Travelers To Spain Must Provide Negative COVID-19 Test

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Travelers bound for Spain from countries considered high-risk areas for the coronavirus will be asked to provide proof of a negative test to visit the European country, authorities said Wednesday. Starting Nov. 23, travelers to Spain will be required to submit a negative test result from within 72 hours prior to their planned departure. They will be able to do so via the internet, a smartphone application, or with a document before boarding a plane or boat. The proof of being virus-free before traveling will come on top of the temperature checks performed on arriving passengers at Spain’s airports and ports. The measure will apply to countries designated as “high risk.”

The European Union considers member nations to be high-risk zones if either their 14-day cumulative case notification rate is 50 or more and the positive test rate for COVID-19 is 4% or more, or if their 14-day cumulative case notification rate is more than 150 per 100,000 inhabitants. For non-EU countries and European nations within the visa-free Schengen travel area, Spain considers those with an accumulated 150 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over 14 days. Health minister Salvador Illa said the government took the measure in line with guidelines established by the EU last month. He said that EU members had opted for the use of “diagnostic tests and not quarantines” to enable safe travel inside the bloc. Spain’s robust tourism industry, a pillar of its economy, has taken a huge hit due to fears and restrictions caused by the virus. Madrid’s regional authorities, which have been asking for tighter controls for the capital’s airport, celebrated the decision it had been demanding for months. However, the number of imported coronavirus cases to Spain has been negligible, according to Illa. Spain’s strict lockdown in the spring reined in its first national outbreak, but it did not completely eliminate the virus from the population. The virus rebounded when Spain reactivated its economic and social life in the summer, forcing a new round of restrictions, including nationwide nightly curfew to be applied in recent weeks. Like most of Europe, Spain is struggling to contain a resurgence of virus infections. Spain has surpassed 40,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19 after another 349 fatalities were reported by health officials on Wednesday. Still, Illa tried to offer some hope while emphasizing the need for vigilance. “We continue to show a downward tendency (of the contagion spread), but it is still very worrying, with high levels of hospitalizations and high level of ICU occupancy,” Illa said. ___ Follow AP’s coronavirus pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak

Loyalty Awards Update: Preferred Hotels & Resorts Announces Second I Prefer Points Rewards Extension

We’re happy to share an update from the Preferred Hotels & Resorts loyalty program I Prefer Hotel Rewards. As one of the first travel brands to make changes to its loyalty program benefits in light of the global pandemic, the brand will further extend the validity of accrued points and Elite status for all members – both here in the U.S. and globally. As such, more than 3.5 million I Prefer Hotel Rewards members will continue to enjoy flexibility and can keep their hard-earned Elite status and points for use on future hotel stays – as and when they are ready or able to travel. The renewed extensions will run as follows:

New Expiration Dates Points – June 30, 2021 Elite Status – June 30, 2022 No action is required for these extensions to occur, they will be reflected in each member’s account by December 31 2020. Travelers can find full details here on the I Prefer webpage. For any questions about these changes, travelers can reach our team at ipreferupdate@preferredhotels.com. This news follows Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ decision to protect members’ hard-earned benefits back in April 2020, which saw all members with Elite status maintain their status through June 30 2021 and the points expiration date for all members stretched to August 31 2020. Extending this initiative allows members with Elite status to keep it for an additional 12 months and all members the ability to use points that may have been sitting in their accounts at the beginning of this year until the end of June next year. I Prefer Hotel Rewards is the world’s largest points-based program for independent hotels represented within the Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio and counts more than 3.5 million active members and over 700 participating hotels globally. Complimentary to join, I Prefer provides additional value to frequent travelers, both for leisure or business, that favor the independent hotel experience with a cash-value Reward Certificates (exchangeable for accrued points), exclusive member rates for direct bookings, monthly VIP (Very I Prefer) offers from participating hotels, which includes a variety of amenities as well as Elite status and additional benefits such as priority early check-in/ late check out and room upgrades upon availability.

The Faith and Liberty Discovery Center Will Open On Philadelphia's Independence Mall In May 2021, And Other 2021 Museum Openings.

If there's ever been a time to reflect on one's values and the meaning of life, it's been 2020. To aid this collective soul-searching, The Faith and Liberty Discovery Center will open on Philadelphia's Independence Mall in May 2021. Designed to highlight the relationship between faith and freedom in America from its founding through today, the $60 million attraction will offer an immersive and interactive experience facilitated by technology that is new to the museum environment. An adjacent Faith and Liberty Trail will use app technology to bring to life historic buildings – both present and past – as part of the experience. Geared to people of all faiths and no faith, the Center will feature six distinct galleries that explore the common values among three historic instruments: The Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bible.

Each gallery – based individually on faith, justice, liberty, unity, hope, and love – will offer outsized media experiences geared to "getting people out of their phones and giving them an experience they can't get at home," says Doug Fortney of Zenith Systems, which is developing the technology that will drive a memorable visitor journey through the Center. Guests will be able to continue their experience even after they leave the Center using The Faith and Liberty Trail app, which will connect several historic and religious sites in Old City Philadelphia. It will guide people to these locations across the city and allow them to stand in many historic religious locations directly influenced by the Bible. The immersive experience is being designed by the award-winning firm Local Projects, which spearheaded the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and ranks among the nation's most innovative design agencies. Zenith Systems is articulating the design through cutting-edge technology that will bring to life the interactive galleries, a 3D theater, and an education center. Along with Faith and Liberty, other museums to explore opening in 2021: · Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (Los Angeles, CA)

· Comic-Con Museum (San Diego, CA)

· United States Marshals Museum (Fort Smith, AR)

· The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience (New Orleans, LA)

· THE LUME Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN)

State Of Yucatán Confirms Houston-Mérida Air Route For December 2020

The state of Yucatán Confirms Houston-Mérida Air Route for December 2020 As part of the Yucatán Tourism Reactivation Program, United Airlines will offer four weekly flights

United Airlines will resume its Houston (HOU)-Mérida (MID) route as of Dec. 1, with four weekly flights and a possible increase to daily flights on Dec. 17 for the holiday season. This means about 166 available seats, with a possible 2,490 by the end of 2020. Currently, the route is confirmed until the first quarter of 2021, subject to changes that may arise derived from the Covid-19 contingency. The new route was announced this afternoon by the state of Yucatán’s Minister of Tourism, Michelle Fridman Hirsch, at a press conference where she was joined by Óscar Carrillo Maldonado, administrator of Mérida’s Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport. This is the second route connecting the U.S. with the Mexican destination. American Airlines reactivated its Miami- Mérida route on Oct. 8, increasing frequencies to daily flights as of Nov. 4. The state of Yucatán started the gradual recovery of its air frequencies beginning June 11 as part of the economic reactivation of the state, implemented by Governor Mauricio Vila Dosal. Among national routes with increased frequencies are flights by various carriers between Mérida and Mexico City, Guadalajara, Veracruz, Tijuana, Tuxtla, Monterrey and Cancun.

The state’s Ministry of Tourism has been working on the reactivation of flights to Mérida’s international airport, reporting a considerable increase in the number of frequencies each month since June. This has resulted in nine national and two international routes, representing 18,089 seats available on 121 flights, which is equivalent to 54.1% recovery of the weekly seat offer to the state of Yucatán, compared to the data recorded up to February of this year, prior to Covid-19. From March 24 to Oct. 27 of this year, arriving flights at Mérida’s international airport registered an average occupancy of 45.9%, which means a recovery of 33.4 percentage points in this indicator, registered during the last seven months of the year. “The resumption of the Merida - Houston flight starting on December 1st, with 166 seats per flight is extraordinary news. With this, Yucatan recovers 50% of its international air connectivity. These flights connect the state of Yucatan to the United States and the world through Miami and Houston as these cities are major hubs” said Michelle Fridman, Minister of Tourism for the state of Yucatan. “We will continue working from our side and with support of the private initiative to achieve a recovery as quickly as possible but above all, as safe as possible.” For his part, Óscar Carrillo, Merida´s International Airport Administrator, stated “The recovery of passengers that the airport has reported during these months, has been sustained. From 300 a day in past August, to more than 4000 passengers per day as of today; this gives us a vision of what we can expect for the winter season. This would not be possible without the joint effort of the Ministry of Tourism of the State of Yucatan and the private initiative. We want to give passengers the confidence that we are complying with all sanitary measures so that their visit to our state is safe and pleasant.” After the press conference, Fridman Hirsch, together with authorities from Mexican airport operator Grupo ASUR and representatives of air carrier Volaris, welcomed a Volaris flight from Oaxaca with 60 passengers on board. Volaris also operates flights from Mérida to Mexico City, Tijuana, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

UAE Announces Relaxing Of Islamic Laws For Personal Freedoms

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates announced on Saturday a major overhaul of the country’s Islamic personal laws, allowing unmarried couples to cohabitate, loosening alcohol restrictions and criminalizing so-called “honor killings.” The broadening of personal freedoms reflects the changing profile of a country that has sought to bill itself as a Westernized destination for tourists, fortune-seekers and businesses despite its Islamic legal code that has previously triggered court cases against foreigners and outrage in their home countries. The reforms aim to boost the country’s economic and social standing and “consolidate the UAE’s principles of tolerance,” said state-run WAM news agency, which offered only minimal details in the surprise weekend announcement. The government decrees behind the changes were outlined extensively in state-linked newspaper The National, which did not cite its source. The move follows a historic U.S.-brokered deal to normalize relations between the UAE and Israel, which is expected to bring an influx of Israeli tourists and investment. It also comes as skyscraper-studded Dubai gets ready to host the World Expo. The high-stakes event, expected to bring a flurry of commercial activity and some 25 million visitors to the country, was set for October but pushed back a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The changes, which The National said would take immediate effect, also reflect the efforts of the Emirates’ rulers to keep pace with a rapidly changing society at home. “I could not be happier for these new laws that are progressive and proactive,” said Emirati filmmaker Abdallah Al Kaabi, whose art has tackled taboo topics like homosexual love and gender identity. “2020 has been a tough and transformative year for the UAE,” he added. Changes include scrapping penalties for alcohol consumption, sales and possession for those 21 and over. Although liquor and beer is widely available in bars and clubs in the UAE’s luxuriant coastal cities, individuals needed a government-issued license to purchase, transport or have alcohol in their homes. The new rule would allow Muslims who have been barred from obtaining licenses to drink alcoholic beverages freely. Another amendment allows for “cohabitation of unmarried couples,” which has long been a crime in the UAE. Authorities, especially in the more freewheeling financial hub of Dubai, often looked the other way when it came to foreigners, but the threat of punishment still lingered. Attempted suicide, forbidden in Islamic law, would also be decriminalized, The National reported. In a move to better “protect women’s rights,” the government said it would get rid of laws defending “honor crimes,” a widely criticized tribal custom in which a male relative may evade prosecution for assaulting a woman seen as dishonoring a family. The punishment for a crime committed to eradicate a woman’s “shame,” for promiscuity or disobeying religious and cultural strictures, will now be the same for any other kind of assault.

In a country where expatriates outnumber citizens nearly nine to one, the amendments will permit foreigners to avoid Islamic Shariah courts on issues like marriage, divorce and inheritance. The announcement said nothing of other behavior deemed insulting to local customs that has landed foreigners in jail in the past, such as acts of homosexuality, cross-dressing and public displays of affection. Traditional Islamic values remain strong in the federation of seven desert sheikhdoms. Even so, Annelle Sheline, a Middle East research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, wrote on Twitter that the drastic changes “can happen without too much popular resistance because the population of citizens, especially in the main cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is so small.” The roughly 1 million Emiratis in the UAE, a hereditarily ruled country long criticized for its suppression of dissent, closely toe the government line. Political parties and labor unions remain illegal.

November At The Philadelphia Museum Of Art

Sculpture Garden ​Did you know that our vast galleries extend to the outdoors? Take advantage of the beautiful fall weather and visit our one-acre Sculpture Garden. You can feel comfortable while safely exploring large-scale contemporary artworks sunrise to sunset.

Craft Show November 6–8 Visit the Craft Show’s website to watch livestreams, and explore and purchase museum-quality craft by featured artists. Virtual Programs Child making art Art Museum Playdate: Feast Your Eyes November 6, 13, & 20, 10:30 a.m. In this live virtual program, engage in playful discussions, sketching challenges, and other fun activities. For ages 4–7 and their grown-ups. This month we'll look at food-filled works of art. Registration is limited. "Journey" (detail) by Ai Weiwei In Conversation: Migration and Ai Weiwei November 19, 5:00 p.m. Anne Ishii of Asian Arts Initiative talks about migration, displacement, and the role art can play in society. She is joined by curator Hiromi Kinoshita, who recently installed works by contemporary artist and activist Ai Weiwei. The Whaling Ship "Minerva" (detail), 1877, by Charles Sidney Raleigh (On loan from the Dietrich American Foundation). Japanese Nurse (detail), around 1904–5, by Yukawa Shodo (Gift of David P. Willis, 1970-193-1). Work by Craft Show artist Dwo Wen Chen. Journey (detail), 2017, by Ai Weiwei (On loan from Ai Weiwei Studio, courtesy of Chambers Fine Art, New York). 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway Philadelphia, PA 19130 philamuseum.org

DC To Require COVID Test For Visitors From Hot Spot States

WASHINGTON (AP) — With virus numbers rising locally and nationally and the holiday travel season looming, the nation’s capital is revamping its COVID-19 travel restrictions. Starting next week, visitors coming to Washington, D.C., from a state classified as high risk will be required to take a COVID-19 test and receive a negative result within 72 hours before traveling. They will also be asked to take another test locally if they plan on staying here more than three days. The new system replaces the one in place since July, which required visitors from hot-spot states to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser acknowledged Thursday that the quarantine system, which was entirely voluntary, was probably being violated by many visitors.

“We continue to ask people to limit their travel and stay home,” Bowser said. “We also know that people are going to come here and they’re more than likely not going to quarantine for 14 days if they do.” It also was unrealistic that travelers would abide by the quarantine rules, particularly as Washington’s hot-spot list has grown to encompass 42 states. There also was no way to enforce it. Under the new restrictions, private institutions such as hotels, universities, employers and houses of worship are permitted to demand proof of negative COVID-19 tests before allowing people to enter, but Bowser said the government won’t be involved in such enforcement. “Nobody is going to be asking you at the airport, or on bridges or roads or at the train station, to show your papers,” Bowser said. Visitors from neighboring Maryland and Virginia are exempt, as well as those staying in D.C. less than 24 hours and those traveling on essential business. Washington, Maryland and Virginia have all witnessed rising infection rates in recent weeks, with Maryland and Virginia experiencing the most dramatic spikes. The main infection metrics in Washington, D.C., have doubled in recent weeks, but are still around half of the local peak in May. The city reported 81 new infections Thursday, for an overall total of 17, 682, with 650 deaths.