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The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has reported that from today, 15 July, the UK has been included in a list of countries from which flights are permitted to land in Malta, and arrivals from the have been added to a list of those exempt from self-isolation, as long as they can provide evidence of residing in the UK or another exempt country for 14 days prior to travel.

Following the partial lifting of international flight restrictions by the United Arab Emirates and India, Etihad Airways will resume a limited number of special flights to six Indian gateways. The airline will operate services from Abu Dhabi to Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Mumbai.

Delta Air Lines have said that they are likely to continue to block middle seats past the current deadline of 30 September in order to increase social distancing and reduce the risk of COVID-19; in total the airline is currently blocking 40% of economy seats. Other U.S. airlines currently blocking seats are Southwest Airlines, jetBlue, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Airlines such as American Airlines and United Airlines, however, are not.

Air Mauritius has announced that from 1 August they will increase the frequency of flights to the island of Rodrigues, an Indian Ocean island territory to the east of Mauritius, to twice-daily. The decision follows the successful resumption of commercial flights on the Rodrigues route on 1 July.

From 15 July, Norway is allowing entry for passengers who are resident in most Schengen and European Union/European Economic Area countries, which currently also includes the UK. Arrivals will either be exempt from, or must adhere to, a 10-day mandatory self-quarantine depending on the risk status of the country from which they travel. For countries outside the Nordics, Schengen or EU/EEA, restrictions continue to apply.

The border between Singapore and Malaysia, hailed as one of the busiest in the world, is set to re-open from 10 August under a 'green-lane' agreement for business travel; it will be the first time that regular cross-border business traffic has resumed since its closure in March.

Scandinavian Airlines, the flag carrying airline of Denmark, Sweden and Norway commonly known as SAS, has released its latest round of updates on cancellation, re-booking and changes to services during COVID-19.

To address safe group travel practices and evolve today’s event experience, Hilton today announced a global, industry-leading cleanliness and customer service program specific to meetings and events. Hilton EventReady with CleanStay is the next phase of the company’s recently launched Hilton CleanStay and was shaped by extensive research and feedback.

The Premier of the state of South Australia has announced their intention for international arrivals to be liable to pay the cost of their mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine from 18 July. The policy follows similar announcements by other states including New South Wales (NSW), and costs for the South Australia's Adelaide-based hotel quarantine are expected to start from AU$3,000 for a single adult.

The state of California announced on 13 July that it will be extending the closure of bars and indoor dining, as well as closing gyms, cinemas, zoos, museums, churches and hair salons in most places. This follows surges in COVID-19 cases in around 30 counties within the state.

Virgin Atlantic has today announced that they have agreed to a private £1.2bn recapitalisation deal which will allow the airline to secure its future post-COVID-19. By 2022 the airline plans to fly the same number of flights as they did in 2019, albeit from smaller operating bases at the UK's London Heathrow and Manchester Airports; this follows the suspension of operations at London Gatwick Airport for the forseeable future.

Fiji's national airline has announced the extension of international flight cancellations through to the end of August, citing the cause as the prolonged border closures and travel restrictions in the destinations to which they operate. Fiji Airways have though said that the extended pause will give them more time to prepare a new network plan; this could include potential routes within a 'Bula Bubble' travel corridor with their main international markets - Australia and New Zealand.

The UK's health secretary has announced that England will make face coverings mandatory in shops and supermarkets from 24 July, with anyone failing to comply with the order liable to face fines. The move will bring England into line with Scotland and other major European nations like Spain, Italy and Germany - mask-wearing has also been mandatory on public transport in England, and at NHS facilities across the UK, since 15 June.

The government of France announced on 13 July that, with immediate effect, it has started to restrict Chinese airlines to one passenger flight per week, in a move seen to be a retaliatory response to curbs imposed by Beijing on French airlines; discussions between the two governments reportedly remain in motion, with an aim to reach a more satisfactory mutual decision. Currently three Chinese airlines are permitted to make weekly flights to Paris - Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines.

Qantas has announced new rewards for its frequent flyers, including a one-off boost of 50% of the Status Credits needed annually to keep their tier.

Vietnam's ministry of transport announced on 13 July that the country has agreed to resume commercial flights to and from China, after they were suspended in February due to the COVID-19 pandemic; a visa suspension for Chinese nationals, though, will remain in place. A proposed schedule is yet to be confirmed, and it is currently unclear as to whether eligible arrivals from China would be subject to Vietnam's 14-day quarantine.

U.S. low-cost airline jetBlue has announced that they are committed to continue blocking middle seats on their Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft through to 8 September, in order to aid efforts in social distancing and help to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Seat blocking has become a contentious issue in the U.S, and while some other airlines are making similar efforts, many such as American Airlines and United Airlines have reverted to selling their standard seat allocations.

A Canadian source has reportedly told Reuters that Canada and the United States are set to extend a ban on non-essential travel past the current deadline of 21 July, although a final decision has not yet been taken. The ban, which does not include trade, was introduced in March and has been extended several times.

There was good news for South Africa's national airline on 14 July, as 86% of creditors have voted in favour of the South African Airways' business rescue plan, meaning that the airline will for now avoid liquidation.

The tour operator has launched a collection of 37 small group tours that include all of the new health and safety measures they're taking as part of their Travel with Confidence policy, Including are added steps that they say go that extra, socially distanced mile - including smaller group numbers, private transportation, reduced prices for solo room occupancy and less shared facilities within tour accommodation.