The most extreme possibility being considered is a perimeter closure of the entire country to stop tourists taking trips abroad.
Archiv: travel / warnings / bans
Lavrov: Russia Is Against Vaccine Passports For Traveling, It’s Contrary to Voluntary Inoculation
(02.03.2021)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: Moscow expects that the European Union’s plans to introduce vaccine passports won’t discriminate against Russian nationals.
Palau president visits Taiwan to open travel bubble
Palau’s leader flew into Taiwan on Sunday (Mar 28) as the two coronavirus-free allies prepare to launch a travel corridor to boost their pandemic-hit tourist sectors.
No holidaymakers arrested at airports in England despite Priti Patel’s coronavirus crackdown
On 27 January, the home secretary said going on holiday was “not a valid reason” to leave home during England’s coronavirus lockdown and added: “Anyone who does not have a valid reason for travel will be directed to return home or they will face a fine.”
The Home Office claimed that police could arrest people who remained intent on going on holiday after being stopped at an airport, saying: “Holiday travel is not allowed and police can fine anyone trying to do so, direct them to go home and, if necessary, use powers of arrest.”
ROADMAP FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ACTIONS BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION BASED ON THE COMMISSION COMMUNICATION AND THE COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION ON STRENGTHENING COOPERATION AGAINST VACCINE PREVENTABLE DISEASES
(March 2019)
Examine the feasibility of developing a common vaccination card/passport for EU citizens (that takes into account potentially different national vaccination schedules and), that is compatible with electronic immunisation information systems and recognised for use across borders, without duplicating work at national level.
‘Is VDL being pressured by Germany?!’ Macron aide speechless at C4 Covid vaccine probe
Channel 4 News presenter Matt Frei asked: „Is this all very political and does Ursula von der Leyen, as a German politician and member of Angela Merkel’s ruling CDU, is she now under pressure?
„Especially after the results of the regional elections on Sunday that she has to come out and take the gloves off.
„Is that what this is? Is it political?“
Ms Trillet-Lenoir replied: „I wouldn’t say so. I would say it’s a complicated explanation.
BBC’s Katya Adler exposes why Italy ‚under pressure‘ to suspend AstraZeneca vaccine
BBC’s Katya Adler insisted that Italy felt under pressure to suspend the rollout of the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine. While speaking on Newscast, she said despite its own advisors saying not to suspend the use of the vaccine, the Italian Government decided to plough ahead with the temporary ban. She claimed this was due to mounting pressure from their citizens with concerns due to bigger European nations Germany and France suspending the vaccine.
Germany, France, Italy Suspend Use of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 Vaccine
(15.03.2021)
Germany, Italy, France and Spain joined the ranks of European countries that have temporarily halted use of the Covid-19 shot made by AstraZeneca PLC over blood-clot concerns, dealing another blow to the continent’s sluggish vaccination rollout and threatening the credibility of the vaccine itself.
Top Court Strikes Down COVID Restrictions on Citizens‘ Entry and Departure From Israel
In a damning verdict, the judges noted that „Israel is the only democratic country in the world where the right of citizens to enter their country has been so sweepingly restricted.“
On the figure of 3,000, the judges stated that this was set by the government before they had gathered data on the number of nationals who were stuck abroad, and ordered any future restrictions to be based on updated and comprehensive facts.
ROADMAP FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ACTIONS BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION BASED ON THE COMMISSION COMMUNICATION AND THE COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION ON STRENGTHENING COOPERATION AGAINST VACCINE PREVENTABLE DISEASES
(March 2019)
Examine the feasibility of developing a common vaccination card/passport for EU citizens (that takes into account potentially different national vaccination schedules and), that is compatible with electronic immunisation information systems and recognised for use across borders, without duplicating work at national level.
As Israel Reopens, ‘Whoever Does Not Get Vaccinated Will Be Left Behind’
(18.02.2021)
New government and business initiatives are moving in the direction of a two-tier system for the vaccinated and unvaccinated, raising legal, moral and ethical questions.
Israeli studies find Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine reduces transmission
(19.02.2021)
Findings of the pre-published study, not yet peer-reviewed, but based on a national database that is one of the world’s most advanced, were first reported by the Israeli news site Ynet late on Thursday and were obtained by Reuters on Friday.
Pfizer declined to comment and the Israeli Health Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
Covid: vaccinated Israelis to enjoy bars and hotels with ‘green pass’
(19.02.2021)
Israel is preparing itself to be split in half from next week, with the government creating a new privileged tier in society: the vaccinated.
Israel Reopens, With More COVID Rules Relaxed: Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Green Pass venues include houses of worship, cultural events, gyms, hotels and swimming pools. To enter, those eligible to do so will be required to present valid ID and a so-called Green Pass, vaccination certificate, or official document stating they had the virus and recovered, as relevant.
Powerful ‚Covid O‘ Cabinet committee is set to consider plans for ‚vaccine passports‘ tomorrow amid hopes they could save summer holidays
The critical ‚Covid O‘ Cabinet sub-committee is expected to look at proposals for assembling a system that could loosen restrictions on international travel.
However, there are not expected to be any final decisions – and no date has been mooted for when the arrangements might come into force.
EU postpones issuing ‘vaccination passports’
The EU decided Thursday to postpone the issuing of vaccination certificates to people immunized against COVID-19 and opted to strongly deter all unnecessary travel within the bloc and with third countries to curb the spread of the virus.
Leaders of the EU met via videoconference to discuss the novel coronavirus pandemic and vaccination efforts in member states.
Travellers rush in to the UK to beat Covid crackdown beginning at 4am tomorrow with quarantine hotels and facial-recognition technology under consideration to ensure new arrivals are properly isolating
Officials have been told to prepare to use facial-recognition and GPS technology in order to ensure people stay in isolation when they arrive in the country.
Passengers are being asked to complete online passenger locator forms to tell officials where they are staying after arriving in the UK.
But MPs have heard just one in 10 of the forms are checked by Border Force, while police officers told to visit addresses for potential breaches of quarantine simply walk away if no one answers – with no follow up investigation.
Thousands of Britons who have received their Covid jab ‚will be offered a vaccine passport‘ in trial taking place this month – as EU considers plan to bring them in for travel across Europe
– Thousands of Britons will be offered vaccine passes in trial starting this month
– Passport will be issued as a free app which show if people have had Covid jab
– Government agency Innovate UK has pumped £75,000 into project so far
– Vaccines tsar Nadhim Zahawi has flip-flopped over controversial policy
100,000 Britons abroad face scramble to find a covid test or risk being stranded as government rules travellers will be BANNED from entering UK without a negative test – within DAYS
It is expected to cause a scramble for return flights as around 100,000 Brits are currently away in hotspots such as Dubai and the Maldives.
Ministers agreed the strict measures last night amid growing pressure to tighten borders – but have not confirmed a start date, although it is expected to be next week.
Secret, due-process-free no-fly lists were one of the worst post-9/11 civil liberties abuses — I reported on them often. Stunning to see calls from Congress for people to be put on them revived in this climate. I hope people realize what’s happening:
Coronavirus Live: Four People Test Positive for New Strain of Coronavirus in Israel
(today)
A fourth case had been discovered in an Israeli who had not been abroad recently. The Health Ministry said they are investigating the case and will update accordingly.
„Over the past few days we are making a concerted effort to check that the mutation from Britain has not infiltrated [Israel]. Until several minutes ago, we had been optimistic, and now we are less optimistic,“ Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said.
Netanyahu Uses New COVID-19 Strain to Scare the Public at the Best Possible Time for Him
(22.12.2020)
The coronavirus pandemic is dangerous enough on its own – but adding the considerations of a prime minister who is a criminal defendant trying to escape justice, the result is systematic disregard for the population
COVID-19: Germany extends UK travel ban to 6 January – despite EU urging countries to lift restrictions
Germany has extended its ban on travellers arriving from the UK to 6 January, despite the EU telling countries to lift restrictions to allow essential journeys and minimise trade disruption.
Kent lorry chaos could get WORSE: Army is performing as little as 200 tests an hour – meaning 10,000 stranded truckers could take DAYS to clear threatening food shortages after clashes with police and blockades
– Truckers try to force their way past police guarding Port of Dover as hundreds leave cabs and walk along road
– Jeering and whistling with some shouting: ‚Open the border‘, ‚We just want to go home‘ and ‚F*** you, Boris!‘
– France announced travel ban on all traffic from UK on Sunday night after emergence of new Covid-19 strain
– Decision meant Port of Dover was dramatically closed to all freight vehicles leaving the UK for next 48 hours
– Deal now struck with France which means every driver must be tested for coronavirus using lateral flow tests
– Tensions also boiled over at Manston Airport, where truckers whose lorries are being held staged a protest
Lorry drivers scuffle with police as tension mounts over Dover backlog
A group of drivers began booing and whistling police just after 8am this morning, before a small number started pushing officers in an apparent attempt to break through their lines.
UK and French governments have now reached a deal to reopen the border from Wednesday if the drivers test negative for COVID.
TRUCK OFF, MACRON: Stranded Brit truckers on the move again as shamed Emmanuel Macron is forced to reopen French border
STRANDED truckers were ready to roll again last night after shamed French leader Emmanuel Macron was forced to reopen his country’s border with the UK.
He caved in after pressure from Britain and the EU to end a 48-hour blockade imposed amid fears over the new Covid strain.
Thousands of truckers in Dover will have controversial rapid Covid test today after Macron gives way and says lorry drivers CAN now enter France if they have negative result – but freight backlog will take days to clear
The agreement requires every driver to have been tested for coronavirus, using controversial lateral flow tests, which are able to turn around results in under an hour but have had their effectiveness questioned.
Those who come back negative will be told by text message in as little as 20 minutes, and be given the green light to hit the road and head over to the continent, but positive cases will be sent to a hotel to isolate.
Von der Leyen takes control of Brexit talks in attempt to strike deal
Von der Leyen spoke by telephone to Johnson on Monday night to discuss a way forward and further calls are expected in the next 24 hours, but the commission refused to offer details.
Barnier said as he went into a meeting with EU ambassadors: “We are really in the crucial moment. We are giving it the final push. In 10 days the UK will leave the single market and we continue to work in total transparency with the member states right now and with the parliament.”
Brexit poses grave risks to UK health and care sector, report finds
The Nuffield Trust thinktank stated: “The perilously uncertain future facing the UK at the end of the Brexit transition period could put the UK’s health and care system at risk.”
The report said new migration rules, possible disruption to medicines and devices, an ongoing economic slowdown and barriers to science investment would hit the health sector.
NHS leaders call for Brexit talks extension warning no-deal risks adding to health crisis amid pandemic
The warning came as a negotiated Brexit deal looks increasingly unlikely and Health Secretary Matt Hancock described the new variant of coronavirus as being „out of control“.
Boris blusters his way through pointless press conference without giving a single answer about when truckers will be allowed into France: Port chaos could continue until Xmas after Macron insists on Covid tests or no travel
– Port of Dover in Kent was dramatically closed to all freight vehicles leaving the UK for the next 48 hours
– Hauliers coming to UK will still be allowed but there are fears drivers won’t travel to avoid being ‚marooned‘
– Countries including France, Germany, Italy, Belgium and Poland have announced restrictions on UK travel
– Comes after emergence of mutant strain of coronavirus in England which spreads quicker than predecessor
– PM Boris Johnson held a meeting of the emergency Cobra committee this afternoon to discuss travel ban
– Port of Dover later confirmed inbound freights were still arriving and France said movement would resume
– But Mr Johnson was unable to say exactly when the travel ban will be lifted as he expressed his frustrations
Europe blockade pushes UK closer to food shortages at Christmas
Responding to yesterday evening’s suspension of accompanied freight traffic from the UK to France, FDF CEO Ian Wright told Yahoo Finance UK: “Yesterday’s suspension of accompanied freight traffic from the UK to France has the potential to cause serious disruption to UK post-Christmas fresh food supplies – and exports of UK food and drink.
Heathrow chaos as hundreds try to cram onto last plane to Dublin after more than a dozen countries ban ALL flights from Britain, Eurotunnel closes and French BLOCK UK lorries for 48 hours after discovery of ‚70% more infectious‘ mutant Covid strain
– France, Germany, Israel, El Salvador, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Italy, Finland, Denmark, Turkey, Morocco, Canada, Belgium, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Ireland have banned all flights from Britain
– Boris Johnson will chair a meeting of the Government’s Cobra civil contingencies committee on Monday after a series of countries announced they were stopping flights from the UK, Downing Street has said
Travel latest news: British hospitality to launch legal action over expected lockdown restrictions
Following the announcement of a new three-tier lockdown system, which will see areas with higher Covid rates imposed with harsher measures, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) is leading a revolt against new rules that could see thousands of bars and restaurants ordered to close.
Two of the country’s biggest brewers and pub operators, Joseph Holt and JW Lees, are also involved in the challenge, alongside a further 10 hospitality businesses and organisations.
BED TO WORSE: New 3-tier lockdown rules: Boris Johnson to ban overnight stays and non-essential travel in Covid hotspots
OVERNIGHT stays will be forbidden in northern virus hotspots for four weeks, Boris Johnson will announce today.
As well as the bed ban, residents can only leave the highest risk regions for essential travel such as work, education or health reasons, and must return that day.
US to stop enhanced coronavirus screening for international travelers: reports
A TSA official told CNN a draft public affairs guidance memo lays out the rationale for ending airport screenings, stating that of the 675,000 passengers screened at 15 airports, fewer than 15 have been identified as having COVID-19.
Know Your Rights. Don’t Talk to Cops at the Airport
“I’m represented by counsel. I don’t talk to cops. You have no right to detain me.”
Cops are tough when they can hide behind each other, behind their guns, behind their badges, or behind qualified immunity. But they’re powerless when faced with the power of the Constitution. Know your rights.
CDC drops 14-day self-quarantine recommendation for international and out-of-state travelers
The CDC’s updated travel guidance states that all returning travelers should social distance, wear a cloth face covering, wash their hands often and watch for symptoms. Notably, those are all basic measures the CDC has highlighted to Americans to follow since the beginning of the pandemic, regardless of whether traveling is involved.
As coronavirus cases rise, Paris, Madrid and Ibiza are added to Dutch ‘no go list’
Britain has also been added to the code orange list, but travellers will not have to quarantine on their return to the Netherlands. Travel advice to the UK has been tightened up as a warning, because the British have introduced quarantine requirements for people from the Netherlands, the foreign ministry said.
Unfortunate Brits who just missed the 4am France quarantine deadline arrive home including a mother whose train was delayed and must now isolate with her disabled son – after 160,000 raced through the night on midnight ferries and even FISHING BOATS
– From 4am onwards, all those arriving from France must quarantine for 14 days after spike in coronavirus cases
– The 11th-hour move sparked chaos for an estimated 500,000 Britons who were holidaying in France
– There are also fears that the new rules will cause thousands of children to miss the start of the school year
– Pupils who don’t return to UK by Tuesday night will be self-isolating at home when majority of schools go back
France Calls for ‘Health Passports” As Germany Rolls Out ‘Immunity Cards’
(02.05.2020)
The mayor of Nice has urged French PM Edouard Philippe to introduce new travel controls during the Covid-19 pandemic through “health passports” in the parts of France which border other countries.
Coronavirus Live Updates: Chaos at U.S. Airports, New Restrictions on International Travel Around the World
A top U.S. health official urges personal sacrifices to avert a ‘worst-case scenario.’ Passengers returning from Europe are waiting hours at U.S. airports for health screening.
Trump calls coronavirus a ‚foreign virus‘ in Oval Office address
„This is the most aggressive and comprehensive effort to confront a foreign virus in modern history,“ the President said.
„I am confident that by counting and continuing to take these tough measures we will significantly reduce the threat to our citizens and we will ultimately and expeditiously defeat this virus.“
Security Alert – U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq
1.1.2020
Due to militia attacks at the U.S. Embassy compound, all public consular operations are suspended until further notice. All future appointments are cancelled. U.S. citizens are advised to not approach the Embassy. The U.S. Consulate General in Erbil is open for visa and American Citizen Services appointments.
#MyPalestinianSitty is trending and I am overcome with emotions realizing how we are finally humanizing one of the world’s most dehumanized peoples.
Israel’s ‚humanitarian‘ offer to Tlaib made me cringe. Here’s why
Rep. Omar, I am also a naturalized U.S. citizen. I am an Israeli-American. I was born in Haifa, and my young parents, determined to study in the United States, took me and my sister to Los Angeles, where I was raised. At age 5, I helped my parents learn the Pledge of Allegiance when they took their oath of citizenship. Your experience speaks deeply to me as someone who feels at home in America and is proud of its traditions of welcoming the stranger, and who has an eye toward how the U.S. can use its power to lift others up, at home and abroad. I’m so sorry we won’t be able to meet because your travel was banned by the country that I now call home.
Tell the Democrats: Refuse to Travel to Israel Until the Government Allows Rashida and Ilhan In
Tell Democrats in Congress to commit to not traveling to Israel until Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar are allowed to enter by signing on to our petition right now.
Progressive champions like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Marc Pocan have already committed to not visiting Israel until all members of congress can visit — we need the rest of the Democrats in Congress to do the same.
Israel approves Tlaib request to visit grandmother in West Bank
Tlaib said in her humanitarian request that the visit may be her last chance to see her grandmother, adding that she would not promote boycotts of Israel while in the region.
„This could be my last opportunity to see her. I will respect any restrictions and will not promote boycotts against Israel during my visit,” she wrote, according to The Guardian.
Barring two U.S. lawmakers from Israel is un-Israeli. Trump’s cheering for it is un-American.
As for the principle that elected representatives of the American people should be able to travel where they like — the principle enunciated a few weeks ago by Ron Dermer, Israel’s ambassador in Washington — Mr. Trump has made his rejoinder clear: Principles are for suckers. How many dictators are rejoicing today that a U.S. president has given them full permission to bar members of Congress who in the future might want to visit their countries to monitor elections or speak up for human rights?
Netanyahu Banned Omar And Tlaib Because The Occupation Must Be Hidden To Survive
Most officials of mainstream American Jewish organizations have never been to the places Tlaib and Omar planned to go. They’ve never talked to Palestinians whose homes are about to be bulldozed because they lack the building permits that, as non-citizens under military rule, they can’t get. They’ve never heard Palestinian parents explain the terror they feel when Israeli soldiers come in the middle of the night to take their children to be interrogated, often for days, in the absence of a lawyer.
Trump and Netanyahu Just Broke the Special Relationship Between America and Israel
Make no mistake about it, while Trump’s motivation was in part political, it was also motivated by the racist animus that drives Trumpism in the U.S. and, as it happens, shapes the ethno-nationalist views of Netanyahu and his extreme-right wing supporters in Israel.
Israeli Decision on Omar and Tlaib Inflames Politics in Two Countries
By enlisting a foreign power to take action against two American citizens, let alone elected members of Congress, Mr. Trump crossed a line that other presidents have not, in effect exporting his partisan battles beyond the country’s borders. And he demonstrated the lengths that he will go to to target his domestic opponents, in this case two of the congresswomen of color he has sought to make the face of the Democratic Party heading into his re-election campaign.
One thing that is completely undeniable about Bernie Sanders is the enormous political courage he consistently wields on behalf of others. This statement is a big deal. He’s not just standing up for two members – he’s standing for the integrity of the entire US Congress.
WATCH: Bernie Sanders on Israel’s decision to deny entrance to two elected U.S. officials: “If Israel doesn’t want members of the United States Congress to visit their country…maybe they can respectfully decline the billions of dollars that we give to Israel.” #inners
2020 Democrats urge Israel to reverse decision banning Omar, Tlaib visit
Former Vice President Joe Biden, widely seen as the Democratic Party’s primary frontrunner, condemned Israel’s move to ban the lawmakers‘ entry and took a shot at Trump for encouraging the country to do so.
„I have always been a stalwart supporter of Israel—a vital partner that shares our democratic values. No democracy should deny entry to visitors based on the content of their ideas—even ideas they strongly object to. And no leader of the free world should encourage them to do so,“ Biden tweeted.
@RashidaTlaib @IlhanMN I am blessed to serve alongside you and your voices & leadership matter deeply my sisters. We won’t stand for this.
I’m calling this like I see it: bigoted, short sighted and cruel. Any leader committed to advancing democracy would welcome with open arms two democratically elected United States Congresswomen. And every single member of Congress should be calling this out.
Netanyahu Backtracks After Pressure From Trump, Bars Omar, Tlaib From Entering Israel
Barring Congresswoman would greatly damage Israel’s relations with Democratic party, Israeli diplomats warn ■ Trump tweets allowing their visit is ‚great show of weakness‘
Israel bars Democratic congresswomen from entering country
The spokesman did not specify when the decision was made or who made the final decision, but the announcement comes shortly after US President Donald Trump said Israel would be showing „great weakness“ by allowing them to enter the country.
Foreign visitors to Iran will not have passports stamped
US Congress ratified a bill in 2016 for 38 countries with US visa waivers to limit their travel to the US if they travel to Iran and a number of other countries…. Now that the decision has been implemented by the Iranian government, the citizens of these 38 countries can travel freely to Iran with no more concerns for traveling to the US.
13,000 passengers are hit by travel chaos after plane refuelling hitch at Manchester Airport
Later the airport confirmed that 86 flights had been cancelled, arrivals as well as departures.