PUERTO RICO: International tourism to resume from 15 July 2020

          The Caribbean island is set welcome international travelers again on 15 July. Visitors arriving at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport will have their temperature checked and will undergo a quick health check-up - free and voluntary COVID-19 testing is also available on site. The government is also working on exceptions to the mandatory 14-day quarantine that remains in place, for those who can provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test on arrival.
          United States of America
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          QATAR AIRWAYS: Airline's global network increases to 270 weekly flights to 45 destinations

          The airline published an updated press release yesterday detailing both the resumption of flight routes and an increase in frequency on existing routes over the past week; it has now increased to more than 270 weekly flights to 45 destinations, most recently resuming services to Budapest, Dar es Salaam, Dhaka, Istanbul and New York.
          Middle East
          South Africa
          Airline
          Qatar Airways
          Business
          Leisure

          NEW ZEALAND: Country extends ban on cruise ships and tightens border restrictions

          New Zealand's government yesterday extended a ban on cruise ships arriving in the country, which was previously set to expire on 30 June. It also tightened measures for visitors to exit quarantine, after reporting more COVID-19 cases linked to overseas travel. Passengers in quarantine may now need to undergo multiple virus tests, and must test negative for COVID-19 before leaving the facilities.
          New Zealand
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          LOUNGE PASS: Lounge health & hygiene standards released

          The provider, who work with VIP lounges in over 350 airports worldwide, have released guidelines to help protect the safety and welfare of both their customers and the crucial staff operating within the global lounge network. They believe the application of these responsible measures will ensure airport lounges continue to provide assurance of safety, as well as that unique and personal experience.
          Airline
          Business
          Leisure

          SAUDI ARABIA: International visitors not permitted to make Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca

          The country's government has banned international visitors from making the Islamic pilgrimage, or Hajj, this year due to restrictions related to COVID-19. Otherwise, up to two million people would have otherwise visited Mecca. Meanwhile, domestically a nationwide curfew has been lifted and all economic and social activities have been allowed to resume from 21 June.
          Middle East
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          SKYTEAM: Airline alliance launches enhanced safety measures

          SkyTeam, an international alliance of member airlines, has launched a pledge to enhance safety measures across all of its member airlines at every step of the customer journey. Named ‘SkyCare&Protect’, the pledge will allow passengers to make educated decisions about their travel plans.
          France
          Italy
          Kenya
          Mainland China
          Middle East
          Russia
          South Africa
          United Kingdom
          United States of America
          Vietnam
          Airline
          Aeroflot
          Air France
          Alitalia
          China Eastern
          Delta Air Lines
          Kenya Airways
          KLM
          Vietnam Airlines
          Aeromexico
          Saudia Airlines
          Business
          Leisure

          AMTRAK: Daily U.S. rail services to be reduced from October 2020

          The U.S. rail provider is ending daily services to hundreds of stations across the country; from October, trains will stop at many stations just three times per week, on a reduced schedule that could remain permanent. Amtrak has estimated that passenger numbers could fall by 50% over the next year, and ridership has already decreased by 95% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
          United States of America
          Rail
          Amtrak
          Business
          Leisure

          AUSTRALIA: Visitors to Queensland to be required to pay for quarantine costs from 1 July 2020

          Passengers arriving in the Australian state from overseas will be charged fees for quarantining in government arranged accommodation from 1 July - unless they carry proof that their flight booking was made prior to 17 June. The state has published a detailed list of FAQ's on their website including a scale of costs, which start at AU$2800 for a single traveller to undergo the 14-day mandatory quarantine.
          Australia
          Borders
          Leisure

          AIR CHINA: Airline publishes updated timetable of flights for July 2020

          The airline has published an updated schedule of flights operating between 1 July and 1 August; during this period, Air China will operate a total of 24 international routes per week, including 19 routes through Beijing, three Shanghai routes, and two Chengdu routes.
          Mainland China
          Airline
          Air China
          Business
          Leisure

          SINGAPORE AIRLINES: Updated flight schedules published for June and July 2020

          The airline yesterday published their latest update on flight schedules for June and July 2020. Reinstated scheduled services include flights to Adelaide, Amsterdam, Auckland, Barcelona, Brisbane, Cebu, Christchurch, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Medan, Melbourne and Osaka.
          Australia
          Hong Kong
          Japan
          Netherlands
          New Zealand
          Singapore
          Airline
          Singapore Airlines
          Business
          Leisure

          DISNEY WORLD: Paris parks set to reopen in phases from 15 July 2020

          Walt Disney Co announced yesterday that it will re-open its Disneyland Paris theme park in phases from 15 July, days after it plans to open its parks in the United States. It expects to reopen Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park, Disney's Newport Bay Club hotel and Disney Village, according to its president.
          France
          Hotel
          Walt Disney World
          Leisure

          MOROCCO: Domestic flights to resume from 25 June 2020

          The country's state news agency announced yesterday, that Morocco will resume domestic flights from 25 June. The government said it would further loosen lockdown measures for the services sector and domestic transport starting June 24, adding that domestic travel via railway would also resume.
          Morocco
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          CARNIVAL CRUISES: Sailings suspension extended in North America until 30 September 2020

          Carnival Cruise Line has extended its operations pause in North America through to 30 September. The announcement is the third extension of the operator's cruising suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first was a 30-day suspension that started on 13 March.
          United States of America
          Cruise
          Carnival Cruises
          Leisure

          AUSTRALIA: Spike in COVID-19 cases in state of Victoria prompts travel warnings from other states

          In response to the Australian state of Victoria recording a ‘concerning’ spike in COVID-19 cases, the state government of neighbouring New South Wales has warned against anyone travelling to virus-hotspots in the state. Meanwhile, the Queensland state government has declared that any visitors or returning residents who have travelled to or lived in a Victorian virus-hotspot must self-quarantine for 14 days.
          Australia
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          ANEW HOTELS & RESORTS: Updated safety protocols launched

          The South African-based hotel owner and operator has published updated information on their safety and cleanliness protocols as they continue to operate and welcome guests throughout the COVID-19 lockdown period. The measures include an extensive sanitation schedule of processes.
          South Africa
          Hotel
          Business
          Leisure

          UAE: Dubai to welcome tourists from 7 July 2020

          The government of the UAE announced yesterday that airports in Dubai will welcome tourists from 7 July. Arrivals will be required to present a negative COVID-19 certificate or undergo testing at the airport. Meanwhile, citizens and residents of the UAE will also be permitted to travel overseas from tomorrow, 23 July.
          Middle East
          Borders
          Leisure

          EUROSTAR: Passport-less boarding to be introduced by March 2021

          The cross-channel rail operator is preparing to introduce facial recognition technology by March 2021 that will allow passengers to board international services without their passport. The scheme is similar to facial recognition technology in place at major airports including London's Heathrow and Shanghai's Hongqiao, and will be a world-first for rail travel.
          Belgium
          France
          Netherlands
          United Kingdom
          Rail
          Eurostar
          Business
          Leisure

          AUSTRALIA: Government endorses COVID-Safe domestic passenger journey protocol

          The health guidelines provide clear and consistent advice regarding risk-minimisation principles and processes, in domestic airports and on aircraft, for domestic passenger travel. The protocol is informed by health advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, as well as guidance from international aviation authorities.
          Australia
          Airline
          Business
          Leisure

          PHILIPPINES: Returning Filipino nationals required to register prior to arrival in Manila

          The country's government has advised Filipinos who are overseas and returning to the country via Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila to register online before their flights home. Registration is to be completed on the Philippine Red Cross website at ecif.redcross.com.ph prior to their scheduled arrival.
          Philippines
          Borders
          Philippine Airlines
          Business