15/12/2021
DAILY TRAVEL NEWS
SOUTH AFRICA / UNITED KINGDOM: UK removes African countries from red list
The UK Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, announced that all 11 African countries would be removed from Britain’s red list last night (December 14), Travel News reports.
The removal from the red list is effective from 04h00 GMT today (December 15). Any traveller returning, or arriving, from any of those 11 countries will no longer have to isolate in a government-approved quarantine hotel for two weeks at the cost of £2 285 (R48 700).
The temporary testing measures for everyone arriving in the UK will remain for now, including taking COVID-19 tests within 48 hours prior to departure and PCR tests within two days of their arrival.
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UNITED KINGDOM: UK testing requirement to remain
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has tweeted that all current testing requirements remain in place for now “and will be reviewed in the first week of January”.
Before the onset of the Omicron variant, Aviation and Maritime Minister Robert Courts had said a review of regulations could come before Christmas, but this is no longer applicable, says TTG Media.
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ENGLAND: COVID pass starts in England
Adults in England must from today (December 15) show a COVID-19 pass to enter nightclubs, big sports matches and other large events.
The Commons also backed the continuation of mandatory mask-wearing in most indoor settings, according to the BBC.
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ITALY: Italy to extend state of emergency
The Italian government is expected to extend its COVID-19 state of emergency until March 31, 2022 as it debated further health measures last night (December 14).
While the draft could yet be amended, the legislation would mean an extension to current rules on the use of the ‘green pass’ health certificate and the country’s four-tiered system of health measures with regions classified as white, yellow, orange and red risk zones, The Local It reports.
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RUSSIA: Russia retracts unpopular COVID restrictions
Russian authorities will not introduce some of the restrictions for the unvaccinated that were announced a month ago.
The regulations would have restricted access to domestic and international flights and trains to those who have been fully vaccinated, have recently recovered from COVID-19, or are medically exempt from vaccination, ABC News says.
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ITALY / MAURITIUS / GREENLAND: CDC updates advisories as cases increase
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday (December 13) put Greenland, Italy and Mauritius on its ‘Level 4: COVID-19 Very High’ list, meaning they each have case rates of more than 500 per 100 000 people.
The CDC advises against travel to all countries designated under this list of more than 80 countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Austria, Greece, Ukraine, South Africa and Russia.
The travel warning comes amid a surge in COVID-19 cases across Europe, UPI reports.
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BRAZIL: Brazil on track to mandate vax proof for visitors
A Supreme Court justice in Brazil has ruled that all travellers arriving in the country must show proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
The decision challenges a more lenient rule supported by President Jair Bolsonaro, who opposes mandatory immunisation against COVID-19.
The ruling must be reviewed by the 11 judges of the Supreme Court next week, according to Aljazeera.
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NORTHERN IRELAND: Northern Ireland COVID passports enforceable
Hospitality venues in Northern Ireland must now check for proof of COVID-19 vaccination or face fines of up to £10 000 (R212 500).
The vaccination passport system is enforceable to “help limit the transmission of COVID-19 in higher risk settings”, and affects pubs, clubs, restaurants, cinemas and theatres, says TravelMole.
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