Covid-19 News

WTTC publishes report on digital travel post Covid
The World Travel & Tourism Council has published a new report on best practices and support for governments for the introduction of a ‘Digital Travel Portal’ to allow safe travel to reduce delays at airports.

Etihad to lift Covid waiver policy as international travel resumes
With international travel returning to normal, Etihad Airways is lifting its Covid-19 waiver policy for bookings from 1 June 2022.

Austria lifts all Covid restrictions for inbound tourists
Austria has removed all Covid entry restrictions, enabling international visitors to enter without needing to show proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test. They are no longer required to complete any forms.

New Zealand, Japan And other countries set to reopen their borders to travellers
New Zealand, Japan And other countries set to reopen their borders to travellers

Guidance to remove mask mandate a step towards normality
The International Air Transport Association welcomed new guidance from the European Aviation Safety Agency removing its recommendation that masks should be required in-flight.

CDC recommendation for masks and travel
At this time, CDC recommends that everyone aged 2 and older – including passengers and workers – properly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator over the nose and mouth in indoor areas of public transportation (such as airplanes, trains, etc.) and transportation hubs (such as airports, stations, etc.).

New Zealand reopens to tourists after two years
New Zealand has welcomed its first international tourists since March 2020 as part of the government’s phased reopening. Visitors from 60 visa-waiver nations, including the US and UK, can now enter for the first time since the closure of borders and the ensuing implementation of some of the world’s toughest contra pandemic measures.

Malaysia eases entry requirements
Malaysia is relaxing virus restrictions including testing at airports and mask mandates, as infection rates flatten and the nation adjusts to living with Covid.

WTTC reports resurgent international travel at Global Summit 2022
The WTTC forecasts a major increase in global international flights bookings as international travel reopens. Figures indicate triple-digit growth for inbound flight bookings around the world, compared to last year. Resurgent nations include Jamaica, Portugal and Greece.

Travel leaders discuss lessons from Covid at WTTC Global Summit
The world’s leading tourism ministers and business leaders have come together to discuss the lessons learnt from the pandemic at WTTC’s Global Summit 2022, which is currently taking place in Manila, Philippines.

U.S. Travel Association reacts to federal mask mandate action
U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the Biden administration’s announcement that the federal mask mandate will not be enforced on public transportation and in transportation hubs at this time

Masks now optional for employees, customers following White House announcement
Delta shared the following guidance with its employees Monday regarding the federal mask mandate.