Coronavirus-related news continues to make headlines around the world. From controversies surrounding England’s latest travel requirements to Singapore’s return to movement restrictions, here are some of the major travel news highlights last week.
England’s COVID travel rules spark confusion and outrage
England’s recent announcement regarding its vaccination requirements and restrictions have been described by a number of countries worldwide as “illogical” and “discriminatory.”
Under the new rules, travellers who have taken one of the vaccines approved in the UK will only be recognized as fully vaccinated only if they have done so in the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea or an EU country. Those meeting the requirements will be exempt from quarantine requirements upon arrival in England from an amber list country.
As for travellers who have been fully vaccinated with the same vaccines in Africa, Latin America, as well as other countries including India, they will not be considered fully vaccinated and are subject to a 10-day quarantine upon arrival from an amber list country.
The US to ease entry restrictions for vaccinated travellers in November
The US has announced that it will finally ease its travel ban in November which means that fully vaccinated travellers from the 26 Schengen Area countries, Ireland, the UK, China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil, will once again be able to travel to the US.
While the CDC reserves the final decision concerning which vaccines will be accepted for entry, it currently considers individuals jabbed with any FDA and WHO approved vaccines as fully vaccinated.
UAE’s Al Hosn app to serve as vaccine certificate for UK entry
Vaccination certificates generated by UAE’s Al Hosn app will formally be accepted as one of the prerequisites for travel from the UAE to the UK. Starting from 4 October, those who have been fully vaccinated as reflected by their green status on the app will be allowed to enter through UK ports of entry.
The UAE - UK route is predicted to experience a significant pick-up from 4 October as the UK starts to welcome inoculated UAE travellers with no quarantine measures being enforced.
Singapore returns to work-from-home as COVID cases rise
The Ministry of Health has decided to make working from home the default starting from 27 September as COVID cases are once again on the rise in Singapore. This directive will take effect for about one month until 24 October and will be marked by a tightening of measures.
Germany removes Japan and Senegal from its list of high-risk countries
Japan and Senegal are the latest two countries that have been removed from Germany’s list of banned countries. This means fully vaccinated and recovered travellers from Japan and Senegal may now travel to Germany for tourism purposes without having to quarantine.
