AUSTRALIA: Tasmania to introduce safe travel bubble from 7 August 2020

          Australia's island state of Tasmania has announced that a 'safe travel bubble' will come into effect on 7 August. The bubble will invite travellers from South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, but will exclude travellers from Victoria, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland.
          Australia
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          STAMFORD HOTELS: Introduction of Stamford Safe Cleaning & Safety Protocols

          Stamford Hotels in Australia have introduced COVID-19 health and well-being hygiene protocols and safety standards. The initiatives are set out in the link here and have been adopted to support the top priority of protecting the safety and well-being of Stamford guests and colleagues.
          Australia
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          Stamford Hotels
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          UNITED KINGDOM: Spain removed from UK self-isolation exemption list with immediate effect

          The UK government has announced that any visitors or returning passengers from Spain who arrive on UK soil from 23.59 (GMT) tonight, 25 July, will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. The update follows a significant increase in the volume and pace of COVID-19 cases in mainland Spain over the past week.
          Spain
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          ROCKY MOUNTAINEER: Luxury train operator cancels remainder of 2020 season

          The Canadian luxury rail-tour company has announced that it has canceled the rest of its 2020 season due to continued pandemic-related travel and health restrictions. Booked guests will be eligible to receive travel credit which will be valid through to the end of 2022.
          Canada
          Rail
          Rocky Mountaineer
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          INDIA: SpiceJet gets permission to operate flights to the U.S.

          Indian airline SpiceJet on announced on 24 July that it has been designated as the “Indian scheduled carrier,” permitting it to operate flights to the United States. The airline will be the first Indian budget carrier to operate services to the US; national carrier Air India is currently the only other Indian airline doing so, since all international commercial passenger flights were suspended on 22 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
          India
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          UNITED KINGDOM: UK advises against travel to Australian state of Victoria

          The UK's Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but essential travel to the Australian state of Victoria. This follows extensive measures being taken in the state by the Australian government in response to spikes in COVID-19 levels; stay at home restrictions are still in place in metropolitan Melbourne and surrounding areas, and Melbourne Airport is currently closed to incoming passenger flights until further notice.
          Australia
          United Kingdom
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          EMIRATES: Airline to cover passengers' COVID-19 medical expenses

          The Dubai-based airline has announced that it will cover medical expenses of up to EUR 150,000 and quarantine costs of EUR 100 per day for 14 days, should passengers diagnosed with COVID-19 during their travel, while they are away from home. This cover is to be provided free of cost to all passengers and is is immediately effective for customers flying with Emirates until 31 October 2020; it is valid for 31 days from the moment they fly the first sector of their journey.
          Australia
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          Middle East
          New Zealand
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          QATAR AIRWAYS: Airline resumes flights to two Turkish destinations from 23 July 2020

          From today, the middle-eastern airline has resumed twice-weekly flights to the Turkish destinations of Antalya and Bodrum. They have also announced that by the end of this month they will have resumed operations via 450 weekly flights to more than 70 destinations.
          Middle East
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          Qatar Airways
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          BELGIUM: Country to tighten COVID-19 measures from 25 July 2020

          The government of Belgium has announced that from 25 July it will tighten COVID-19 containment measures after a rise in infections, requiring the use of face masks in crowded outdoor public spaces and tracing measures at restaurants and bars. An easing of restrictions will now not be announced until at least 1 September, potentially allowing a resumption of trade fairs.
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          UNITED KINGDOM: U.S. embassy in London to resume issuance of some visas from 27 July 2020

          As of 27 July the US Embassy in London are resuming certain visa services, including: immigrant visas for spouses and children of US citizens and F-1 and M-1 student visa categories. Students travelling from the UK (and the Schengen Area and Ireland) with valid F-1 and M-1 visas, will not need to seek a national interest exception to travel.
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          ETIHAD: Airline issues reminder on COVID-19 testing requirements for travel to Abu Dhabi

          The airline have posted an advisory and reminder regarding COVID-19 PCR testing; if Etihad's hub of Abu Dhabi is a passenger’s final destination, they must have a negative test result issued by an ICA-approved medical facility within 72 hours prior to departure, available to present at check-in for their flight at the destination of origin.
          Middle East
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          Etihad Airways
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          G ADVENTURES: Suspension of most tours extended until 30 September 2020

          The global tour operator has announced that most tours are now suspended until at least 30 September, as is a Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica G Expedition trip due to depart on 21 October. Tours exempt from the extended suspension are 21 select tours in Europe, which will operate under G Adventures' new Travel with Confidence Policy. An updated FAQ has also been released to provide extra information to any affected passengers.
          Tours
          G Adventures
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          TRAFALGAR: Tour operator to offer private group trips to ease COVID-19 concerns

          Guided tour operator Trafalgar have announced that they will now offer private trips for groups of 12 or more, to help ease customer concerns over travelling with others outside of their friend and family circles during the COVID-19 pandemic. The option is available for most of the company’s winter and spring itineraries throughout Europe and North America.
          Australia
          Canada
          New Zealand
          South Africa
          United Kingdom
          United States of America
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          AMERICAN AIRLINES: Airline increases restrictions on face coverings from 29 July 2020

          From 29 July American Airlines will require all passengers over the age of two to wear face coverings at airports and on board, at all times with the exception of when eating or drinking. The airline has said that anyone unwilling to comply may be barred from future travel for the duration of these measures being in place.
          Australia
          Canada
          New Zealand
          South Africa
          United States of America
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          HYATT HOTELS: Guests in U.S. and Canada hotels required to wear face coverings from 27 July 2020

          Hyatt has announced that it will require all guests to wear a face covering in its hotels in the U.S and Canada from 27 July; the move follows an announcement by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) last week of its "Safe Stay Guest Checklist". The face coverings will be required in all indoor public areas for the foreseeable future.
          Canada
          United States of America
          Hotel
          Hyatt Hotels
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          IRELAND: Country releases travel 'green list' of quarantine-exempt countries

          After some uncertainty over the date of its release, the government of Ireland have now announced their travel 'green list' of quarantine-exempt countries; arrivals into the country from Malta, Finland, Norway, Italy, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, Slovakia, Greece, Greenland, Gibraltar, Monaco, and San Marino will not have to restrict their movements or be subject to a 14-day quarantine. Notably, the United Kingdom has for now been excluded. The list will be reviewed on a fortnightly basis.
          Cyprus
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          Malta
          Monaco
          Norway
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          CARIBBEAN AIRLINES: Airline resumes commercial flights between Jamaica and North America

          Caribbean Airlines, a state-owned carrier of Trinidad and Tobago, has resumed flights between its Kingston, Jamaica hub and cities within the U.S. and Canada. Daily flights will operate to New York, Miami and Toronto; all passengers must wear face masks and adhere to any applicable travel restrictions in both their country of origin and their destination.
          Canada
          Jamaica
          United States of America
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          Caribbean Airlines
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          THAILAND: Country to extend emergency decree until the end of August 2020

          The country's government has announced today, 22 July, that Thailand will extend a state of emergency until the end of August, maintaining the security measures put in place to contain its COVID-19 outbreak. The country will however begin allowing the entry of business executives for trade shows, migrant labourers, film makers and medical tourists. All foreign arrivals will be subject to a 14-day quarantine.
          Thailand
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          ZIMBABWE: Country declares nationwide curfew from 22 July 2020

          The government of Zimbabwe has announced a dusk-to-dawn COVID-19 curfew in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus. From today, 22 June, security forces will enforce a curfew between 06:00 and 18:00 local time; all non-working people will be required to stay at home, except to buy groceries and seek medical attention. Business hours will be limited to 08:00 to 15:00, apart from those performing essential services.
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