Based on the latest data, approximately 56,043 COVID-19 cases were reported in the week of December 3–9, 2023. If you compare this with the 32,035 cases reported in the previous week, there has been a significant increase. Compared to the previous week, the average number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 has increased from 225 to 350, and the average number of cases in the intensive care unit (ICU) has increased from four to nine.

In reaction to the current circumstances, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has collaborated with public hospitals to create safety plans. These plans include a number of actions, like making sure there is a sufficient workforce and delaying elective surgeries that are not urgent. The goal is to increase the number of beds, especially for emergency cases.

The Ministry of Health plans to open a new COVID-19 Treatment Facility (CTF) in Hall 10 of the Singapore EXPO. It will serve more than 80 stable COVID-19 patients who do not require intensive hospital care.

It is highly recommended that people with symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI) stay at home. Precautions such as wearing masks, limiting social engagements, and staying away from crowded places are advised in interactions that cannot be avoided.

It has been recommended that travelers take precautions, such as wearing masks at airports, purchasing travel insurance, and avoiding crowded, poorly ventilated areas. The public is urged to use emergency departments only for serious or life-threatening situations in order to maximize hospital resources.

The ministry also underlined how crucial vaccination is in the fight against COVID-19. Those who maintain up-to-date vaccination records will see a reduction in hospitalization rates, especially if they have taken a booster shot recently.

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AP1’s General Manager, Handy Heryudhitiawan, emphasized ongoing coordination with all stakeholders, particularly the Port Health Office (KKP), to enhance awareness and mitigation efforts against the virus during a Media Gathering event on Thursday, December 14, 2023.

Heryudhitiawan noted that the KKP is actively conducting checks at both departure and arrival areas using body temperature detection devices, including five thermal scanner units, to identify passengers displaying symptoms. When asked about the potential reinstatement of COVID-19 health protocols (Prokes) at the airport for passengers and workers, Heryudhitiawan stated that AP1 is aligned with the government’s measures to preemptively tackle COVID-19 and is awaiting specific regulatory guidance for smooth implementation.

Currently, AP1 is in coordination and awaiting further regulations. This approach aligns with early mitigation strategies implemented by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries at the airport, including the continued encouragement of mask usage among service users. Heryudhitiawan urged travelers to be mindful of their health and adhere to health protocols to ensure safe and healthy travel.

In addition, Made Rentin, the Head of Bali’s Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), stated that there are no specific rules for domestic and international travelers concerning the coronavirus ahead of the Christmas holidays. However, the Ministry of Health’s Circular Number: HK.02.02/C/4815/2023 emphasizes increased vigilance through measures such as vaccination, situation monitoring, verifying the vaccination status of travelers, strict supervision, and enhanced public education communication.

This update comes as COVID-19 cases in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, have seen a rise. The government is urging regional leaders to step up vigilance in response to this development.

60 Covid-19 cases found in Bali in last 12 days

I Nyoman Gede Anom, the Head of Bali Province Health Service, has reported that Bali witnessed 60 new positive cases of COVID-19 between December 1 and December 12, 2023. According to Anom, these cases were identified among patients seeking medical attention at hospitals across the province.

“There are patients who are going to hospital for treatment, there are also those who are going to have surgery. “So, when I went for treatment there were symptoms of cough and cold, so PCR was done and there were several positive ones,” said Anom when interviewed, Wednesday 13 December 2023.

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The Associated Press reports that Wang Wenbin, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, said during a press conference Monday that lifting the requirement for coronavirus testing is an important step toward reopening China to the rest of the world.

The Asian country abolished quarantine regulations for Chinese nationals returning from abroad in January. The government not only increased the number of foreign flights but also expanded the list of countries whose travelers are allowed to visit.

As of last week, Delta Air Lines has added 10 weekly flights from Seattle and Detroit to Shanghai-Pudong International Airport, starting Oct. 29. The airline will begin four weekly flights from Los Angeles to PVG in March 2024; this route has not been served since before the pandemic.

After China’s “zero COVID” policy, which led to citywide lockdowns and lengthy quarantines for infected individuals, efforts to abolish COVID-related restrictions have persisted.

Previously, travelers were forced to lock themselves in government-approved hotels for weeks, hampering growth in the world’s second-largest economy, increasing unemployment, and sparking widespread protests against the forced closures.

Chinese officials indicated earlier this month that group excursions would be allowed once more for various nations, which would be the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. According to China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, group trips to Australia, Britain, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the United States will be allowed, but not to Canada.

The post China Finally Scraps Mandatory COVID Test For International Visitors  appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

As remote work became the standard and many companies showed reluctance to send their employees on non-essential trips, business-related travel declined significantly in 2020 and 2021. The resurgence of the business travel sector began in 2022, but encountered a fresh obstacle. In the midst of an economic downturn, many companies opted for cost-cutting measures, leading to a renewed decline in travel activity.

According to a recent report from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), business travel will actually reach record levels in 2024. That’s two years earlier than the association had initially predicted. The prediction was made in GBTA’s latest Business Travel Index Outlook report, released this week at the group’s annual convention.

The report highlights two specific findings: first, global business travel expenditures surged by 47 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year, surpassing $1 trillion; second, projections indicate a further 32 percent growth in spending within this sector for 2023.

Business travel spending is now forecast to exceed a staggering $1.4 trillion in 2024 after “rebounded at a more accelerated rate than expected just a year ago.” And according to BTN—Business Travel News, that amount will rise to nearly $1.8 trillion by 2027.

These numbers show a significant change from the GBTA report from the previous year. At that time, the group noted that supply chain issues and inflation were preventing a real recovery in the business travel industry, and it was expected that it would take until 2026 to see any tangible improvement.

According to the organization’s research, the significant upswing in business travel is the result of pent-up demand, improved global economic conditions and fading recession fears.

“The headwinds that were anticipated to impact the rebound of global business travel over the past year didn’t materialize and that is good news,” said GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang. “This latest forecast now indicates an accelerated return to pre-pandemic spending levels sooner than anticipated as well as growth ahead in the coming years. Business travel spending is a key indicator, but how travel volumes will continue to rebound is yet to be seen.”

Still, things might not always go smoothly in the future. There are still issues that could hinder future progress. These include the increasing use of virtual meeting platforms and the emphasis on sustainability on a global scale. According to Neufang, demand for business travel will nevertheless be influenced by remote work.

Other notable findings from the report include: Air travel accounted for $183 billion (18 percent) of the total business travel spending for 2022; lodging spending reached $395 billion (38 percent); food and beverage costs tallied up to $191 billion (19 percent); ground transportation accounted for $138 billion (13 percent); and miscellaneous travel expenditures summed up to $121 billion.

The post Business Travel Projected To Surpass Pre-Pandemic Levels In 2024 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

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US Reopening Tourism – LATEST UPDATES and News:

May 2 – US to Scrap COVID-Vaccination Requirements to enter the country for all international travelers

As per a recent announcement by the United States Government, COVID-19 vaccination requirements for international travelers and federal workers will be lifted on May 11. 

When the public health emergency expires next week, the mandate associated with the coronavirus will be lifted, according to President Joe Biden and his administration’s health officials.

As reported by Reuters.com. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, non-citizens entering the country through land ports and ferries will no longer be required to be vaccinated against COVID -19 beginning May 12.

April 13: Biden Ends Covid National Emergency But Unvaccinated Travel Remains Banned

The White House announced that President Joe Biden has signed a bill to terminate the national emergency related to Covid-19 on Monday.

However, this termination will not affect the separate public health emergency which is scheduled to end on May 11. A White House official stated that the end of the national emergency will not disrupt the orderly winding down of authorities.

That being said, the bill won’t affect the ban on unvaccinated travelers to the U.S. until at least May 11.

The bill was passed with a bipartisan 68-23 vote in the Senate last month and was approved by the House earlier this year, with 11 Democrats voting in favor of the joint resolution.

April 3 – The Senate on Wednesday passed a resolution formally declaring an end to the COVID-19 national emergency.

A GOP-led resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency that has been in effect since 2020 was approved by the Senate on Wednesday. 

The upper chamber approved the proposal by a vote of 68 to 23. The Senate last year approved an identical measure sponsored by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), but the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives rejected it. 

This year, the House approved it by a vote of 229 to 197, with 11 Democrats voting with all Republicans. Last year, President Biden threatened to veto the bill. 

Instead of threatening a veto this year, he spoke out against the proposal in a policy statement before the House vote. 

On Wednesday, however, he said he would sign the bill. The national emergency will end then on May 11.

How can unvaccinated travel to the U.S.?

The only way unvaccinated travelers can visit the U.S. is to meet one of the exceptions. You can find all the details about exceptions on the C.D.C website.

Exceptions:

• Persons on diplomatic or official foreign government travel
• Persons with documented medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine
• Participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials
• Children under 18 years of age
• Persons issued a humanitarian or emergency exception
• Sea crew members traveling with to a C-1 and D nonimmigrant visa
• Persons with valid visas [excluding B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visas] who are citizens of a foreign country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability (See list for updates effective June 28, 2022)
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouses or children (under 18 years of age)
• Persons whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, Secretary of Transportation, or Secretary of Homeland Security (or their designees)

U.S. Reopening FAQs

Some of the current carrier flying from Europe to the U.S.

• Lufthansa  United 
• Air Europa 
• Royal Air Maroc
• Air France
• Alitalia, Delta Operated by Alitalia CityLiner
• Delta
• KLM, Delta Virgin Atlantic
• Lufthansa, Air Canada 0perated by Air Canada Express – Sky Regional
• Lufthansa, Air Canada operated by Air Canada Express – Jazz
• Lufthansa, United operated by Mesa Airlines DBA United Express
• Tap Air Portugal
• Turkish Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic

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Suggested:
– Check out the full list of Asian countries reopening for tourism
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China Reopening Borders – Latest Updates

March 10 – US to relax Covid testing restrictions for travelers from China as soon as March 10

A source close to the situation told CNN Tuesday that the US is going to ease Covid-19 testing requirements for Chinese visitors as soon as Friday, noting a drop in Covid cases, hospitalizations, and deaths as well as more data on the versions that were circulating in China.

When Beijing’s sudden relaxing of Covid regulations resulted in an increase in instances, federal health officials declared in December that, from January 5, all travelers from China would be obligated to show a negative Covid test result before traveling to the nation.

The testing requirement was implemented in January, following China’s drop on controversial and long-held zero-Covid policy, which caught many in the country off guard in early December.

February 17 – China says its Covid response is a ‘miracle in human history’

Following a sudden easing of its “zero-Covid” policy late last year, China has declared a “major and decisive victory” in controlling the coronavirus pandemic that has swept the nation in recent months.

The ruling Communist Party’s top decision-making body reached that assessment Thursday during a behind-closed-doors meeting chaired by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. It is the latest indication that the nation is trying to reduce the political impact of zero-Covid.

The long-standing policy had caused much resentment, including occasional nationwide protests, before it was abruptly ended in December amid mounting economic costs.

February 2 – the country’s current wave of Covid-19 infections is “coming to an end”.

According to a report from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of severe covid cases and deaths is declining.

Although many people gathered with their families last week to celebrate the Lunar New Year, there was “no obvious rebound.” Concerns have long been raised about the covid reports from China.

However, researchers maintain that the current decline is consistent with the expected timing of the end of this major wave.

After the government lifted zero-Covid restrictions in December, the virus wreaked havoc in Chinese cities and villages. Clinic visits fell by over 90% in January, and hospital admissions are down by over 85%.

When is China likely to Reopen for Tourism?

China is again open for tourism. International flights will gradually restart between 2023 and 2025, according to China’s “14th five-year plan,” for civil aviation development.

“Due to the current state of the pandemic,” the plan will be divided into two phases. 

The years 2023-2025 will be a period of growth, with a focus on enhancing the local market, restoring the international market, and improving the level of opening up, according to the aviation industry media.

China Reopening Borders – FAQs:

How to obtain a visa?

It is not enough to have a passport that is current and that it has at least six months left prior to expiring. 

DO NOT TRAVEL TO CHINA WITHOUT A VISA. Anyone who tries to enter China right now with just a passport and no proper visa may be arrested, deported, or refused access. 

Current mask requirement

Health authorities in China’s capital Beijing have been lifting the requirement for people to wear masks outdoors after the city reported several consecutive days without new cases.

This may change with no prior notice. 

The post China Is Open For Tourism And Sees Rapid Decline In Covid Cases appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

As part of their reopening policy, TAT stated that starting on March 31 international visitors can further their stay in the country. Those entitled to visa exemption can stay for up to 45 days and those eligible for a Visa on Arrival can stay for 30 days.

Another new policy is that starting in June, foreign tourists arriving in the country will be required to pay a $12 fee. According to the Straits Times, this fee will support visitors involved in accidents and develop tourist destinations. 

However these fees, “won’t be collected from foreigners with work permits and border passes,” said Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn

In a statement TAT Director Santi Sawangcharoen said that we, “welcome all visitors to Thailand without proof of vaccination or a negative ATK or RT-PCR test result…With the simplified entry process, the Kingdom’s vibrant culture, cuisine and natural beauty are able to remain the focus of travel to Amazing Thailand.”

Previous rules made it more difficult for international travelers to visit Thailand but with the relaxing of restrictions the TAT hopes more tourists will flock to the country. 

Just recently for example, the government said all incoming airline passengers would have to show proof of full vaccination. Anyone 18 years and older would have to show this proof or recovery from COVID-19 within the previous 180 days.

Another rule that was in effect was that travelers had to present a travel health insurance policy upon arrival. The coverage would have to cover at least $10,000 of coronavirus treatment.

When leaving the country and returning to countries like India and China, travelers will be required to present a negative test before returning home.

The post Thailand Reverses Its Decision On Adding New Entry Requirements For Visitors appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

International tourists no longer have to hold a Vaccine Pass nor have to do mandatory on-arrival testing.

Due to being a Special Administrative Region of China, it has relative autonomous power and as such kept strict lockdown and curfew rules during the pandemic. 

John Lee, the leader of Hong Kong, made such announcements ahead of the New Year looking forward to 2023 in hopes to regain its international status and align with other global financial hubs in Asia. 

Hong Kong is following China which just weeks ago reopened its economy and ended the cycle of lockdowns in urban centers and its quarantine policy. 

Despite the recent spike of cases on the mainland, Hong Kong has loosened its leash on restrictions. 

Starting Dec 29, these measures apply to tourists arriving in Hong Kong:

• No Vaccine Pass
• No more Covid testing on-arrival
• No isolation for close contacts of infected individuals
• No post-arrival quarantine
• No more mandatory testing between days 0 and 5

Travelers can revel in the fact that they do not need to show a Provisional Vaccine Pass upon arrival and go several RAT tests for the first five days of their stay. And if tourists received a positive result in that five-day window, they were forced to quarantine until a negative test result. 

Lee also confirmed that vaccination status will no longer being an official requirement for entry into Hong Kong. 

The only measure in hand is a pre-departure test per The U.S. Consulate for Hong Kong. This means a PCR within 48 hours of arriving or a Rapid Antigen 24 hours ahead of boarding.

The post Hong Kong Drops Most Of Its Covid Entry Restrictions For Tourists appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

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Japan Opening Tourism – Latest Updates

November 2 – International travelers to Japan exceeded 200,000 in September

Slowly but surely, foreign visitors are returning to Japan. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, 206,500 foreign tourists visited the nation in September.

The number has never exceeded 200,000 since the pandemic began. South Korea had the most visitors with 32,700, followed by Vietnam (30,900), the United States (18,000) and China (17,600).

Since March, the government has gradually relaxed border controls, resulting in a sharp increase in foreign tourists compared to 2021, when Japan’s borders were virtually sealed. Compared to September last year, the number of tourists has increased by more than 11 times.

October 13 – Japan reopens its borders, but hotels are understaffed and stores closed

Compared to a record 31.8 million tourists in 2019, only slightly more than 500,000 people have visited Japan so far in 2022.

The government’s goal, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, is to generate 5 trillion yen (34.5 billion euros) in annual spending on tourists. But for a sector that has shrunk because of the pandemic, that goal may be too lofty.

Maria Satherley, a 70-year-old New Zealander, describes the Terminal 1 departure area as “like half a ghost town”

Most of the 260 stores and restaurants at Narita Airport, Japan’s largest international airport located about 70 kilometers from Tokyo, are closed.

September 29 – Japan to allow international tourists on Oct. 11

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that independent travelers will be welcomed back to Japan on Oct. 11. The daily cap on the number of tourists arriving will also be lifted on that day.

Travelers from around the world will be able to enter Japan with proof of triple vaccination or a negative COVID -19 test result. The country will not require a visa for short-term visitors from qualified countries, including the United States.

“I hope many people will utilize them,” Kishida said at a news conference. “I want to support the travel, entertainment, and other industries that have been struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.”

Related: U.S. Airlines Respond Rapidly To Japan’s Reopening

How safe is Japan at the moment?

The CDC has recently placed Japan at Level 3 risk (High Level of COVID-19 in Japan).

Who can visit Japan?

Individual tourists from multiple countries.

COVID-19 situation in Japan

As of October 13, Japan has seen 21,656,190 cases of COVID-19, and 45,693 people have lost their lives to the virus.

What to do in Japan during pandemic

Domestic travel has been largely unimpeded in the country ensuring that Japanese citizens continue visiting their own tourism sites.

This means that many attractions have begun to reopen for tours.

This includes a wide array of Japan’s most popular sites, including the Tokyo Tower, Imperial East Gardens, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo National Museum, and more.

Below is a list of the most popular tourist attractions open in Tokyo and their current state of business.

• Tokyo Tower (reopened)
• Tokyo Government Building observation decks (closed indefinitely)
• Kyu Shiba Rikyu (reopened)
• Tokyo Disneyland (reopened)
• Tokyo DisneySea (reopened)
• Guided tours of the Imperial Palace (reopened)
• Imperial East Gardens (reopened)
• Hama Rikyu (reopened)
• Rikugien (reopened)
• Edo Open Air Museum (reopened)
• Shinjuku Gyoen (reopened)
• Koishikawa Korakuen (reopened)
• Kiyosumi Garden (reopened)
• Showa Memorial Park (reopened)
• Ghibli Museum (reopened)
• Institute for Nature Study (reopened)
• Sumida Hokusai Museum (reopened)
• Tokyo National Museum (reopened)
• Tokyo Skytree (reopened)
• Sumida Aquarium (reopened)
• Edo-Tokyo Museum (reopened)

Source

The post Japan Is Open For Tourism And Had Over 200K Visitors In September appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

Travel to this South American country will once again be unrestricted. The state of emergency imposed since March 2020 has officially expired as of November 1, 2022.

All extensions of the state of emergency proclamation, including travel bans and domestic COVID restrictions, have been also lifted.

This means that travelers will once again be able to enter Peru without any restrictions following the announcement that the country’s state of emergency has ended.

In the past, visitors had to show confirmation of vaccination or negative COVID test results produced within 48 hours of entering the nation.

The regulations in this South American nation were among the harshest in the entire world.

These ever-evolving limitations over the previous two and half years included strictly enforced curfews and lockdowns, requirements for vaccinations and booster shots in order to enter most businesses, and laws regulating the use of interior and outdoor masks in some cases requiring KN-95 masks or double masking.

However, all COVID-related regulations, such as the requirement to vaccinate and wear masks, will be lifted once the state of emergency is lifted.

This means that regular tourism in Peru can resume from November 1, 2022.

Travelers will no longer need to pre-register with Peru’s immigration app, sign an affidavit or present proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter the country.

The post Peru Scraps All Covid-Related Entry Restrictions After 2.5 Years  appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.