Search alerts

The Dubai-based airline has announced that it will resume four weekly services to Thailand's resort island of Phuket from 2 July, to coincide with the re-opening of the popular destination to international tourists; in addition, those who are vaccinated against COVID-19 will enjoy even fewer restrictions, with no quarantine applicable on arrival. The Dubai-Phuket route will be operated with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a three-class configuration, offering premium services in first and business class as well as economy class.

The government of India has said that its capital of New Delhi will start to ease its strict COVID-19 'lockdown' restrictions from 31 May if cases of the virus continue to fall within the city; one of the worst hit locations, New Delhi went into 'lockdown' on 20 April, but new cases have declined in recent weeks and test positivity rate has fallen under 2.5%, compared to 36% last month.

The U.S. government and its health officials have as of 24 May warned its citizens against travel to Japan due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, which is preparing to host the Olympics in just two months. The twin alerts don’t prevent U.S. citizens from visiting the country, but could have an impact on insurance rates for passengers, and may factor into decisions by Olympic athletes and spectators on whether to compete in or attend the games, which are due to start in July.

The government of Spain has said that it will officially lift COVID-19 restrictions for passengers from the UK and Japan on 24 May, when a decree takes effect; both countries will be on a list of those whose residents are able to avoid restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU, and will not need a negative COVID-19 PCR test result. However, UK tourists travelling to Spain will still have to quarantine on their return.

The government of Taiwan raised its COVID-19 alert level on 15 May in the capital of Taipei, as well as the surrounding area, in response to a reporting additional 180 new domestic cases of the virus. The increased restrictions will last for at least two weeks; face masks are to be worn outdoors for the first time, and the government now encourages work and study from home. In addition will be the closing of cinemas and entertainment spots, while limiting gatherings of families and friends to five indoors and 10 outdoors.

A travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore due to open on 26 May has been postponed for a second time, following a spike in COVID-19 cases in Singapore which has further stalled the plan for quarantine-free travel between the financial hubs. The bubble was initially scheduled to begin in November 2020 but was postponed after a rise in infections in Hong Kong. Under the delayed plan, passengers would still be required to test negative for COVID-19 before departure and on arrival, to move freely between the cities.

The country's government has extended a current COVID-19 state of emergency to cover an additional three prefectures where rises in infections have been detected; the news comes as Japan grapples with a surge of a more infectious strain of the virus just 10 weeks before the Tokyo Olympics are due to start. Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima will join Tokyo, Osaka and four other prefectures from 16 May under a state of emergency until at least 31 May. Among the restrictions imposed are an 20.00 (local time) closing deadline for eateries and a ban on alcohol at most bars and restaurants.

The government of Japan has announced the extension of a state of emergency in several regions of the country, originally imposed as a result of a surge in COVID-19 infections. Restrictions in Tokyo, Osaka, Hyogo and Kyoto had been due to end on 11 May, but will now remain in place until at least the end of the month. Under the state of emergency, bars and restaurants have had to close or stop serving alcohol, while cinemas and other leisure venues have also been closed.

The country's government has extended a 'ban' due to come into force on 7 May to last indefinitely until further notice; the restriction prevents entry to Oman for passengers coming from Sudan, Lebanon, South Africa, Brazil, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, the UK, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It also includes those coming from any third country, if they passed through any of the named countries during the 14 days prior to arrival in Oman.

The government of Taiwan has become the latest to 'ban' arrivals from India today, 3 May, as the latter struggles to deal with a huge surge in COVID-19 infections; except for Taiwanese citizens, anyone who has been in India in the 14 days prior to arrival will be denied entry, while returning citizens face 14 days in centralised COVID-19 quarantine facilities.

The U.S. president has imposed new travel restrictions on India in light of recent surges in cases of COVID-19, preventing most non-U.S. citizens from entering the United States; the new restrictions take effect on 4 May at 00.01 Eastern Time (ET).

The prime minister of Australia has today, 27 April, announced in a televised news conference that the country has suspended direct flights from India in response to a surge of COVID-19 cases in India. The suspension is currently due to be in force until at least 15 May, and primarily impacts two passenger services from India into Sydney, plus two repatriation flights from India to Darwin, totalling around 500 arrivals.

Government officials from the two regions have confirmed that Hong Kong and Singapore will finally establish a long-awaited COVID-19 travel bubble from 26 May, as they move to re-establish travel links and lift the hurdle of quarantine requirements for visiting passengers. The scheme will start with one flight per day into each city, with up to 200 passengers on each flight; those wanting to travel from either city must test negative for COVID-19 before departure and on arrival. Hong Kong residents can also only fly to Singapore at least 14 days after they have had two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Government officials in India have announced that from today, 27 April, the city of Bengaluru will enter a 14-day COVID-19 'lockdown' as both it and the country nationally battles a sharp surge in infections; Karnataka state, of which Bengaluru is capital, will also face the same measures during this time frame.

The country's government has ordered its capital of Bangkok to close public venues and sporting facilities from 26 April until at least 9 May, after Thailand reported a record daily rise in COVID-19 infections and deaths. The closures apply to venues including public parks, gyms, swimming pools, meeting halls, internet shops, daycare centres, sports fields, museums and libraries; Bangkok and 40 provinces have also made the wearing of face masks in public mandatory.

The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced that it has suspended passenger flights from India effective 25 April for the 10 days; furthermore, passengers who have transited through India in the last 14 days will not be accepted to travel from any other point to the UAE. The measure has been taken in response to sharp rises in COVID-19 cases and variants within India.

The country's government has confirmed the pending implementation of what it calls a 'short and powerful' state of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka and two other prefectures, as the country battles to contain a spike in cases of COVID-19. Under the measures to be enforced from 25 April to 11 May, the government will require restaurants, bars, and karaoke parlours serving alcohol to close, and big sporting events to be held without spectators. Department stores, cinemas and other commercial facilities larger than 1,000 square metres will need to close, while companies will be asked to make greater allowances for people to work from home; schools will though remain open.

The government of Singapore has eased travel restrictions and will now once again allow South African passengers to transit through the country. Only passengers transiting through Singapore Changi Airport are affected, and restrictions for people wanting to enter Singapore from South Africa remain in force.

The government of Japan is considering the declaration of a state of emergency for Tokyo and Osaka, according to broadcaster NHK, in order to curb the increased spread of COVID-19; Osaka's neighbouring prefectures of Hyogo and Kyoto could also be affected. If adopted in all four regions, the emergency measures would cover close to a quarter of Japan’s population of 126 million. In Tokyo, reports suggest this could span from 29 April to 9 May in order to incorporate the annual 'Golden Week' holiday period.

The UK’s Department of Transport has announced a change to be made to England’s ‘red list’ from 04.00 (GMT) on Friday 23 April 2021. From this date, visitors who have departed from or transited through India in the previous 10 days will be refused entry to England. Only British and Irish citizens, or those with residence rights (including long-term visa holders) will be permitted to enter; however, they must stay in a government-approved facility for 10 days.