Which Countries are Open and Which Countries are Closed
Travel bans and cancelled flights have made headlines in the news
the last few days. But what are the actual restrictions on entry and
where can you go if you are thinking of leaving mainland China in the
coming days? We’ve rounded up the current restrictions, as of Monday, 3
February, for a number of countries and regions. If you plan to act on
this information, please remember that the situation is changing all of
the time and you should double-check our sources, your own sources and
airline websites to see what may have changed.
To see all news sources with web links, click Read More at the bottom of this article to be taken to SmartShanghai.com.
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UNITED STATES
Status: Closed to non-citizens
Sources: The New York Times and the U.S. Embassy in China
According to The New York Times:
"The government… declared that the coronavirus posed “a public health emergency in the United States.”
The administration’s action will restrict all foreign nationals who have
been to China in the past 14 days from entering the United States. The
restriction does not include immediate family members of American
citizens and permanent residents."
According to the U.S. Embassy in China site’s “Excerpts of Press Briefing by Members of President’s Coronavirus Task Force”:
“Any U.S. citizen returning to the United States who has been in Hubei
Province in the previous 14 days will be subject to up to 14 days of
mandatory quarantine to ensure they are provided proper medical care and
health screening.
To be clear, this applies only to U.S. citizens who have been in Hubei
Province in the past 14 days prior to their attempted entry into the
United States.
Any U.S. citizen returning to the United States who has been in the rest
of Mainland China within the previous 14 days will undergo proactive
entry health screening at a select number of ports of entry and up to 14
days of monitored self-quarantine to ensure they’ve not contracted the
virus and do not pose a public health risk.”
CANADA
Status: Inconvenient but open
Source: Air Canada
According to Air Canada:
"Air Canada said that following the Government of Canada’s Advisory to
avoid non-essential travel to mainland China, it is temporarily
suspending all direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai effective January
30, 2020 until February 29, 2020.
Flights to and from Hong Kong and Taipei remain unaffected."
UNITED KINGDOM
Status: Flight ban but open border
Source: Time Magazine
According to Time Magazine:
"British Airways has cancelled all flights to and from Beijing and
Shanghai until Feb. 29 following local authorities’ advice against “all
but essential travel to mainland China.” Flights to and from Hong Kong
will remain unaffected, the airline said."
EUROPEAN UNION
Status: Open
Source: Voice of America
Italy has banned flights but not entry. No other EU members have reported travel bans to date.
AUSTRALIA
Status: Closed to non-citizens
Source: The Australian Home Affairs Office
Straight from the government’s mouth:
"The Australian Government has announced that as of 1 February 2020, all
travellers arriving from any part of mainland China, regardless of
nationality, will be subject to enhanced border control measures to
ensure the health, safety and well-being of the Australian community.
"Australia will deny entry to anyone who has left or transited mainland China from 1 February, with the exception of:
Australian citizens
permanent residents
immediate family members of Australian citizens and permanent residents including spouses, minor dependents and legal guardians
"Limited exemptions also exist for airline and maritime crew, where they have taken appropriate precautionary measures.
"These enhanced public safety measures will apply to those seeking to
enter Australia as well as those seeking to transit through Australia en
route to another country.
International Travellers
"If you have been in mainland China from 1 Feb 2020, and you are not an
Australian citizen, permanent resident, or an immediate family member
(spouse, minor dependent or legal guardian) of an Australian citizen or
permanent resident, do not travel to Australia at this time.
"If you attempt to travel to Australia, either directly or indirectly, your airline will not allow you to board the flight.
"If you do arrive in Australia and it is determined you have been in
mainland China from 1 Feb 2020, your visa will be cancelled and you will
be placed in an alternative place of detention for a quarantine period.
"Please do not attempt to travel to Australia unless you are an
Australian citizen, a permanent resident or an immediate family member
(spouse, minor dependent or legal guardian), until these measures are
lifted."
NEW ZEALAND
Status: Closed to non-citizens
Sources: New Zealand Immigration and The New York Times
According to The New York Times:
"New Zealand... became the latest country to impose restrictions on
travelers from mainland China, saying it would deny entry to visitors
departing from or transiting through the mainland for two weeks.
Citizens and residents will be allowed entry to New Zealand, but will be
required to quarantine themselves for 14 days, Prime Minister Jacinda
Ardern said."
According to New Zealand Immigration:
"Any foreign travellers who leave or transit mainland China after 2
February 2020 New Zealand time will be refused entry to New Zealand.
This measure does not apply to flights to and from Hong Kong at this
time. This decision to refuse entry does not apply to New Zealand
citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family,who will still
be able to come to New Zealand. Australian citizens and permanent
residents are also excluded if they ordinarily reside in New Zealand.The
decision to restrict travel will be in place for up to 14 days and will
be reviewed every 48 hours."
VIETNAM
Status: General flight ban and partial closure for Chinese citizens
Sources: The New York Times and The Standard
According to The New York Times:
"Vietnam recently barred almost all flights to and from mainland China,
Hong Kong and Macau until May 1, according to the United States Federal
Aviation Administration. But Vietnam then partly eased its ban, allowing
flights from Hong Kong and Macau to continue, aviation authorities
said."
According to The Standard:
"Vietnam has stopped issuing travel visas to Chinese, including residents of Hong Kong and Macau.
Its deputy prime minister said it has suspended the issuance of tourist
visas for people from infected areas, including electronic visas,
general visas and visas on arrival, except for emergency cases."
PHILIPPINES
Status: Closed to non-citizens
Source: Philippines Department Foreign Affairs
According to the country’s Department of Foreign Affairs:
"In view of the developing situation of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019
n-CoV) in China and its Special Administrative Regions, the Philippine
Foreign Service Posts are temporarily suspending the issuance of visas,
effective immediately, to the following:
• Foreign nationals directly coming from China and its Special Administrative Regions; and
• Foreign nationals, who, within fourteen (14) days immediately
preceding arrival in the Philippines, have been to China, and its
Special Administrative Regions.
Foreign nationals with visa-free entry privileges to the Philippines,
falling under above-mentioned categories, are likewise covered by the
temporary travel ban imposed by the Philippine Government."
SINGAPORE
Status: Closed to non-citizens
Source: Ministry of Health Singapore
According to the country’s Ministry of Health:
"From 1 February 2020, 2359h, all new visitors with recent travel
history to mainland China within the last 14 days will not be allowed
entry into Singapore, or to transit through Singapore.
"In the same context, with immediate effect, the Immigration and
Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will suspend the issuance of all forms of
new visas to those with PRC passports. We will also suspend Singapore’s
status as a visa-free transit facility for those with PRC passports.
"Previously issued short-term and multiple-visit visas for those with
PRC passports will also be suspended. During this period of suspension,
they will not be allowed entry into Singapore.
Returning residents and long-term pass holders with travel history in mainland China
"With immediate effect, the following returning groups will be issued an
advisory for them to be placed on a 14-day leave of absence from the
day of their return from China:
a) Residents (Singaporean Citizens/ PRs) with recent travel history to mainland China within the last 14 days; and
b) Long-term pass holders (including Work Passes and Permits, Student
Pass, Dependent Pass and Long-term Visit Pass) with recent travel
history to mainland China within the last 14 days."
MALAYSIA
Status: Open with health checks except to residents of Hubei
Sources: Malaysia Airlines and The Straits Times
According to Malaysia Airlines:
"On 28 January 2020, the Ministry of Health Malaysia requires anyone
originating, residing or travelling from China within the last 14 days,
to identify themselves to health authority officials prior to the
Immigration counters at KLIA. Passengers will be provided with a Health
Alert Card (HAC).
Those who are suffering from fever, difficulty in breathing and cough,
is also required to identify themselves for further health screening by
the health authority.
All passengers are also subjected to body temperature screening at thermal scanner counters located at KLIA.
From Mainland China, the screening is conducted by the Chinese health authority."
According to The Straits Times:
"Based on the latest information, the Malaysian government has decided
to temporarily suspend the eNTRY (no visa), visa on arrival, e-visa and
manual visas to Chinese citizens from Wuhan and Hubei," the Prime
Minister's Office said in a statement.
HONG KONG, CHINA
Status: Open except to Hubei residents
Sources: U.S. State Department and The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
According to the U.S. State Department:
"In an effort to contain the novel coronavirus, the Hong Kong government
has placed restrictions on entry to their special administration region
to individuals who have been to Hubei Province, China within the
previous 14 days and may quarantine those they believe might have been
exposed to the coronavirus.
On January 30, Hong Kong temporarily closed certain transportation links
and border checkpoints connecting Hong Kong with mainland China and
restricted ferry services from Macau."
According to The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region:
"(a) On railway services, the services of the Hong Kong section of the
Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Intercity Through
Train will be suspended;
(b) On aviation services, Mainland flights will be cut to about half;
(c) On ferry services, all cross-boundary ferry services to and from the
China Ferry Terminal and the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal will be suspended;
(d) On land-based cross-boundary transport, cross-boundary coach and
shuttle bus services (including the short-haul cross-boundary coach
service at Huanggang Port, Yellow Bus and Gold Bus) using the Lok Ma
Chau Control Point, the Shenzhen Bay Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao
Bridge Hong Kong Port will reduce the service frequency;
(e) The services of the West Kowloon Station, Hung Hom Station, China
Ferry Terminal and Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal control points will be
suspended. The passenger services in Sha Tau Kok and Man Kam To will
also be suspended, but the services for goods will not be affected.
The above measures will be effective from the early hours of January 30 until further notice."
SOUTH KOREA
Status: Open, for the moment, except to people who have visited Hubei
Sources: The New York Times and The Japan Times
According to The Japan Times:
"South Korea will bar entry by foreigners who have visited China’s Hubei
province, the epicenter of a new coronavirus outbreak, the country’s
prime minister said Sunday, according to the Yonhap news agency.
The entry ban will go into effect on Tuesday, Yonhap reported, citing Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun."
According to The New York Times:
"South Korea also said it would restrict tourism to and from China."
JAPAN
Status: Open, except to non-citizens who have visited Hubei and holders of Hubei-issued passports
Sources: Kyodo News and Japan Airlines
According to the Kyodo News:
"The government said Friday that Japan will bar foreign nationals who
visited China's Hubei Province from entering the country as an
additional precautionary step to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus
from Wuhan, the province's capital.
"The emergency measure, effective Saturday, covers foreigners who stayed
in the province within two weeks prior to their arrival in Japan even
if they do not show symptoms. The government will also prohibit holders
of Chinese passports issued in Hubei from entering the country in
principle.
"The steps, which Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said will be in place "for
the time being," come on top of Tokyo's decision not to allow foreign
nationals infected with the virus to enter the country."
According to Japan Airlines:
"By directives enforced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism of Japan, entry to Japan will not be permitted for
passengers below, effective February 1st (Saturday), 2020 until further
notice.
Any non-Japanese passport holders visited Hubei Province, People's
Republic of China in the past 14 days at the time of arrival in Japan.
Passport holders issued by Hubei Province, People's Republic of China."
LAOS
Status: Closed for tourists coming from China
Sources: The Laotian Times and Newsweek
According to Newsweek:
"Laos has stepped up screening and quarantine measures and has
temporarily sealed off its Golden Triangle border region to Chinese and
Myanmar citizens.
Lao Airlines has suspended all flights from the capital Vientiane to
three Chinese destinations—Changzhou, Shanghai, and Hangzhou—in response
to coronavirus fears, according to the Laotian Times newspaper. The
airline announced on social media that it would refund passengers who
bought tickets to travel to mainland China between January 24 and
February 24."
According to The Laotian Times:
The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a
notice to all checkpoints bordering China to temporarily suspend the
issuance of tourist visas to those entering the Lao PDR from China.
The notice reads, "due to the outbreak of the new Coronavirus
originating in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, which has spread rapidly
across China and other nations, causing widespread illness and death, in
order to protect our nation from the threat of this virus, the consular
department instructs all international checkpoints bordering China to
temporarily suspend the issuance of tourist visas for entry into the Lao
PDR for all visitors wishing to travel from China, commencing 2
February 2020 until further notice."
CAMBODIA
Status: Very open
Source: The New York Times
According to The New York Times:
"Prime Minister Hun Sen told a packed news conference on Thursday that
he would kick out anyone who was wearing a surgical mask because such
measures were creating an unwarranted climate of fear.
"The prime minister doesn’t wear a mask," he said, "so why do you?""
INDONESIA
Status: Closed to non-citizens who have been in China
Sources: The Jakarta Post and The New York Times
According to The New York Times:
"Indonesia is suspending its visa-free travel for Chinese citizens and
barring passengers who have visited mainland China in the past 14 days."
According to The Jakarta Post:
"Indonesia on Sunday barred entry to visitors who have been in China for
14 days over concern about coronavirus, as citizens evacuated from
Hubei province faced protests by some residents on their return home.
Indonesia will also temporarily stop flights to and from mainland China
starting Wednesday. It will immediately bar visitors who have been in
China for 14 days from entering or transiting, Foreign Minister Retno
Marsudi told a televised news conference."
Travel bans and cancelled flights have made headlines in the news
the last few days. But what are the actual restrictions on entry and
where can you go if you are thinking of leaving mainland China in the
coming days? We’ve rounded up the current restrictions, as of Monday, 3
February, for a number of countries and regions. If you plan to act on
this information, please remember that the situation is changing all of
the time and you should double-check our sources, your own sources and
airline websites to see what may have changed.
*
UNITED STATES
Status: Closed to non-citizens
Sources: The New York Times and the U.S. Embassy in China
According to The New York Times:
"The government… declared that the coronavirus posed “a public health emergency in the United States.”
The administration’s action will restrict all foreign nationals who have
been to China in the past 14 days from entering the United States. The
restriction does not include immediate family members of American
citizens and permanent residents."
According to the U.S. Embassy in China site’s “Excerpts of Press Briefing by Members of President’s Coronavirus Task Force”:
“Any U.S. citizen returning to the United States who has been in Hubei
Province in the previous 14 days will be subject to up to 14 days of
mandatory quarantine to ensure they are provided proper medical care and
health screening.
To be clear, this applies only to U.S. citizens who have been in Hubei
Province in the past 14 days prior to their attempted entry into the
United States.
Any U.S. citizen returning to the United States who has been in the rest
of Mainland China within the previous 14 days will undergo proactive
entry health screening at a select number of ports of entry and up to 14
days of monitored self-quarantine to ensure they’ve not contracted the
virus and do not pose a public health risk.”
CANADA
Status: Inconvenient but open
Source: Air Canada
According to Air Canada:
"Air Canada said that following the Government of Canada’s Advisory to
avoid non-essential travel to mainland China, it is temporarily
suspending all direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai effective January
30, 2020 until February 29, 2020.
Flights to and from Hong Kong and Taipei remain unaffected."
UNITED KINGDOM
Status: Flight ban but open border
Source: Time Magazine
According to Time Magazine:
"British Airways has cancelled all flights to and from Beijing and
Shanghai until Feb. 29 following local authorities’ advice against “all
but essential travel to mainland China.” Flights to and from Hong Kong
will remain unaffected, the airline said."
EUROPEAN UNION
Status: Open
Source: Voice of America
Italy has banned flights but not entry. No other EU members have reported travel bans to date.
AUSTRALIA
Status: Closed to non-citizens
Source: The Australian Home Affairs Office
Straight from the government’s mouth:
"The Australian Government has announced that as of 1 February 2020, all
travellers arriving from any part of mainland China, regardless of
nationality, will be subject to enhanced border control measures to
ensure the health, safety and well-being of the Australian community.
"Australia will deny entry to anyone who has left or transited mainland China from 1 February, with the exception of:
Australian citizens
permanent residents
immediate family members of Australian citizens and permanent residents including spouses, minor dependents and legal guardians
"Limited exemptions also exist for airline and maritime crew, where they have taken appropriate precautionary measures.
"These enhanced public safety measures will apply to those seeking to
enter Australia as well as those seeking to transit through Australia en
route to another country.
International Travellers
"If you have been in mainland China from 1 Feb 2020, and you are not an
Australian citizen, permanent resident, or an immediate family member
(spouse, minor dependent or legal guardian) of an Australian citizen or
permanent resident, do not travel to Australia at this time.
"If you attempt to travel to Australia, either directly or indirectly, your airline will not allow you to board the flight.
"If you do arrive in Australia and it is determined you have been in
mainland China from 1 Feb 2020, your visa will be cancelled and you will
be placed in an alternative place of detention for a quarantine period.
"Please do not attempt to travel to Australia unless you are an
Australian citizen, a permanent resident or an immediate family member
(spouse, minor dependent or legal guardian), until these measures are
lifted."
NEW ZEALAND
Status: Closed to non-citizens
Sources: New Zealand Immigration and The New York Times
According to The New York Times:
"New Zealand... became the latest country to impose restrictions on
travelers from mainland China, saying it would deny entry to visitors
departing from or transiting through the mainland for two weeks.
Citizens and residents will be allowed entry to New Zealand, but will be
required to quarantine themselves for 14 days, Prime Minister Jacinda
Ardern said."
According to New Zealand Immigration:
"Any foreign travellers who leave or transit mainland China after 2
February 2020 New Zealand time will be refused entry to New Zealand.
This measure does not apply to flights to and from Hong Kong at this
time. This decision to refuse entry does not apply to New Zealand
citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family,who will still
be able to come to New Zealand. Australian citizens and permanent
residents are also excluded if they ordinarily reside in New Zealand.The
decision to restrict travel will be in place for up to 14 days and will
be reviewed every 48 hours."
VIETNAM
Status: General flight ban and partial closure for Chinese citizens
Sources: The New York Times and The Standard
According to The New York Times:
"Vietnam recently barred almost all flights to and from mainland China,
Hong Kong and Macau until May 1, according to the United States Federal
Aviation Administration. But Vietnam then partly eased its ban, allowing
flights from Hong Kong and Macau to continue, aviation authorities
said."
According to The Standard:
"Vietnam has stopped issuing travel visas to Chinese, including residents of Hong Kong and Macau.
Its deputy prime minister said it has suspended the issuance of tourist
visas for people from infected areas, including electronic visas,
general visas and visas on arrival, except for emergency cases."
PHILIPPINES
Status: Closed to non-citizens
Source: Philippines Department Foreign Affairs
According to the country’s Department of Foreign Affairs:
"In view of the developing situation of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019
n-CoV) in China and its Special Administrative Regions, the Philippine
Foreign Service Posts are temporarily suspending the issuance of visas,
effective immediately, to the following:
• Foreign nationals directly coming from China and its Special Administrative Regions; and
• Foreign nationals, who, within fourteen (14) days immediately
preceding arrival in the Philippines, have been to China, and its
Special Administrative Regions.
Foreign nationals with visa-free entry privileges to the Philippines,
falling under above-mentioned categories, are likewise covered by the
temporary travel ban imposed by the Philippine Government."
SINGAPORE
Status: Closed to non-citizens
Source: Ministry of Health Singapore
According to the country’s Ministry of Health:
"From 1 February 2020, 2359h, all new visitors with recent travel
history to mainland China within the last 14 days will not be allowed
entry into Singapore, or to transit through Singapore.
"In the same context, with immediate effect, the Immigration and
Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will suspend the issuance of all forms of
new visas to those with PRC passports. We will also suspend Singapore’s
status as a visa-free transit facility for those with PRC passports.
"Previously issued short-term and multiple-visit visas for those with
PRC passports will also be suspended. During this period of suspension,
they will not be allowed entry into Singapore.
Returning residents and long-term pass holders with travel history in mainland China
"With immediate effect, the following returning groups will be issued an
advisory for them to be placed on a 14-day leave of absence from the
day of their return from China:
a) Residents (Singaporean Citizens/ PRs) with recent travel history to mainland China within the last 14 days; and
b) Long-term pass holders (including Work Passes and Permits, Student
Pass, Dependent Pass and Long-term Visit Pass) with recent travel
history to mainland China within the last 14 days."
MALAYSIA
Status: Open with health checks except to residents of Hubei
Sources: Malaysia Airlines and The Straits Times
According to Malaysia Airlines:
"On 28 January 2020, the Ministry of Health Malaysia requires anyone
originating, residing or travelling from China within the last 14 days,
to identify themselves to health authority officials prior to the
Immigration counters at KLIA. Passengers will be provided with a Health
Alert Card (HAC).
Those who are suffering from fever, difficulty in breathing and cough,
is also required to identify themselves for further health screening by
the health authority.
All passengers are also subjected to body temperature screening at thermal scanner counters located at KLIA.
From Mainland China, the screening is conducted by the Chinese health authority."
According to The Straits Times:
"Based on the latest information, the Malaysian government has decided
to temporarily suspend the eNTRY (no visa), visa on arrival, e-visa and
manual visas to Chinese citizens from Wuhan and Hubei," the Prime
Minister's Office said in a statement.
HONG KONG, CHINA
Status: Open except to Hubei residents
Sources: U.S. State Department and The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
According to the U.S. State Department:
"In an effort to contain the novel coronavirus, the Hong Kong government
has placed restrictions on entry to their special administration region
to individuals who have been to Hubei Province, China within the
previous 14 days and may quarantine those they believe might have been
exposed to the coronavirus.
On January 30, Hong Kong temporarily closed certain transportation links
and border checkpoints connecting Hong Kong with mainland China and
restricted ferry services from Macau."
According to The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region:
"(a) On railway services, the services of the Hong Kong section of the
Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Intercity Through
Train will be suspended;
(b) On aviation services, Mainland flights will be cut to about half;
(c) On ferry services, all cross-boundary ferry services to and from the
China Ferry Terminal and the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal will be suspended;
(d) On land-based cross-boundary transport, cross-boundary coach and
shuttle bus services (including the short-haul cross-boundary coach
service at Huanggang Port, Yellow Bus and Gold Bus) using the Lok Ma
Chau Control Point, the Shenzhen Bay Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao
Bridge Hong Kong Port will reduce the service frequency;
(e) The services of the West Kowloon Station, Hung Hom Station, China
Ferry Terminal and Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal control points will be
suspended. The passenger services in Sha Tau Kok and Man Kam To will
also be suspended, but the services for goods will not be affected.
The above measures will be effective from the early hours of January 30 until further notice."
SOUTH KOREA
Status: Open, for the moment, except to people who have visited Hubei
Sources: The New York Times and The Japan Times
According to The Japan Times:
"South Korea will bar entry by foreigners who have visited China’s Hubei
province, the epicenter of a new coronavirus outbreak, the country’s
prime minister said Sunday, according to the Yonhap news agency.
The entry ban will go into effect on Tuesday, Yonhap reported, citing Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun."
According to The New York Times:
"South Korea also said it would restrict tourism to and from China."
JAPAN
Status: Open, except to non-citizens who have visited Hubei and holders of Hubei-issued passports
Sources: Kyodo News and Japan Airlines
According to the Kyodo News:
"The government said Friday that Japan will bar foreign nationals who
visited China's Hubei Province from entering the country as an
additional precautionary step to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus
from Wuhan, the province's capital.
"The emergency measure, effective Saturday, covers foreigners who stayed
in the province within two weeks prior to their arrival in Japan even
if they do not show symptoms. The government will also prohibit holders
of Chinese passports issued in Hubei from entering the country in
principle.
"The steps, which Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said will be in place "for
the time being," come on top of Tokyo's decision not to allow foreign
nationals infected with the virus to enter the country."
According to Japan Airlines:
"By directives enforced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism of Japan, entry to Japan will not be permitted for
passengers below, effective February 1st (Saturday), 2020 until further
notice.
Any non-Japanese passport holders visited Hubei Province, People's
Republic of China in the past 14 days at the time of arrival in Japan.
Passport holders issued by Hubei Province, People's Republic of China."
LAOS
Status: Closed for tourists coming from China
Sources: The Laotian Times and Newsweek
According to Newsweek:
"Laos has stepped up screening and quarantine measures and has
temporarily sealed off its Golden Triangle border region to Chinese and
Myanmar citizens.
Lao Airlines has suspended all flights from the capital Vientiane to
three Chinese destinations—Changzhou, Shanghai, and Hangzhou—in response
to coronavirus fears, according to the Laotian Times newspaper. The
airline announced on social media that it would refund passengers who
bought tickets to travel to mainland China between January 24 and
February 24."
According to The Laotian Times:
The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a
notice to all checkpoints bordering China to temporarily suspend the
issuance of tourist visas to those entering the Lao PDR from China.
The notice reads, "due to the outbreak of the new Coronavirus
originating in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, which has spread rapidly
across China and other nations, causing widespread illness and death, in
order to protect our nation from the threat of this virus, the consular
department instructs all international checkpoints bordering China to
temporarily suspend the issuance of tourist visas for entry into the Lao
PDR for all visitors wishing to travel from China, commencing 2
February 2020 until further notice."
CAMBODIA
Status: Very open
Source: The New York Times
According to The New York Times:
"Prime Minister Hun Sen told a packed news conference on Thursday that
he would kick out anyone who was wearing a surgical mask because such
measures were creating an unwarranted climate of fear.
"The prime minister doesn’t wear a mask," he said, "so why do you?""
INDONESIA
Status: Closed to non-citizens who have been in China
Sources: The Jakarta Post and The New York Times
According to The New York Times:
"Indonesia is suspending its visa-free travel for Chinese citizens and
barring passengers who have visited mainland China in the past 14 days."
According to The Jakarta Post:
"Indonesia on Sunday barred entry to visitors who have been in China for
14 days over concern about coronavirus, as citizens evacuated from
Hubei province faced protests by some residents on their return home.
Indonesia will also temporarily stop flights to and from mainland China
starting Wednesday. It will immediately bar visitors who have been in
China for 14 days from entering or transiting, Foreign Minister Retno
Marsudi told a televised news conference."