The Philippines will reopen its borders to tourists from some countries on a trial basis from Dec. 1, its government said on Friday, as part of efforts to rebuild an economy hit hard by the pandemic. Foreigners vaccinated against COVID-19 from countries designated low risk by the Philippines will be allowed entry over an initial 15-day period, Karlo Nograles, acting presidential spokesperson, told a regular news conference. FILE PHOTO: A view of an empty beach is seen a day before the temporary closure of the holiday island Boracay in the Philippines. REUTERS/Erik De Castro “This is something we are doing step by step,” Nograles said, adding that the two-week window could be extended. The Philippines, popular for its white sand beaches and rich marine life, shut its doors to f...
Read MoreTag: vaccinated travelers
Fully vaccinated international travellers will be allowed to enter the country from April 30 New Zealand will keep its borders closed to most international travellers for a further five months, the government said on Wednesday, outlining a cautious easing of coronavirus border curbs that have been in place for nearly two years. Along with its geographic isolation, the South Pacific country enforced some of the tightest pandemic restrictions among OECD nations, limiting the spread of COVID-19 and helping its economy bounce back faster than many of its peers. FILE PHOTO: A pedestrian weariing a face mask walks past a storefront reading "Welcome Back!" as shoppers return to the Newmarket retail district in the wake of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown restrictions being eased ...
Read MoreSingapore and Malaysia will next week launch a quarantine-free travel lane at their land border crossing, one of the world's busiest, for people vaccinated against COVID-19, the two countries said on Wednesday. The plan, effective Nov. 29, expands an already announced move to start a travel lane for flights between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport from next week. FILE PHOTO: People pass the control tower of Singapore's Changi Airport, Singapore January 18, 2021. REUTERS/Edgar Su The land travel lane in the first phase will apply to citizens, permanent residents or long-term pass holders of the country they are entering, to allow people to visit families on the other side of the border, the office of Singapore's prime minister said in a statement. The lane ...
Read MoreTwo hundred vaccinated foreign tourists arrived in Vietnam's beach-fringed island of Phu Quoc on Saturday, the first wave of visitors to the country in nearly two years as it seeks to resurrect its pandemic-ravaged tourism economy. Vietnam imposed tight border controls at the start of the pandemic in an effort to keep out COVID-19, with some initial success, but that harmed its burgeoning tourism sector, which typically accounts for about 10% of gross domestic product. FILE PHOTO: A sunset is seen in a resort after the Vietnamese government eased the lockdown following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Phu Quoc island. REUTERS/James Pearson Vaccinated tourists now do not have to undergo mandatory two-week quarantine, according to the authorities, but are required to...
Read MoreThe Philippines has approved a plan to allow entry soon to foreign tourists vaccinated against COVID-19, its tourism ministry said on Friday, following moves by other Southeast Asian countries to relax travel curbs. The coronavirus task force "approved in principle the entry of fully vaccinated tourists" from countries with low COVID-19 cases, the ministry said, adding that guidelines must be finalised. FILE PHOTO: A view of an empty beach is seen a day before the temporary closure of the holiday island Boracay in the Philippines. REUTERS/Erik De Castro The Philippines, known for its diving and thousands of tropical islands, saw an 83% drop in foreign arrivals last year, receiving nearly 1.4 million visitors, compared to nearly 8.2 million in 2019. Japan, South Korea and China ar...
Read MoreCambodia became the latest country in Asia on Monday to end strict quarantine and travel measures for vaccinated arrivals, giving hope to businesses in the pandemic-hit tourism industry. The Southeast Asian country eased travel and entry curbs after 18 months for vaccinated travellers, following similar steps from neighbouring Thailand and Indonesia’s Bali. FILE PHOTO: People ride a ferry at sunset on the Mekong River, amid a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, August 12, 2021. REUTERS/Cindy Liu "This is a good decision because when more tourists return then I can sell more of my things and feed my children," said 75-year-old Men Vanna, who owns a painting and souvenir shop. "More tourists coming into the country the better for my business." La...
Read MoreAfter 20 months of border closures Thailand is welcoming back international tourists to the Kingdom. As international travel to Thailand is back and Anantara Hotels Resorts and Spas is ready to welcome fully vaccinated guests with no quarantine requirements from 63 low-risk countries. From Chiang Mai in the north, to the brand’s luxury properties in the capital of Bangkok, down to the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui in the south, Anantara guests are now welcome to visit any part of the country after meeting the governments health and safety requirements under the new ‘Test & Go’ scheme. These requirements, amongst others, include proof of guests being fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival and producing a negative COVID-19 PCR test result...
Read MoreAll fully-vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents will be able to leave the country without a special exemption from Nov. 1, authorities said on Wednesday, as Australia eases coronavirus restrictions amid a rise in vaccination rates. Australians have been unable to travel abroad for more than 18 months without a government waiver, while thousands of fully-vaccinated residents living abroad have been unable to return due to a cap on arrivals to slow the spread of COVID-19. Many of these are now expected to return after Sydney and Melbourne ended quarantine rules for inoculated travelers from Nov. 1. Other cities, mostly virus-free, are expected to ease their border rules once they reach higher vaccination rates. "The national plan is working ... (it) is about op...
Read MoreHome-grown vaccine drive takes hold, restrictions eased Cuba will open its borders and ease entry requirements next month after vaccinating most of its people with home-grown COVID-19 drugs, allowing it to welcome back overseas visitors and giving a shot in the arm to its ailing tourist industry. Tough restrictions due to the pandemic, a drastic reduction in flights to Cuba, and a U.S. ban on most travel to the Communist-run island under former U.S. President Donald Trump have hobbled the business and left it trailing behind regional competitors such as the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and Cancun. Tourists rest on the beach amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Varadero, Cuba, October 22, 2021. Picture taken on October 22, 2021. R...
Read MoreMelbourne reopens as world’s most locked-down city eases pandemic restrictions
Melbourne residents flocked to the city's pubs, restaurants and hair salons in the early hours of Friday after the world's most locked-down city emerged from its latest spate of restrictions designed to combat the spread of COVID-19. Australia's second-largest city has so far endured 262 days, or nearly nine months, of restrictions during six separate lockdowns since March 2020, representing the longest cumulative lockdown for any city in the world. Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, last year went through 234 straight days of lockdown. Shoppers browse an outdoor retail area on the first day of eased coronavirus disease (COVID-19) regulations, following a lockdown to curb an outbreak, in Melbourne, Australia, October 22, 2021. REUTERS/Sandra Sanders In Melbourne, people were s...
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