Category: Travel

Alaska Travel Restrictions: Test-Based Alternative To Quarantine For Travelers

Loknath Das

As states begin to open up again and the summer heat starts kicking up, an excursion to Alaska to take in the cooler temperatures might be an option. But, because of its location geographically, there are a few things you might need to prep for since it sits next to Canada. This includes any COVID-19 related travel restrictions in place in Alaska. Alaska has announced a new test-based policy for travelers entering the state. This gives travelers other options to the 14-day self-quarantine that has been required since March. Note…

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International air travel once situation normalises: Hardeep Puri

Loknath Das

Civil aviation minister Hardeep Puri said on Wednesday that India would open up skies for international air travel once the situation normalises so that such cross-border travel will not pose any danger to citizens. In a series of tweets, Puri sought to reassure a group of non-resident Indians who are normally resident abroad but are currently stranded in India that they could fly out during the third phase of the Vande Bharat Mission that will operate between 9 June to 30 June. For normal international operations, India has to take…

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Is it safe to travel now? It depends.

Loknath Das

Although many restrictions are still in place, travel is slowly starting up again. People locked down for months want to stretch their legs, see something other than a screen, and boost the economy. Restaurants and some tourist attractions (Florida’s Universal Orlando Resort, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston) are opening for local and domestic travel. A few countries (Greece, Italy) are starting to welcome international travelers. But how can you safely explore a world of potentially deadly encounters with friendly people who might infect you (or who you might expose…

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Explained: The ‘travel bubble’ idea that many are pinning hopes on

Loknath Das

The Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on Friday started what is being referred to as a ‘travel bubble’ to help put their economies back on track post-Covid lockdowns. With the pandemic throwing both international and domestic trade and travel out of gear since earlier this year, such ‘travel bubbles’ are now being recommended to keep at least parts of the global economy afloat. The three European Union (EU) states, who have launched this measure, have so far remained comparatively unscathed by the virus, recording less than 150 combined…

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Coronavirus travel updates: which countries have restrictions and FCO warnings in place?

Loknath Das

Workers wearing protective suits at Shanghai Pudong International Airport Photograph: China News Service/China News Service via Getty Images The Foreign Office (FCO) is advising UK nationals against all but essential international travel. Border closures and other travel restrictions are increasing globally. The FCO advice took effect on 17 March, for an initial period of 30 days. This article is being updated daily. It was last updated at 7.45pm (GMT), 20 March In a statement, the FCO said the advice is in response to the increasingly unpredictable situation in terms of restrictions being imposed:…

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Jacinda Ardern reveals ‘unprecedented’ travel restrictions to combat coronavirus, all travellers to New Zealand to self-isolate

Loknath Das

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced new restrictions requiring travellers to be quarantined for 14 days upon entry into the country in an attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus. The restrictions apply to all countries except for Pacific nations, and will come into effect at midnight on Sunday (10.00pm AEDT). It also includes any New Zealand citizens or residents returning to the country. New Zealand has six confirmed cases and no recorded deaths. Ms Ardern said these were “far-reaching and unprecedented” measures to tackle a global pandemic.…

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Thomson Reuters halts employee travel to China and South Korea over coronavirus outbreak

Loknath Das

Media giant Thomson Reuters has canceled non-essential business travel for its employees to mainland China, Hong Kong and South Korea over mounting fears of the deadly coronavirus outbreak, a spokesperson confirmed to CNBC. “Thomson Reuters has halted all non-essential travel to China, Hong Kong and South Korea. All other travel remains under constant review,” the spokesperson said. The parent of Reuters News joins a growing list of major corporations that are halting employee travel due to virus concerns, including Amazon, Facebook and News Corp. The company is headquartered in Ontario, Canada, and has roughly 25,800…

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How to travel to Cuba (Yes, you can!)

Loknath Das

“I’d love to go to Cuba — but the sanctions are back on, so I guess I can’t,” a friend of mine opined recently after perusing my Instagram pics of the trip to the famed Caribbean island over New Year’s. This is not an uncommon sentiment. Ever since President Trump reinstituted trade, commercial and economic embargoes against Cuba in 2018, American travel to the country has dropped precipitously — but you can still go. In fact, airlines like Jet Blue, Delta, Southwest and American Airlines have direct flights from cities like New…

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Coronavirus: Your travel rights explained

Loknath Das

The coronavirus is now spreading well beyond China. Travellers returning from nine Asian countries and destinations are being advised by Public Health England to avoid contact with other people if they show certain symptoms. In addition to China, the Public Heath England list includes Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea. Holiday companies and airlines are still taking people to these countries, while insurers say travel policies are unlikely to cover cancellations – except to China. Travel agents, tour operators and airlines are being contacted by…

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Personal Travel Coaches Are The Hot New Trend. Here’s What They Are And Why You Need One

Loknath Das

Travel coach Dylan Essertier in India. PHOTO COURTESY OF @DYLANGRACETRAVELS A lot of people have life coaches and career coaches—but have you ever heard of a travel coach? Dylan Essertier is a travel writer turned travel coach who now works with people looking to reach their goals through travel. “Over the years, I searched long and hard for a travel advisor that would speak to a ‘woman like me’—someone who didn’t just want to escape through travels but use that time away to help me move toward my long-term goals,”…

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