Malawi removes COVID Travel Restrictions

In a huge boost for its tourist industry, Malawi has announced that vaccinated travellers will no longer require a PCR test, AND that un-vaccinated travellers can now enter the country – provided they have a negative PCR test. These changes will be effective from 1 June 2022.

The previous requirement for both vaccination and PCR test has been scrapped.

A statement from the Presidential Taskforce on Corona Virus confirms the following new travel requirements:

• All incoming travellers including Malawians that are fully vaccinated and have a digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate will no longer be required to produce a COVID-19 PCR certificate prior to entering the country.
• All incoming travellers including Malawians that are not fully vaccinated or don’t have a valid electronically verifiable COVID-19 full vaccination certificate will be required to produce a negative PCR based COVID-19 certificate that is not older than 72 hours at the time of arrival in the country
• COVID-19 PCR certificate and or full COVID-19 vaccination certificate requirement for outgoing travellers will depend on the destination countries requirements

Visitors can return to Malawi with ease and the country’s tourism can fully recover now that these final obstacles have been removed.

Malawi has obtained the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp, giving tourists the confidence to visit and showing that the country is well prepared and positioned to welcome them back with open arms. Not only that, the wide range of nature-based, uncrowded, open-air, sustainable and off-the-beaten track attractions are just what so many travellers are seeking post-lockdown. Having been deprived of visitors for 2 years, the warmth of the welcome that Malawi is famed for will be even stronger than ever!

Malawi’s tourist industry plays vital roles in the country, providing employment, generating FOREX, supporting countless communities around the country and driving essential conservation projects. This move will help it fill those roles successfully once again.

Exciting developments across the country’s national parks and wildlife reserves have seen its safari experiences excel in recent years. When added to its stunning scenery, beautiful lakeshore beaches and friendly cultural interactions, it’s clear why Malawi is emerging as one of Africa’s most complete destinations. Already lauded by Lonely Planet as a Top Country for 2022 in its Best in Travel awards (for the second time in recent years), Malawi can now realise its great potential for tourism and visitors can plan their trips without further delay!!

For further information on entry to Malawi, and future updates, visit the Getting There page.

The full statement on the new regulations can be viewed here.