Search alerts

The country’s government yesterday, 18 October, announced tighter COVID-19 restrictions including a nation-wide obligation to wear masks and a ban on large scale public gatherings; gatherings of more than 15 people in public places will be banned from today, 19 October, and masks must be worn in all indoor public places.

The government of Belgium has opted to re-introduce a COVID-19 curfew effective from today, 19 October; the curfew will be in effect from 00.01 to 05.00 (local time). Belgium already has a mandatory mask requirement on public transport and in all indoor public places. All cafés and restaurants are currently closed.

The country’s government is set to impose increased COVID-19 restrictions following an increase in cases; among the restrictions, gatherings will be limited to a maximum of six people indoors and 12 people outdoors. Professionally organised events will also have higher limits combined with requirements such as assigned seating.

The country's government has announced that from today, 19 October, it is making the wearing of face masks mandatory in public and ordering clubs, bars and places of entertainment to close at 23.00 (local time). In addition, rapid testing for COVID-19 will also be rolled out for airport arrivals, and at schools and clinics where cases of the virus are suspected.

The government of Canada has confirmed that the US-Canada land border closure has once again been extended for a seventh time, for at least another 30 days until 21 November. The extension means the land border will remain closed for all non-essential traffic, including US tourists wanting to enter Canada. Separately, Canada also previously announced 8 October that it would shortly re-open to selected international travellers arriving by air.

The government of the Australian state of Victoria has from yesterday evening, 18 October, eased COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in the city of Melbourne as cases of the virus continue to decline. Among the changes, Melbourne residents will no longer face limits on the time they can spend away from their homes for education or recreation. Previous restrictions allowing residents to travel only 5 kilometers (3 miles) from home have also increased to 25 kilometers (15 miles). Regulations are due to be lifted even further by 2 November with the partial re-opening of shops, bars and restaurants.

It’s been reported that UK regional airline Flybe, which collapsed early in the COVID-19 pandemic as one of its first major travel industry casualties, could begin flying again from 2021 following its sale to firm Thyme Opco Ltd.

The country’s government yesterday, 15 October, announced new restrictions aiming to curb a rise in COVID-19 infections within Poland; this includes limits on opening hours for bars and restaurants, sports events and schools in some areas. Sports events will be held without audiences and gyms and swimming pools will close. The capital Warsaw will also be downgraded to a ‘red’ zone.

South Africans and citizens of nine other African countries will be able to visit Seychelles as tourists from today, 19 October, according to the latest official Seychelles Travel tourism travel advisory published on 16 October. The list of category one countries has been updated to include Botswana, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Category one permitted countries are considered low and medium risk.

The airline has announced that it will launch two new routes from Manchester to New Delhi and Mumbai in an attempt to target the visiting friends and relatives (VFR) market. Virgin will start flying three times per week from Manchester to Mumbai on 19 December with a twice-weekly route to Delhi due to follow on 5 January; the routes will likely fly Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft featuring economy, premium economy and upper class cabins.

The airline, along with partner carrier SilkAir, has published its latest schedule update for flights in October, November and December 2020. Among the updates are reinstated flights to destinations including Brunei, Fukuoka, Kathmandu and Male. The airlines have said that following these resumptions, by the end of December flight capacity will have reached 15% of pre-COVID-19 levels.

The Safe Travel Zone between New Zealand and the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) is underway, with the arrival of Air New Zealand and Jetstar flights from Auckland to Sydney today, 16 October. Passengers travelling from New Zealand will be able to travel to the Australian states of NSW, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and the Northern Territory (NT) without the requirement for quarantine on arrival in Australia. Passengers will be required to complete a health declaration stating they have been in New Zealand only during the preceding 14 days, and health screenings will also take place on arrival in Sydney.

The U.S. airline has announced and already commenced, as part of its Autumn schedule, a new nonstop service to Florida's Key West from its operating hubs in Charlotte, North Carolina and Dallas Forth-Worth. The new flights, which started on 8 October, feature 76-seat regional jets from Charlotte and 128-seat Airbus 319s from Dallas.

The country's government has announced that it will open its borders to residents of the U.S. stated of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut from November, with more states to follow soon. Initially, all incoming visitors must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result obtained a maximum of 72 hours of traveling, and upload their results to the new Digital Immigration Card within 48 hours prior to travel. In addition, residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut must present a valid state-issued ID as proof of residence.

The two regions have announced today, 15 October, that they will establish a travel bubble to re-connect international travel between them; passengers will though require negative COVID-19 test results and will be required to travel on dedicated flights. The launch date is due to be announced in the coming weeks.

The country's prime minister has announced a partial COVID-19 lockdown following a surge in cases of the virus. The new measures come into effect on 14 October and will see all bars, restaurants and cafes closed, and the sale of alcohol banned after 20.00 (local time). In addition, the wearing of face masks will be mandatory in all indoor spaces.

The government of Namibia has re-opened four additional land and sea border posts with immediate effect; Katima Mulilo, Ariamsvlei and Noordoewer border posts, and Walvis Bay harbour are open for travellers, subject to applicable health regulations. Until now during the COVID-19 pandemic, Namibia has only allowed tourists into the country through Hosea Kutako International Airport.

The European Union has introduced a traffic light system highlighting the COVID-19 risk across its 27 member nations; there are now four indications of the pandemic’s severity ranging from 'green' when the notification rate is less than 25 and the test positivity rate is less than 4%, through to 'red' if the notification rate is 50 or more and the test positivity rate is 4% or more. Member nations may also be classified as 'grey' if sufficient information is not available. As well as the EU members, data is also provided for Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, but not the UK. On the basis of this new system, member nations will then decide whether they introduce certain restrictions, such as quarantine or tests, on travellers coming from other areas; there will be no restrictions, such as quarantine or testing, on travellers coming from ‘green’ regions.

Direct flights between Israel and the UAE, slated to begin in October after a landmark normalisation deal, are to be postponed until January 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The air link, announced after the two states signed the deal at the White House last month, aims to open up tourism and new business ventures despite the COVID-19 slowdown. But a second lockdown in Israel, which now has one of the world's highest infection rates per capita, has put plans on hold.

The country's president has announced a new night-time curfew from 21.00 to 06.00 (local time) in Paris and eight other cities to try to curb the rapid spread of COVID-19. It will come into effect from 17 October and last for at least four weeks; a public health emergency has also been declared. The curfew will apply to Paris and its suburbs as well as Marseille, Lyon, Lille, Saint-Etienne, Rouen, Toulouse, Grenoble and Montpellier. The measures will stop people visiting restaurants and private homes, and they will need a valid reason to be outside their homes during the hours of curfew. Only 'essential' trips will be permitted.