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

          AVANI HOTELS & RESORTS: AvaniSHIELD health and safety measures updated

          Avani have published updated information on the measures they're taking to prepare for post-COVID-19 travel, as more of their hotels globally begin to re-open. Their protocols, introduced under the name 'AvaniSHIELD', include initiatives such as digital check-in/out, a digital concierge app and a trusted partner program for local transport.
          Australia
          Middle East
          South Africa
          Thailand
          Hotel
          Avani Hotels
          Business
          Leisure

          FIJI: Plans for travel bubble with Australia and New Zealand proposed

          The country's prime minister told Fiji's parliament yesterday that he plans to create a travel bubble with Australia and New Zealand, as part of of a plan for the slow resumption of tourism in post-COVID-19 society. No confirmed plans or dates are yet in place, though, for the so-called 'Bula Bubble'.
          Australia
          Fiji
          New Zealand
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          SPAIN: Arrivals from the United Kingdom not required to self-quarantine

          Spain's government announced yesterday, 21 June, that British tourists are now permitted to arrive in the country without having to self-quarantine. Spain’s borders are now open to arrivals from EU countries (except Portugal), the UK and some other Schengen area countries from 21 June.
          Spain
          United Kingdom
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          VIRGIN ATLANTIC: Flights to 17 additional destinations to resume from August 2020

          The airline has today announced that they are set to resume flights to an additional 17 destinations across their global network from August; this follows the previous news of passenger flights being set to resume from 20 July. Flights to the additional destinations will resume from 1 August through to early October, and include cities across the Unites States, India, South Africa and the Caribbean.
          India
          Middle East
          South Africa
          United Kingdom
          United States of America
          Airline
          Business
          Leisure

          SANPARKS: South Africa's national parks prepare for accommodation re-opening

          The South African National Parks (SANParks) are preparing to resume operations in the week commencing 22 June, and have recalled their hospitality staff ready for a staggered opening of accommodation facilities. This follows an announcement on 17 June by the country's president in which he said that accommodation agencies and lodges can now open their doors again.
          South Africa
          Hotel
          Business
          Leisure

          TURKISH AIRLINES: Flights to United States resumed from 19 June 2020

          The airline resumed flights to the U.S. on the evening of 19 June, after a suspension of more than two months; two planes bound for Washington D.C. and Chicago took off from Istanbul at around 18.00 GMT. Back in the airline's hub, Turkey has this month reopened restaurants and cafes, allowed intercity flights and car travel, and lifted weekend stay-home orders.
          South Africa
          Turkey
          United States of America
          Airline
          Turkish Airlines
          Business
          Leisure

          AUSTRALIA: South Australia opens state borders with Queensland from 20 June 2020

          The state of South Australia is re-opening its borders to people coming from Queensland; Premier Steven Marshall says the change will take effect from 00.01 (local time) on 20 June, meaning anyone coming from that state will no longer be required to spend 14 days in quarantine on arrival in South Australia.
          Australia
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          INTREPID: Launch of Intrepid Retreat tour experiences

          Intrepid have today launched a range of tours designed to navigate the difficulties currently faced by travellers, by providing them with a way to explore and support communities that are a little closer to home. Intrepid Retreats are typically shorter getaways and range from escapes to the Scottish Highlands to short breaks in Morocco's High Atlas foothills.
          Tours
          Intrepid Travel
          Leisure

          AIRASIA INDIA: Airline launches safe door to door baggage service

          The airline has yesterday become the first domestic airline in India to launch a safe door to door baggage service for its passengers, branded AirAsia FlyPorter. In a continuation of the changes that COVID-19 is having upon processes within the airport experience, such as contactless check-in, the service goes a step further by introducing a safe and hassle-free way to transport luggage from the journey's start to finish.
          India
          Airline
          Air Asia India
          Business
          Leisure

          SINGAPORE: Country moves into phase two of re-opening from 19 June 2020

          Singapore moved into phase two of its Circuit Breaker plan to ease measures related to COVID-19 today, allowing bars, restaurants and retail businesses to re-open; a number of services including sports facilities and parks were also permitted to resume activities. The country's plan aims to facilitate the resumption of a new normal once phase three is reached.
          Singapore
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          RIU: All hotels in Spain set to re-open

          The global hotel chain is gradually resuming operations in many destinations worldwide - it will shortly re-open all hotels in Spain by the first week of July. All re-openings will follow the 17 safety protocols set out in the chain's manual, written in partnership with the consultant Preverisk and offering what it calls the highest possible level of guarantee for the health and safety of customers and staff.
          Spain
          Hotel
          RIU
          Leisure

          TFE HOTELS: Launch of Clean Touch by TFE

          The global hotel group has introduced a program of rigorous standards for cleaning and safety, working with their housekeeping and cleaning partners to deliver hygiene protocols over and above the World Health Organisation’s best practice recommendations.
          Australia
          Germany
          New Zealand
          Singapore
          Hotel
          TFE Hotels
          Business

          INDIA: Pre-flight COVID-19 tests mandatory for arrivals to state of Kerala

          The Indian state's first minister has announced that pre-flight COVID-19 tests will be mandatory for all those returning to the state from overseas, irrespective of whether they are taking flights under the the government's Vande Bharat repatriation mission, or other chartered flights arranged by different organisations.
          India
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          UNITED STATES: California residents ordered to wear face masks

          The state of California yesterday announced a requirement for residents to wear face masks in 'most settings outside the home', in response to what it calls a neglect by citizens to cover their faces and limit the spread of COVID-19. Masks must be worn outdoors and 'in any indoor space', with exceptions made for diners while they are eating or drinking and people engaging in outdoor recreation, as long as they maintain 6 feet of physical distance.
          United States of America
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          PLAYA HOTELS & RESORTS: Hotels across Mexico and the Caribbean to re-open this summer

          Playa Hotels & Resorts have announced that they are set to re-open hotels across Mexico and the Caribbean from 1 July; the owner and operator oversees a portfolio of all-inclusive properties including flagship properties from the Hyatt, Hilton, Jewel and Panama Jack collections. The company has also created the Playa Safe Stay™ initiative in response to COVID-19 to create a safe environment for their guests.
          Jamaica
          Mexico
          Hotel
          Hyatt Hotels
          Hilton Hotels
          Jewel Resorts
          Panama Jack Resorts
          Business
          Leisure