Search alerts

The airline has announced that it is now mandatory for passengers to wear a face mask if they're flying to, from or within the Australian state of Victoria. When travelling from or within Victoria, passengers need to wear a mask as soon as they enter the airport and also inflight. When travelling to Victoria from outside of the state, passengers need to wear their mask during boarding, in-flight and on arrival.

The local government of the Australian state of Queensland (QLD) has announced that its borders with New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) will close from 01.00 (local time) on 8 August. All visitors will be denied entry with few exceptions, and returning Queensland residents will incur the cost of a 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine.

U.S. based line Crystal Cruises have taken the decision to cancel the remainder of their 2020 sailings, citing the uncertainty of the global COVID-19 pandemic; this includes all ocean cruises on the Crystal Symphony, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Esprit. The operator recently launched health and safety protocols and procedures, Crystal Clean+ 2.0, for when services eventually resume.

The Australian state of Victoria has declared a 'state of disaster', which will remain in place until at least 13 September. New lockdown measures include a night-time curfew from 20.00 to 05.00 (local time) for residents of Melbourne; the only valid reasons for leaving home during these hours will be work, medical care or care-giving. Movement during the day is also heavily restricted to essential purposes only, with shopping and one hour of exercise permitted within 5km of residents' homes. Restrictions will also be tightened across regional Victoria from 00.01 (local time) on 6 August, with restaurants, cafés, bars and gyms set to close.

The government of the Australian state of Queensland have announced from from 01.00 (local time) on 1 August, the Greater Sydney area will be added to its list of COVID-19 'hotspots'. The decision will add 31 new local government areas to the list; arrivals to Queensland who have been in any designated hotspots within the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter, except in a small number of exempting circumstances.

From 1 August all passengers travelling to the United Arab Emirates from any destination, including those transiting in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result from a qualifying facility in order to be accepted on the flight at check-in. The test must be taken within 96 hours of departure, and only passengers under the age of 12 or those who have a moderate to severe disability will be excluded from this requirement. In addition to this, also from 1 August, passengers from 29 selected countries must also be subject to a second test on arrival via a nasal swab.

Australia's island state of Tasmania has announced that a 'safe travel bubble' will come into effect on 7 August. The bubble will invite travellers from South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, but will exclude travellers from Victoria, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland.

Stamford Hotels in Australia have introduced COVID-19 health and well-being hygiene protocols and safety standards. The initiatives are set out in the link here and have been adopted to support the top priority of protecting the safety and well-being of Stamford guests and colleagues.

The Dubai-based airline has announced that it will cover medical expenses of up to EUR 150,000 and quarantine costs of EUR 100 per day for 14 days, should passengers diagnosed with COVID-19 during their travel, while they are away from home. This cover is to be provided free of cost to all passengers and is is immediately effective for customers flying with Emirates until 31 October 2020; it is valid for 31 days from the moment they fly the first sector of their journey.

The UK's Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but essential travel to the Australian state of Victoria. This follows extensive measures being taken in the state by the Australian government in response to spikes in COVID-19 levels; stay at home restrictions are still in place in metropolitan Melbourne and surrounding areas, and Melbourne Airport is currently closed to incoming passenger flights until further notice.

Guided tour operator Trafalgar have announced that they will now offer private trips for groups of 12 or more, to help ease customer concerns over travelling with others outside of their friend and family circles during the COVID-19 pandemic. The option is available for most of the company’s winter and spring itineraries throughout Europe and North America.

From 29 July American Airlines will require all passengers over the age of two to wear face coverings at airports and on board, at all times with the exception of when eating or drinking. The airline has said that anyone unwilling to comply may be barred from future travel for the duration of these measures being in place.

Air New Zealand have announced that validity of travel credit issued under their COVID-19 flexibility policy for international and domestic travel has now been extended; passengers are now able to make a new booking until 31 December 2021 for travel dates until 31 December 2022. The policy previously covered bookings made by 30 June 2021 for travel until 30 June 2022.

Strict cleaning and safety protocols have been introduced by AVIS Australia including minimum-contact vehicle pick-ups, deep cleaning and sanitation of rental cars, plus staff training to ensure greater safety when hiring a car.

Budget Rent a Car in Australia has introduced their Worry-Free Promise. Incorporating minimum contact vehicle pick-ups, deep cleaning and sanitation of rental cars, plus staff training to ensure greater safety when hiring a car.

The Royal Caribbean group has announced the decision to extend the suspension of cruise sailings for passengers due to depart on or before 30 September. Included among the group’s brands are Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea.

Quest, a global serviced apartment hotel brand, has released their Stay Safe health and safety promise - a commitment to ensure that the safety of their customers during COVID-19 remains their top priority. This is now valid at all Quest properties in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

All people travelling to the Northern Territory must now complete an arrival border-crossing application. If you are intending to travel to the Northern Territory from an identified COVID-19 hot spot, or reside in the Northern Territory and are intending to travel to a hot spot, you are advised to cancel your plans. If you previously held an exemption to travel from a hot spot this is revoked effective immediately.

To address safe group travel practices and evolve today’s event experience, Hilton today announced a global, industry-leading cleanliness and customer service program specific to meetings and events. Hilton EventReady with CleanStay is the next phase of the company’s recently launched Hilton CleanStay and was shaped by extensive research and feedback.

The Premier of the state of South Australia has announced their intention for international arrivals to be liable to pay the cost of their mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine from 18 July. The policy follows similar announcements by other states including New South Wales (NSW), and costs for the South Australia's Adelaide-based hotel quarantine are expected to start from AU$3,000 for a single adult.