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South Africa will remain at Adjusted Alert Level 1 with the following amendments taking effect on 23 March 2022; Indoor and outdoor gatherings are permitted at 50% of the total venue capacity, if there is evidence that a person is fully vaccinated, or a negative PCR test is provided. If proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test is not available, the current limits apply for venues (maximum of 1000 people indoors and no more than 2000 people outdoors. Where a venue does not permit these numbers with appropriate social distancing, only 50% of the capacity of the venue will be permitted). All COVID-19 health and safety protocols must be followed, including observance of guidelines for social distancing, sanitation, hygiene, and use of appropriate personal protective equipment, such as face masks where required. All international travellers arriving in South Africa must produce either proof that they are fully vaccinated, or a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours. Masks must be worn for the duration of travel. A person entering the Republic must be subjected to screening on arrival at the point of entry, including the completion of a traveller health questionnaire. It remains essential to check the entry requirements of the country you wish to travel to, inclusive of any transits, stop overs as well as the end destination. Any returning South African citizens and residents will be subject to entry regulations and protocols.

Since France introduced its health passport, travellers entering the country from outside the EU had to convert their vaccine passports into a format compatible with the French system. The government will introduce another system whereby travellers must pay for their QR code. Anyone vaccinated outside the EU, Schengen zone, or the UK must use the new system to use the French health passport, or they will be unable to enter cafés, theatres, bars, restaurants and tourist attractions, or use long-distance train travel. Travellers can now only receive their codes through physically visiting and presenting their passport and vaccination certificate at French pharmacies. Previously, travellers had to apply online or by email in advance to obtain their code. The pharmacies will issue a QR code, which travellers can scan into the French TousAntiCovid app to create their health pass for up to 36 Euros.

The country's government said yesterday, 28 April, that it is considering plans to allow public events with up to 3,000 spectators from July, although such events would be restricted to attendees who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, can prove they've recovered from the illness or test negative. Elsewhere, Switzerland this month further eased other COVID-19 restrictions, allowing restaurants to re-open outdoor terraces and sports events to take place with much more limited audiences; cinemas and concert venues can also re-admit limited numbers of guests.

London Luton Airport has announced that in preparation for the expected restart of UK international travel from 17 May, it has opened a new in-terminal COVID-19 testing facility with its partner, Collinson. The expansion adds to the existing drive-through facility located in the mid-term car park, which launched in December. Across both facilities, the full range of UK government-approved COVID-19 test options will be on offer.

In a bid to boost confidence amongst business travellers and revive the brand’s events business, Marriott has announced that it will begin to roll-out pre-event COVID-19 testing from January, initially in U.S. properties in Florida, Tennessee, Texas and Colorado. It is hoped that the scheme, which will include options ranging from 15-minute rapid testing to PCR tests, will then be able to roll out in all Marriott brands and properties who wish to participate.

The government of Hong Kong has announced today that from 10 December, arriving passengers will be required to take an extra COVID-19 test three weeks after landing, in addition to the tests already required immediately after landing and towards the end of their mandatory two-week quarantine. The increased measures coincide with an increase in local restrictions from the same date; Hong Kong will once again ban dining in restaurants after 18.00 (local time) and close all gyms and beauty salons, to curb a rise in COVID-19 cases in the densely packed financial hub.

Marriott International has announced that, in an effort to boost event, meetings and groups bookings and assure customer confidence post-COVID-19, eligible bookings made for events held by 31 March 2021 will receive triple Marriott Bonvoy points. In addition, customers will receive 5% off master-billed group rooms, one complimentary delegate or room in every 10 paid delegates or rooms for groups between 10-100 people, and a signing bonus of 5,000 points at participating hotels across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

From today, 10 August, the city of Paris has made the wearing of face masks mandatory for anyone over the age of 11 in busy outdoor areas to curb a rise in COVID-19 infections. Among the areas included are the banks of the River Seine, and a number of open-air markets.

The country's economy minister has announced that the government had agreed with members of a new expert panel to ease restrictions on holding events from 10 July. The relaxation comes despite Tokyo reportedly confirming 102 new COVID-19 cases as of 6 July, in what was the fifth straight day that the tally of new cases exceeded 100.