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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.

The government of the Czech Republic announced yesterday, 26 October, that from 28 October to 3 November a night-time curfew will be in place alongside restrictions on alcohol sales; these steps are part of tighter measures to curb the rising spread of COVID-19 infections within the country. Retail shops still running under current restrictions must also close by 20.00 (local time), with exceptions for gas stations, pharmacies or shops at train stations.

The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has published an update to COVID-19 pre-testing requirements for passengers arriving in Dubai from a list of specific destinations, which can be found listed on the Emirates airline website. Passengers from affected destinations need to either present a valid negative COVID-19 (PCR) test result, or take a test upon arrival in Dubai. Individuals transiting Dubai from the specified destinations do not need to provide a COVID-19 PCR test result. unless it's required by the government of the final destination country.

The international hotel and resort brand has announced a ‘Travel at Ease’ initiative, which is a complimentary program for customers at its resorts in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico and Brazil. Under the initiative guests can receive COVID-19 testing if showing symptoms, stay-extensions in case of illness, access to isolation rooms, medical monitoring, contactless room service and partial refunds in case of early departure.

The country’s government yesterday, 26 October, announced tougher restrictions due to be imposed following a rise in COVID-19 cases. This includes the removal of exceptions currently granted to foreign workers to avoid quarantine on arrival; from 31 October, all foreign workers must undergo a 10 day quarantine.

The government of Hong Kong has announced that from 30 October it will relax some local COVID-19 restrictions, including re-opening public beaches and easing measures such as venue capacity for many businesses. All dining facilities will be also able to stay open until 02.00 (local time), later than the current midnight closing time.

The country’s government yesterday, 25 October, declared a second nationwide state of emergency in response to a rise in COVID-19 cases, and ordered an overnight curfew across the country from 23.00 (local time) to 06.00; however, the measures do not currently apply to the Canary Islands.

The Civil Aviation Authority has announced new COVID-19 restrictions for all international passengers arriving in Pakistan, which will remain in place for inbound international flights until 31 December. All passengers must register by installing the 'Pass Track' app, and international passengers travelling from category 'B' countries must have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result obtained a maximum of 96 hours prior to departure. However, passengers from category 'A' countries do not need to obtain a test result prior to travel.

The government of Tasmania has announced that from today, 26 October, it has re-opened its borders to arrivals from 'low risk' Australian states and territories, plus arrivals from New Zealand. Tasmania will allow residents of South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Australia Capital Territory and New Zealand to visit without the requirement to quarantine on arrival. Travellers will need to register their details using the 'Tas e-Travel' online registration system; once this is complete, they will receive a unique QR code to present to authorities upon arrival.

The country's government has announced that on 1 November Costa Rica will re-open its air borders to arrivals from all countries, provided that they meet the appropriate requirements. All passengers must wear a mask and comply with strict protocols including physical distancing, health screening and following any other health instructions. Neither Costa Ricans nor foreigners will be required to quarantine when entering the country by air.

The government of the Australian state of Victoria has announced that from 23.59 (local time) on 27 October, the city of Melbourne and regional Victoria will exit COVID-19 lockdown for the first time in 111 days and many restrictions will be eased. From this date most businesses are able to re-open, and curbs on outdoor gatherings will be reduced. From 8 November an imposed travel radius will also be removed.

The government of India has relaxed visa restrictions to allow foreign nationals to enter India by air or sea for any purpose except tourism. The Home Affairs Ministry has made a graded relaxation in visa and travel restrictions for more categories of foreign nationals and Indian nationals who wish to enter or leave India. This will enable foreign nationals to enter for purposes including business, conferences, employment, studies, research or medical purposes.

The country's government has unveiled the new ‘Jamaica Cares’ initiative, a traveller protection and emergency services programme representing a mandatory travel insurance policy for all visitors. The programme is set to launch mid-November and is expected to be around US$40-$50, which will be included in the application process that passengers must complete online prior to visiting. Currently, travellers from all countries may visit Jamaica under regular visa requirements but must first obtain a travel authorisation. Travellers staying in the tourism corridor (an area of approved hotels and touristic activities) will not have to quarantine, but must stay on hotel grounds unless participating in an approved tour or to visit an approved corridor attraction.

The Indian government has announced that it has expanded international flight operations with Bangladesh under a new bilateral air bubble agreemen,t which will allow airlines to operate 28 flights per week between them. Regular, scheduled international flights have been suspended in India since 23 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the country now has arrangements for bilateral air bubble services with a number of countries including the United Arab Emirates, the UK and the U.S.

Low-cost airline Air Asia have announced flights on six new routes within India connecting Chennai with Ahmedabad, Goa, Mumbai and Visakhapatnam, Mumbai with Goa, and Jaipur with Kolkata.

The airline has announced that it will operate flights between Germany and the India cities of Bengaluru and Delhi between 26 October 2020 and 28 March 2021 under the air transport travel bubble arrangements between the nations. Representatives from the airline have said Air India is will operate flights between Delhi and Frankfurt every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; while the Bengaluru-Frankfurt service will operate every Thursday and Sunday. In effect, Air India will be operating seven times a week between India and Frankfurt.

Rosewood has introduced new protocols committed to operating at the highest levels of health and safety, providing customers with what they call the safest, most comfortable and flexible experience with which to enjoy the high standard of service expected of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. See more details of their program in the associated link.

The airline have announced that starting from 2 November, both residents of Canada’s Alberta and eligible international travellers arriving on a non-stop flight to Calgary, will be able to take a rapid COVID-19 test to reduce their quarantine requirement to as little as two days with a negative result. The pilot is part of plans by the Canadian government which it hopes to roll out on a national level in the near future.

The country’s government has announced today, 23 October, that it will begin gradually easing strict caps on the number of citizens and permanent residents permitted to return each week. Australia has since July capped the number of locals allowed to return home each week in an attempt to reduce the threat of spreading COVID-19.

The Dubai-based airline has announced that it will expand its current flight schedule utilising it's flagship Airbus A380 aircraft with the introduction of flights to Amman, Jordan from 4 November. Passengers can fly from Dubai to Amman three times a week on Wednesdays, Thursday and Fridays. Emirates flight EK 903 will depart Dubai at 14:05 and arrive in Amman at 15:30 local time. The return flight, EK 904 will depart Amman at 17:10 and arrive in Dubai at 22:00 local time.