PCR test for travelers to Iran 2022

With COVID-19 going on longer than expected, the tourism industry has suffered much damage in Iran as well as every other country throughout the tiring and difficult period. In many countries, tourism restraints have been lifted by now and the borders are open once again, welcoming tourists and thankfully Iran is one of them. After 20 months of lockdown and suspension, tourists from other nationalities have finally been able to apply for tourist visas since October 2021 and tourists have been able to travel to Iran in great numbers ever since. Air borders and land borders alike, are currently open and accessible for Iranians and other nationalities.

But of course, with re-opening of the borders came new rules and regulations to ensure the safety of travelers against the lethal (and fortunately disappearing) virus. It’s important to fully follow and respect the regulations to avoid endangering ourselves and the others in order to have an enjoyable time during our vacation and refrain from committing acts to cause distress for ourselves and others dear to us.

The regulations set by Islamic Republic of Iran regarding COVID-19 safety are discussed in this article.

• Passengers over 12 years of age who are traveling to Iran are required to be fully vaccinated with the second dose of the two shots or the single shot of Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine taken at least 14 days prior to their arrival at the airport. A third booster shot is also highly advisable. The passengers must also provide a negative PCR test or quarantine in Iran for 14 days as an alternative. The PCR test results are valid for four days (96 hours) and must be approved by an Iranian consulate.

For the test to be acceptable, the PCR test should come with a travel certificate. If your result is negative, you will receive an international travel certificate valid for the next 72 hours. The travel certificate is in the English language and internationally approved and will be sent to you by e-mail which you can print out before starting your journey.

For those travelling to Isfahan the certificate must include a QR code for passengers over 12 years of age who don’t have Iranian nationality.

All passengers must fill out and complete a COVID-19 self-declaration form before their arrival which is usually provided by airline operators either before or during the flights and the forms should later be handed over to agents of the airline.

• There is a chance for newly-arrived passengers to go under health screening and in case any symptoms are detected they might have to be quarantined in governmental facilities.

Foreign tourists might even be prevented from entering the country if symptoms of COVID-19 (namely higher than normal fever and excessive coughs) are present despite having a negative PCR test and vaccine cards and be returned to their own country.

• After entering the country, if PCR test results are positive, the tourists are obliged to be quarantined at accommodation centers at their own expense and will only be free to traffic in the city and public spaces after having received a negative PCR test in 14 days.

In coordination with the ministry of tourism, conditions can be provided in which tourists who catch COVID-19 during the time of their stay in Iran can return to their countries in case they are unable or unwilling to go through the 14-day quarantine period.

• Every passenger of two years of age and older arriving to Iran is obliged to wear a mask on the airplane and at the airport and other indoor public spaces the whole time and it is strongly advised for them to get travel insurance with COVID coverage before they are issued with their visas in order to cover all overseas medical costs, if need. The whole cost of PCR COVID testing and other measures of quarantine are paid by the tourist through the insurance coverage.

• Key information for those who travel to Iran:

Get updated with your vaccines before travelling and if you’re not, and may have issues accessing healthcare, you can postpone your trip to Iran until the problem is solved.

You can see the list of vaccines approved for travelers to Iran in the following:

• AstraZeneca (SK Bioscience)
• AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria)
• Moderna (Spikevax)
• Sinopharm
• Sinovac
• Janssen
• Covidshield
• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty)
• Sputnik V

The idea of having to deal with sickness and diseases whether the person affected is you or someone close to you is admittedly not ideal. particularly during a vacation which is initially supposed to lift your mood and distract you from your mundane life. This is why both the passengers and those working within tourism and hospitality industry try their best for everyone to stay healthy and take on the responsibility to stop the COVID-19 virus from spreading any further as well as they can.

Thankfully the healthcare system in Iran is highly educated, adaptable and fully equipped and has been presenting marvelous effort and admirable results during the peak of COVID-19 and in case you are affected during your time in Iran, you can be sure that you are in good, professional hands.

Make sure to stay safe during your trip to Iran so you can fully enjoy the numerous astonishing historic monuments and the eye-catching landscapes without stressful events to spoil the fun for you.