Double-vaccination rate in Victoria set to reach 70% this week Melbourne, which has spent more time under COVID-19 lockdowns than any other city in the world, is set to lift its stay-at-home orders this week, officials said on Sunday. By Friday, when some curbs will be lifted, the Australian city of 5 million people will have been under six lockdowns totalling 262 days, or nearly nine months, since March 2020. Australian and other media say this is the longest in the world, exceeding a 234-day lockdown in Buenos Aires. FILE PHOTO: A pedestrian wearing a protective face mask walks past light rail platforms devoid of waiting passengers in the city centre at morning commute hour during a lockdown to curb the spread of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Sydney, Australia...
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All people aged 18 and above have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Khajuraho town of Madhya Pradesh, leading the tourism industry to be optimistic about the business gaining momentum at the world famous destination in the coming days. While making the announcement on Saturday, MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attributed the success in vaccination to the awareness of people of Khajuraho, located in Chhatarpur district, about 375 km from the state capital Bhopal. The Khajuraho temples, which are a UNESCO world heritage site, are situated in the backward Bundelkhand region of the state. Tourism industry stakeholders feel the business will now pick up in the area. "During the pandemic, all big and small hotels in Khajuraho were completely shut as the local hospitalit...
Read MoreThe International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged governments to make data-driven decisions to manage the risks of COVID-19 when reopening borders to international travel. Strategies without quarantine measures can enable international travel to restart with a low risk of introduction of COVID-19 to the travel destination. “Data can and should drive policies on restarting global travel that manage COVID-19 risks to protect populations, revive livelihoods and boost economies. We call on the G7 governments meeting later this month to agree on the use of data to safely plan and coordinate the return of the freedom to travel which is so important to people, livelihoods and businesses,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. Vaccinated Travelers Evidence continues ...
Read MoreCzech restaurants, bars and nightclubs can serve customers indoors from Monday, Health Minister Adam Vojtech said, announcing a quicker-than-planned easing of COVID-19 restrictions following a court ruling. The Czech Republic will also open up to tourists from some European and overseas countries who have at least had their first COVID-19 shot, effective Tuesday. The Czech government, which has been battling one of the world’s most severe second waves of the pandemic, had planned to open indoor facilities from mid-June. A bartender drafts a plastic bottle of beer as the Deminka pub remains closed due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in Prague, Czech Republic,. REUTERS/David W Cerny But last week the Supreme Administrative Court ruled that blanket restrictions...
Read MoreThe head of global airline industry body IATA blames overly risk-averse governments for prolonging the COVID-19 crisis for the travel sector but expects the outlook to brighten in the second half of the year. IATA Director General Willie Walsh, the former boss of British Airways owner IAG, expects positive data on vaccine effectiveness to convince governments to start rolling back restrictions. "There is some good evidence there to be optimistic that, going into the second half of this year, we will see a better environment that will allow more people to travel," he told Reuters on Friday. FILE PHOTO: An airplane prepares to land at Cointrin airport in Geneva, Switzerland. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy Most international air travel remains depressed almost 18 months into the pandemic ...
Read MoreThe International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Tourism Economics have released a long-term view for post-COVID-19 passenger demand recovery which demonstrates that people remain eager to travel in the short and long-term. To ensure that aviation can sustainably deliver its social and economic benefits as it meets this long-term demand, it is critical that governments step-up their support for more efficient operations and foster an effective energy transition. Forecast highlights include: *In 2021 global passenger numbers are expected to recover to 52% of pre-COVID-19 levels (2019).*In 2022 global passenger numbers are expected to recover to 88% of pre-COVID-19 levels.*In 2023 global passenger numbers are expected to surpass pre-COVID-19 levels (105%).*By 2030 global pas...
Read MoreCzech Republic consumes most beer per capita in the world The world's thirstiest beer drinkers finally clinked their pilsner mugs in the drizzle on Monday, as beer gardens opened despite unseasonably cold grey weather in the Czech Republic, a landmark event after five months of COVID-19 lockdown. Beer in Czech Republic! Photo : David Marvan "Finally I am sitting here as a human," said Martin Krisko, savouring his cold beer with a meal served hot, on a plate, rather than lukewarm in a plastic takeaway container, at the Beer Time pub in Prague's former industrial quarter Smichov. The Czech Republic, home to the original pilsner, consumes the most beer per capita in the world, and reopening its pubs for outdoor service is seen as an important step in its plans to relax its COVID-...
Read MoreWith widely spaced sun loungers and regular disinfections, Greece reopened its organised beaches on Saturday as the popular Mediterranean holiday destination eases COVID-19 curbs in preparation for the return of foreign visitors next week. Tourism accounts for about a fifth of Greece's economy and jobs, and - after the worst year on record for the industry last year - the country can ill afford another lost summer. A general view of a beach during the official reopening of beaches to the public, following the easing of measures against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Athens, Greece, May 8, 2021. REUTERS/Costas Baltas "We're pinning our hopes on tourism," said Nikos Venieris, who manages a sandy beach in the seafront suburb of Alimos, just outside the capital,...
Read MoreThe International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged states to comply with recommendations on international travel from the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee on testing and risk management during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, IATA highlighted the following recommendations for states: “Do not require proof of vaccination as a condition of entry.” IATA believes that the freedom to travel across borders should not be limited to those who are able to be vaccinated. It does, however, support governments opening borders to those who have been vaccinated and that testing should also play a key role where vaccination is not possible. Together—testing and vaccination—are key measures for states to safely reopen their borders a...
Read MoreIsrael’s struggling tourism sector hopes to reap quick benefits when the country reopens next month after a rapid COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Airlines are racing to add flights to Tel Aviv as groups of foreign tourists who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed into Israel from May 23. "As we look to the world reopening and travel resuming, the Italies and Frances are a little behind Israel in terms of when we anticipate travel will reopen. And that's due to vaccines," said Brian Znotins, vice president of network and schedule planning at American Airlines, referring to two other tourist destinations. Israel, which has vaccinated more than half its population, sees its main challenge as ensuring its reopening does not allow another increase in COVID-19 infec...
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