Travelore News: TSA Has Made Some Major Changes To Its Rules Due To Coronavirus

Photo by Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock

Larger volumes of hand sanitizer are now permitted on flights.

You’re allowed more hand sanitizer. Be sure to pack it.

For up-to-date information on traveling during the coronavirus outbreak, visit the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to alter travel significantly at home and abroad, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been making a number of changes to its security procedures.

Last week, the agency announced several changes to its screening processes “to limit physical contact and increase physical distance as much as possible” according to TSA administrator David Pekoske. Some of these changes are already in place; others will be in effect by mid-June.

Now, as travelers pass through airport checkpoints, they’ll be greeted by TSA agents in masks and gloves, will need to practice social distancing in lines, and will be encouraged to wear facial protection (but may have to remove it for screening).

Passengers will also hold onto their own boarding pass, whether paper or electronic, and just show it to the agent for inspection. They’ll have to separate food into a separate bag, to lessen the possibility of it triggering an alarm and necessitating a search from an agent.

Travel in the age of coronavirus: More changes around the airport

TSA also says fliers can expect to see officers in eye protection and clear plastic face shields in some airports, plastic shielding at document-checking podiums and other spots, and lots more cleaning and disinfecting. TSA agents will be changing gloves after each pat down.

Back in March, TSA relaxed one of its main rules regarding carry-on liquids. The agency started allowing passengers to bring up to 12 ounces of hand sanitizer in their carry-on bags, up from the usual 3.4-ounce allowance. Other liquids, gels, and aerosols will still be limited to 3.4 ounces, or 100 milliliters, carried in a quart-size bag.

The ID rules also changed. Travelers can now use a state driver’s license that expired after March 1, 2020, if they haven’t been able to renew it at their local license agency. “TSA will accept expired driver’s licenses a year after the expiration date, plus 60 days after the duration of the COVID-19 national emergency,” the site states.

The number of travelers screened by the TSA soared over the Memorial Day weekend, with 340,769 individuals logged on the Monday (May 25)—up from a historic low of 87,534 on April 14. More than 2.5 million people were screened on Memorial Day Monday in 2019.

As of May 28th, TSA says that 621 federal employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and 6 have died, in additional to 1 screening contractor.

TSA has a special site for all things coronavirus, and the CDC has more advice for traveling during the coronavirus pandemic.

This article was published on March 17, 2020; it was updated on May 28, 2020, to include new information.

Source: https://www.afar.com/magazine/tsa-changes-rules-around-liquids-and-id-due-to-coronavirus

Mexican Caribbean Launches Clean & Safe Check Certification Program, Assuring Travelers Safety For June 4th Start Of Reopening.

Mexican Caribbean Launches Clean & Safe Check Certification Program

CANCÚN, Mexico The Governor of Quintana Roo, Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez, announced the tourism industry will start reopening June 8. In preparation for the planned reopening for tourism activity in Quintana Roo, the Secretary of Tourism and state health officials together with the support of specialists in the sector have launched the Mexican Caribbean Clean & Safe Check Certification, which aims to maintain the highest sanitary measures for the prevention and containment of COVID-19 and generate confidence among guests, partners and the community.

The certification program, launched May 18, is available to travel agencies, food & beverage establishments, car rental companies, water and activity parks, golf courses, hotels and resorts, spas, transportation companies, tour operators, among other tourism and hospitality companies. Tourism service providers who wish to earn the complimentary certificate must apply online at the Secretary of Tourism's website and declare compliance with criteria related to the implementation of health security measures. Once registered, applicants will access and complete a form in accordance with certificate guidelines only available to companies registered on the portal.

"In the first days since launch, over 3,000 companies have applied for the certificate, illustrating the dedication our destinations have to keeping the Mexican Caribbean safe and welcoming," said Dario Flota Ocampo, director of Quintana Roo Tourism Board.

Applications will be evaluated by a technical committee comprised of tourism and health authorities; the committee will also conduct random inspections of establishments to verify each certificate holder is meeting criteria. Once companies meet the criteria, they will be accredited with the certificate in digital format and online via the official websites of the Secretary of Tourism and Quintana Roo Tourism Board. The certificate will be valid through December 31, 2020.

In addition to general spaces, criteria will be evaluated by the following service areas according to each company:

• Service and operation areas
• Management
• Reception
• Housekeeping
• Laundry
• Food & Beverage (restaurants, bars, nightlife)
• Meetings & Conventions
• Special areas and services (kids' areas, gym, spa, etc.)
• Pool and jacuzzi(s)
• Rest areas
• Maintenance
• Training & awareness
• Equipment
• Healthcare
• Staff transport
• Guidelines for suppliers
• Guidelines for partners and transport providers (taxis)

Certificate holders, and the state of Quintana Roo, will gain multiple benefits from the program, including the guaranteed implementation of good practices in the field of health safety; the correct definition of hygiene processes and procedures; increased customer trust and loyalty; health discipline in staff; assured job security. The state aims to reduce health risks; increase the arrival of tourists and visitors through greater confidence in the destination; competitiveness in the Mexican Caribbean and internationally.

Multiple hotels and tour providers have also launched internal safety programs, including AM Resorts, Palladium Hotel Group, UNICO S.A.F.E. plan, Riu Hotels Preverisk program, Palace Resorts 'Purely Palace' program, Xcaret Xafety program, among many others. Hotels, resorts and tour operators' new advanced health and hygiene programs include enhanced safety measures and protocols across all points of contact including common areas, restaurants, kitchens and bars, guest rooms, activities, fitness centers, spas, transportation and all behind-the-scenes operations to ensure guests' safety and peace of mind.

ASUR airports are fulfilling standards in collaboration with the Communications and Transportation Ministry, Federal Agency for Civil Aviation, international health authorities and in partnership with the state government and municipal authorities. Specific actions include sanitation and deep cleaning of all areas, protective screens on counters, permanent monitoring of social-distance measures, permanent temperature checks for all passengers, and risk-factor identification questionnaires for travelers. For a full list of airport measures, click here.

For additional information on the Mexican Caribbean Clean & Safe Check Certification guidelines and protocol, please visit https://qroo.gob.mx/cppsit

About Quintana Roo
Part of the stunning Mexican Caribbean, the state of Quintana Roo is one of Mexico's top tourism producers including destinations both world-renowned and off-the-beaten-path. From Cancun, Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen to Isla Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Holbox, Tulum, Maya Ka'an and Grand Costa Maya, Quintana Roo is known for its idyllic landscape, diverse activities, unique cuisine and the incomparable beauty of its Mayan ruins. The destinations that make up Quintana Roo have options for all kinds of travelers, from ultimate luxury in five-star resorts to close encounters with nature including swimming with whale sharks and cenote diving and international music, sporting, and gastronomic events.

SOURCE Mexican Caribbean

French Way Of Life To Resume With Restaurants Reopening, Starting June 2nd.

PARIS (AP) — The French way of life is set to largely resume next week, June 2, with most virus-related restrictions easing as the country prepares for the summer holiday season amid the pandemic.

In a speech on Thursday, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe promised that “freedom will, at last, again become the rule.”

France is one of the world’s hardest-hit countries by the coronavirus and was under strict lockdown for two months before starting to ease restrictions on May 11. Authorities have reported at least 28,596 COVID-19-related deaths.

From June 2 restaurants and cafes will reopen, together with monuments and museums, concert halls and theaters, beaches, campsites, gyms and public swimming pools.

There’s a notable exception for the Paris region, the country’s worst-affected by the virus, where many facilities will have to wait until June 22 to reopen.

Philippe said the French are yearning for cafes and restaurants to reopen, noting that these “are part of our art of living.”

Diners will be no more than 10 to a table, with at least 1 meter (3 feet) separating each group. Clients will have to wear masks when they move around the restaurant and staff will have to wear them all the time.

In the Paris region, only outdoor seating will be allowed.

Cinemas won’t reopen before June 22.

And as the summer holiday season looms, the French will be allowed again to travel freely across the country — instead of being limited to 100 kilometers (60 miles) from home now.

“You can move around, you can go on your annual holidays but it’s probably more reasonable to delay a long trip if that is possible,” Philippe said.

France aims at reopening its borders with other European countries on June 15, he said.

As France is the world’s most popular tourist destination, the government urged the French to book vacations at home this summer, in the hope it will help to relaunch the economy.

Philippe also pledged to revive “cultural and sport life.” Most shops reopened on May 11, and hotels are now awaiting clients.

Philippe defended the gradual lifting of the lockdown up to now, saying the strategy was meant to avoid triggering a second wave.

“The virus is still present,” but “under control at this stage,” Philippe said.

Yet “our biggest adversary is very big gatherings,” he warned.

Public gatherings larger than 10 people are still banned, contact sports are not allowed and night clubs and stadiums will remain closed.

Work-from-home is still recommended when possible.

Education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said schools will open more broadly next week, with classes capped at 15 students. High schools, which were still closed, will also reopen next week.

By SYLVIE CORBET

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AP writer John Leicester contributed to the story.

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Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Survey Of 14,000 Travelers Shows Domestic Travel Is About To Boom

AirportParkingReservations.com, the largest airport parking aggregator in the U.S. and Canada, reveals domestic travel demand through massive online survey from early May

While most travel has been put on pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a May 2020 survey indicates new travel trends lean toward domestic travel. As industry leaders, AirportParkingReservations.com and ParkSleepFly.com reveal what the next step may look like for travelers.

"Our customers are telling us that they would like to travel soon," says Carlos Chilin, General Manager of AirportParkingReservations.com and ParkSleepFly.com, "They've indicated that a big factor for their decisions will be the health and safety protocols implemented to make them feel protected. Tourist locations in the United States have a big opportunity to capitalize on the pent up demand that should come as travel increases."

Based on a survey the companies conducted in May 2020 of more than 14,000 U.S. and Canadian travelers, AirportParkingReservations.com and ParkSleepFly.com foresee domestic travel becoming the first choice for that demand. While most respondents (75%) are holding off on rebooking any previously cancelled plans, 57% said that if they were to travel in 2020, it would be domestically in the U.S. and Canada.

The opportunity for domestic travel demand increase is not limited to just air travel. While flights aren't completely ruled out of domestic travel, 43% of respondents said they were interested in taking a road trip in 2020. They also indicated, at 63%, a willingness to drive up to 300 miles for a vacation.

The comprehensive data from this survey shows how eager the travel community is to support their local travel industry. Domestic travel and road trips will be the next big trend once restrictions for COVID-19 are lifted.

About AirportParkingReservations.com & ParkSleepFly.comAirportParkingReservations.com, Inc. is the leading airport parking aggregator in the U.S. and Canada. Founded in 2000, it has almost two decades of experience developing and operating online travel platforms, including ParkSleepFly, Inc.(https://www.parksleepfly.com), AirportParking.com, AboutAirportParking.com and ShuttleFinder.com. Since 2000, these platforms have made more than eight million individual reservations for travelers. The company is headquartered in Santa Monica, California.

Walt Disney World Presenting Plans For Reopening Parks, Now Targeted For July 11. #Disney

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Walt Disney World is presenting its plans for reopening after being shuttered along with Florida’s other theme parks since mid-March because of the new coronavirus.

Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando will present their proposals for phased reopenings before an Orange County task force on Wednesday, said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. If Demings signs off on them, the plans will be sent to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for approval.

With 77,000 workers, Disney World is central Florida’s biggest employer.

Last week, Disney World allowed third-party businesses at its Disney Springs dining and shopping complex to open with new restrictions.

All workers and visitors older than 2 at Disney Springs must wear masks, temperatures are checked at entrances to keep out anyone with a temperature 100.4 degrees (38 degrees Celsius) or higher and a limited number of people are admitted to allow social distancing at the high-end outdoor shopping area with restaurants, movie theaters, a bowling alley and a Cirque du Soleil theater.

Crosstown rival, Universal Orlando, presented its reopening proposal last week to county officials, saying it was aiming to reopen June 5. Officials approved those plans and sent them to the governor. Universal also has opened up its dining and entertainment complex with restrictions similar to Disney Springs.

Earlier this month, Shanghai Disneyland became the first of Disney’s theme park resorts to reopen, with severe limits on the number of visitors allowed in, mandatory masks and temperature checks.

Velas Resorts Implements Comprehensive ‘Stay Safe With Velas’ Program

 

Fifteen Page Safety Protocol Details Procedures for Guests, Facilities and Staff

 

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico  – Velas Resorts in Mexico launches an extensive ‘Stay Safe with Velas’ program. Detailed in 15 pages, the program covers seven categories including general health and sanitary measures, special protocols for guests and staff members, public areas, housekeeping, transportation and security, and food and beverage. It adheres to standards dictated by the World Health Organization and the government of Mexico.

 

“We are committed to putting the health and well-being of guests and staff members first,” said Eduardo Vela Ruiz, President and Founder of Velas Resorts. “Each of our luxury resorts will now feature a plethora of post-COVID-19 hygiene protocols, high efficiency sanitization and other advanced cleaning measures.”

 

Highlighted below are various health and sanitary initiatives broken down in their respective categories from the program:

 

GENERAL HEALTH AND SANITARY MEASURES:

• All resorts will increase cleaning frequency in commons areas, with special attention to surfaces such as entrance doors, tables, elevators, seating areas, and more;

• All resorts will be cleaned with chemicals authorized by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency);

• Touchless hand sanitizing dispensers will be put at various high-contact points at the resorts, including the main lobby, staff and suppliers entrance, pool area, restaurants and bars, Teens’ Clubs, gyms, and Convention Centers;

• Sanitizing mats will be placed in the following areas: Lobby entrance, pick-up and drop-off areas, Kids’ Clubs, Teens’ Clubs, Spas, and restaurants;

• Physical distancing measures will be enforced with guests and staff members, following the World Health Organization’s recommendations to keep at least 6 ft. distance apart;

FOR STAFF MEMBERS:

• Special COVID-19 training will be provided for all staff, focusing on safety and hygiene protocols outlined in the program;

• Physical distancing of at least 6 ft.;

• All staff members, before and after their work day, will be required to pass through a sanitizing booth with a high-efficiency steam system and an infrared sensor, which is highly effective in sanitizing people and objects;

• ​​​​​​​Staff members’ temperatures will be checked when boarding the resort’s staff bus and upon their arrival at the resort;​​​​​​​

• Hand washing from all staff members will be required on an hourly basis for a period of 20 seconds or less, or when they are in contact with a group of people;

• All staff will receive personal protection kits and equipment, including face masks and transparent materials in areas of direct and indirect contact with guests;

FOR GUESTS:

• Every guest will receive the ‘Stay Safe with Velas’ program, highlighting all security and hygiene protocols;

• Body temperatures will be taken from each guest;

• Guests will be asked to use a sanitizing mat, to wash their hands, and use hand sanitizer frequently;

• Guests’ luggage will be sanitized upon arrival;

• Upon departure, guests will receive a sanitary kit, including gloves, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and a face mask;

PUBLIC AREAS:

• All resorts will increase the cleaning frequency of common areas, with special attention to surfaces with the most contact, such as gaming areas, lobby, guest elevators, handrails, tables and desks, benches, armchairs and/or waiting rooms, and garbage bins.

• ​​​​​​​Pools will be cleaned daily, and thoroughly again at the end of the day, as well as sun loungers and their linings and cabanas after each guest’s use;

HOUSEKEEPING:

• All housekeeping equipment will be sanitized at the beginning and end of every shift, including maid trolleys, suite service tables, and trays;

• All floors, walls, curtains, rugs, armchairs, desks, remote controls, telephones, mirrors, doors, and other high-touch points will be sanitized in each suite with steam injection, and air conditioning systems will be sanitized with UV light;

• All products in the minibar will be replaced by sanitized products at the end of each guest’s stay;

• Printed materials in each suite will be replaced for each guest or will be protected with a washable material, allowing it be sanitized easily after each guest;

• All amenities will be removed after each guest’s departure, regardless whether they used them or not;

TRANSPORTATION & SECURITY:

• All vehicles at the resorts will be sanitized with steam after each use;

• Every trip to and from the resort will be made without a co-pilot and with a maximum of 5 passengers, including the driver;

FOOD AND BEVERAGE:

• All serving staff members must wear a face mask at all times;

• Crockery must be washed and sanitized after each use, as well as other high-touch points such as tables, chairs, napkins, trays, service bars, check holders, and pens;

• Menus will be made available on each guest’s personal devices to eliminate the need for printed menus;

• Suite service will be delivered at the door, and all meals will be protected with a plastic film or a food cover;

 

The full Stay Safe with Velas program can be found here.

 

For more information about the program and to learn more about Velas Resorts, please visit www.velasresorts.com.

 

About Velas Resorts:

Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and Los Cabos have earned 56 AAA Diamonds, including the prestigious Five Diamond Award. Other esteemed international awards for services and facilities include Virtuoso’s Best Family Program, Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award for spa, and TripAdvisor’s Hall of Fame, among others. Offering unparalleled all-inclusive experiences, properties include Grand Velas in Los Cabos, with dramatic ocean views and unique spaces infusing every area of the resort; Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, which enjoys a long stretch of pristine beach and a dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains; and Grand Velas Riviera Maya, offering a sophisticated resort experience in the Caribbean with jungle and beach settings. In Puerto Vallarta, Casa Velas is a boutique adults-only hotel and beach club located on the Marina Vallarta Golf Course, and Velas Vallarta, a family-friendly all suites resort and spa located on Banderas Bay. Mar del Cabo, a boutique hotel on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, opened in December 2018 as its only European Plan offering. Eduardo Vela Ruiz, founder and president of Velas Resorts, operates Velas Resorts with brother Juan Vela, vice president of Velas Resorts, by his side. Explore tips, recipes, lifestyle and travel trends, and the latest news about Velas Resorts on the digital mag: www.velasmagazine.com. 

Florida’s Grayton Beach No. 1 In top-10 US list

This Aug. 1, 2018, aerial photo made available by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection shows Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. The beach earned the first spot of top U.S beaches according to Florida International University professor Stephen Leatherman. The beach was chosen in part because of its sugar-white sand and its clear, emerald-green water. (Running Man Pictures/Courtesy of Florida Department of Environmental Protection via AP)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The sand along the coast of Grayton Beach State Park is so unique, some say it speaks to you.

It’s compared to sugar, and is so white it’s almost blinding in bright sunlight. And people who have been cooped up because of stay at home orders can once again go walk along it and hear the unique sound the beach makes when bare feet sink in the sand.

“It’s that fine powdery sand that talks to you,” said Dave Rauschkolb, a restaurant owner, surfer and beach enthusiast who lives nearby. “The ‘squeak,’ ‘squeak,’ ‘squeak’ of the sand when you walk in it.”

It’s a large reason the beach was picked as the best in the United States by Stephen “Dr. Beach” Leatherman, a coastal scientist and professor at Florida International University, who has been ranking the nation’s beaches for 30 years.

“It’s some of the finest white sand in the world. The first time I saw it I felt like I had to put on sunglasses it was so bright. Some people thought it was snow. I said, ‘No that’s not snow!’” Leatherman said with a laugh. “The sand is the highest quality in the world. It’s pure quartz crystal.”

It is one of two Florida beaches that were on the 2020 list released Thursday, along with Caladesi Island State Park at No. 6. The other beaches on the list, in order, are Lifeguarded Beach on Ocrakoke Island, North Carolina; Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York; Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Oahu, Hawaii; Lighthouse Beach in Buxton, North Carolina; Hapuna Beach on Big Island, Hawaii; Coast Guard Beach on Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Coronado Beach in San Diego, California; and Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

Leatherman says he gives bonus points for beaches where smoking is banned and that are staffed with lifeguards, which elevated the North Carolina beaches.

“Beaches are not big, giant ashtrays, and that’s what some people use them for, which is really disgusting,” Leatherman said.

Grayton Beach State Park won the list’s top spot — even without a smoking ban — based on its sheer beauty. Beyond the sand, it has crystal clear emerald water, fresh water ponds that are a geological rarity and towering dunes that are unique along Florida’s 1,350 miles (2,170 kilometers) of coastline.

Even the walk from the parking lot is special, said Rauschkolb.

“You have to take what I call the tree tunnel trail,” he said. “You can just walk in this little wonderland under the canopy of the scrub oak and poke your head out and suddenly see the Gulf.”

While there are currently some restrictions at the nearly 2,000-acre (809- hectare) park because of the coronavirus outbreak, it is open. Groups larger than 10 are not allowed and the park is controlling capacity to allow for social distancing. Cabins and camping are temporarily closed.

In normal times, the park attracts 500 to 1,000 people during peak summer days. But with 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) of beach and plenty of trails, it doesn’t get overcrowded, said Ben Faure, who manages 37 state parks in the Panhandle for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

“Grayton Beach is one of the gems along the Emerald Coast of Florida,” Faure said. “We like to call it a desert oasis. It really is a unique place with the sugar-white sands that are almost 99.9% pure quartz. Your feet squeak as you walk on the beach, it’s so pure.”

Lynn Cherry, a board member of the nonprofit support group Florida Parks Foundation, lives about an hour from the park and has visited many times.

“Oh, the fishing is great at Grayton Beach! I have caught lots of fish at Grayton Beach State Park,” Cherry said.

And the Gulf of Mexico tends to have calmer surf than Florida’s Atlantic Ocean beaches.

“On a typical day, it’s a nice surf and very enjoyable swimming,” she said.

By BRENDAN FARRINGTON

Puerto Rico To Reopen Businesses, Beaches With New Rules

\Yamirka Marmolejos, owner of a pet grooming business that has been closed since the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, takes a food order from Alfredo Gonzalez while wearing a mask as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus, in Canovanas, Puerto Rico, Thursday, May 21, 2020. Puerto Rico is cautiously reopening beaches, restaurants, churches, malls, and hair salons under strict conditions as the U.S. territory emerges from a two-month lockdown despite dozens of new coronavirus cases reported daily. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico will cautiously reopen beaches, restaurants, churches, hair salons and retail stores next week under strict new rules as the U.S. territory emerges from a two-month lockdown that stifled business activity on an island already beset with economic woes.

Gov. Wanda Vázquez announced Thursday that most businesses will reopen on Tuesday, but a 7 p.m-to-5 a.m. curfew will remain in place until June 15. All people will be required to wear a mask when outside or inside a business, regardless of what they are doing.

“Puerto Rico is facing a new way of life,” she said. “It’s the right time ... We have flattened the curve.”

Many Puerto Ricans, including business owners, cheered the highly anticipated announcement.

Health experts, however, warned that the government has not tested enough people or conducted enough contact tracing and is not prepared for a possible spike in new infections. In addition, most of the re-openings contradict recommendations made by a government-appointed medical task force.

Puerto Rico’s Health Department has reported more than 2,900 confirmed COVID-19 cases and at least 126 deaths, and dozens of additional infections still emerge every day. Officials do not regularly update statistics, including how many people have been tested or how many have recovered. Until recently, the island had a lower per-capita testing rate than any U.S. state.

Mónica Feliú-Mójer, spokeswoman for CienciaPR, a nonprofit group of Puerto Rican scientists who seek widespread testing, said she was concerned that the government’s data did not show that COVID-19 is under control.

Vázquez said the restricted reopenings will protect people but also provide desperately needed economic relief on an island hit by hurricanes and earthquakes. The resumption of some normal activities also comes as the government restructures some of its more than $70 billion public debt load after declaring the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history in 2015.

Restaurants will be allowed to operate at 25% capacity. Hair salons and barber shops will welcome clients by appointment only. People doing exercise, such as surfing, jogging, swimming or kayaking, will be allowed at the beach from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Retail stores will be allowed to reopen but under limited capacity, and people will be prohibited from trying on clothes, among other restrictions. Malls will open June 8.

“You will not be allowed to stroll the halls like before,” the governor said. “There will be lanes ... We have to be disciplined.”

Businesses that will remain closed for now include gyms and movie theaters, and all arriving flights are limited to Puerto Rico’s main international airport.

Economist José Caraballo said that the lockdown, one of the strictest in any U.S. jurisdiction, has caused estimated economic losses ranging from $6 billion to $12 billion. The unemployment rate has spiked to an estimated 40% on an island of 3.2 million people with a poverty rate of more than 40%, higher than any U.S. state.

Unlike in the aftermath of hurricanes Maria and Irma and a recent string of earthquakes, Puerto Ricans cannot move to the U.S. mainland because of the pandemic, Caraballo said in a phone interview.

“They are desperate,” he said. “The usual escape valve, which was migration, is closed.”

Delays in the distribution of local and federal aid have also deepened the financial struggles of many Puerto Ricans affected by the natural disasters and the government’s ongoing bankruptcy-like process, which has led to austerity measures.

“The government’s inefficiency has caused the social crisis we have right now,” Caraballo said.

Public schoolchildren and those seeking pandemic unemployment assistance have been especially hurt by the pandemic.

The government kept school cafeterias shut for almost two months, opting to offload its food to nonprofits and a local food bank, where it quickly ran out. That forced some teachers to buy food for their students with their own money.

In addition, some 90,000 people applied for pandemic unemployment assistance when the funds became available on April 28, but an online system crashed. It was not until Thursday that the government said that the first 50,000 people began receiving payments. It’s unclear when the remaining applicants will receive the money.

Some business owners did not feel like celebrating much.

Hair stylist Anabel Fuentes said she lost up to $8,000 during the lockdown, and worries she will continue to lose money because she can only attend a limited number of clients now.

“The financial problems will persist, and might even worsen and lead to bankruptcy,” she said. “Nothing will be the same.”

LegoLand Florida Resort Reopens To Guests On June 1

 Family Theme Park is Ready to Play in the Safest Way

WINTER HAVEN, FL – LEGOLAND® Florida Resort will officially reopen on June 1. The Resort’s extensive plan of enhanced health and safety measures have been endorsed by the Polk County Commission and Winter Haven Mayor Bradley T. Dantzler and now fully comply with Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order 2020-123.  As the health and safety of guests and employees at LEGOLAND^® Florida Resort continues to be paramount, the plan includes reduced capacity, cashless payments, social distancing practices and enhanced cleaning regimes.

The plan has been developed with measures based on government advice and the requirements of health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“As part of Merlin Entertainments, our leaders across the globe have been sharing best practices daily, and we’ve been able to apply what we’ve learned from other successful Merlin attraction reopenings to be confident with our Resort’s reopening plan. In addition, we have also sought guidance from our partners at AdventHealth,” said General Manager of LEGOLAND Florida Resort Rex Jackson. “We’re ready to play, and we look forward to reopening LEGOLAND Florida Resort as a safe and memorable place for families to play again.”

Here is a look at what guests can expect with the reopening of LEGOLAND Florida Resort on June 1:

PLANNING

Guests are encouraged to download the LEGOLAND mobile app, and review the website in advance of their arrival, for a full outline of the parks’ new arrival and attractions procedures, as well as details on the enhanced cleaning measures. Tickets and vacations should be booked in advance online, when possible.

Guests should be prepared to make on-site payments using a credit or debit card as cash will no longer be accepted on property. Guests experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19 should refrain from visiting the Resort.

ARRIVAL

At the time of reopening, the Park will operate at 50 percent of its capacity. If guests are arriving by car, they should expect to leave spaces in between vehicles and follow additional spacing instructions. All park employees and guests will be required to undergo non-invasive temperature checks. Those with a temperature of 100.4 F will not be allowed entry, nor will those in their party.

THROUGH THE RESORT

Every employee at LEGOLAND will wear a facial covering, and we will provide complimentary masks to encourage all our guests, ages three and above, to do the same. Brick-themed spatial markers and kid-friendly, parkwide signage will help remind guests of social distancing recommendations and hygiene practices. More than 200 hand sanitizing stations have been added throughout the park. Guests can view these locations on the LEGOLAND mobile app while traversing the park. Character meet and greets and other select attractions will be suspended at the time of reopening. Enhanced cleaning measures throughout the day will disinfect high frequency touch points, including ride restraints, tables and chairs, service counters, handles and door handles. Guests will also see enhancements in our mobile app over the coming weeks that will allow them to reserve their spot in queue lines for major attractions directly from their own devices.

Along with the park and waterpark’s reopening, the all-new LEGOLAND® Pirate Island Hotel will debut on June 1. Reservations are available for travel dates June 1 or later for both LEGOLAND® Pirate Island Hotel and LEGOLAND® Hotel.

The Resort will initially open with adjusted operating hours. LEGOLAND Theme Park will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and LEGOLAND Waterpark will be open daily from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Guests can stay up-to-date, with operational changes, as well as health and safety enhancements online by visiting: legoland.com/operations-update