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The airline has yesterday become the first domestic airline in India to launch a safe door to door baggage service for its passengers, branded AirAsia FlyPorter. In a continuation of the changes that COVID-19 is having upon processes within the airport experience, such as contactless check-in, the service goes a step further by introducing a safe and hassle-free way to transport luggage from the journey's start to finish.

The global hotel group has introduced a program of rigorous standards for cleaning and safety, working with their housekeeping and cleaning partners to deliver hygiene protocols over and above the World Health Organisation’s best practice recommendations.

The Indian state's first minister has announced that pre-flight COVID-19 tests will be mandatory for all those returning to the state from overseas, irrespective of whether they are taking flights under the the government's Vande Bharat repatriation mission, or other chartered flights arranged by different organisations.

Singapore moved into phase two of its Circuit Breaker plan to ease measures related to COVID-19 today, allowing bars, restaurants and retail businesses to re-open; a number of services including sports facilities and parks were also permitted to resume activities. The country's plan aims to facilitate the resumption of a new normal once phase three is reached.

Following the previous news of a move to alert level three and increased curbs on movement, China's capital has now mandated COVID-19 testing for hundreds of thousands of people. Among other restrictions, residents must now have a negative result on a nucleic acid test in order to travel; as a result, long lines at clinics are becoming a common site as strain is put on the healthcare system.

The country's aviation regulator said today that Thailand could allow inbound international travel to resume as early as next month for business purposes. Otherwise, a total flight suspension for all but repatriation services is due to expire at the end of June.

Accor has launched the ALLSAFE global cleanliness & prevention label, which has been developed with, and vetted by, Bureau Veritas - a world leader in testing, inspections and certification. All of the group's hotels must adhere to these standards, and will be subject to audits either by Accor operational experts or by third-party auditors such as Bureau Veritas to receive this label.

Hilton has announced updates to a global program developed to introduce a new standard of hotel cleanliness and disinfection to ensure that guests enjoy an even cleaner and safer stay: Hilton CleanStay with Lysol protection. The program has been developed with experts from RB, maker of Lysol and Dettol - brands trusted for safely disinfecting surfaces. In addition, experts from the Infection Prevention and Control team at Mayo Clinic will advise and assist in enhancing Hilton’s cleaning disinfection protocols.

The country's prime minister has today reportedly announced plans to ease entry restrictions for people coming from Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam, according to a Jiji news agency report. Further details, including proposed timelines, are currently unclear.

Taiwan has announced that from 22 June, border restrictions will be eased to allow business travellers from some low-risk countries to enter. Arrivals must provide a negative test result from the previous three days, have an invitation letter and be subject to a full 14 day quarantine - unless they pay for a further test after arrival in which case this may be reduced.

In a continuation of the gradual lifting of restrictions at Hong Kong International Airport, it is now permitted for passengers to transit using different airlines, although boarding passes and hold baggage must be printed and checked through to the final destination.

The airline has announced that passenger flights between Auckland and Shanghai will resume once per week from 22 June. Flight number NZ289 will leave Auckland on a Monday, and return from Shanghai on a Wednesday. The service will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 aircraft and will remain on this schedule until 30 August, unless otherwise advised.

Singapore's government has announced a review of several of the border measures currently in place; upcoming changes include new passenger testing from 23.59 (local time) on 17 June, in addition to the existing mandatory 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN). Further long term pass holders currently outside Singapore will also be permitted to return, and arrivals from some destinations will no longer be required to serve their SHN at a dedicated facility.

The country's government has today raised its emergency response level from two to three, in an effort to contain a COVID-19 outbreak which some fear will lead to a city-wide lockdown. Many domestic flights to Beijing were today cancelled, schools were closed and some neighbourhoods have been blocked off in an attempt to curb movement.

The Philippine Embassy in New Delhi reminds the Filipino community in India that the Embassy is open for passport services, including renewal and extension.

The country's capital has tightened safety measures due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. There are increased testing requirements as well as a mandatory 14 day stay at home notice for anyone who has visited the Xinfadi market, which is thought to be the source of the latest outbreak. In addition, 10 Chinese cities have advised their residents not to travel to the capital.

The airline has today released updated details of flight schedules in June, including the resumption of a number of routes. Although subject to change, flights to destinations including cities in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia and Singapore are currently due to operate.

The country plans to allow a resumption of flights to and from countries that have had no cases of COVID-19 for 30 days, the prime minister said today, with priority destinations including Japan, South Korea and Cambodia. Confirmation on expected dates has not yet been released and it is unclear whether arrivals from these countries will be subject to a quarantine programme that's been in place since mid-March.

China has today dropped Shanghai as one of the first ports of entry for international flights bound for the capital, Beijing. Incoming international flights to Beijing have to land at one of 16 designated airports, where passengers are screened. Passengers who test negative for the virus are then permitted to reboard the plane to Beijing.

Etihad Airways announced today that it will resume carrying transit passengers via its Abu Dhabi hub from 20 destination cities in Europe, Asia and Australia from 10 June; this follows a lifting of a previous suspension on those flights by the UAE government.