Page 5 - Foreign Travel
Covid situation in India better, hope nations would ease travel curbs: MEA
MEA said it hopes that with the Covid-19 situation in India vastly improved, foreign nations would ease travel restrictions from India
 "Covid situation in India better, hope nations would ease travel curbs: MEA")
Any WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccine should be allowed for travel, says UN
The World Health Organisation said Thursday that any COVID-19 vaccines it has authorised for emergency use should be recognised by countries as they open up their borders to inoculated travellers. The move could challenge Western countries to broaden their acceptance of two apparently less effective Chinese vaccines, which the UN health agency has licensed but most European and North American countries have not. In addition to vaccines by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna Inc, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, the WHO has also given the green light to the two Chinese jabs, made by Sinovac and Sinopharm. In its aim to restore travel across Europe, the European Union said in May that it would only recognise people as vaccinated if they had received shots licensed by the European Medicines Agency -- although it's up to individual countries if they wish to let in travellers who have received other vaccines, including Russia's Sputnik V. The EU drug regulator is currently considering licensing
 "Any WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccine should be allowed for travel, says UN")
No consensus yet on Covid vaccine passport issue at WHO level: Govt
'As of now, as per WHO guidelines and guidelines by other countries, people with negative COVID test report are being allowed,' says Health Ministry Joint Secretary
 "No consensus yet on Covid vaccine passport issue at WHO level: Govt")
Covid-19 pandemic: European Union to ease travel curbs for foreign tourists
The United States would not, although vaccinated Americans would be welcome in Europe.
 "Covid-19 pandemic: European Union to ease travel curbs for foreign tourists")
Airbnb sees 'travel rebound of the century'; loss widens on debt payment
Airbnb's shares fluctuated in extended trading after closing down 3.2% in New York at $135.75.
 "Airbnb sees 'travel rebound of the century'; loss widens on debt payment")
India may extend UK flight ban for a short period, says Hardeep Singh Puri
The minister expressed hope that the normal international air travel would resume in the first half of 2021
 "India may extend UK flight ban for a short period, says Hardeep Singh Puri")
Charter biz gets Christmas boost as flyers prioritise safety and hygiene
While chartered flights were earlier being used for business and repatriating of stranded Indians and foreigners, the leisure segment picked up with the opening up of tourist destinations
 "Charter biz gets Christmas boost as flyers prioritise safety and hygiene")
Finance Minister mulling 75% reduction in foreign travel budget for FY22
The Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing restrictions in mobility may result in a 75% reduction in the budgetary allocation for foreign travel in FY22
 "Finance Minister mulling 75% reduction in foreign travel budget for FY22")
Travellers from Dubai, UK mainly behind Covid importation into India: Study
According to the research, which has been published in the Journal of Travel Medicine, Covid-19 got induced into Indian states mainly due to international travels
 "Travellers from Dubai, UK mainly behind Covid importation into India: Study")
Rs 20,000 hotel bill, Rs 50,000 insurance premium may come under I-T lens
In a list of proposed measures to widen the tax base, in a tweet, government said no taxpayer should be left behind in the drive to ensure better compliance and transparency
 "Rs 20,000 hotel bill, Rs 50,000 insurance premium may come under I-T lens")
US lifts foreign travel restrictions for citizens, points to improvements
The announcement comes as President Donald Trump seeks a quick return to normal in the United States
Visa, travel restrictions eased for some categories of foreign nationals
Foreign businessmen, healthcare professionals, health researchers, engineers and technicians among those allowed to travel, subject to certain conditions
 "Visa, travel restrictions eased for some categories of foreign nationals")
China reports rise in coronavirus cases, most from foreign travellers
But Chinese authorities fear the possibility of a second wave triggered by arrivals from overseas or asymptomatic patients
 "China reports rise in coronavirus cases, most from foreign travellers")
Quarantined lives
In countries with a wider coverage of digital communication, overuse of the internet is causing the opposite problem
Facebook, HSBC and other firms curb staff travel to China as virus spreads
The United States warned on Monday that Americans should "reconsider" visiting all of China, while South Korea elevated its travel warning on Tuesday, advising its citizens to stay away
 "Facebook, HSBC and other firms curb staff travel to China as virus spreads")
PM Modi made seven foreign trips, visited nine countries in three months
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar undertook 13 trips to 16 countries
 "PM Modi made seven foreign trips, visited nine countries in three months")
Forex cards are a cheaper, value-loaded option for international travel
Forex card scores over other instruments because it has several benefits
 "Forex cards are a cheaper, value-loaded option for international travel")
Rambling around Vienna, named the 'world's most liveable city' yet again
Uttaran Das Gupta recalls a few good reasons why
 "Rambling around Vienna, named the 'world's most liveable city' yet again")
Foreign travel demand high despite weak rupee as firms absorb cost increase
Thomas Cook said it was seeing early requests for tour related forex transactions to lock in the rate
 "Foreign travel demand high despite weak rupee as firms absorb cost increase")