Travel Vaccine Breaking News

The US Department of State issued a 'Reconsider Travel Advisory' on December 17, 2020, for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws. The State Department says to read the COVID-19 page before planning any international travel to Hong Kong.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also issued a Travel Health Notice for Hong Kong, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United States DHS Secretary Wolf announced on Twitter that the USA, Mexico, and Canada have agreed to extend restrictions on non-essential travel between the countries through at least January 21, 2021.

Hawaiian Airlines announced on December 8, 2020, it is bringing Hawai‘i closer to Austin, Texas, which will become the 16th U.S. city in Hawaiian’s network, with two weekly Airbus A330 flights linking Hawai‘i with the capital of Texas and the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Hawai‘i is a popular destination among travelers from the Central Texas region.

All guests will enjoy island-inspired complimentary meals and the roominess and superior comfort of Hawaiian’s 278-seat Airbus A330 aircraft, which feature 18 First Class lie-flat leather seats arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration.

A Royal Caribbean passenger onboard the Quantum of the Seas ship is reported to have tested positive for COVID-19 during a cruise to nowhere, prompting a quick return to Singapore on December 9, 2020. Prior to boarding, all 1,680 passengers and 1,148 crew members had cleared mandatory COVID-19 testing.

ChannelNewsAsia confirmed Singapore residents were on a "cruises to nowhere", which is a cruise offering with enhanced safety protocols and mandatory COVID-19 testing for both crew and passengers alike.

The US Department of State issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory for the Caribbean country of Saint Lucia due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions on December 7, 2020. Previously, the CDC issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Saint Lucia, which states 'travelers should avoid all nonessential travel to Saint Lucia.'

From a travelers perspective, St. Lucia (pop. 181,000) has resumed most transportation options, including airport operations and re-opening of its borders, and many business operations. Other improved conditions have been reported within St. Lucia, says the State Department.

The local government says 'All arrivals (5 years and over) must have a COVID -19 PCR test with a negative result taken no more than 7 days before arrival in Saint Lucia. and arrivals (18 years and over) must complete and submit a Travel Authorization Form.

Additionally, the State Department encourages travelers to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Qatar Airways has launched mandatory COVID-19 antigen rapid tests before boarding airplanes on Doha – Male flights reported John Ollila with LoyaltyLobby.com on December 4, 2020. A Qatar Airways spokesperson commented: A limited number of tests were recently carried out, purely on a trial basis, and we can confirm that no further test is required for travelers traveling to the Maldives originating outside of Qatar.

Since September 10, 2020, all tourists and short term visitors must present a negative PCR test for COVID-19 on arrival to the Maldives. And, all non-tourist passengers arriving in the Maldives by air are required to self-isolate for 14-days, confirms the UK government.

As of December 2, 2020, the U.S. CDC issued a Level 4 Travel Alert: Travelers should avoid all travel to the Maldives to avoid getting and spreading COVID-19. Furthermore, if you get sick with COVID-19 or test positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus while abroad, you might not be permitted to return to the USA until you can end isolation.'

The World Health Organization recommends that these African countries require residents and visitors of 4-weeks or more to show proof of polio vaccination before leaving the country.

Furthermore, the U.S. CDC updated its Level 2 Travel Alert on November 18, 2020, recommends that all travelers to the countries be vaccinated against polio. Adults who were fully vaccinated during childhood should receive an additional (single) lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.

Even if you were vaccinated as a child or have been sick with polio before, you need a booster dose to make sure you are protected, says the CDC.