Search alerts

The Dubai-based airline has from today, 1 September, resumed passenger flights to Bangkok, Thailand; this resumption has expanded Emirates’ current network to 78 cities in September, offering travellers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific convenient connections via Dubai to the popular Thai destination. Flights between Dubai and Bangkok will be operated with an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft offering seats in first, business and economy class.

The government of Estonia have announced that as of today, 1 September, those returning to Estonia from COVID-19 risk countries now have the opportunity to be tested for the virus at the airport and port in order to shorten the 14-day self-isolation requirement. Testing is free of charge for Estonian residents; foreigners can take the test at a cost of 67 euros and can pay on the spot by card.

The government of Belize has said that the country will re-open to international travel on 1 October, after it closed its borders in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19. The Phillip Goldson International Airport, which serves Belize City, will reopen on that date to coincide with the start of the 2020-21 tourist season; limited international flights will reportedly be available with carriers including United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

The U.S. airline has joined others in announcing the elimination of change fees on all standard economy and premium cabin tickets purchased for travel within the domestic U.S. with immediate effect; starting on 1 January, any United passenger can also fly standby for free on a flight departing the day of their travel regardless of the type of ticket or class of service. The airline is also extending its waiver for new tickets issued through to 31 December, to permit unlimited changes with no fee.

The government of Canada has announced that it is extending travel restrictions on incoming foreign travellers for another month as COVID-19 continues to pose a threat to public safety; the restrictions are now being extended until 30 September, which is Canada’s third time extending the travel restrictions that were originally put in place from 18 March until 3 June. In addition, the mandatory quarantine order that was in effect since March has also been extended - exempt travellers will have to carry out a self-isolation period of 14 days if they are allowed into Canada.

Car hire provider Europcar has announced that due to the impact of COVID-19 on the travel and tourism sector and the resulting reduction in demand, a number of smaller regional branches within South Africa have been closed. A complete summary of the branches that are remaining open in the country, along with their operating hours, can be found on Europcar's website.

The government of Hong Kong has said that it will ease some COVID-19 restrictions from 28 August, allowing venues like cinemas to re-open to restaurants to extend dining hours. Outdoor sports centres will also re-open and the wearing of masks in some settings, including sport, will no longer be required.

The Dubai-based airline has announced that it will resume passenger services to Conakry in Guinea and Dakar in Senegal from 3 September, taking the total number of cities in Africa served by Emirates to eight; the total network will subsequently grow to 77 cities. Flights from Dubai to Conakry and Dakar will be linked services, operating twice weekly, utilising an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Singapore Airlines have released an update on entry requirements for Singapore, whereby it's reported that from 1 September visitors from Brunei and New Zealand will be able to apply for a single-entry Air Travel Pass (ATP) for arrival from 8 September onwards. Visitors must apply between 7-30 days prior to travel, and will also be subjected to a COVID-19 test on arrival in Singapore.

The hotel brand has launched a new ‘Work from Hyatt’ package which includes a number of benefits designed to optimise a remote working experience, for those who would like a change of scene during their workday, whether that be where they’re already based or while travelling. Among the inclusions are workspace solutions incorporating connecting rooms and meeting rooms, daily food and beverage credit and waived resort fees.

Princess Cruises has announced that it will cancel early 2021 sailings on two ships, citing restrictions on travel, borders and ports relating to COVID-19 as the cause. The ships affected are the Island Princess and Pacific Princess, which were due to sail from North America and Australia respectively.

The government of Namibia has announced that from 1 September it will permit international tourism to resume via the re-opening of Hosea International Airport, through which all arrivals will be required to land. All tourist arrivals must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result obtained a maximum of 72 hours prior to arrival, and must submit a completed health questionnaire, full travel itinerary and evidence of adequate insurance. All travellers will be required to stay for seven days at their first tourist facility, and will undergo further COVID-19 testing during this time.

Sun City’s hotels and casino, located in South Africa's north-west at the border of Pilanesberg National Park, is due to re-open from 2 September, according to a notice on the resort's website. The Valley of the Waves and Sun Central, adjoining entertainment centres with retailers and restaurants, will though remain closed until further notice. Only hotel residents, MVG members and guests with confirmed golf bookings will be allowed to enter the resort, which will adhere to strict COVID-19 health protocols including hand sanitising, temperature checks, the completion of medical screening questionnaires and the wearing of a mask at all times.

The country's government has announced that the island nation has added a significant visitor free to its entry requirements, and will now levy a scale of charges beginning at US$1000 for individual staying on the island for three months or less. Visa applications have been opened for travel until 31 October and a 14-day arrival quarantine is also required.

The airlines of the Lufthansa Group have announced that they are restricting the exceptions from the obligation to wear a mask on board their flights from 1 September, when an exemption from the obligation to wear a mask during the flight for medical reasons will only be possible if a medical certificate is presented on a form provided by the airline. Passengers can download the document from the airlines' websites. In addition, passengers who are unable to wear a mask during the flight must present a negative COVID-19 test result, which is not older than 48 hours at the scheduled start of the journey.

The U.S. airline is trialing the use of a long-lasting antiviral surface protectant known as 'SurfaceWise2' onboard its aircraft, which if showing prolonged success will be perhaps the most effective onboard solution yet to protect against COVID-19 on touch points. Within months the airline hopes to use the product on its entire fleet.

The government of Germany has issued a travel warning to its citizens against travel to Paris and the French Cote d’Azur region, due to rising COVID-19 infections there; the country's foreign ministry said it was warning against unnecessary tourist trips to the Ile-de-France region, which includes the French capital, and the southern region of Provence-Alpes-Cote-d’Azur, which includes Marseille and Nice.

The airline has introduced their new COVID-19 cover policy, which provides free insurance for new and existing customers on flights booked for departures up until 31 March 2021, should they fall ill or experience difficulties due to COVID-19. As well as covering applicable medical costs incurred as a result of the virus, Virgin will also incur costs in the event that a passenger is denied boarding due to COVID-19-related reasons, or is unexpectedly quarantined upon arrival in their destination.

The Dubai-based airline has how resumed flights to Houston, Texas taking its flight network in the U.S. to six cities including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC. In the total the airline's reinstated network is shortly due to increase to over 74 destinations, offering travellers connections between the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas through its hub in Dubai.

The country’s prime minister has said that the current reinstated lockdown measures in Auckland will be extended until 23.59 (local time) on 30 August, with the city’s step down from level three to level two restrictions starting gradually from the following morning. Under level three, most businesses remain closed and residents must stay at home when not at work or school. The rest of the country will remain at level two until at least 6 September.