These countries and territories are still keeping tourists at bay during the Covid-19 pandemic – CNN

Editor's Note Because of the unpredictable nature of the pandemic and governments' varied responses to it, the information in this story is subject to frequent change. It was current at the time of publication on November 13.

Then there are the nations that have shut the gates to would-be tourists.

This list covers many of the nations or territories not open to tourists at all or whose conditions are so restrictive they make any traditional vacations there almost impossible to pull off. Some of these have never been big draws. But many others, especially in Asia, were some of the most popular places to visit in the world before the pandemic.

Until they reopen, we'll have to be satisfied with photos and videos to fuel our dreams of future visits. They're listed alphabetically by continent or major region and then country or territory. Click on the links for details:

Africa

There are 54 recognized sovereign nations on this vast continent, along with territories and de facto independent states. Some popular countries -- such as Egypt, Ethiopia, South Africa and Tanzania -- are accepting visitors or will soon do so.

CNN Travel will expand the Africa section as more information becomes available. Meanwhile, these are some of the countries still not open to tourists yet:

Asia

Asia has some of the world's most visited destinations, but it's also the continent with the strictest limits on tourism during the pandemic:

Bhutan is noted for its incredible scenery -- a hiker's paradise.

Blue Poppy

The hotel rooms and suites of the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Rajasthan, India, feel plucked from a bygone era, featuring Old World furnishings, plush upholstery and dramatic taxidermied animals.

The tea fields of Sri Lanka are a rich, gorgeous green.

Courtesy Sri Lanka Tourism

Sake is more than just a drink. See what happens when one of Vietnam's top chefs get creative and uses this rice wine in his dishes.

Australia and South Pacific

Here's the no-visitors status of one the world's most remote and beautiful regions, where Covid-19 containment is taken very seriously.

Cape Reinga is the northernmost point of the North Island of New Zealand. Thelighthouse is a beloved tourist attraction.

Shutterstock

The famed land divers of Vanuatu inspired bungee jumping.

Ian Lloyd Neubauer/CNN

Europe

Middle East

The Middle East has long captured travelers' imaginations. But here's a quick list of popular places you'll have to wait on:

The southwestern coastline of the Dead Sea in Israel. This body of water has fascinated people for millennia.

Bill Weir/CNN

North America

North American nations and territories have had a widely varying response regarding tourists, but most are at least partially open now. Here are the places you'll have to wait to see:

South America

South American favorites such as Peru and Brazil are open, but some nations are still off-limits:

When it reopens, the charms of Uruguay's capital of Montevideo await.

Shutterstock

More resources

Here are some links where you can find out additional details:

Some countries might not appear on this round-up because CNN Travel could not confirm with official government or tourism sources the status of their restrictions or because they had a very limited tourism traffic before the pandemic. This list will be updated periodically as more information becomes available or situations change.

Link:

These countries and territories are still keeping tourists at bay during the Covid-19 pandemic - CNN