HONG KONG: Increased entry requirements for some arrivals from 10 August 2020

          The government of Hong Kong has confirmed that from 10 August, arriving passengers who have visited or transited through Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa or the United States will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken a maximum of 72 hours prior to departure. They will also require proof of the credibility of the testing facility, and proof of a hotel room reservation in Hong Kong for at least 14 days from the day of arrival.
          Bangladesh
          Hong Kong
          India
          Indonesia
          Kazakhstan
          Pakistan
          Philippines
          South Africa
          United States of America
          Borders
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          Leisure

          EGYPT: Country require passengers to provide COVID-19 test result from 15 August 2020

          The government of Egypt has announced that from 15 August, the country will require most foreign travellers to obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test result less than 72 hours prior to arrival. This is only with the exception of tourists flying directly to, and staying within, Red Sea destinations including Hurghada, Marsa Allam and Sharm El-Sheikh.
          Egypt
          Borders
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          Leisure

          UNITED AIRLINES: Airline to increase flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii in September 2020

          The airline has announced that it is planning to increase flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii from September, as part of the resumption of a number of services to around 25 international destinations. All in all, the updated September schedule will account for 37% of their normal level of passenger flights compared to 2019.
          United States of America
          Airline
          United Airlines
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          QATAR AIRWAYS: Airline to resume flights to Australia's Adelaide on 16 August 2020

          The airline has announced that it will be resuming two flights per week to the Australian city of Adelaide from 16 August, which will be its fifth Australian destination; this will make it the only international airline to service this number of Australian destinations, which will account for a total of 23 weekly passenger flights.
          Australia
          Middle East
          Airline
          Qatar Airways
          Business
          Leisure

          QATAR AIRWAYS: Airline mandates COVID-19 PCR pre-testing for some passengers from 13 August 2020

          The airline has announced that from 13 August it will require passengers travelling from select countries to provide a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result at check-in, taken a maximum of 72 hours prior to departure at an approved laboratory; a completed consent form must also be presented. The new restriction will initially be applicable to arrivals from Armenia, Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Iran, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia and Sri Lanka. It is also applicable to Erbil International Airport (EBL) in Iraq.
          Armenia
          Bangladesh
          Brazil
          India
          Middle East
          Pakistan
          Philippines
          Russia
          Sri Lanka
          Airline
          Qatar Airways
          Business
          Leisure

          ST LUCIA: Country now requires mandatory COVID-19 pre-testing for all arriving passengers

          The country’s government has made COVID-19 pre-testing prior to arrival mandatory; anyone not able to present a negative PCR (Polymerized Chain Reaction) COVID-19 test, result obtained a maximum of seven days prior to departure, will be refused boarding at their port of origin.
          St. Lucia
          Borders
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          Leisure

          EMIRATES: Airline to resume Airbus A380 flights to Toronto from 16 August 2020

          The Dubai-based airline has announced that from 16 August it will operate five flights per week to Toronto Pearson International Airport on its flagship Airbus A380; this will take the total number of cities served by Emirates' flagship aircraft to six.
          Canada
          Middle East
          Airline
          Emirates
          Business
          Leisure

          DENMARK: Country reverses decision to ease a limit on public gatherings

          The country's government has announced that it will not raise a limit on public gatherings which was originally planned for this month, following a spike in COVID-19 infections. As part of the Denmark’s gradual reopening following a lockdown to curb the spread of the virus, the government had previously planned to raise the limit on public gatherings to 200 people on 8 August, up from the current limit of 100 people.
          Denmark
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          UNITED STATES: Country no longer advises against all international travel

          The U.S. State Department has announced that from 6 August, the country is no longer advising against all international travel. This means that a global level four health advisory will now be lifted which has been in place since 19 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The country's government does however recommend that citizens exercise caution when travelling abroad due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic. All countries will now be rated on a level from one to four, depending on the severity of their outbreaks.
          United States of America
          Borders
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          PHILIPPINE AIRLINES: Airline to require passengers to wear face shields from 15 August 2020

          The national airline of the Philippines has announced that from 15 August, they will require passengers to wear protective face shields, in addition to face masks; it is unclear whether or not they will be provided by the airline at this stage. The new measure is one of many employed by the airline to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission, including thermal scanning and protective shields at airport service desks.
          Philippines
          Airline
          Philippine Airlines
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          CAYMAN ISLANDS: Cayman Islands closure extended until at least 1 October 2020

          The Cayman Islands has extended its border closure by at least another 30 days until 1 October, at which time a further decision will be made. While the borders remain closed, the Cayman Islands has issued a reminder that anyone who does enter the destination must be quarantined for 14 days in a government facility and will require a negative COVID-19 PCR test prior to travelling or returning to their accommodation.
          Cayman Islands
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          QATAR AIRWAYS: Airline resumes regular flights to Kenya and Rwanda

          The airline has announced the resumption of services to Nairobi, Kenya with 14 weekly flights and to Kigali, Rwanda with three weekly flights. With the addition of Kigali and Nairobi, the airline now operates 33 weekly flights to eight destinations in Africa including Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and Tunis.
          Kenya
          Middle East
          Rwanda
          Airline
          Qatar Airways
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          AUSTRIA: Country advises against travel to mainland Spain from 10 August

          The government of Austria have announced that from 10 August it will advise the country's citizens against travel to Spain, excluding the Canary and Balearic Islands. Anyone arriving in or returning to Austria from Spain will now be required to present a negative test result for COVID-19.
          Austria
          Spain
          Borders
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          UNITED KINGDOM: Arrivals from three additional countries to be required to self-quarantine

          The UK government has announced that from 04.00 (local time) on 8 August, both arrivals and returning passengers from Andorra, Belgium and the Bahamas will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days due to the countries being removed from the UK's travel corridor exemption list. In addition, the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has also advised British nationals against all but essential travel to these destinations, based on the risk currently presented due to their levels of COVID-19.
          Andorra
          Bahamas
          Belgium
          United Kingdom
          Borders
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          CELEBRITY CRUISES: Global suspension of most cruises now extended until 31 October 2020

          Celebrity Cruises, a member of the Royal Caribbean group, has re-confirmed that the majority of sailings globally have been voluntarily extended until at least 31 October. In a statement the operator cited that the health and safety of their guests, crew, and the communities they visit is their top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. The suspension currently only excludes sailings from China and Australia.
          Canada
          United States of America
          Cruise
          Celebrity Cruises
          Royal Caribbean
          Leisure

          UNITED STATES: Mexico to remain on U.S. travel advisory level four

          The U.S. State Department yesterday, 6 August, urged citizens not to travel to Mexico despite easing a global travel ban, citing a rapid spread in COVID-19 within Mexico among other considerations. Despite close commercial ties across the world's busiest land border, this decision means that Mexico remains on an advisory level four - the highest classification which, outside of the now listed global advisory, is usually reserved for countries at war.
          Canada
          United States of America
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure

          THAILAND: Country delays plans for 'travel bubble' with select countries

          The country’s government has delayed plans for a ‘travel bubble’ agreement with select countries following a rise in COVID-19 infection numbers in both Thailand and other Asian countries, in a move which is expected to put pressure on its vital tourism industry and complicate efforts to revive its economy. The idea was first proposed in June, however for now has been shelved.
          Thailand
          Borders
          Leisure

          UNITED STATES: Alaska Airlines and jetBlue extend middle seat blocking until October 2020

          The two U.S. airlines have announced that they will block middle seats through to October 2020 in order to aid social distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Alaska Airlines will do so through to 31 October, and jetBlue has set a current deadline of 15 October; both airlines will however still allow for the use of middle seats for larger parties who wish to sit together.
          United States of America
          Airline
          Alaska Airlines
          jetBlue
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          NETHERLANDS: City of Amsterdam mandates the wearing of face masks in some areas

          The city of Amsterdam yesterday, 5 August, began mandating the use of face masks in crowded areas such as its 'Red Light' district, in a localised drive against COVID-19 which stands in contrast to the country's national policy. City workers will continue to hand out masks to both tourists and residents in busier areas, and will inform them that failure to wear them could result in a fine of 95 Euros (USD112).
          Netherlands
          Borders
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          Leisure

          GAMBIA: Country's government declares a state of emergency

          The government of The Gambia has declared a state of emergency and introduced a nationwide night-time curfew for 21 days due to a rise in COVID-19 infections. The country's borders and airspace will remain closed except for cargo, diplomats and those seeking treatment abroad.
          Gambia
          Borders
          Business
          Leisure