Germany has categorized individual regions in some 11 European countries as high-risk areas. Belgium and Iceland were on the list, while areas of the UK such as Wales and Northern Ireland were also included.
The French regions Pays de la Loire and Burgundy are now considered high-risk, along with various regions in Lithuania, Estonia, Ireland, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary and Romania.
Germany classifies an area as high-risk and issues a travel warning if the number of new coronavirus infections exceeds the mark of 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days.
The warning is not a travel ban, but is intended to deter tourist travel and enables vacationers to cancel their bookings free of charge.
Germany also announced the lifting of its general travel warning for a total of 160 countries outside the EU. Going forward, each country will now be assessed individually.
Read more: Neanderthal gene increases risk of severe coronavirus: study
Here's a wrap of the main developments elsewhere.
Europe
The French capital of Paris is set to go on maximum coronavirus alert as soon as Monday, Health Minister Olivier Veran announced. Restaurants and bars will be forced to shut and further restrictions will be placed on public life.
The greater Paris region has surpassed all three of the government's criteria for an area to be put on the highest level alert. The case rate per 100,000 people exceeded 250 over the past 24 hours.
France reported nearly 14,000 new infections on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Madrid is set to become the first European capital to go back into lockdown amid a surge in cases. The region's leader agreed Thursday to obey an order from the central government of Spain to ban nonessential visits in and out of the city. Travel will only be allowed for work, school, doctor's visits or shopping. A curfew for restaurants and bars will also be moved forward from 1 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Italy has reported 2,548 new coronavirus infections. It is the first time the country has logged more than 2,000 cases since the end of April.
Germany has registered an increase in coronavirus infections of 2,503, bringing the country's total to 291,722, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases said.
The reported death toll rose by 12 to 9,500, the tally showed.
The data comes as Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged citizens to take care of each other and decried slipping standards on hygiene measures such as social-distancing and mask-wearing.
Read more: German Chancellor Merkel warns of tough months ahead in pandemic fight
Africa
International flights have resumed in South Africa for the first time in six months. An Emirates flight from Dubai was greeted with jets of water after it touched down in Cape Town. South Africa sealed its borders when it entered a coronavirus lockdown in March. Restrictions began to ease in May, but the country's borders remained closed until October 1.
Middle East
Iran has reported a single-day record for new infections with 3,825 cases. The figure surpasses the previous record of 3,712 set on September 22. Authorities have blamed a "decline in compliance with health protocols" among the populace.
Americas
US airline giants American Airlines and United Airlines announced major layoffs as hopes for a bailout over the pandemic have faded.
Since the coronavirus took hold globally in March, US airlines have been grounding planes and delaying jet deliveries. Air travel remains at about only one-third of its level a year ago.
American and United airlines said they would begin furloughing 19,000 and 13,000 workers respectively. US carriers have said they do not expect a full recovery until a vaccine is widely available, which company executives have said may not be until late 2021.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump's administration has proposed a $20 billion (€17 billion) extension in aid for the battered airline industry in a new stimulus proposal to House Democrats worth over $1.5 trillion, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, some 34 million workers lost their jobs before and during the coronavirus pandemic, the International Labor Organization (ILO) said.
The pandemic has caused a recession of "unprecedented magnitude and duration" in the region, which is the most affected in terms of hours worked and labor income, according to the report.
The International Monetary Fund has estimated a contraction of 9.4% in regional GDP in 2020, the ILO pointed out.
Read more:Uruguay wages successful fight against COVID-19
Cuba lifted a curfew and restrictions on movement within Havana while leaving in place curbs on entering and leaving the capital zone.
Havana governor Reinaldo Zapata said in a speech on national television that the weakness of the economy led officials to ease up on the measures that were put in place in September.
Beaches and swimming pools are being reopened at 30% capacity. Havana Airport will remain closed for now. Bars and nightclubs will also remain closed for the moment.
Asia-Pacific
In India, a new study has found that almost two-thirds of coronavirus infections in the country were caused by super-spreader events. The study, published by the journal Science, showed that around 70% of infected people in India did not pass the virus on to anyone else. However, just 8% of infected people were responsible for 60% of new infections.
India's case tally increased by 86,821 in the last 24 hours to 6.31 million by Thursday morning, data from the Health Ministry showed, as the country eased more restrictions to combat the economic hit from the pandemic. Deaths from coronavirus infections rose by 1,181 to 98,678, the ministry said.
The South Asian nation on Wednesday permitted states to open schools and movie theaters. The country's richest state Maharashtra, home to financial hub Mumbai, said it would also allow bars and restaurants to operate fully.
Singapore will allow entry to travelers from Vietnam and Australia beginning next week. But the Asian nation will make an exception for Australia's Victoria state, which is considered a coronavirus hotspot.
The city-state began allowing entries last month, as it welcomed visitors from Brunei and New Zealand, and is cautiously reopening its borders after a virus closure to help revive its airport, a key regional aviation hub.
Travelers must undergo a virus swab test upon arrival, travel on direct flights without transit and download a mobile app for contact tracing.
Singapore has managed to control its outbreak after it saw an upsurge due to infections among foreign workers living in packed dormitories. It has confirmed more than 57,000 COVID-19 infections with 27 deaths.
Pandemic to create millions of 'new poor' in East Asia: World Bank
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Tourism industry pushes for an early open in Europe
Norbert Fiebig, president of the German Travel Association (DRV), has urged that it is "time for a coordinated approach to restore safe travel." He is counting on vaccination certificates and rapid coronavirus tests – strategies also promoted by politicians. The EU decided on February 25, for instance, to have introduced standardized vaccination passports for travelers by the summer.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Discussion over travel benefits for vaccinated people
Greece and Israel signed an agreement (Feb 9) to that will allow vaccinated tourists to travel between their two countries withthout restrictions. In Europe, whether vaccinated people should be the first to be allowed to travel again is controversial. While Germany is still reluctant, some countries already allow easier entry with a vaccination certificate, including Estonia, Poland and Iceland.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Tourism slumps worldwide
Just how disastrous the 2020 travel year was is made clear in the latest survey by the UN tourism organization UNWTO: 74% decline in global tourism worldwide, with over a hundred million jobs tied to it. Forecasts for 2021 also remain cautious in the face of travel restrictions. The emerging trends are home-based holidays, nature-based vacations, and more interest in sustainable travel.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Beijing cancels flights and trains for Chinese New Year
Hundreds of millions of Chinese are currently seeing their travel plans put on hold for the Chinese New Year on February 12, with flights and train services canceled on Thursday, especially in Beijing, at the start of the most important travel season of the year. Across the country, people are being asked to refrain from traveling to prevent a major outbreak that could lead to "massive lockdowns."
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Israel suspends international flights
Israel is largely suspending its international flights for nearly a week. The flight suspension goes into effect at 00:00 local time on Tuesday (Jan. 26) and will remain in effect until Sunday. The measure is intended to prevent coronavirus strains from entering the country. Up to 40 percent of new cases in Israel are due to the British COVID-19 mutation.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Tourists allowed back into Sri Lanka - under conditions
Ten months after the border closure, international tourists can travel to Sri Lanka again. As confirmed by officials on Monday (Jan 18), travelers will be able to re-enter the island from Jan. 21 if they comply with strict security regulations, present a negative PCR test and stay in a quarantine hotel for 14 days.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Pompeii reopens to visitors
Despite extended coronavirus restrictions in Italy, as of Monday (Jan 18), museums and exhibitions in some regions will be able to reopen. This rule applies to the so-called Yellow Zones, where the coronavirus infection situation is less tense. Among others, the Archaeological Park in Pompeii is again able to receive visitors because it is located in the yellow region of Campania.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Despite pandemic, skiers rush to German resorts
It's snowing in the Alps and the lower German mountain ranges. Despite all appeals, people are drawn outdoors. In many places, the perfect winter sports conditions are leading to kilometer-long traffic jams, overcrowded parking lots and full slopes, like here in Winterberg. Many municipalities can no longer control the rush and are moving to seal off their ski areas.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Australians allowed quarentine-free travel to New Zealand again from 2021
New Zealand is setting up a "travel bubble" with neighboring Australia. After months of border closures due to the coronavirus pandemic, New Zealand will once again allow tourists from Australia to enter the country without quarantine requirements in the New Year. New Zealanders have been able to travel to Australia again since October without having to go into quarantine.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
After an eight-month break Aida Cruises launches cruise again
On Saturday (December 5) the first Aida cruise ship is scheduled to leave for a one-week trip to the Canary Islands. The ship, designed for 3300 passengers, will reportedly be 50 percent full. All passengers will need to provide a negative coronavirus test, no more than 72 hours old. On board, strict hygiene and distancing rules apply, and only guided shore excursions will be possible.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Australian airline to introduce obligatory vaccination
Australian airline Qantas wants to introduce compulsory vaccination for intercontinental flights. "We will require international travelers to be vaccinated before we allow them on board," Qantas CEO Alan Joyce stated. The general terms and conditions would be adjusted accordingly. Whether this will also be a requirement for domestic flights has not yet been decided.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Hong Kong and Singapore to launch 'travel bubble'
Both cities will launch a 'travel bubble' on November 22, which will allow people to move quarantine free in each direction, their governments announced on Wednesday (Nov 11), in a rare piece of good news for the pandemic-battered tourism industry. A quota of 200 residents from each city will be able to travel on one daily bubble flight to the other.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Machu Picchu is open again
Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca city in the Peruvian Andes mountains, has reopened almost eight months after it was closed down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Peruvian authorities organized an Inca ritual to mark the reopening. To allow for distancing, a maximum of 675 tourists per day are allowed to enter the old Inca city. That is less than a third of the normal number allowed.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Rio cancels its famous carnival parade for the first time in a century
Rio de Janeiro's famous annual Carnival spectacle will not go ahead in February. Organizers said the spread of the coronavirus in Brazil made it impossible to safely hold parades which with some seven million people celebrating are a cultural mainstay, tourism magnet and, for many, a source of livelihood. Brazil has the second highest death rate in the world after the United States and India.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Germany to enter a one-month lockdown
To curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic the German government has announced though new measures to start Monday, November 2. The new restrictions effect the travel business as overnight stays in hotels for tourist purposes will be banned, entertainment facilities such as theaters and cinemas will be closed as will bars and restaurants, which will only be allowed to offer take out services.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Nuremberg cancels Christmas market
The city announced on Monday (Oct.26) that this decision had been made in view of the rapidly increasing number of coronavirus cases. The mayor explained that it was to be assumed that in the near future the Covid-19 traffic light in Nuremberg will change to dark red. "Against this background, we think it would be the wrong signal to go ahead with the annual Christkindlesmarkt Christmas market.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Japan, South Korea among next in line for Australia travel bubble
Discussions are underway between Australia and low-risk countries across Asia and the Pacific to lift coronavirus travel restrictions, but the government has warned that travel to the US and Europe may not be an option until 2022. From Friday, Australia will open its international borders for the first time since March, allowing visitors from New Zealand to travel to the country quarantine-free.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Global cruise ship association to require coronavirus tests for all
The cruise industry has decided to make coronavirus testing mandatory for all guests and crew members aboard cruise ships. The Cruise Lines International Association, the world’s largest such organization, announced on October 8 that passengers can only board ships by providing proof of a negative test result. All member shipping companies worldwide must now comply with this rule.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
German government declares all of Belgium and Iceland risk areas
In the wake of significant increases in coronavirus infection figures in Europe, Berlin has announced further EU countries as risk areas for travelers. In addition to Belgium and Iceland, additional areas of France and Great Britain, including all of Northern Ireland and Wales, were also classified as risk areas on September 30.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Thailand to slowly restart tourism with flight from China
Thailand is to receive its first foreign vacationers when a flight from China arrives next week, marking the gradual restart of a vital tourism sector battered by coronavirus travel curbs, a senior official said on Tuesday. The first flight will carry some 120 tourists from Guangzhou, flying directly to the resort island of Phuket.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Taj Mahal reopens for tourists
India's most famous building was closed for six months, but since Monday ( September 21) it can be visited again, under strict restrictions. Only 5000 online tickets will be issued per day. There are temperature checks at the entrance. Selfies are allowed, group photos are prohibited. The Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is normally visited by 8 million people every year.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Historical sales losses in global tourism
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the tourism sector has suffered a loss of 460 billion dollars (388 billion euros) from January to June, the World Tourism Organization reported in Madrid. The loss of sales was five times higher than during the international financial and economic crisis of 2009, and the total number of tourists worldwide fell by 65 percent in the first half of the year.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Germany issues further European travel warnings
Germany’s Foreign Office has warned against unnecessary tourism to Czech capital, Prague, and the Swiss cantons Geneva and Vaud (Vaud). This also applies to the French Mediterranean island of Corsica, the French regions Auvergne-Rhones-Alpes (around Lyon), Nouvelle-Aquitaine (around Bordeaux) and Occitania (around Toulouse) as well as more Croatian Adriatic areas, such as the city of Dubrovnik.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Berlin to start 'differentiated system' for travel warnings
The German government has extended its travel warning for around 160 countries through September 30. The advisory applies to "third countries" — i.e. countries that are not members of the EU or associated with the Schengen area. From October 1st, a "differentiated system" will apply, in which individual travel and safety information will be given for each country.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Australia's borders to stay shut into December
Australia has extended its travel restrictions for a further three months. The borders will remain closed for visitors from abroad until at least December 17. However, the government announced that domestic travel will soon be allowed for residents of the country. An exception will be the state of Victoria, with its metropolis Melbourne, for which a lockdown has been in place since early July.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Germany extends global travel warning
The German government has extended the travel warning for around 160 countries outside the European Union by two weeks until September 14. A spokeswoman for the German Foreign Ministry explained the move on Wednesday (Aug 26) with rising coronavirus infection rates. "The situation will not relax sufficiently by mid-September to be able to lift the worldwide travel warning," she said.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
First Mediterranean cruise has set sail
With 2,500 instead of 6,000 passengers, the MSC Grandiosa left the port of Genoa on August 16. Stops on the seven-day voyage include Naples, Palermo and Valletta. Passengers and crew were tested for coronavirus before boarding, and body temperature is to be checked on a daily basis. Rival cruise company Costa will not be offering Mediterranean cruises again until September.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Germany declares most of Spain high-risk area
Germany's health and interior ministries have agreed that all of Spain — apart from the Canary Islands — is now a high-risk area due to a surge in cases. Spain said it was closing night clubs across the country. Restaurants, bars and similar venues would need to close by 1 a. m. and would not be allowed to take in new guests after midnight.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Compulsory COVID-19 tests on entry into Germany
Anyone entering Germany from a high-risk area must take a coronavirus test from August 8, after an order by Health Minister Jens Spahn. Currently, many countries are classified as risk areas, including the United States and Brazil. In the European Union, Luxembourg, the Belgian region of Antwerp and the Spanish regions of Aragon, Catalonia and Navarre were risk areas as of early August.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Setback for cruise holidays
Norwegian cruise operator Hurtigruten has stopped all cruises on August 3 until further notice after an outbreak of the coronavirus on one of its ships. At least 40 passengers and crew members on the Roald Amundsen tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, German cruise line Aida Cruises has also postponed its planned restart due to the lack of necessary permits.
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Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism
Nepal reopens Mount Everest for climbers amid COVID-19
Despite coronavirus uncertainty, Nepal has reopened Mount Everest for the autumn trekking and climbing season. To boost the struggling tourism sector the government will permit international flights to land in the country from August 17. The Himalayan country shut its borders in March just ahead of the busy spring season when hundreds of mountaineers usually flock to the country.
Author: Andreas Kirchhoff, Susan Bonney-Cox
Australia has urged residents to help fill farm labor shortages ahead of the summer fruit picking season, as the coronavirus travel restrictions left the country without backpackers and seasonal workers, who usually do the job.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been promoting a number of incentives ahead of next week's federal budget for young Australians and visa holders to head to regional areas.
Australia's agriculture industry is facing a shortfall of roughly 26,000 workers over the next six months due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, according to an industry-commissioned report by consultancy firm Ernst and Young.
jcg, sri/sms (AP, Reuters, AFP, dpa)
