Experts Race To Write Guidance To Contain First Ship-Borne Hantavirus Outbreak

As the cruise ship hit ​by a hantavirus outbreak sails towards Tenerife, World Health Organization officials are racing to draw up step-by-step guidance for what should happen ‌next for the nearly 150 passengers when they finally reach land on Sunday.

MV Hondius, a Netherlands-registered specialist cruise vessel

The hantavirus outbreak – which has killed three people among at least eight suspected or confirmed infections - is the first ever recorded on a cruise ship, so some new protocols are needed.

Half a dozen current and former WHO officials and hantavirus experts said the outbreak could be managed by adapting ​standard public health steps, like isolating sick passengers or those who may have been in contact with them. None of the passengers ​on the ship now have symptoms, the ship's operator has said.

TIPS FROM ARGENTINA

Officials are also seeking tips from Argentina, where ⁠a previous outbreak of the Andes virus, the same strain as on the ship, was snuffed out in 2019. “If we follow public health measures and ​the lessons we learned from Argentina ... we can break this chain of transmission. This doesn't need to be a large epidemic,” Abdi Rahman Mahamud, director ​of the WHO's alert and response coordination department, said.

He said the focus was on isolation for sick people, and monitoring and quarantining for other passengers, subject to national government decisions.

The WHO may also recommend that some people with links to the outbreak take their temperature daily for at least 42 days as the Andes strain has a long incubation ​period, Anais Legand, WHO technical officer for viral threats, said at an online briefing on Friday.

National authorities may also be asked to set up regular ​contact with those people, and give them a phone number to call if they feel at all unwell, she added.

Passengers are being split into high-risk and low-risk contacts ‌based on ⁠their interactions with sick travellers, the WHO said. Contact-tracing is also key for any who have left the ship already.

The Andes hantavirus is known to spread through close and prolonged contact, and chiefly when a patient is already symptomatic. That information is based largely on the one outbreak where the Andes virus spread between people in Argentina in 2018-19, in which 34 people were infected and 11 died.

“We essentially learned that once you implement basic measures of social ​distancing, that are essentially very simple – ​stay home when you are not ⁠feeling well – that diminished the circulation and the outbreak burned out,” said Gustavo Palacios, a professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in the United States, who is originally from Argentina and a co-author of a ​key paper on that outbreak.

He and others have been advising WHO on the outbreak since May 2, he ​said, adding he hoped ⁠more attention would now be paid to the risks of hantaviruses, which can have fatality rates of up to 50%.

SOME PLANS IN PLACE

Some governments are already making plans: the UK government said on Friday morning it would repatriate its citizens on a flight under strict infection-control measures, and then passengers would be asked to isolate for ⁠45 days, ​with testing as required.

Krutika Kuppalli, associate professor of medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern ​Medical Center in the U.S., who formerly worked on mpox protocols at the WHO, said measures could be taken from previous outbreaks.

“It’s the same principle as for measles, or Ebola. Contact tracing ​doesn’t change,” she said.

The WHO said late on Thursday it was still finalizing guidelines.

Reporting by Jennifer Rigby; additional reporting by Sriparna Roy; Editing by Andrew Heavens

Travelore Tips: What Are The TSA Rules For Taking Medication Through Security?

Travelers commonly bring prescriptions, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and medical devices on flights. While it might seem like a no-brainer to bring the medications or medical devices you use every day, traveling with medication can become complicated if you’re unprepared.

Airport security screenings, differences in laws across countries, and keeping your medications accessible and properly stored can be hurdles. Misunderstandings can cause delays or potential confiscation of medications at security and customs screenings.

Knowing the rules can help you prepare and avoid travel delays or medication challenges. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offers clear guidelines to get through screening, but international travel requires more research. Here’s what you need to know about taking medications through security, whether traveling within the U.S. or taking an international trip.

TSA Medication Rules

You can pass through TSA checkpoints with medically necessary liquids over the standard 3.4-ounce limit, but you must declare them before going through security. Some medications, such as injectables, require additional screening.

For domestic U.S. travel, TSA allows:

Prescription medications (solid or liquid)

OTC medications

Medically necessary liquids over 3.4 ounces

Medical accessories, such as pill organizers, syringes, and inhalers

Prescription or original container labeling is not required, but it is helpful. You can carry medications in a pill organizer or unlabeled container when flying domestically, but if you’re concerned about misunderstandings, a label can help clarify that it’s medically necessary.

TSA doesn’t require a doctor’s letter or copy of your prescription, though bringing these details can help prevent issues, especially if your medication is injectable or contains liquids over 3.4 ounces.

Separate medications from your other carry-on items at the TSA security checkpoint. If you carry liquid medication, inform a TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process.

Medications are typically screened using X-rays, but you can request a visual inspection if you prefer that your medication not be X-rayed. Medically necessary liquids are exempt from size limits but may require additional screening, such as explosives testing.

As long as your medication is screened appropriately, you can bring as much solid or liquid medication as you need.

Domestic Travel Tips for Medications

Use these practical tips to get through airport security with medications as smoothly as possible:

Bring medications in your carry-on bag. Essentials such as medications should never be in your checked luggage, which could be delayed or lost. Medications should be accessible in your carry-on bag during travel delays or layovers.

Separate medications from other liquids. Pack liquid medications separately from other liquids so TSA agents can easily identify and screen them. If you carry liquid medication or a medically necessary liquid over 3.4 ounces, let a TSA officer know upfront.

Use a clear bag. A clear bag isn’t required for medications, but it can make it easier to inspect while keeping your items organized.

Bring extra medication. Pack a few extra days’ worth of medication in case of travel delays so you don’t have to scramble to refill prescriptions or go without.

International Travel Rules for Medications

International medication rules vary widely, and failing to comply can lead to delays, confiscation, or even legal trouble. Always research the medication laws for your destination before you travel. Although you can carry medication in a pill organizer within the U.S., many countries require the original prescription bottle and may require a doctor’s letter or permit. Medications considered routine in the U.S. may be highly regulated or banned in other countries.

Different Countries Have Different Laws

Legal and common medications in the U.S. may be classified differently in another country with its own drug regulations. Travelers must comply with local laws, even with a valid U.S. prescription.

For example, a U.S. OTC pseudoephedrine (a common decongestant) is prohibited in Japan. Stimulant medications for ADHD (such as Adderall or Ritalin), anti-anxiety medications (such as Xanax), or painkillers may be strictly controlled or prohibited in some countries.

Japan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates are known for strict medication rules.

Always check the medication rules for the countries you visit or transit through. You can start by visiting the government’s official website. A destination country may require preapproval or registration for some medications, such as narcotics and psychotropics. Be ready to submit an application or approval form for certain prescription drugs. You may be limited in how much you can bring; a 30-day supply is typical.

Language barriers can make bringing medication tricky, as officials may not be familiar with U.S. drug names or packaging. An unlabeled medication container may raise suspicion. To avoid confusion, it’s best to travel with your original prescription bottle when going abroad.

Countries With Specific Medication Restrictions

Some countries have particularly strict medication rules, even for drugs that are common and legal in the U.S. Failure to comply with medication restrictions may lead to detention, fines, or confiscation.

Here’s a look at some countries with notable medication restrictions:

Country Common Restrictions

Egypt

Narcotics and psychotropics are prohibited; other prescriptions can be carried with up to a 3-month supply with a signed medical report and prescription

Indonesia

Strict anti-drug laws; all medications require a doctor’s letter and prescription in original packaging

Japan

Amphetamines such as Adderall and Vyvanse are banned; strict on stimulants and pseudoephedrine

Saudi Arabia

Doctor’s letter and prescription required; controlled substances may require permits; alcohol-based medications may be flagged

Singapore

Zero tolerance for cannabis products and certain sedatives; approval required for some medications

South Korea

Cannabis is illegal; approval is required for amphetamine, opiate, and benzodiazepine drugs

Thailand

Permits are required for some medications

United Arab Emirates

Approval required for narcotics and psychotropics; expect strict customs checks

Tips for International Travel With Medication

Keeping your medication organized and properly documented can help avoid customs confusion. Use these tips to make international travel with medications easier:

Pack medications and documents in your carry-on. Essential medications and documents should always be close at hand. Packing medications in your checked bag increases the risk that they’ll be lost or stolen, and you could need them if you face travel delays or a long layover.

Keep your medication in its original packaging and retain prescription labels. If you’re bringing OTC medication, keep it in its manufacturer’s packaging. Prescriptions should have a label with your name, the prescribing doctor’s name, the medication name, and dosage information. These details can help confirm the legitimacy of the medication.

Bring a doctor’s letter for some medications. Injectables, controlled substances, or large quantities of medication may require a note with the list of medications with brand and generic names, how they are administered, and how they are necessary for treatment.

Translate documents if needed. If you’re traveling to a country where English isn’t a common language, a translated prescription or doctor’s letter can help clarify information for customs agents. It’s also helpful in emergencies if a local medical professional needs to review what you’re taking.

Look up country-specific medication rules. Because medication rules vary depending on where you’re going, you should look up the regulations for any country you’ll visit, either in transit or as a destination. Start with the country’s embassy or consulate website. Some countries may require prior approval or registration to bring certain medications or restrict how much you can bring.

Don’t mix medications with purchases abroad. If you’ve purchased OTC or prescription medication at your destination, keep those purchases separate from medications you brought from home. Formulations and dosage standards vary, and could make it difficult to identify the original drug.

Add emergency contacts, doctor information, and embassy details to your phone. You might not need to contact the embassy for medications, but you’ll be glad you have emergency information handy if you need help.

Carry travel insurance or use a credit card with emergency medical coverage. If your medication is lost or stolen, or you need medical attention while traveling, a travel insurance policy or credit card with travel insurance coverage can connect you with the resources you need and reimburse your expenses.

By Jessica Merritt

Chicago Joins Paris In Global Bed Bug Spotlight, Ranking As The Worst City On Orkin's U.S. Bed Bug Cities List

The Windy City is taking up residence as one of the worst cities for bed bugs taking the #1 spot on Orkin's Top 50 Bed Bug Cities List for the fourth year in a row. Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia hold onto the top three spots, ranking first, second and third, respectively for cities with most bed bugs. Greensboro, N.C. saw the largest jump this year, moving up twenty-fife spots into the Top Twenty, with Milwaukee (#25) moving up the list by fifteen and Tampa (#31) moving up by ten.

Amid the Paris Bed Bug craze, travelers are more concerned than ever with avoiding these stealthy pests. As Americans look towards travel in 2024 it is critical to know how to identify and thoroughly check for bed bugs in hotel rooms (both internationally and domestically) while being careful not to bring the pests home with them.

The bed bug cities list is based on treatment data from the metro areas where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments from Dec. 1, 2022 – Nov. 30, 2023. The ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.

What cities have the most bed bugs?

Chicago

New York

Philadelphia

Cleveland-Akron, OH

Los Angeles

Detroit

Washington, D.C. (+2)

Indianapolis (-1)

Charlotte (+5)

Champaign, IL (+1)

Columbus, OH (-1)

Cincinnati (+1)

Atlanta (+3)

Grand Rapids, MI (-2)

Denver

Baltimore (-8)

Richmond, VA (+9)

Greensboro, N.C. (+25)

St. Louis (+6)

Youngstown (+7)

Pittsburgh (-3)

Dallas-Ft. Worth (-5)

Flint, MI (-2)

Raleigh-Durham (-4)

Milwaukee (+15)

Charleston, W.V. (-7)

Greenville, SC (-3)

Norfolk, VA (-5)

Davenport (+8)

Nashville (+3)

Tampa (+10)

Toledo (+6)

Dayton, OH (+1)

Knoxville (-4)

Las Vegas (new to list)

Omaha, NE (-4)

South Bend, IN (-9)

Houston (+6)

Cedar Rapids, MI (-8)

Ft. Wayne, IN (-5)

San Francisco (-19)

Buffalo, NY (-13)

Harrisburg (-7)

Seattle (-5)

Miami

Orlando (+1)

Minneapolis (new to list)

Oklahoma City (new to list)

Louisville, KY

Lexington, KY (-4)

Bed bugs are typically 3/16 inch long, red to dark brown in color and are mostly nocturnal insects that come out of hiding to take blood meals from sleeping humans. These pests are hematophagous, which means blood is their only food source. Clinging to items such as luggage, purses and other personal belongings, bed bugs can travel from place to place with ease.

"Bed bugs are extremely resilient, making them difficult to control. As travel plans ramp up, it's important that Americans know how to protect themselves through pest identification and proper control," said Ben Hottel, Orkin entomologist. "While bed bugs are visible to the naked eye, they are excellent at hiding. Involving a trained professional at the sight of a bed bug introduction is recommended."

Known for rapid population growth, female bed bugs can deposit one to five eggs a day and may lay 200 to 500 eggs in their lifetime. They can survive for several months while waiting for their next blood meal, so they're likely to emerge the moment a food source, e.g., humans or animals, becomes available.

"While the bed bug infestations in Paris have made travelers more conscious of the pests in hotels while traveling internationally, it is also important to take precautions at home," said Hottel. "Second-hand items such as clothing and furniture are also common bed bug hiding places, allowing pests an opportunity to hitch a ride home with new consumers. Examining any new items before they enter your home will help to catch a bed bug infestation sooner, rather than later."

At Home:

Inspect your home for signs of bed bugs regularly. Check the places where bed bugs hide during the day, including mattress tags and seams, and behind baseboards, headboards, electrical outlets and picture frames. Inspect when you move in, after a trip, when a service worker visits or after guests stay overnight. Decrease clutter around your home to make it easier to spot bed bugs on your own or during professional inspections. Examine all secondhand furniture before bringing it inside your home.

During travel, remember the acronym S.L.E.E.P. to inspect for bed bugs:

Survey the hotel room for signs of an infestation. Be on the lookout for tiny, ink-colored stains on mattress seams, in soft furniture and behind headboards. Lift and look in bed bug hiding spots: the mattress, box spring and other furniture, as well as behind baseboards, pictures and even torn wallpaper. Elevate luggage away from the bed and wall. The safest places are in the bathroom or on counters. Examine your luggage carefully while repacking and once you return home from a trip. Always store luggage away from the bed.

With nearly 125 years of experience with bed bugs and state-of-the-art tools and products, Orkin is well-equipped to assess your bed bug problem, offer trainings for short-staffed hospitality teams and mount a strategic response to rid your home of the pest and provide maximum protection.

For more information about bed bug prevention and bed bug control, visit Orkin.com. Place all dryer-safe clothing from your luggage in the dryer for at least 30-45 minutes at the highest setting after you return home. Here are proactive tips Orkin recommends for homeowners and travelers to prevent bed bugs:

CDC's Travel Advisory On Monkeypox: 'Practice Enhanced Precautions'

(CNN) — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an "Alert -- Level 2" advisory for travelers to "practice enhanced precautions" because of the spread of monkeypox, a rare disease that's a cousin of smallpox.

On its advisory, the CDC said that the "risk to the general public is low, but you should seek medical care immediately if you develop new, unexplained skin rash (lesions on any part of the body), with or without fever and chills."

The CDC has three types of levels it might issue as cases have been reported in dozens of destinations. The levels are:

• Watch -- Level 1: Practice usual precautions • Alert -- Level 2: Practice enhanced precautions • Warning -- Level 3: Avoid nonessential travel

On its website, the CDC has not applied levels to specific destinations, as it does with Covid-19.

Level 2 precautions

The CDC has the following recommendations for travelers as we're in Level 2:

• Avoid close contact with sick people, including those with skin or genital lesions.

• Avoid contact with dead or live wild animals. This includes rodents such as rats and squirrels and nonhuman primates such as monkeys and apes.

• Avoid eating or preparing meat from wild game or using products derived from wild animals from Africa such as creams, lotions and powders.

• Avoid contact with contaminated materials used by sick people such as clothing, bedding or materials used in healthcare settings or with materials that came into contact with infected animals.

Where monkeypox has been reported

France is one of the destinations that has reported cases of monkeypox.

Usually associated with tropical Africa, confirmed cases of monkeypox are now global. The CDC says cases have been reported in Europe, North America, South America, North Africa, the Middle East and Australia.

Here is a CDC list of destinations with confirmed cases as of June 6:

• Argentina

• Australia

• Austria

• Belgium

• Canada

• Czech Republic

• Denmark

• England
• Finland

• France

• Germany

• Gibraltar

• Hungary

• Ireland

• Israel

• Italy
• Latvia

• Malta

• Mexico

• Morocco

• Netherlands

• Northern Ireland

• Norway

• Portugal
• Scotland

• Slovenia

• Spain

• Sweden

• Switzerland

• United Arab Emirates

• United States

• Wales

The United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), Spain and Portugal have so far reported the most cases, each with more than 100 as of June 6. All other destinations reported fewer than 100 cases as of June 6. Click here to see a current CDC global outbreak map.

Symptoms of monkeypox

The palms of a monkeypox case patient in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1997. Brian W.J. Mahy/CDC/Handout/Reuters

There is an incubation period of some seven to 14 days, the CDC said. Initial symptoms are typically flu-like, such as fever, chills, exhaustion, headache and muscle weakness, followed by swelling in the lymph nodes, which help the body fight infection and disease.

"A feature that distinguishes infection with monkeypox from that of smallpox is the development of swollen lymph nodes," the CDC said.

Next comes a widespread rash on the face and body, including inside the mouth and on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It can also spread to genital areas.

The painful, raised pustules are pearly and fluid-filled, often surrounded by red circles. The lesions finally scab over and resolve over a period of two to three weeks, the CDC said.

What you should do if you get sick

The CDC says first avoid contact with others. Other advice:

"If possible, call ahead before going to a healthcare facility. If you are not able to call ahead, tell a staff member as soon as you arrive that you are concerned about monkeypox."

The CDC says your should tell your doctor any of the following if true in the month before developing symptoms:

• You had contact with a person that might have had monkeypox.

• You are a man who has had intimate contact (including sex) with other men.

• You were in an area where monkeypox has been reported or in an area where monkeypox is more commonly found (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone and Sudan).

If you are sick and could have monkeypox, the CDC says delay travel by public transportation until you have been cleared by a healthcare professional or public health officials.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/travel/

EU Lifts Mask Recommendation For Air Travel As Pandemic Ebbs

The European Union will no longer recommend medical masks be worn at airports and on planes starting next week amid the easing of coronavirus restrictions across the bloc, though member states can still require them, officials said Wednesday.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said it hoped the joint decision, made with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, would mark “a big step forward in the normalization of air travel” for passengers and crews.

The new guideline “takes account of the latest developments in the pandemic, in particular the levels of vaccination and naturally acquired immunity, and the accompanying lifting of restrictions in a growing number of European countries,” the two agencies said in a joint statement.

“Passengers should however behave responsibly and respect the choices of others around them,” EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky said. “And a passenger who is coughing and sneezing should strongly consider wearing a face mask, for the reassurance of those seated nearby.”

While the new recommendations take effect on May 16, rules for masks may still vary by airline beyond that date if they fly to or from destinations where the rules are different.

Germany’s Health Ministry said it will continue to require all passengers over the age of 6 to wear medical masks on flights to, from or within the country, though they can be removed during meals.

Last week, German carrier Lufthansa denied a large group of Jewish travelers board a plane because some had refused to wear masks. The airline has since apologized for the incident.

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control director Andrea Ammon said washing hands and social distancing should still be practiced, but airport operators are advised not to impose distancing requirements if these are likely to lead to a bottleneck.

The agencies also recommended that airlines keep systems for collecting passenger locator information on standby in case they are needed in future, for example if a new dangerous variant emerges.

Airlines welcomed the change in guidance and called for a consistent approach to mask mandates.

“We believe that mask requirements on board aircraft should end when masks are no longer mandated in other parts of daily life, for example theaters, offices or on public transport,” said Willie Walsh, director-general of the International Air Transport Association.

The decline in reported COVID-19 cases over the past weeks has prompted countries across Europe to roll back pandemic-related restrictions.

Germany said Wednesday that it was disbanding a crisis task force appointed to lead the official response.

And the French government announced separately Wednesday that people will no longer have to wear facemasks in any forms of public transport starting from Monday.

Health Minister Olivier Veran, speaking after a Cabinet meeting, said that the decision is part of policies to lift most restrictions as the pandemic is slowing down in the country.

French authorities reported this week about 39,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 each day on average, down by 30% compared to last week. The numbers of patients in hospitals have also been steadily decreasing in recent weeks.

Wearing facemasks will no longer be needed in metros, bus, trains and domestic flights. It is still be requested in hospitals and nursing homes, Veran said.

France lifted most coronavirus restrictions in March.

CDC Restates Recommendation For Masks On Planes, Trains

U.S. health officials on Tuesday restated their recommendation that Americans wear masks on planes, trains and buses, despite a court ruling last month that struck down a national mask mandate on public transportation.

Americans age 2 and older should wear a well-fitting masks while on public transportation, including in airports and train stations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended, citing the current spread of coronavirus and projections of future COVID-19 trends.

For months, the Transportation Security Administration had been enforcing a requirement that passengers and workers wear masks.

The government had repeatedly extended the mandate, and the latest one had been set to expire May 3. But a federal judge in Florida struck down the rule on April 18. The same day, the TSA said it would no longer enforce the mandate

The CDC asked the Justice Department to appeal the decision, which the department did. On Tuesday, CDC officials declined to comment on the status of the appeal. DOJ officials did not immediately respond to a request for information.

Atlas Ocean Voyages Expands Atlas Assurance To Include Covid Insurance, First Among Cruise Lines.

In another industry first, Atlas Ocean Voyages announced today that the luxe-adventure cruise line will include Covid trip interruption and isolation insurance for all guests on all future voyages. The new Covid insurance coverage for all guests augments Atlas’ expansive list of inclusions, among which are emergency medical evacuation insurance, repatriation insurance, and emergency medical and travel assistance, known as Atlas Assurance. Atlas Assurance provides guests greater peace-of-mind when they are aboard a once-in-a-lifetime, luxe-adventure journey with Atlas Ocean Voyages. For more information about Atlas Ocean Voyages, please visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com

“Covid is an unfortunate fact of life, and our precautions and strict health protocols minimize risk and help assure our guests and crew,” said Alberto Aliberti, President of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “The health and safety of our guests and crew continues to be our top priority, and Atlas’ new Covid-related, trip interruption-insurance inclusion in Atlas Assurance will provide guests an array of protections should the unforeseeable happen.”

Atlas Ocean Voyages is a luxe-adventure, expedition cruise line designed for discerning, fun-seeking travelers to immerse in unique and awe-inspiring moments in remote and captivating destinations. World Navigator, launched in August 2021, and World Traveller, launching October 2022, both feature 98 suites, solo suites with no single supplements, and staterooms, and is the line’s first two small expedition ship, bringing travelers to smaller, authentic and exclusive locales.

World Navigator will cruise England, Holland, France, the Norwegian Fjords, Iceland, Greenland, and The Arctic in summer 2022; Central and South America in the autumn; and return to Antarctica for her winter 2022-23 season. In winter 2023, World Traveller will sail her inaugural season in Antarctica. Three additional sister ships, World Seeker, World Adventurer and World Discoverer, will join the fleet through 2024.

For more information, please visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com.

Majority Of Americans Want Masks For Travelers: AP-NORC Poll

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A majority of Americans continue to support a mask requirement for people traveling on airplanes and other shared transportation, a new poll finds. A ruling by a federal judge has put the government’s transportation mask mandate on hold.

The poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that despite opposition to that requirement that included verbal abuse and physical violence against flight attendants, 56% of Americans favor requiring people on planes, trains and public transportation to wear masks, compared with 24% opposed and 20% who say they’re neither in favor nor opposed.

Interviews for the poll were conducted Thursday to Monday, shortly before a federal judge in Florida struck down the national mask mandate on airplanes and mass transit. Airlines and airports immediately scrapped their requirements that passengers wear face coverings.

More than half in US support mask mandate on planes, public transit A new AP-NORC poll finds Americans are somewhat more likely to support a mask mandate for people traveling on planes and public transit than for those at crowded events or for workers interacting with the public.

Do you favor or oppose a mask mandate for ____ ? FavorNeitherOppose People traveling on airplanes, trains and public transit 56% 20% 24% Workers who interact with the public, such as at restaurants 49% 24% 27% People attending crowded public events 49% 23% 28% Results based on interviews with 1,085 U.S. adults conducted April 14–18. The margin of error is ±3.9 percentage points for the full sample. Source: AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research

Spain Says Masks No Longer Totally Obligatory Indoors

Spain took another step Wednesday toward a sense of normality amid the pandemic by partially ending the near two-year-long obligatory use of masks indoors.

The government decree, passed Tuesday, keeps masks mandatory for visitors and staff in medical centers and nursing homes, although patients won’t always be obliged to wear them.

Masks will also be mandatory on all forms of public transportation, but not in stations or airports.

It remains unclear what impact the decree will have on workplaces such as public and private company offices, banks, factories and stores as the government is letting employers decide to keep them in use if they deem there is a health risk.

In turn, they are recommended, but not obligatory, in multitudinous gatherings, in packed areas or in the presence of vulnerable people. Schools are also exempted from having to use them.

Masks became obligatory indoors and outdoors shortly after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain early 2020. The restriction for outdoor use was lifted in mid-2021, but reimposed between December and February amid a major surge of infections of the highly contagious omicron variant.

“The mask without doubt has been one of the most identifiable measures over the past two years and it will no longer be obligatory,” Health Minister Carolina Darias said Tuesday. “They will continue to be with us as an element of protection, particularly for the most vulnerable.”

With more than 92% of Spaniards over 12 years old having received at least two vaccine doses and the number of coronavirus infections and deaths dropping sharply in recent months, Spain has also eliminated mandatory home isolation for people infected with the virus who experience no symptoms or mild ones.

The ebbing of the pandemic comes as Spanish prosecutors turn their attention to possible illegalities in the purchasing of masks and other medical products by authorities in the critical first few months of the outbreak.

Two of the most prominent cases involve the Madrid region and the capital city’s town hall.

State prosecutors are investigating two men who they say pocketed more than 6 million euros ($6.5 million) in commission by selling masks and other products to Madrid city hall at exorbitantly inflated prices. Prosecutors say the two bought luxury cars, watches and even a yacht with the money.

Meanwhile, Spanish and European prosecutors have also been looking into the purchase of masks by the the Madrid regional government in a deal brokered by the brother of regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso for a substantial commission.

In both cases, authorities say they acted in good faith during a national emergency and that it was extremely difficult to obtain these products at the beginning of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, analyzing the books of Spain’s major cities and some major institutions during the first three months of the pandemic, Spain’s Court of Auditors has found that there were often major exorbitant differences in the prices paid for masks and other products.

Travelore Cruise News: CDC Drops COVID-19 Health Warning For Cruise Ship Travelers

Federal health officials are dropping the warning they have attached to cruising since the beginning of the pandemic, leaving it up to vacationers to decide whether they feel safe getting on a ship.

Cruise-ship operators welcomed Wednesday’s announcement, which came as many people thought about summer vacation plans.

An industry trade group said the move by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention validated measures that ship owners have taken, including requiring crew members and most passengers to be vaccinated against the virus.

The CDC removed the COVID-19 “cruise ship travel health notice” that was first imposed in March 2020, after virus outbreaks on several ships around the world.

However, the agency expressed reservations about cruising.

While cruising will always pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers will make their own risk assessment when choosing to travel on a cruise ship, much like they do in all other travel settings,” CDC spokesman Dave Daigle said in an email.

Daigle said the CDC’s decision was based on “the current state of the pandemic and decreases in COVID-19 cases onboard cruise ships over the past several weeks.”

COVID-19 cases in the United States have been falling since mid-January, although the decline has slowed in recent weeks, and the current seven-day rolling average for daily new cases in the U.S. is roughly unchanged from two weeks ago, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. States have rolled back mask mandates, putting pressure on federal officials to ease virus-related restrictions.

Outbreaks continue to be reported on cruise ships, which conduct random testing before the end of voyages.

On Sunday, a Princess Cruises ship returning from the Panama Canal had “multiple” passengers who had tested positive for the virus. Princess Cruises said all the affected passengers showed mild symptoms or none at all, and that all crew members and passengers had been vaccinated. About a dozen passengers tested positive before the same boat docked in San Francisco in January.

Operators are required to tell the CDC about virus cases on board ships. The agency has a colored-coded system to classify ships based on the percentage of passengers who test positive. The CDC said that system remains in place.

Cruise-ship operators have complained since the start of the pandemic that their industry has been singled out for a shutdown and then tighter COVID-19 restrictions than others, including airlines.

The Cruise Lines International Association said in a statement that the CDC’s decision to remove its health warning “recognizes the effective public health measures in place on cruise ships and begins to level the playing field between cruise and similarly situated venues on land.”

Colleen McDaniel, editor in chief of Cruise Critic, a site that publishes review of trips, called the CDC decision big news.

“Symbolically it’s a notice of winds of change when it comes to cruising,” she said. “I do think it can convince some of the doubters. What the CDC says does matter to cruisers.”

Germany Wipes Its List Of COVID ‘High-Risk Areas’ Clean

BERLIN (AP) — Germany is removing all countries currently on its list of “high-risk areas” as part of a rethink of its coronavirus travel rules that took effect on March 3rd.

The country’s disease control center, the Robert Koch Institute, said that from now on Germany’s list will only include places where high infection rates are linked to variants of COVID-19 that are more virulent than the currently dominant omicron variant, which in many cases leads to relatively mild illness.

That change will result in the current list of “high-risk areas,” which contains dozens of countries and territories, being wiped clean from Thursday on. Health Ministry spokesman Andreas Deffner said Wednesday, however, that Germany will still require people to show proof of vaccination, recent recovery or a negative test to enter the country.

People arriving from “high-risk areas” who either haven’t recovered recently or been fully vaccinated have to self-isolate for 10 days, which can be cut to five with a negative test. Everyone arriving from those areas has to register online before arrival.

For countries that do end up on the list, quarantine requirements will be relaxed for under-12s — who will be able to avoid self-isolating with a negative test — and dropped for children under 6.

Germany’s coronavirus infection rate is drifting downward slowly after a wave of infections with omicron peaked last month. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the country’s 16 state governors agreed in mid-February on a three-step plan to end most restrictions by March 20.

Hawaii To Lift COVID-19 Travel Quarantine Rules This Month

Hawaii plans to lift its COVID-19 quarantine requirement for travelers this month, meaning that starting on March 26 those arriving from other places in the U.S. won’t have to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to avoid sequestering themselves for five days.

Hawaii is the only U.S. state to implement a coronavirus quarantine program of this kind.

Gov. David Ige said at a news conference the requirement saved lives and was a major factor in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in the islands. Hawaii has one of the lowest coronavirus infection rates in the nation.

The quarantine period for travelers lasted 14 days when Hawaii first imposed it in March 2020. The state later created testing and vaccination exemptions.

The state screened 11.3 million passengers since the testing exemption was launched in October 2020, Ige said.

Those arriving in Hawaii from outside the country still must adhere to U.S. federal guidelines, which vary depending on American citizenship. International tourists do not need to quarantine but still need proof of vaccination and a negative test.

The governor said he would maintain Hawaii’s indoor mask mandate at least through March 25, and would be evaluating whether to lift it after that. Hawaii is last state in the nation with a statewide mandate in effect.

The governor said the state Department of Health will review the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before he decides, Ige said.

Ige said he wants to make sure that public schools will be able to continue with in-person learning. He said more people will be traveling as spring break comes, which could increase the presence of the coronavirus at schools.

“The pandemic is not over. Tragically, we continue to see those that we know and love continue to suffer from COVID-19,” he said.

The governor said he was proud of how the community responded the pandemic.

“It is about the people, place and culture of all of us here, coming from diverse backgrounds but always understanding that there is a bigger reason to be willing to sacrifice individual needs to benefit the community,” Ige said. “And over and over again, we were willing to do that.”

Travelore News: UK To Lift Travel Test Requirements For The Vaccinated

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Monday his government will remove coronavirus testing requirements for vaccinated people arriving in England, news hailed by the travel industry as a big step back to normality.

Johnson said that “to show that this country is open for business, open for travelers, you will see changes so that people arriving no longer have to take tests if they have been vaccinated, if they have been double vaccinated.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is due to give details of the rule change later.

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of airline industry body Airlines U.K., said it was “a landmark day.”

“Nearly two years since the initial COVID restrictions were introduced, today’s announcement brings international travel towards near-normality for the fully vaccinated, and at last into line with hospitality and the domestic economy,” he said.

Currently, travelers who have had at least two vaccine doses must take a rapid coronavirus test within two days of arriving in the U.K. Those who are unvaccinated face stricter testing and quarantine rules.

The government had already eased travel rules earlier this month, removing the need to take a test before traveling to Britain and replacing lab-confirmed post-arrival PCR tests with cheaper rapid lateral flow tests.

As Mardi Gras Nears, New Orleans Brings Back Mask Mandate

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans will reinstitute an indoor mask mandate to fight the spread of COVID-19 while readying for an influx of visitors for the Mardi Gras season, the city health director said Tuesday.

Dr. Jennifer Avegno said the mandate takes effect Wednesday at 6 a.m. and will apply to participants in the annual Mardi Gras balls that take place in the city.

Avegno said Louisiana’s statewide coronavirus daily hospitalization numbers have grown in three weeks “by a factor of seven.” She said those cases have put a strain on hospitals, with emergency room waits as long as 12 hours in some facilities.

Growing numbers of coronavirus cases, driven by the omicron variant can affect treatment for people seeking treatment for other illnesses or injuries, Avegno said.

And, while Avegno said she’s hoping cases will subside in coming weeks, she added hospitalizations and deaths show up weeks after cases are reported. That could mean continued pressure from coronavirus cases about the time emergency rooms face an annua uptick in patient numbers as Mardi Gras nears and tourists, some of them overindulging in alcohol, flood the city.

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, falls on March 1 this year. Major parades, which draw as many as a million locals and visitors to city streets, begin in the last two weeks of February.

The city already has a requirement that people show proof of vaccinations or negative tests for entry into bars, restaurants and numerous other venues.

Mardi Gras in 2020 became what officials later realized was an early Southern superspreader of COVID-19. Festivities were largely canceled last year. This year, officials are determined to proceed with Mardi Gras events, while enforcing vaccine and testing requirements.

The state health department said Tuesday that just over 1,900 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Louisiana as of Monday, up from about 200 in mid-December.

A Season Of Joy -- And Caution -- Kicks Off In New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Vaccinated, masked and ready-to-revel New Orleans residents began ushering in Carnival season Thursday with a rolling party on the city’s historic streetcar line, an annual march honoring Joan of Arc in the French Quarter and a collective, wary eye on coronavirus statistics.

Carnival officially begins each year on Jan. 6 — the 12th day after Christmas — and, usually, comes to a raucous climax on Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, which falls on March 1 this year. Thursday’s festivities came two years after a successful Mardi Gras became what officials later realized was an early Southern superspreader of COVID-19; and nearly a year after city officials canceled 2021 parades.

This year, the party is going on despite rapidly rising COVID-19 cases driven by the omicron variant.

“Without a doubt, we will have Mardi Gras 2022,” Mayor LaToya Cantrell said during a Thursday morning kickoff event, where participants removed protective masks long enough to sample slices of king cake, a seasonal delicacy.

“Having a Mardi Gras, and a successful and healthy Mardi Gras, is as important to this region’s mental health as it is important to the economic health of this city,” added James Reiss, an official with the Rex Organization, a 150-year-old Carnival group.

Still, in a season known for excess, the virus prompted restraint. At Bywater Bakery, owner Chaya Conrad usually has a daylong block party with live music to mark the beginning of Carnival season. After a “virtual” recorded concert last year, she had planned to return to the big block party Thursday. But after the virus sickened many of her employees over Christmas, she canceled the extravaganza. Instead, a piano player on a flatbed truck played as customers snapped up king cakes.

“I don’t need the musicians getting sick. I don’t need my customers getting sick and I don’t need my other half of my staff getting sick,” Conrad said. “When this dies down then we’ll have the big block party.”

In what has become a traditional kickoff to the season, a group known as the Phunny Phorty Phellows boarded one of the historic St. Charles line streetcars Thursday night along with a small brass band. Vaccinations and protective masks were required and seating on the streetcar was limited.

Larger, more opulent parades will follow in February as Mardi Gras nears.

“It was certainly the right thing to do to cancel last year,” said Dr. Susan Hassig, a Tulane University epidemiologist who also is a member of the Krewe of Muses and rides each year on a huge float in the Muses parade. “We didn’t have vaccines. There was raging and very serious illness all over the place.”

Now, she notes, the vaccination rate is high in New Orleans, where 81% of all adults are fully vaccinated, according to the city’s statistics.

And while people from outside the city are a big part of Mardi Gras crowds, Cantrell’s anti-virus measures include proof of vaccination or a negative test for most venues.

Sharing Hassig’s cautious optimism is Elroy James, president of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, a predominantly Black organization whose Mardi Gras morning parade is a highlight of Carnival. Early in the pandemic, COVID-19 was blamed for the death of at least 17 of Zulu’s members.

“I think most krewes, particularly, I know, for Zulu, we’ve been very proactive, leaning in, with respect to all of the safety protocols that have been in place since the onset of this thing,” James said Wednesday. “Our float captains are confirming our riders are vaccinated. And part of the look for the 2022 Mardi Gras season is face masks.”

Reasons for concern remain in a state where the pandemic has claimed more than 15,000 lives over the past two years. Louisiana health officials reported 1,412 hospitalizations as of Wednesday — up from fewer than 200 in mid-December.

Asked whether Carnival krewes should be making contingency plans for their balls in case of future restrictions, Gov. John Bel Edwards said he is not currently planning restrictions on gatherings. But he added that people should be careful about spending time amid large groups of unmasked people.

“Does that apply to a Mardi Gras ball? I think its pretty self-evident that it does,” Edwards said.

Muses founder Staci Rosenberg said the krewe had planned to gather in a bar near the streetcar route to await the Phunny Phorty Phellows. The virus surge prompted a move outside.

Hassig says she won’t attend indoor gatherings. She, is, however, determined to ride in the Feb. 24 parade — vaccinated, wearing an N95 mask and knowing that outdoor activities are safer.

Hassig rode in her first parade in 2006 as the city struggled to recover from Hurricane Katrina. Now, she wants to participate in the recovery from the economic ravages of the virus.

“It’s incredibly important, financially, for the city that this go well,” she said.

Flight Cancellations Snarl Holiday Plans For Thousands

Airlines continued to cancel hundreds of flights Saturday because of staffing issues tied to COVID-19, disrupting holiday celebrations during one of the busiest travel times of the year.

FlightAware, a flight-tracking website, noted nearly 1,000 canceled flights entering, leaving or inside the U.S. Saturday, up from 690 flights scrapped on Friday. Over 250 more flights were already canceled for Sunday. FlightAware does not say why flights are canceled.

Delta, United and JetBlue had all said Friday that the omicron variant was causing staffing problems leading to flight cancellations. United spokesperson Maddie King said staffing shortages were still causing cancellations and it was unclear when normal operations would return. “This was unexpected,” she said of omicron’s impact on staffing. Delta and JetBlue did not respond to questions Saturday.

According to FlightAware, the three airlines canceled more than 10% of their scheduled Saturday flights. American Airlines also canceled more than 90 flights Saturday, about 3% of its schedule, according to FlightAware. American spokesperson Derek Walls said the cancellations stemmed from “COVID-related sick calls.” European and Australian airlines have also canceled holiday-season flights because of staffing problems tied to COVID-19.

For travelers, that meant time away from loved ones, chaos at the airport and the stress of spending hours standing in line and on the phone trying to rebook flights. Peter Bockman, a retired actor, and his daughter Malaika, a college student, were supposed to be in Senegal on Saturday celebrating with relatives they hadn’t seen in a decade. But their 7:30 p.m. flight Friday from New York to Dakar was canceled, which they found out only when they got to the airport. They were there until 2 a.m. trying to rebook a flight.

“Nobody was organizing, trying to sort things out,” he said, faulting Delta for a lack of customer service. “Nobody explained anything. Not even, ‘Oh we’re so sorry, this is what we can do to help you.’”

Their new flight, for Monday evening, has a layover in Paris, and they are worried there will be issues with that one as well. They have already missed a big family get-together that was scheduled for Saturday.

FlightAware’s data shows airlines scrapped more than 6,000 flights globally for Friday, Saturday and Sunday combined as of Saturday evening, with almost one-third of affected flights to, from or within the United States. Chinese airlines made up many of the canceled flights, and Chinese airports topped FlightAware’s lists of those with most cancellations. It wasn’t clear why. China has strict pandemic control measures, including frequent lockdowns, and the government set one on Xi’an, a city of 13 million people, earlier this week.

Employees who answered the phone Sunday at customer hotlines for Air China and China Eastern airlines said they had received no notice of cancelations of flights to or from the United States.

Air China usually flies between New York City and Shanghai twice a week. China Eastern has two weekly flights to Los Angeles, one from Beijing and the other from the southern city of Shenzhen. Another Chinese airline, Hainan Airlines, suspended flights to the United States early in the pandemic.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China’s flight schedule through the end of March shows a total of 408 international flights planned per week. That is down 21% from a year earlier.

Flight delays and cancellations tied to staffing shortages have been a regular problem for the U.S. airline industry this year. Airlines encouraged workers to quit in 2020, when air travel collapsed, and were caught short-staffed this year as travel recovered.

To ease staffing shortages, countries including Spain and the U.K. have reduced the length of COVID-19 quarantines by letting people return to work sooner after testing positive or being exposed to the virus.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian was among those who have called on the Biden administration to take similar steps or risk further disruptions in air travel. On Thursday, the U.S. shortened COVID-19 isolation rules for health care workers only.

Travelore Facts: Yes, Masks Do Help Curb Spread Of COVID-19 On Planes

The CEO of a major airline suggested during a congressional hearing this week that face masks provide little value on planes — a claim that was quickly amplified online.

Citing high-quality filtration systems aboard planes, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly stated that “masks don’t add much, if anything, in the air cabin environment.”

But experts strongly disagree. Here are the facts.

CLAIM: Mask-wearing on planes is unnecessary because advanced air filtration systems sufficiently reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

THE FACTS: While it’s true that the common air filtration and distribution systems used in modern aircraft are highly effective at reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission among passengers, masks add another layer of protection for air travelers, experts told The Associated Press.

Kelly’s comments came during a Wednesday hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. After returning home from the hearing, Kelly tested positive for COVID-19, a Southwest spokesperson confirmed to the AP on Friday.

Philadelphia Will Require COVID-19 Vaccine For Anywhere Food Is Served Indoors, Including Restaurants And Wells Fargo Center

“This winter looks like it could be very difficult,” said Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole. “We have to do something to slow the spread now before it’s too late.”

by Laura McCrystal and Anthony R. Wood, https://www.inquirer.com/

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required to eat indoors, see a movie, attend a wedding, or go to a Sixers or Flyers game in Philadelphia starting in January, officials announced Monday, as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to surge in the city and state.

Anyone entering an establishment where food is served indoors will need to show proof of vaccination at the door as of Jan. 3.

“This winter looks like it could be very difficult,” said Philadelphia Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole. “We have to do something to slow the spread now before it’s too late.”

The announcement comes as Philadelphia’s rate of new cases of COVID-19 has doubled and hospitalizations have increased 50% in the past few weeks — a spike that officials blame on Thanksgiving, cold weather, and indoor gatherings. They are also bracing for the spread of the omicron variant, which is rapidly spreading through other countries and has been found across the United States — including a few cases in Philadelphia.

Rising case numbers have raised concerns on both sides of the Delaware River. In New Jersey on Monday, the 1,650 COVID-related hospitalizations represented an 81% increase from two weeks ago, said Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. The unvaccinated constituted 80% of the hospitalizations.

In Pennsylvania, which has one of the highest case rates in the country, masking remains a source of contention among school districts. After the state Supreme Court struck down the school masking mandate on Friday afternoon, a number of districts in the region, including Central Bucks, the state’s third-largest, opted to make face coverings optional as of Monday.

But along with Philadelphia, other local and state governments are adding restrictions; New York’s statewide indoor mask mandate took effect Monday. Philadelphia’s indoor mask mandate remains in effect, and its new vaccine requirement is similar to policies already in place in New York City, San Francisco, and New Orleans.

Mayor Jim Kenney said he visited New York this month and found that it was easy to show his vaccine card. Philadelphia’s current surge in cases requires a similar policy, he said.

“The tipping point was our case counts and hospitalizations,” Kenney said. “We just don’t want to go back to where we were a year ago. And it’s really not that much of a burden to ask people to be vaccinated.”

Boosters aren’t part of the requirement. Proof of a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson or two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines is enough.

The vaccinations will be required “any place that sells food or drink to be consumed on-site,” Bettigole said.

“I’m all for it,” said Stephen Starr, who owns 15 restaurants in Philadelphia and at least a half-dozen in New York City, which implemented similar measures in August. But Jay Ho, who opened Mei Mei, a Chinese night spot in Old City, on 2020, said he feared he would lose customers.

“I’m all about the safety of the public,” he said, “but I’m afraid of the negative fallout.”

In addition to restaurants, affected establishments include bars, movie theaters, bowling alleys, sports venues, concert venues, casinos, food court seating areas, catering halls, and seated restaurants or bars inside the Philadelphia International Airport. Inside establishments such as museums and hotels, guests do not have to be vaccinated but they must present proof of vaccination to enter a restaurant or cafe area.

The mandate means that anyone attending an event at the Wells Fargo Center must be fully vaccinated. At Lincoln Financial Field, vaccination won’t be required for most of the stadium but will be mandatory for indoor areas such as suites.

This won’t have much impact on most music and entertainment venues. Since early October, indoor venues such as Met Philadelphia, Fillmore Philadelphia, and Theater of Living Arts, all are owned and operated by promoter Live Nation, have required visitors provide proof of vaccination or a negative test within 72 hours of the event.

Under the city’s mandate, between Jan. 3 and Jan. 17, people can show either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test from the previous 24 hours. Starting Jan. 17, only proof of vaccination will be accepted. There is no end date currently planned for the policy, which Bettigole said would be rolled back “as soon as we can.”

But she also didn’t rule out the possibility of further restrictions.

“We don’t know what’s coming,” Bettigole said. “We have winter and omicron on the horizon.”
People with medical or religious exemptions for vaccination or children under age 5 will still be permitted to dine indoors, but must present a negative COVID-19 test from the previous 24 hours to enter a venue that holds more than 1,000 people.

Some institutions are exempt from the mandate, including schools, day-care centers, hospitals, stores, and soup kitchens, or other places serving vulnerable populations.

Individual businesses will be responsible for checking the vaccination status of their own employees and patrons. Enforcement will work much like it has for the city’s mask mandate and other COVID-19 restrictions, with checks for compliance through complaint-driven inspections and regular food safety inspections, Bettigole said. Noncompliance could mean fines of up to $2,000 per day.

In New York, both the city and the state released apps that allow people to prove their vaccination status by storing photos of their vaccine card. The state’s Excelsior Pass also verifies that people who enter their information are in the state vaccination records.

But Philadelphia isn’t considering its own vaccine app, Managing Director Tumar Alexandar said Monday. He said some restaurants or event operators he spoke with last week mentioned they are in talks with technology companies to help them manage enforcement.

Kenney said he didn’t know New York had an app. He said he simply brought his passport and vaccine card.

“It worked very smoothly in restaurants, in delis, at theaters,” he said. “It wasn’t an issue at all.”

Inquirer staff writers Dan DeLuca, Maddie Hanna, Michael Klein, and Justine McDaniel contributed to this article.

Headed To The Caribbean This winter? The COVID-19 Restrictions Are As Varied As The Islands Themselves

If you want to play in the warm sand, you’ll need to do your homework first.

By Christopher Muther

Entry guidelines for many Caribbean islands are constantly changing. Please check restrictions carefully before making plans.

Anguilla: Open to US travelers. All visitors, 18 years and older, must be fully vaccinated to enter. Pregnant women are exempt. Travelers must apply at www.ivisitanguilla.com no later than noon on the day before the day of arrival. The application for entry includes an arrival testing fee of $50 per person. All travelers must present proof of vaccination plus a negative COVID-19 test result (rapid or PCR) taken between two to five days prior to arrival. The laboratory that processes the pre-arrival test must be accredited. More information: www.ivisitanguilla.com.

Antigua and Barbuda: Open to US travelers. Restrictions to enter Antigua and Barbuda have been imposed on people who have traveled to South Africa, Botswana, Belgium, and Hong Kong within 14 days of arrival. Beginning Dec. 15, all arriving passengers will be required to present documentation of full vaccination. Children below the age of 18 are exempt from this requirement. Fully vaccinated arriving passengers can present a negative PCR test 4 days or fewer from the date of testing, or a negative rapid test three days or fewer from the date of testing. All arriving passengers must complete a Health Declaration Form, which will be distributed on the plane and will be subjected to screening and temperature checks upon arrival. If a test is required, the cost is $100 and the passenger must quarantine at an approved government health facility. More information at visitantiguabarbuda.com.

Aruba: Open to US travelers. All travelers are required to fill out an embarkation/disembarkation card between 72 and 4 hours prior to travel. All visitors age 15 and older must upload a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to departure. Children 14 and under are exempt from the test. Those not producing a negative test result prior to arrival must take a PCR test upon arrival and quarantine until test results are received, but those 14 and under are exempt from the test. All visitors must purchase and pay for the Aruba travel insurance within 72 hours prior to departure. They can use their existing medical insurance to supplement the Aruba policy, but it cannot replace the Aruba travel insurance, which is $15 for travelers age 15 and older and no charge for children 14 and younger. More information at aruba.com.

Bahamas: Open to US visitors. Fully vaccinated travelers to the Bahamas are required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test (either a rapid or PCR test), taken no more than 5 days prior to the date of arrival. Unvaccinated travelers, ages 12 and older, must obtain a negative PCR test taken no more than 5 days prior to the date of arrival. All travelers are required to apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa at travel.gov.bs. Fully vaccinated travelers are required to upload negative test results in addition to valid proof of vaccination confirming they have passed the 2-week immunity period (such as CDC or government issued vaccine record card). As part of the Bahamas Travel Health Visa application, travelers will be required to opt-in to COVID-19 health insurance that covers them for the duration of their stay. The cost of insurance is included in the Bahamas Travel Health Visa application fee. More information at bahamas.com.

Barbados: Open to US visitors. Barbados is open to vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers, however testing and quarantine guidelines for unvaccinated tourists are more stringent. All visitors must complete the Immigration and Customs form 24 hours prior to arrival and must include the negative PCR test result taken no more than 3 days before arrival. Fully vaccinated travelers with a valid negative PCR do not need to take a second PCR test or quarantine. Health officials at the Grantley Adams airport may select fully vaccinated travelers at random for a rapid antigen arrival test on entry (free of charge). Unvaccinated travelers must quarantine for 5 days at a pre-approved accommodation, take a PCR test on day 5 at one of the approved labs or testing hotels across the island and continue to quarantine until test results are received. Unvaccinated travelers under the age of 18 are allowed to enter if accompanied by vaccinated parents/guardians; travelers under 5 are not subject to testing requirements. More information at visitbarbados.org.

Bermuda: Open to US visitors. All travelers must complete the online Bermuda travel authorization process within 1 to 3 days of arrival (cost is $75 and covers all on-island tests) and present proof of a negative PCR test taken within 4 days of arrival (this also applies to children 2 years and older). Vaccinated travelers must present proof of vaccination, be tested upon arrival and on days 4 and 10 of their stay. Unvaccinated children traveling with parents are subject to the same rules. Unvaccinated travelers must be tested upon arrival, must quarantine at their own expense for 14 days at one of seven approved hotels, and be retested at the end of their quarantine. More information: gotobermuda.com.

Bonaire: Open to US travelers. Fully vaccinated visitors must produce proof of a negative PCR test done within 72 hours of arrival. Unvaccinated visitors also must produce result of a negative antigen test taken within 24 hours of arrival as well as the negative PCR test. Bonaire has added the availability of rapid antigen testing at its Flamingo Airport to help travelers adhere to the current testing protocol. All travelers must complete a health questionnaire.

British Virgin Islands: Open to US travelers: Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travelers must begin their application on the BVI Gateway Portal no later than 48 hours before travel portal (bvigateway.bviaa.com). It must be 24 hours before travel. Failure to follow the guidelines could result in denied entry. Fully vaccinated travelers must produce proof of vaccination and a negative PCR or rapid antigen test taken no later than 48 hours prior to arrival, but they do not have to register on the entry portal or test for COVID-19 upon arrival. (If the test result is older than 48 hours, whether because of delays or overnight layovers, fully vaccinated travelers are required to register on the portal and take a rapid antigen test on the day of arrival). More information at bvitourism.com.

Cayman Islands: Open to US travelers. Unvaccinated travelers are not allowed. The Cayman Islands now restricts entry to people who have traveled to southern Africa. People who travel to, from, or through these countries within the 21 days preceding their arrival in the Cayman Islands must undergo PCR testing within 24 hours of arrival and must also complete a quarantine period of not less than 14 days. Those who meet guidelines for entry to the island must apply to the Travel Cayman portal for an official Certificate to travel by requesting a Travel Declaration. Travelers must also take a PCR test 72 hours prior to departure with a negative result. No quarantine is required for verified vaccinated travelers, but they are required to take three tests during their stay, on days 2, 5, and 10. The Cayman Islands will administer these tests. Each test is approximately $30. More information at visitcaymanislands.com.

Curacao: Open to US travelers. All visitors from very high-risk countries (which includes the United States) must complete the digital immigration card online prior to departure, fill out the passenger locator card within 48 hours of departure, show proof and upload a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of departure, and take an antigen test at a local laboratory on the third day of the stay. The appointment must be made and paid for in advance. Children 12 and under who don’t show COVID-19 symptoms and whose parents/caretakers can show proof of a negative PCR test are not required to undergo a PCR test prior to arrival or the antigen test on day 3. Travelers must also be insured. More information at curacao.com.

Dominica: Open to US travelers. All travelers must submit a health questionnaire at least 24 hours prior to travel and upload a negative PCR test taken between 24 and 72 hours prior to arrival. Vaccinated visitors must upload a vaccination certificate, pay online for a rapid antigen test ($100 at the airport), and present notification of health clearance to travel to Dominica and receipt for antigen test.

If the antigen result is negative, there is no mandatory quarantine for fully vaccinated travelers who have been medically cleared. They must record temperature daily and report any symptoms, and must stay in Safe in Nature certified properties. Unvaccinated travelers will be transported to a mandatory quarantine at a government-operated facility or a Safe in Nature-certified property for five days, take a PCR test on day 5 and await results for up to 48 hours. Unvaccinated children under 18 traveling with a fully vaccinated family must follow same protocols as their vaccinated family members. Children age 5 and older will be tested on day 2; those 5 and younger do not need a PCR test. More information: godominica.com.

Dominican Republic: Open to US travelers. Visitors from the United States do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test. Airports and other ports of entry will perform a quick breath test to a random selection of visitors. Passengers under the age of 5 and crew members are exempt from this procedure. All travelers are required to fill out a Traveler’s Health Affidavit and international embarkation/disembarkation form 72 hours before departure from the United States, print or take a screenshot of a QR code, which is scanned upon arrival and departure. More information: godominicanrepublic.com.

Grenada: Open to US visitors. No longer open to unvaccinated travelers. Travelers are not be required to quarantine on arrival, they are not required to test on arrival unless deemed necessary by health officials during health screening, and may use personal or other types of transportation. More information at www.puregrenada.com.

Guadeloupe: Open to US visitors. There have been violent protests and riots against the island’s COVID-19 restrictions, which currently includes a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. lockdown. Less than half of the residents of Guadeloupe have been vaccinated. Vaccinated travelers must present a negative PCR test result taken 72 hours prior to arrival or an antigen test result taken 48 hours before arrival. Travelers under 12 are exempt from this requirement. Unvaccinated tourists must present the results of a negative PCR or antigen test upon departing and arriving in Guadeloupe. All non-vaccinated travelers will also need to present a compelling reason as to why they are traveling to the Guadeloupe and be subject to a mandatory 7-day quarantine. All travelers must present a completed health declaration form upon arrival. More information at www.guadeloupe-islands.com/reopening.

Jamaica: Open to US travelers. Jamaica has imposed restrictions on travelers from a number of African countries. All travelers must submit the travel authorization form within 7 days of arrival and must show the approval during the airline check-in process. All travelers over the age of 12 must submit proof of a negative PCR test or antigen test taken within 3 days of travel. Travelers staying in the Resilient Corridors along the north and south coasts of the island are free to move about the corridors and visit attractions that have been certified by the Tourist Board to be a COVID-19 Resilient Licensed tourist attraction. Fully vaccinated travelers staying outside the Resilient Corridors who meet the pre-arrival testing requirements are no longer required to quarantine on arrival. Unvaccinated travelers staying outside the Resilient Corridors still need to quarantine for 14 days. More information at visitjamaica.com.

Martinique: Much like Guadeloupe, the French island of Martinique has seen unrest and protests, primarily around mandatory vaccination mandates for health care workers. Open to US visitors. All visitors must be fully vaccinated and must present a negative PCR test result taken 72 hours prior to arrival or an antigen test result taken 48 hours before arrival. Travelers under 12 are exempt from this requirement. All travelers must present a completed health declaration form upon arrival. There is no quarantine requirement. More information: meetmartinique.com.

Montserrat: Open to US visitors. All visitors must be fully vaccinated, show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 5 days prior to entry, complete and submit the online Access Declaration Form no later than 3 days prior to arrival, quarantine for 5 days and take a PCR or rapid antigen test on day 3 or 4. Children age 5 and older must also submit a negative PCR result. Children over 2 years of age must be tested on day 3 or 4 of quarantine. Visitors can stay up to 90 days or apply for the Remote Workers Stamp (fees required) for up to a year. More information at gov.ms/COVID-19

Puerto Rico: Open to US travelers. Fully vaccinated visitors are required to upload an official Vaccination Card through the Travel Declaration Form portal. Unvaccinated travelers are required to provide evidence of either a PCR test or rapid test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Those unvaccinated travelers arriving without a test must upload either a PCR or rapid test taken in Puerto Rico within 48 hours of arrival or receive a $300 fine. They must quarantine until results are received. More information at www.discoverpuertorico.com

Saba and St. Eustatius (Statia): Open to US travelers. Regulations for both islands require vaccinated visitors to fill out a health application form, provide results of a PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival or a rapid antigen test done 48 hours before travel and show proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated travelers must fill out the health form, show PCR test result done 72 hours before travel, quarantine for 5 days and take a PCR test on day 5. Day-trippers from St. Maarten have to apply for entry into Saba or Statia and fill out the health form prior to arrival in those islands. For details, visit the tourism websites of Saba and Statia.

St. Barts: Open to US visitors. All visitors over the age of 18 arriving from the United States must show proof of vaccination and present a negative rapid test taken within 48 hours of arrival or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival to enter. Unvaccinated visitors may only enter for a compelling reason (family, professional, medical) with pre-authorization. Visitors who travel through St. Martin need to pre-register to enter and must show results of the negative PCR test. US visitors traveling to St. Barts through San Juan must show results of the negative PCR test. More information: www.saintbarth.com.

St. Kitts and Nevis: Open to US travelers. Only fully vaccinated travelers are allowed to enter (unvaccinated children must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult). Visitors must complete a travel authorization form and include proof of vaccination. Once verified, travelers will receive authorization of their vaccination card and a KN number. They must then upload results of a negative PCR test done 72 hours prior to departure and proof of booking at one of the travel-approved accommodations. The Vacation In Place quarantine has been reduced from 4 days to 24 hours, after which travelers are tested ($150). Following a negative test result, travelers are free to make use of restaurants, beach bars, attractions, craft markets, tours, and water sports. Unvaccinated children under age 18 are subject to the 24-hour test and stay-in-place requirement. More information: www.stkittstourism.kn/travel-advisory-update and www.nevisisland.com.

St. Lucia: Open to US travelers. All travelers 18 and older must submit an online travel registration. Travelers age 5 and older must submit a negative PCR test result taken within 5 days of arrival. Fully vaccinated travelers must submit proof of vaccination and do not have to quarantine; they will be issued a wristband that must be worn at all times. Unvaccinated children ages 5 to 17 traveling with vaccinated adults must be retested upon arrival at the airport (the traveler pays the cost of the test) and they must remain in quarantine until the test result is received, usually within 24 to 48 hours. If negative, they are no longer required to quarantine. Unvaccinated travelers must be transferred by certified taxi to an approved COVID-19 accommodation and remain on property for 14 days or the duration of their stay except to transfer to another COVID-certified property to continue their stay or to participate in certified activities, tours, and excursions (listed on stlucia.org). More information at www.stlucia.org/COVID-19.

St. Maarten/St. Martin: Fully vaccinated travelers are not required to take a COVID-19 test to enter St. Martin. This is applicable for travelers who are fully vaccinated with the approved vaccines. All visitors must complete the health pre-authorization application through the Electronic Health Authorization System, submit proof of a negative COVID test 72 hours before arrival or antigen test done 48 hours before arrival. Once authorization is approved, travelers receive a pre-authorization e-mail which contains a QR code showing vaccination status and COVID test result.

The St. Maarten SXM Protection Plan is mandatory health coverage for all visitors. The plan covers hospital costs, ICU costs, doctor consultations, COVID-19 tests and, if necessary, medical evacuation. For those ages 15 and up, the cost is $15 for visits up to 180 days; it is $10 for those under 15 years of age. Travelers from a high-risk country (the United States is considered high-risk), will receive an automated daily e-mail alert with a link to submit body temperature and any symptoms during first five days of their stay. More information at sintmaartengov.org.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Open to US travelers. All visitors must complete the pre-arrival form, show results of a negative PCR test done 72 hours before arrival and arrive with a fully paid reservation. They will be retested upon arrival. Fully vaccinated visitors must show proof of vaccination, quarantine for 48 hours and can then move to a “bubble protocol” hotel (three in Canouan, one in Bequia, one in Mustique and Petit St. Vincent Island & Resort). Unvaccinated visitors must quarantine for 14 days in a tourism-approved hotel at their own cost and be retested between day 4 and day 7 of quarantine. More information: discoversvg.com and www.gov.vc.

Turks and Caicos: Open to US travelers. All visitors ages 16 and older must be fully vaccinated to enter. Travelers are required to show proof of vaccination through the TCI Assured pre-travel program and portal prior to entering the country. Proof of vaccination in the form of a digital copy or paper copy, inclusive of vaccine cards issued by the CDC, will be accepted. The vaccination requirement is in addition to a negative PCR or rapid test done within 3 days of travel as well as medical/travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, a completed health screening questionnaire and certification that the traveler has read and agreed to the private policy document. All these requirements must be uploaded to the portal in advance of arrival. More information: Turks & Caicos tourism.

Trinidad and Tobago: Open to US visitors. All visitors, including those 16 and older, must be fully vaccinated and each must apply for entry through the Travel Pass application, upload result of a negative PCR test taken within 3 days of arrival, proof of vaccination and evidence of fully paid accommodations. More information: https://ttravelpass.gov.tt

US Virgin Islands: Every US traveler 5 years and older must apply through the USVI travel portal and submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 5 days of travel. This applies to vaccinated as well as unvaccinated travelers. Upon arrival, travelers must submit the test result and travel authorization received from the portal. Travelers unable to produce the required test result are subject to a 10-day quarantine with testing until a negative result is achieved. More information: www.usvitravelportal.com