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Tag: Restrictions
Have any countries introduced monkeypox travel restrictions?
Monkeypox, a rare viral infection, is appearing in small but increasing numbers in Europe.
While the disease is rarely fatal to humans, it has prompted some countries to introduce precautions and restrictions in order to limit the spread.
What is monkeypox and how does it spread?
Monkeypox is a viral infection that was first found in monkeys. It does not usually spread easily between people. It can, however, be transmitted by close physical contact through lesions and body fluids. Like coronavirus, it can also be passed through respiratory droplets, the only similarity found between the diseases so far.
Those most at risk of infection have usually had close household contact or sexual intercourse with an infected person. They may also be at risk if they have changed the bedding of an infected person without personal protective equipment.
Dr David Heymann, a leading adviser to the World Health Organisation (WHO), suggested that the current spread of the disease may have been caused by sexual contact between gay and bisexual men at events held in Belgium and Spain.
Is monkeypox dangerous for people?
While the outbreak of monkeypox is raising concern, infected people usually recover from the disease in a few weeks without needing hospitalisation. The mortality rate is less than 4 per cent.
The symptoms of the virus are usually mild – but it can initially cause chills, fever, and aches. Once the fever breaks, a rash often develops which can be itchy or painful and lesions can occur on the face or genitals. Symptoms usually clear up on their own after about 14 to 21 days.
While currently there is no specific vaccine for monkeypox, a smallpox jab provides 85 per cent protection as the two viruses are quite similar. Some antiviral drugs are now being developed for monkeypox.
Those most vulnerable to the disease include immunosuppressed people, pregnant women, and children under 12.
Which countries have monkeypox outbreaks?
More than 80 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in at least nine European countries, as well as the US, Canada and Australia. The UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Sweden have all reported cases of the virus.
The WHO has voiced concern as these recent outbreaks are “atypical…they are occurring in non-endemic countries.”
Monkeypox is not usually seen in Europe and is most commonly found in remote parts of Central and West Africa.
UK
The UK, where the outbreak was first identified, currently has 21 confirmed cases of monkeypox so far. On Monday, the first case of the virus was detected in Scotland.
Official guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says anyone who has had direct or household contact with a confirmed case should isolate for 21 days.
Spain
In Spain, the number of confirmed cases of monkeypox has reached 34.
The majority of the cases in Spain have been traced to an adult sauna party in Madrid that has been identified as a superspreader event.
Belgium
On Saturday, Belgium recorded its fourth case of monkeypox. Local media reports have traced the outbreak to fetish festival Darklands, where three people tested positive.
Belgium has become the first country to impose a quarantine for monkeypox cases.
Those infected are required to isolate for 21 days. Contact cases are not obliged to quarantine but they are advised to remain vigilant and avoid contact with vulnerable people.
Portugal
On Monday, Portugal reported 14 new cases of monkeypox bringing the total to 37. Many of those affected are reported to be young men.
Italy
The number of monkeypox cases in Italy has risen to four. Two of the cases are believed to have recently holidayed in the Canary Islands where parties are being investigated as another source of infection.
Denmark
Denmark reported its first suspected case of monkeypox on Monday. The person in question had reportedly recently returned from a trip to Spain.
What are Europe’s monkeypox travel restrictions?
Currently, the monkeypox outbreak has not resulted in travel restrictions being imposed.
However, WHO’s Europe regional director Hans Kluge has warned that “as we enter the summer season… with mass gatherings, festivals and parties, I am concerned that transmission could accelerate.”
This may prompt stricter restrictions that affect travel in Europe this summer.
Belgium has dropped almost all of its COVID-19 restrictions
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Summer travel tips as COVID restrictions ease
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Although some COVID restrictions have changed, it can be hard to know what the rules are when it comes to traveling.
8 News Now connected with an expert for a quick roundup of where things stand, and how to plan ahead.
Masks are not required on domestic flights, but some airports are still requiring them.
For those who prefer to wear a mask, passengers are still welcome to do so.
Lousson Smith is a specialist with Scott’s Cheap Flights and says his team members observed a third to half of the passengers masked on flights during the past week.
“If you are going to JFK, La Guardia, or LAX, they are still upholding those mandates,” Smith said.
For international flights, masks may be required, depending on the rules of the destination.
The best way to get clarity, check the website of the airports you’re traveling through and contact the airline if you’re not sure.
It’s a good idea to travel with an extra mask or two, just in case.
When it comes to COVID test-taking, the U.S. is one of the few countries requiring a negative COVID test to enter, even if you’re fully vaccinated.
“If you are going abroad and coming back, be mindful a day before that departure, you have to have a negative test,” Smith said. “The issue that people are facing, they forget, they are stranded in a foreign country, make sure you are remembering before you come back to the states.”
Many airline flights still have the options to be changed for free.
“All airlines are still waiving change fees for any tickets above basic economy, trade-off with basic economy price, don’t get the flexibility of other tickets,” he added.
If you have a trip booked that you know you don’t want to or can’t take, don’t cancel it and take the credit right away.
If the airline cancels it or significantly changes the schedule you’re entitled to a cash refund.
Biden eases restrictions on Cuban travel and remittances – Nation & World News
By NPR News
The White House plans to make it easier for families to visit relatives in Cuba and increase visa processing on the island, reversing some of former President Trump’s policies.
(Image credit: Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. Rolls Out Revised Cuba Policy, Easing Some Restrictions on Remittances, Travel | World News
By Daphne Psaledakis, Matt Spetalnick and Humeyra Pamuk
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States plans to take a series of steps to revise its policy toward Cuba, including easing some Trump-era restrictions on family remittances and travel to the island and sharply increasing the processing of U.S. visas for Cubans, administration officials said on Monday.
The measures, which come after a lengthy U.S. government review, mark the most significant changes in the U.S. approach to Havana since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021.
But the announcement stopped short of returning U.S.-Cuba relations to the historic rapprochement engineered by former President Barack Obama, under whom Biden served as vice president. That included less crimped flow of remittances, fewer travel curbs and faster visa services.
The officials said that in the measures announced Monday, the United States would lift the cap on family remittances, previously set to $1,000 per quarter, and authorize donative remittances to non-family members.
Political Cartoons on World Leaders
But the officials made clear that the United States would not remove entities from the Cuba Restricted List, a State Department list of Cuban government- and military-aligned companies with whom U.S. firms and citizens are barred from doing business.
“We are going to ensure that remittances flow more freely to the Cuban people, while not enriching those who perpetrate human rights abuses,” the official said.
The United States will use civilian “electronic payment processors” for remittances to avoid funds going directly to the Cuban government, the officials said, adding that the United States had already engaged with the Cuban government “about establishing a civilian processor for this.”
Biden officials have been mindful that easing restrictions on Cuba could lead to political fallout from conservative Cuban Americans, a key voting bloc in south Florida who mostly backed former President Donald Trump’s tough policies on Cuba.
Trump slashed visa processing, restricted remittances, scaled back flights to the island and increased hurdles for U.S. citizens seeking to travel to Cuba for anything other than family visits.
The officials gave few details on how the new policy would be implemented.
The Cuban embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Among the changes is a plan to reinstate the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program, which had provided a legal way for Cuban families to be reunited in the United States, and increase capacity for consular services.
Washington will aim to issue 20,000 immigrant visas a year, the official said, in line with a migration accord.
The U.S. embassy in Havana began issuing a trickle of immigrant visas to Cubans this month, making good on an earlier promise to restart visa processing on the island after a four-year hiatus.
The State Department under Trump sharply scaled back embassy staff in 2017 following a spate of “anomalous health incidents” that came to be known as “Havana syndrome.”
Cubans seeking to emigrate to the United States were instead directed to apply for visas in person at the U.S. embassies first in Colombia, and later in Guyana, costly trips beyond the reach of many.
The Biden administration will also expand authorized travel to Cuba, allowing flights to and from the country to use airports other than Havana, the officials said.
Washington will also reinstate some categories of group educational travel, as well as certain travel related to professional meetings and research.
Individual “people-to-people” travel, however, will not be reinstated, the officials said. The category was eliminated by Trump officials who said it was being abused by Americans taking beach vacations.
The United States will also increase support for independent Cuban entrepreneurs, aiming to ease access to the internet and expanding access to microfinance and training, among other measures.
Biden promised during the 2020 election to re-engage with Cuba. He instead imposed fresh sanctions on Cuban officials in response to Havana’s crackdown on protesters following widespread marches on the island last July.
Hundreds were arrested during and after the demonstrations, widely considered to be the largest protests since Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution. Washington has condemned Cuban authorities for harsh sentences that have been given to some.
The Cuban government blamed the protests on meddling by the United States.
The officials said a decision has not been made on whether to invite Cuba to the U.S.-hosted Summit of the Americas, despite threats from Mexico and others that they will not attend unless all countries in the Americas are invited.
(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Matt Spetalnick and Humeyra Pamuk;Editing by Mary Milliken and Rosalba O’Brien)
Copyright 2022 Thomson Reuters.
Countries relaxing COVID travel restrictions
Could the mask mandate come back? Here’s what travelers should know.
Masks are now optional on most major modes of transportation in the U.S., but what does that really mean for your future travel plans?
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Countries across the globe are continuing to relax international travel restrictions related to COVID with the European Union dropping its mask mandate for air travelers starting next week.
And COVID travel warnings are being dropped, too. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month removed all the remaining countries on its “Do Not Travel” list.
“More and more people are once again traveling to destinations around the world and enjoying all that comes with travel,” the agency said Thursday in a statement shared by spokesperson Tom Skinner.
While many warnings and restrictions around the world have been relaxed, the CDC said that traveling can still increase the risk of exposure to the virus.
“The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and CDC are working with the White House and other federal partners to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the American public while returning to more normal routines safely,” the CDC continued. “Travel requirements are made using the best available science.”
Mask rules: Where are masks still required now that the mask mandate has been lifted?
Canada: Is easing entry requirements for some international travelers
New Zealand opening up to all tourists by July
New Zealand will reopen its borders to tourists from all countries by July, allow back cruise ships and make it easier for skilled workers to immigrate as it looks outward to the world again following the COVID-19 pandemic, the government said Wednesday.
New Zealand has been slowly reopening, first to Australians last month and then to tourists from the U.S., Britain and more than 50 other countries earlier this month. Wednesday’s announcement will allow tourists from China, India and other countries to come starting July 31.
The government said it also planned to end the need for people to get predeparture COVID-19 tests by the end of July.
Post-pandemic travel: Is it OK to ask another passenger’s vaccine status or request they mask up?
The European Union: Is dropping its mask mandate for airplanes, airports starting next week
Israel to drop arrival testing requirement for US visitors
Starting May 20, all U.S. travelers arriving to Israel by plane will no longer have to take a PCR test upon arrival and will not have to quarantine.
That said, pre-departure testing will remain a requirement as the ease in restrictions will allow for even more visitors to enjoy our country.
Laos reopens to international visitors after more than 2 years
The landlocked Southeast Asian nation of Laos reopened to tourists and other visitors on Monday, more than two years after it imposed tight restrictions to fight the coronavirus.
Thipphakone Chanthavongsa, head of the government’s agency for controlling COVID-19, announced on Saturday the reopening date, the last in a three-phase plan, state news agency KPL reported. She said vaccination certificates or virus tests will still be required for Lao citizens and foreigners entering the country.
Travelers 12 years of age or older without vaccination certificates must be able to show negative ATK tests taken within 48 hours of departure for Laos.
As part of the easing of restrictions, entertainment venues including karaoke parlors will be able to reopen, but must comply with COVID-19 control regulations. All border crossings were reopened.
Myanmar issuing tourist visas
Myanmar announced Thursday it will resume issuing visas for visitors in an effort to help its moribund tourism industry, devastated by the coronavirus pandemic and violent political unrest.
Starting on Sunday, tourist “e-Visas” will be provided online in a move also intended to harmonize tourism with neighboring countries, according to a government notice in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper.
Visitors need a certificate of vaccination, negative results from a COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken shortly before their flight and a travel insurance policy. They must also take an ATK rapid test after arrival.
Myanmar on April 1 had already resumed issuing business visas, and on April 17 dropped a ban on international commercial flights. It had stopped issuing visas and suspended flight arrivals in March 2020.
The Czech Republic eases all travel restrictions, too
Last month, the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Health eased travel protocols for international visitors and Czech citizens.
“There are no longer any coronavirus restrictions for entry into the Czech Republic,” CzechTourism said on its website April 14.
Jamaica relaxed some restrictions in April
Jamaica rolled back its COVID-19 entry restrictions in April with hoping that easier entry would attract more tourists.
The Jamaica Tourist Board announced last month that the Caribbean island would drop its indoor mask mandate and its pre-departure PCR COVID-19 testing requirement starting.
Dreaming of a Caribbean getaway? Here are the COVID entry restrictions for popular islands
As you consider travel, consider any restrictions and recommendations
While you plan travel, even as restrictions easel the CDC recommends all travelers stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines and “follow all domestic and international travel requirements and recommendations.”
And, each week, the health agency updates its Travel Health Notices to alert travelers.
In addition, CDC’s COVID-19 Travel Health Notices are updated each week to alert travelers of the COVID-19 situation in international destinations and advise them on how to protect themselves before, during, and after travel.
Contributing: Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, and The Associated Press
Italy relaxes Covid-19 travel restrictions and here’s all you need to know
With things slowly and steadily returning to normal post Covid-19 pandemic, Italy too, like many countries across the globe, has relaxed Covid-19 travel restrictions.
According to the country’s latest travel guidelines, visitors will now no longer need to fill out the EU passenger locator form at airport check in form, a long and complicated process previously used to facilitate international contact tracing.
The Covid-19 Green Health Pass which was earlier mandatory to enter public spaces like restaurants, movie halls, gyms, is now no longer a requirement. However, to visit hospitals and nursing homes, one still needs to produce the green pass showing proof of vaccination, recovery from Covid-19 or a recent negative test result.
As Italy gears up for the tourist season, it has kept the mask mandate. The country continues to keep the mask mandate for public places like public transport, movies and in all health care facilities. Masks are no longer a requirement inside malls, supermarkets and workplaces.
Italy is expecting a normal tourist season after two years of pandemic and lockdowns.
- When is the best time to visit Italy?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are very pleasant in Italy. These months are ideal if you want a less crowded holiday. - Is a mask still mandatory in Italy?
Yes, if you are visiting healthcare facilities, going to the movies or using public transport. Public places other than these no longer require you to wear a mask. - How is summer in Italy?
Italy gets a very warm summer with the months of July and August very hot and humid.
Italy relaxes Covid-19 travel restrictions and here’s all you need to know – Times of India
Italy, Greece relax COVID restrictions before tourism season
ROME (AP) — Italy and Greece relaxed some COVID-19 restrictions on Sunday, in a sign that life was increasingly returning to normal before Europe’s peak summer tourist season.
Greece’s civil aviation authority announced that it was lifting all COVID-19 rules for international and domestic flights except for the wearing of face masks during flights and at airports. Previously, air travelers were required to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or a recent recovery from the disease.
Under a decree passed by Italy’s health ministry, the country did away with the health pass that had been required to enter restaurants, cinemas, gyms and other venues. The green pass, which showed proof of vaccination, recovery from the virus or a recent negative test, is still required to access hospitals and nursing homes.
Some indoor mask mandates also ended, including inside supermarkets, workplaces and stores. Masks are still required on public transport, in cinemas and in all health care and eldercare facilities.
“It was needed,” said Claudio Civitelli, a Rome resident who was having his morning coffee at a bar near the Trevi Fountain. Until Sunday, patrons had to wear a mask to enter bars and restaurants, though they could remove them to eat and drink. “We have waited more than two years.”
At a nearby table, Andrea Bichler, an Italian tourist from Trentino Alto-Adige, sat with similarly maskless friends.
“It’s much better,” Bichler said. “Let’s say it’s a return to life, a free life.”
Public health officials say masks still remain highly recommended for all indoor activities, and private companies can still require them.
As of Sunday, visitors to Italy also no longer have to fill out the EU passenger locator form, a complicated and user-unfriendly online form required at airport check-in.
Even with the restrictions increasingly going by the wayside, public health officials urged prudence and stressed that the pandemic was still not over. Italy is reporting 699 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and is recording more than 100 deaths per day, with a total confirmed death toll at 163,500. But hospital capacity remains stable and under the critical threshold.
Given the virus is still circulating, “we should keep up the vaccine campaign, including boosters, and keep up behavior inspired by prudence: wearing masks indoors or in crowded places or wherever there’s a risk of contagion,” said Dr. Giovanni Rezza, in charge of prevention at the health ministry.
Italy was the epicenter of Europe’s outbreak when it recorded the first locally transmitted case on Feb. 21, 2020. The government imposed one of the harshest lockdowns and production shutdowns in the West during the first wave of the virus, and maintained more stringent restrictions than many of its neighbors in subsequent waves.
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Francesco Sportelli contributed to this report.
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Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic