EMIRATES: Airline launches 'biometric pathway' for Dubai passengers

Emirates has launched an integrated biometric path at Dubai International airport for a contactless airport experience open to passengers travelling from and through Dubai. The path will give passengers a seamless travel journey from check-in to the boarding gates, improving customer flow through the airport with less document checks and less queuing. Utilising the latest biometric technology – a mix of facial and iris recognition, Emirates passengers can now check in for their flight, complete immigration formalities, enter the Emirates Lounge and board their flights, simply by passing through the airport.
Middle East
Airline
Emirates
Business

BELGIUM: Country announces partial COVID-19 lockdown from 2 November 2020

The government of Belgium has imposed a partial COVID-19 lockdown from 2 November to 13 December; non-essential shops have been closed, as have trades that require close contact such as hairdressers. Gyms, pools and other cultural and leisure facilities are also closed. All bars and restaurants across the country have been closed, with only takeaways allowed. Borders are not closed in accordance with European guidelines, but travelling abroad is strongly discouraged.
Belgium
Borders
Business
Leisure

UNITED KINGDOM: UK government announces second national COVID-19 lockdown for England

The UK government has announced a new, national four-week COVID-19 lockdown for England. Under the new lockdown, planned to start on 5 November and end on 2 December, England's population must stay at home except when exemptions apply, such as for work, education, or exercise, while all non-essential shops will close. Overnight stays and holidays away from primary residences will not be allowed, except for work purposes. People cannot travel overseas or within the UK, unless for work, education or other legally permitted reasons.
United Kingdom
Borders
Business
Leisure

AUSTRIA: Country imposes a night-time curfew from 3 November 2020

The government of Austria has announced that it will impose a night-time curfew from 20.00 to 06.00 (local time) each night from 3 November, due to a recent surge in COVID-19 infections; the curfew is expected to last until the end of November. Also announced was the closure of cafes, bars and restaurants to all but take-away service, and the closure hotels will close to all but a few guests such as business travellers.
Austria
Borders
Business
Leisure

UNITED STATES: All arrivals to the state of New York must test negative for COVID-19 from 4 November 2020

The government of the U.S. state of New York has announced that from 4 November it is moving away from a travel advisory that required a two-week quarantine for people coming from COVID-19 hotspots, instead mandating that all travellers test negative for the virus on arrival and departure from the state; travellers will be required to test negative for COVID-19 within the three days immediately prior to arrival, and carry proof of a negative result. Once in the state, they must quarantine for three days and take a further test on the fourth day; if they test negative, they can end their quarantine.
United States of America
Borders
Business
Leisure

AUSTRALIA: State of Queensland re-opens borders to greater New South Wales from 3 November 2020

The government of the Australian state of Queensland has announced that it will re-open its borders to travellers from New South Wales on 3 November, however travel from Greater Sydney and the state of Victoria will for now remain restricted.
Australia
Borders
Business
Leisure

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES: Airline to begin services from Chicago O'Hare on 14 February 2021

The U.S. airline has announced that it will launch its first five flight routes from Chicago O'Hare on 14 February; Southwest will fly four times daily from O'Hare to Nashville, Baltimore and Dallas Love Field. The airline will also fly six times daily from O'Hare to Denver and twice daily from the northern Chicagoland airport to Phoenix.
United States of America
Airline
Southwest Airlines
Business
Leisure

AUSTRALIA: State of Western Australia to open borders to "very low risk" states and territories

The government of the state of Western Australia (WA) has announced that from 14 November it will reduce its hard border arrangement with other Australian states and territories by introducing a controlled interstate border; this will allow travellers from states and territories deemed to be "very low risk" to travel into WA. Currently, travellers from the qualifying regions of South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory stand to as a result be permitted to enter WA without completing 14 days of hotel quarantine.
Australia
Borders
Business
Leisure

PRINCESS CRUISES: Cruise line confirms cancellation of Australasian sailings until May 2021

The cruise operator has announced the cancellation of its sailings in Australia and New Zealand until 31 May 2021, effectively eliminating its summer season program. Princess had previously canceled all of its cruises worldwide through to 15 December except for its Australia program, which was due to resume by 31 October. However, Australia and New Zealands' borders still remain closed except to their own citizens, residents and their immediate family members.
Australia
New Zealand
Cruise
Princess Cruises
Leisure

UNITED AIRLINES: Airline to trial free mandatory COVID-19 testing on flights to London Heathrow

United Airlines has announced that they will trial free, mandatory COVID-19 testing on flights from New York’s Newark Liberty International Airport to London Heathrow between 16 November and 11 December. The rapid testing will not yet negate current entry requirements, and passengers will still be required to quarantine on arrival in the UK; however, the airline hopes that by proving they can fly aircraft that are 100% free of COVID-19, they can play their part in lobbying the respective governments to reduce restrictions.
United Kingdom
United States of America
Airline
United Airlines
Business
Leisure

GREECE: Country's government to impose regional COVID-19 lockdowns from 30 October 2020

The country’s government has announced that regional lockdowns will be imposed in its second-largest city of Thessaloniki from today, 30 October, following spikes in COVID-19 cases. Joining Thessaloniki in the highest tier of the country’s alert system will be the city of Larissa and the northern Rodopi region.
Greece
Borders
Business
Leisure

JORDAN: Country's government re-opens four land borders to arrivals from 29 October 2020

The country’s government has confirmed that from today, 29 October, four land borders will be partially re-opened; Sheikh Hussein Bridge, Al Mudawwarah, King Hussein Bridge and Al Omari. There will be restrictions on the number of travellers permitted to cross each point daily - expected to be between 100-150.
Middle East
Borders
Business
Leisure

DELTA AIR LINES: Airline delays resumption of flights to South Africa until 8 January 2021

The U.S. airline has announced that plans to re-start flights between Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and both Johannesburg and Cape Town have now been delayed until at least 8 January 2021. Although the reintroduction of the flight was initially planned for October, the airline has said that due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions and customer demand, Delta has adjust flight schedules.
South Africa
United States of America
Airline
Delta Air Lines
Business
Leisure

ARGENTINA: Country re-opens borders to five countries from 30 October 2020

The government of Argentina has announced that it will re-open borders for tourism to five of its South American neighbours from 30 October. Residents of Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay can enter by air and sea for the purposes of tourism. A quarantine period will not be required for incoming tourists, as long as they provide a negative PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours of entry, sign an affidavit declaring they are not infected, and agree to a health screening including temperature checks. The wearing of masks in all public places, both indoor and outdoor, still remains mandatory.
Argentina
Borders
Business
Leisure

FRANCE: Country's government to impose COVID-19 lockdown from 30 October 2020

The country’s government announced in a televised address yesterday evening that from tomorrow, 30 October, the country will enter into a further full lockdown due to rapidly rising cases of COVID-19. The measures will last until at least 1 December and mean that people have to stay in their homes except to buy essential goods, seek medical attention or to use their daily one-hour allocation of exercise. Restaurants, cafes and shops not selling essential goods will also be closed for at least two weeks.
France
Borders
Business
Leisure

UNITED KINGDOM: Passengers arriving in Switzerland no longer required to quarantine from 29 October 2020

The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has published updated information to reflect that from today, 29 October, passengers who have visited the UK in the past 10 days will no longer be required to quarantine for 10 days on entry to Switzerland.
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Borders
Business
Leisure

CANADA: Country's government extends cruise ship suspension until March 2021

The government of Canada has announced that it will extend a suspension of cruise ships in its waters through to at least 1 March 2021; the order pertains to passenger vessels – specifically, cruise ships or "pleasure craft" – carrying 100 or more passengers with the capacity to keep those passengers onboard overnight. Under the order, water taxis, ferries and other "essential passenger vessels" can remain in operation.
Canada
Borders
Cruise
Business
Leisure

GERMANY: Country to impose partial COVID-19 lockdown from 2 November 2020

The government of Germany has announced that it will shortly impose a partial national lockdown in response to sharp increases in COVID-19 cases. The partial lockdown will come into effect from 2 November and last until 30 November; bars and restaurants will close except for takeaways, but schools and kindergartens will remain open. Social contacts will be limited to two households with a maximum of 10 people and tourism will be halted.
Germany
Borders
Business
Leisure

HILTON HOTELS: Hilton announces additional 'Hilton Honors' reward program extensions

Hilton has announced updates to their 'Hilton Honors' rewards program for all members, including the extension of points validity, faster paths to elite status and the ability to retain current status for longer; full details are available on the Hilton website.
Australia
Hong Kong
New Zealand
Singapore
South Africa
United Kingdom
United States of America
Hotel
Resort
Hilton Hotels
Business
Leisure

BULGARIA: Country's government to increase local COVID-19 restrictions from 29 October 2020

The country's government has announced that two weeks of temporary restrictions will come into force on 29 October in a bid to curb an increase in COVID-19 infections; among the restrictions will be the closing nightclubs and discos, and students from high schools and universities will study only online. There will also be a ban on public spectators at sports events, and cinemas and theatres will be permitted to operate at 30% of their capacity only. Restaurants must also limit the number of people at one table to six, among other restrictions.
Bulgaria
Borders
Business
Leisure