WESTJET: Airline releases updated schedule for November 2020

The airline has released an updated November schedule, featuring more than 215 daily flights to destinations in Canada, the U.S., Jamaica, Mexico and Europe.
Canada
Jamaica
Mexico
United Kingdom
United States of America
Airline
Southwest Airlines
Business
Leisure

CZECH REPUBLIC: Country's government to close borders to tourism from 22 October 2020

The country's government has announced that from tomorrow, 22 October, it will close its borders to all international tourism once again, in response to a rise in COVID-19 cases. The ban on tourism will remain in place until at least 3 November, when it will be reviewed again for potential extension. Essential travellers will still be permitted to enter if they fit into specific categories including the purposes of business, essential family travel, medical reasons or to attend a wedding or funeral.
Czech Republic
Borders
Business
Leisure

UNITED KINGDOM: Wales to enter short-term circuit breaker lockdown from 23 October 2020

The government of the devolved UK nation have announced that Wales will go into a circuit break-style lockdown from 18.00 (GMT+1) on 23 October, lasting until 9 November; a number of restrictions apply which ultimately mean that residents will be told to stay home in most circumstances. The BBC has published a guide to these restrictions, which also includes a summary of current restrictions in all other UK nations.
United Kingdom
Borders
Business
Leisure

AMAWATERWAYS: Cruise operator suspends all remaining 2020 river sailings in three continents

The cruise operator has announced that it has cancelled the rest of its scheduled 2020 river cruises in Europe, Asia and Africa; this suspension does not though apply to the chartered river cruises being operated on the Rhine in partnership with a German tour operator. Passengers affected will be offered a future cruise credit equal to 115% of the value of their purchase, which will be valid for sailings through to the end of 2022.
Australia
Canada
Germany
New Zealand
South Africa
United Kingdom
United States of America
Cruise
AmaWaterways
Leisure

UNITED KINGDOM: London Heathrow Airport begins rapid COVID-19 testing trial for some passengers

London Heathrow Airport has today, 20 October, started trialling one-hour rapid COVID-19 testing for passengers departing from the UK to Hong Kong and Italy, to allow them to avoid quarantine with a negative result. The facilities have reportedly been initially set up for four weeks, but could be extended depending on demand.
United Kingdom
Borders
Business
Leisure

IRELAND: Country announced tough level five COVID-19 lockdown measures

The country’s government yesterday, 19 October, introduced some of Europe’s toughest COVID-19 restrictions by closing non-essential retail, limiting restaurants and pubs to take away service and telling people not to travel more than five kilometres from their home. The restrictions will initially stay in place for at least five weeks.
Ireland
Borders
Business
Leisure

SLOVENIA: Country introduces updated COVID-19 restrictions from 20 October 2020

The country's government has announced updated COVID-19 restrictions as part of a declared 'epidemic' alert level, which came into effect today, 20 October; among the new measures, most gatherings are limited to six people, and all larger public gatherings are prohibited. A curfew will also be imposed every day from 21.00 (local time) to 06.00.
Slovenia
Borders
Business
Leisure

AUSTRIA: Country imposes additional COVID-19 restrictions following rise in case numbers

The country’s government is set to impose increased COVID-19 restrictions following an increase in cases; among the restrictions, gatherings will be limited to a maximum of six people indoors and 12 people outdoors. Professionally organised events will also have higher limits combined with requirements such as assigned seating.
Austria
Borders
Business
Leisure

SWITZERLAND: Country imposes additional COVID-19 restrictions following rise in case numbers

The country’s government yesterday, 18 October, announced tighter COVID-19 restrictions including a nation-wide obligation to wear masks and a ban on large scale public gatherings; gatherings of more than 15 people in public places will be banned from today, 19 October, and masks must be worn in all indoor public places.
Switzerland
Borders
Business
Leisure

BELGIUM: Country's government re-imposes COVID-19 curfew

The government of Belgium has opted to re-introduce a COVID-19 curfew effective from today, 19 October; the curfew will be in effect from 00.01 to 05.00 (local time). Belgium already has a mandatory mask requirement on public transport and in all indoor public places. All cafés and restaurants are currently closed.
Belgium
Borders
Business
Leisure

SOUTH AFRICA: Country publishes updated list of countries designated 'high-risk'

The government of South Africa has today, 19 October, issued a revised list of countries designated as 'high-risk' for the purposes of international travel. As a reminder, international travel for business and leisure purposes resumed on 1 October 2020 in South Africa with restrictions in place; travel is currently restricted from countries with infection rates deemed to be high, and travel for leisure purposes from 'high-risk' countries is not permitted. Only high skill visa holders, investors in the economy and diplomats are allowed entry into South Africa from 'high-risk' countries with the necessary approvals in place.
Argentina
Bangladesh
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Colombia
France
Germany
India
Indonesia
Italy
Mexico
Middle East
Netherlands
Peru
Philippines
Russia
South Africa
Spain
United Kingdom
United States of America
Borders
Business
Leisure

MALTA: Country introduces increased COVID-19 restrictions following rise in case numbers

The country's government has announced that from today, 19 October, it is making the wearing of face masks mandatory in public and ordering clubs, bars and places of entertainment to close at 23.00 (local time). In addition, rapid testing for COVID-19 will also be rolled out for airport arrivals, and at schools and clinics where cases of the virus are suspected.
Malta
Borders
Business
Leisure

FLYBE: Collapsed UK regional airline could start flying again in 2021

It’s been reported that UK regional airline Flybe, which collapsed early in the COVID-19 pandemic as one of its first major travel industry casualties, could begin flying again from 2021 following its sale to firm Thyme Opco Ltd.
United Kingdom
Airline
Flybe
Business
Leisure

VIRGIN ATLANTIC: Airline to launch two new India to Manchester routes from December 2020

The airline has announced that it will launch two new routes from Manchester to New Delhi and Mumbai in an attempt to target the visiting friends and relatives (VFR) market. Virgin will start flying three times per week from Manchester to Mumbai on 19 December with a twice-weekly route to Delhi due to follow on 5 January; the routes will likely fly Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft featuring economy, premium economy and upper class cabins.
India
United Kingdom
Airline
Virgin Atlantic
Business
Leisure

SINGAPORE AIRLINES: Updated flight schedules published for October, November and December 2020

The airline, along with partner carrier SilkAir, has published its latest schedule update for flights in October, November and December 2020. Among the updates are reinstated flights to destinations including Brunei, Fukuoka, Kathmandu and Male. The airlines have said that following these resumptions, by the end of December flight capacity will have reached 15% of pre-COVID-19 levels.
Australia
Canada
Japan
Maldives
New Zealand
Singapore
South Africa
United Kingdom
United States of America
Airline
Singapore Airlines
SilkAir
Business
Leisure

SEYCHELLES: Country's government updates list of countries from which entry is permitted

South Africans and citizens of nine other African countries will be able to visit Seychelles as tourists from today, 19 October, according to the latest official Seychelles Travel tourism travel advisory published on 16 October. The list of category one countries has been updated to include Botswana, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Category one permitted countries are considered low and medium risk.
Australia
Austria
Botswana
Burundi
Canada
Cyprus
Denmark
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
Germany
Ghana
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Ivory Coast
Kenya
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Mainland China
Malawi
Malaysia
Mauritius
Middle East
Monaco
New Zealand
Niger
Norway
Pakistan
Portugal
Rwanda
Seychelles
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Vietnam
Zimbabwe
Borders
Business
Leisure

POLAND: Country's government tightens COVID-19 restrictions in response to rise in cases

The country’s government yesterday, 15 October, announced new restrictions aiming to curb a rise in COVID-19 infections within Poland; this includes limits on opening hours for bars and restaurants, sports events and schools in some areas. Sports events will be held without audiences and gyms and swimming pools will close. The capital Warsaw will also be downgraded to a ‘red’ zone.
Poland
Borders
Business
Leisure

FRANCE: Country to impose night-time COVID-19 curfew from 17 October 2020

The country's president has announced a new night-time curfew from 21.00 to 06.00 (local time) in Paris and eight other cities to try to curb the rapid spread of COVID-19. It will come into effect from 17 October and last for at least four weeks; a public health emergency has also been declared. The curfew will apply to Paris and its suburbs as well as Marseille, Lyon, Lille, Saint-Etienne, Rouen, Toulouse, Grenoble and Montpellier. The measures will stop people visiting restaurants and private homes, and they will need a valid reason to be outside their homes during the hours of curfew. Only 'essential' trips will be permitted.
France
Borders
Business
Leisure

NETHERLANDS: Country's government announces partial COVID-19 lockdown from 14 October 2020

The country's prime minister has announced a partial COVID-19 lockdown following a surge in cases of the virus. The new measures come into effect on 14 October and will see all bars, restaurants and cafes closed, and the sale of alcohol banned after 20.00 (local time). In addition, the wearing of face masks will be mandatory in all indoor spaces.
Netherlands
Borders
Business
Leisure

CZECH REPUBLIC: Country's government tightens COVID-19 restrictions amid rise in cases

The country's government is imposing a three-week partial COVID-19 lockdown shutting schools, bars and clubs as the Czech Republic and other European countries struggle to contain a sharp rise in cases of the virus; restaurants will be closed and public consumption of alcohol is temporarily banned. Schools, bars and clubs will be closed until 3 November while restaurants will be restricted to deliveries and takeaways, until 20.00 (local time) each day. Masks, already being worn in shops and on public transport, will also have to be worn at tram stops and on train platforms. The maximum number of people gathering in a group, whether indoors or outside, will be six.
Czech Republic
Borders
Business
Leisure