HILTON HOTELS: Hilton introduces further remote working pilot program in the U.S. and UK

The hotel brand is expanding its remote working initiatives even further, now by not only offering special overnight rates in rooms optimised as workspaces, but by also offering day rates under a ‘WorkSpace by Hilton’ label. The pilot program is being rolled out at properties across the U.S. and UK.
United Kingdom
United States of America
Hotel
Hilton Hotels
Business

ITALY: Country's government confirms mandatory mask requirement in outdoor settings

The country’s government yesterday, 7 October, went ahead with plans to make face masks mandatory in outdoor settings nationwide in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. Several Italian regions including Lazio however, around the capital Rome, had already done so.
Italy
Borders
Business
Leisure

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES: Airline to offer COVID-19 home-testing solution for U.S. passengers

The airline has announced a partnership with 'Vault Health' which will allow them offer passengers travelling to Hawaii from the U.S. mainland a mail-in home COVID-19 saliva test. The test is to be performed using saliva collected during a Zoom-enabled video supervised test visit with a supervisor, and is claimed to be fast and efficient, allowing passengers to adhere to the 72 hour eligible testing window prior to departure.
United States of America
Airline
Hawaiian Airlines
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ITALY: Country's government to make COVID-19 testing mandatory for arrivals from four countries

The country’s health minister yesterday, 7 October, said that Italy will make testing for COVID-19 compulsory for people traveling from the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium and the Czech Republic.
Belgium
Czech Republic
Italy
Netherlands
United Kingdom
Borders
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TUNISIA: Country imposes curfew in capital Tunis to curb COVID-19 cases

The country's government has confirmed that a curfew has been imposed in its capital region of Tunis to slow a surge in COVID-19 cases. In the four provinces that make up greater Tunis the nightly curfew is between 21.00 and 05.00 (local time), and also includes a suspension of Friday prayers in mosques. The curfew will start at 19.00 at weekends.
Tunisia
Borders
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SOUTH AFRICA: Country's government introduces rapid COVID-19 testing at ports of entry

The country's government has announced that rapid COVID-19 antigen tests will be rolled out at all South Africa’s ports of entry with immediate effect. Any passengers who arrive without an existing negative PCR test result will be screened for symptoms and sent for testing at a cost of R150-170 per person. Results of antigen tests are typically available within 15 minutes, and anyone testing positive must quarantine at a designated facility. However, any passengers who are 'red-flagged' for showing symptoms of COVID-19 may still be quarantined, even with a negative antigen test result on arrival.
South Africa
Borders
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Leisure

BELGIUM: Country to increase COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings

The country’s government has said that it will tighten COVID-19 restrictions at the end of this week, limiting groups to four people in any setting, private or public. The government has also introduced a traffic light system of high, medium and low-risk regions, with entry restrictions assigned accordingly.
Belgium
Borders
Business
Leisure

FINNAIR: Airline announces streamlined flight schedule for winter 2020/21

The airline has streamlined its flight schedule for the winter season in response to reduced customer demand, however has planned to increase frequencies from Spring 2021. From 25 October, 2020 to 31 March 2021, Finnair will serve 45 domestic and European destinations with reduced weekly frequencies on almost all routes.
Finland
Airline
Finnair
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UNITED KINGDOM: UK arrivals to Romania to be required to quarantine for 14 days from 7 October 2020

The country’s government has announced that from midnight (local time) today, 7 October, arrivals to Romania from the UK must quarantine for 14 days. However, travellers not showing symptoms after 8 days may be released early following a negative COVID-19 test result. In addition, passengers planning to stay in Romania for 3 days or less are exempt from quarantine, as long as they provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result obtained a maximum of 48 hours before entering the country.
Romania
United Kingdom
Borders
Business
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CUBA: Country set to re-open resort town of Varadero from 15 October 2020

The government of Cuba have announced that the popular resort town of Varadero will be the latest area of the country to re-open for tourism, officially permitting foreign tourists on 15 October. Local authorities have accordingly created a ‘tourism corridor’ that will restrict tourists to particular areas, reducing the chances of community transmission. The corridor will run from K Street to Punta Hicacos within Varadero, with limited tours and excursions available within the designated zone. Passengers landing at Varadero Airport will be tested for COVID-19, after which they will quarantine at their hotel for a maximum of 24 hours while awaiting test results. If the test is negative, they can proceed with their trip.
Cuba
Borders
Business
Leisure

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS: Cruise group to extend suspension of operations until 30 November 2020

The group has announced that all three of its brands - Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises - will now extend the suspension of operations until at least 30 November.
Norway
United Kingdom
United States of America
Cruise
Norwegian Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Regent Seven Sea Cruises
Leisure

NEW ZEALAND: Country introduces 'Isolation Allocation System' requirement for all arrivals to New Zealand

The country's government has announced that from 08.00 (local time) on 5 October 2020, the new 'Managed Isolation Allocation System' will come in to force for all arrivals to New Zealand. The system is an online portal where passengers must obtain a voucher prior to travel that confirms their place in a managed isolation facility. There will be an initial one-month grace period before doing so becomes a legal requirement for all arrivals from from 00.01 (local time) on 3 November 2020.
New Zealand
Borders
Business
Leisure

PERU: Country resumes international flights from 5 October 2020

Peru resumed international flights on 5 October; passengers must present a negative COVID-19 test result obtained a maximum of 72 hours prior to departure, when both leaving or entering the country. If they do not have this negative test result they will not be allowed to board, and must also present a sworn declaration confirming that they have been self-isolating between the time the test was performed and the time of travel.
Peru
Borders
Business
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UNITED KINGDOM: Scotland reportedly considering return to full, mini COVID-19 lockdown

Reports from a tabloid newspaper in Scotland suggest that the devolved UK nation’s government is due to shortly place the country under a full, two-week mini COVID-19 lockdown from 9 October. The country’s first minister has today though said that although new measures will be announced from 7 October, a full lockdown is not planned.
United Kingdom
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CANADA: Country's government says border restrictions with the U.S. will be in place for some time

The country’s government has said that border restrictions on non-essential travel with the U.S., which have most recently rolled over until at least 21 October, will remain in place for some time to come, until the COVID-19 pandemic in both nations is much less serious. From 8 October, Canada will though allow the entry of certain extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, including those in an exclusive dating relationship of at least one year.
Canada
United States of America
Borders
Business
Leisure

FRANCE: Country's government places city of Paris on maximum COVID-19 alert level

the country’s government placed the Paris region on maximum COVID-19 alert level today, 5 October, invoking increased restrictions which will last for at least two weeks. Under the alert level, bars will be closed and restaurants will face strict conditions; indoor sporting facilities will be open only to children under 18 and most events in public settings will be banned.
France
Borders
Business
Leisure

PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES: COVID-19 PCR test requirement for all UAE passengers from 5 October 2020

The airline has announced that following guidance from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), new requirements will apply to all international passengers travelling to Pakistan from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 5 October. Passengers will now be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result obtained a maximum of 96 hours before departure. The result should be uploaded on a dedicated app/web portal; passengers must download the 'PASS TRACK' app from Google Play or Apple store and enter their personal details. Only disabled passengers, those less than 12 years old or high level international delegates are exempt from this policy.
Middle East
Airline
Pakistan International Airlines
Business
Leisure