Vax Before Travel

→ October 21st, 2020

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Travel Vaccine Breaking News

US Passport Operation Expands Customer Service

The US Department of State confirmed on October 16, 2020, that all agencies and centers are processing passport applications. However, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect our workforce and customers, these facilities are limiting in-person appointments at our agencies and centers to customers who are traveling internationally in the next 72 hours (3 business days) due to a life-or-death emergency.

These passport operation facilities are also offering a limited number of appointments for customers who have urgent international travel for reasons other than a life-or-death emergency.

Digital Health Pass App Launched for Mobile Travelers

IBM Watson Health has launched a digital blockchain app called IBM Digital Health Pass on October 12, 2020, which enables individuals to store, manage, and share health status from their mobile devices. This innovative app balances the need to present health statuses, such as COVID-19 tests, and vaccine status, when traveling to international countries.

The app can use multiple data sources and will be available on Apple and Google platforms later in 2020.

Germany's Berchtesgadener Land Locks-Down From COVID-19

A new general decree has been issued for Germany's Berchtesgadener Land regarding the recent COVID-19 outbreak that comes into force on October 20, 2020, from 2 p.m. The seven-day incidence is now 272.8 - a record in Germany.

Agriculture Minister Michaela Kaniber announced at a press conference in the Berchtesgadener Land district office: 'Leaving one's own apartment is only allowed if there are valid reasons. And unnecessary contact with other households is also prohibited.'

In addition to the district-wide exit restriction, all events in the Berchtesgadener district are prohibited, numerous shops, facilities, and public buildings must remain closed. But, citizens are allowed to go to work in other districts. However, students are not allowed to leave the district to attend class. In addition, schools and daycare centers as well as leisure facilities of all kinds and restaurants must close.

According to Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder, the proximity to Austria also urges drastic measures. The Berchtesgadener district is near the border, not far from the Austrian community of Kuchl, which was completely quarantined last week.

1 Million Airline Passengers Screened by the TSA in One-Day

Washington D.C. based Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced it screened over 1 million passengers on October 18, 2020, representing the highest number of passengers screened at TSA checkpoints since March 17, 2020. In addition to screening one million passengers in a single day, TSA screened 6.1 million passengers at checkpoints nationwide during the week (Oct. 12 through Oct. 18).

“TSA has been diligent in our efforts to ensure checkpoints are clean, safe and healthy for frontline workers and airline passengers, implementing new protocols and deploying state-of-the-art technologies that improve security and reduce physical contact,” stated TSA Administrator David Pekoske, in a press release.

Additionally, new credential authentication devices are being installed at various airport checkpoints, enabling passengers to insert their ID directly into a card reader, eliminating the need for a TSA screening officer to touch the ID.

'Turn Off the Lights' to Reduce Dengue Transmission

A new report published by The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene on October 15, 2020, found that the biting behavior of normally daytime active anthropophilic Ae. aegypti mosquitoes on human hosts are abnormally increased at night following exposure to artificial light at night (ALAN).

These data reveal that exposure to ALAN increases nocturnal mosquito blood-feeding behavior.