to the following countries or regions within the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter or to transit through the Maldives until further notice.
Qatar Airlines continues to operate to the Maldives:
Qatar Airways continues it’s daily flight to the Maldives and intends to continue throughout the coming months.
82 resorts close temporarily:
As of 31 March, approximately 82 resorts are closing temporarily as the halt on visa on arrival continues.
Email carmen.k@mv.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.
30 March 2020, 11:00 hours
Quarantines in Myanmar
Effective 21 March, all incoming travellers, including Myanmar nationals, arriving from or having visited the U.S., U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Norway, Sweden and Denmark in the past 14 days will be subject to a 14-day facility quarantine. (This is in addition to the previous quarantine measures for high-risk areas listed below.)
Visa on arrivals and e-Visas have been suspended for travellers from all countries until 30 April.
As of 15 March 2020, all foreign nationals who have visited the high-risk areas of Hubei province in China and Daegu and Gyeongbuk in South Korea, are not permitted to enter Myanmar until further notice. Myanmar citizens who have visited these locations will be placed in a 14-day quarantine facility upon arrival in Myanmar.
All incoming travellers from other locations in South Korea, as well as Italy, Iran, France, Spain and Germany will be placed in a 14-day quarantine facility upon arrival in Myanmar.
In addition, entry of any foreign nationals through any border check point between Myanmar and its neighbouring countries has been temporarily suspended. Also, some of the hotels are temporarily closed until further notice.
Email leisure@mm.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.
17 March 2020, 12:00 hours
Enhanced community quarantine over the entire Luzon and further guidelines
Enhanced Community Quarantine and stringent social distancing measures have been put in place over Luzon, including the National Capital Region (NCR), effective 17 March – 13 April 2020 as follows:
Please see this file for further details of the guidelines. The aforementioned measures shall be subject to daily monitoring and reassessment by the Inter Agency Task Force.
Email sales@ph.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.
22 March 2020, 12:00 hours
Entry bans
Effective 23 March 23:59 hours, all short term visitors are not allowed entry nor transit through Singapore.
Information can be found from the Ministry of Health here.
Email enquiry@sg.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.
29 March 2020, 12:00 hours
Closure of International Airports in Sri Lanka for Inward International Passenger Flights
Dear Partners,
Please note that according to the instructions received from Sri Lanka Health Authorities, the Chairman of Sri Lanka Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Upul Dharmadasa, has released a directive stating that all international Airports in Sri Lanka will continue to be closed for the operation of inbound international commercial passenger flights (i.e. arrivals), until 23:59 hours on 7 April 2020 (local time in Sri Lanka).
However during the closure period, the following will be permitted:
Email sales@lk.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.
31 March 2020, 13:00 hours
Travel Restrictions & State of Emergency in Thailand
The Prime Minister declared a State of Emergency starting from 26 March – 30 April 2020 with the possibility of extension. The below restrictions are being implemented and followed with new announcements made regularly:
In addition, Phuket has announced its plans to close the Phuket International Airport from 00.01 hours of 10 April 2020 until 30 April 2020
For more information an updates, visit https://www.thaigov.go.th.
Email sales@th.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.
19 March 2020, 14:30 hours
Suspended visa exemptions for travellers to Vietnam
Starting 19 March, all incoming travellers from the United States, European and ASEAN nations must undergo medical checks and 14-day quarantine upon arrival in Vietnam.
Starting 15 March for 30 days, travellers from the 26 Schengen countries, the UK and Northern Ireland, or those who have visited or transited through these countries in the past 14 days, will not be issued visas or allowed entry into Vietnam. This also applies to those who currently hold visas or visa letters.
Vietnam has suspended visas on arrival for all foreign nationals. This applies to all new applicants, except those travelling for diplomatic or official purposes. Those who currently hold visas to enter Vietnam will need to undergo medical checks and maybe quarantined before being allowed to enter the country.
Email sales@vn.diethelmtravel.com for more information or help adjusting bookings.
Last updated: 11 March 2020
Q: What is Diethelm Travel’s refund policy regarding booking changes or cancellations due to COVID-19?
A: We understand that travelling during this time is unpredictable and want to give you and your clients peace of mind when planning future journeys.
Book any Diethelm Travel product now and rest assured that you can cancel for a full refund – no questions asked – until 31 October 2020 (Cancellations must be made at least 7 days before travelling).
Alternatively, instead of cancelling upcoming trips, we’re happy to delay and reschedule clients’ journeys.
Q: Who can I contact at Diethelm Travel for more information regarding travel updates, booking changes or new developments?
A: If you’re already in contact with one of our country-specific sales representatives, please feel free to reach out to them directly.
For all other questions, general enquiries or questions about our new booking and cancellation policy, please contact sales@diethelmtravel.com.
Q: What countries in Asia have travel restrictions?
A: Travel restrictions and recommended travel routes vary depending on a traveller’s home country, where they’re transiting through and what Asian country they want to enter.
As of posting, WHO “continues to advise against the application of travel or trade restrictions to countries experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks.” You can access their recommendations for international traffic in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak here or the IATA updates here.
Q: What health and safety precautions are Diethelm Travel taking?
A: The safety of our guests and employees across Asia is always our number one priority. In addition to our already stringent health and safety procedures, we are:
Q: What should travellers do to protect themselves while travelling?
A: At this time, we recommend that travellers take general, common-sense precautions to minimise their risk. (They are smart practices any time when travelling!)
Q: How has airport travel been affected in Asia?
A: Most international and regional airports throughout Asia are taking various precautionary measures to ensure the safety of all travellers such as doing body temperature checks for all passengers at security or upon arrival.
Q: Where can I find trusted information regarding COVID-19?
A: We recommend the following international organisations:
Q: Where can I find more country-specific information regarding travel restrictions, country policies or on-the-ground updates?
A: Information, policies and procedures are changing daily. It is best to regularly check countries’ official government websites and tourism board websites for the latest information. We will also be emailing relevant important information and updating this page as necessary.