MADINA: The government of Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has reopened the doors of Masjid-e-Nabawi in Madinah on Sunday, May 31, as the Kingdom continued with its phased plan to ease coronavirus restrictions. The people entered Masjid-e-Nabawi or the Prophet’s Mosque for group prayers, with a limit of 40% capacity, starting from Fajr prayers on Sunday. The government has issued precautionary measures including the removal of carpets from the mosque grounds, so that worshipers pray on the marble floors and has asked people to wear face masks, practice social distancing while praying in congregation and to bring their own prayer…
Author: holidayweekly
LONDON: A group of leading travel companies have written to the home secretary, Priti Patel, urging an immediate withdrawal of government plans to impose a mandatory 14-day quarantine on anyone arriving in the UK. Arrivals in the UK will be required to undergo the process from June 8th, according to government plans. In the letter, the signatories argue: “The very last thing the travel industry needs is a mandatory quarantine imposed on all arriving passengers which will deter foreign visitors from coming here, deter UK visitors from travelling abroad and, most likely, cause other countries to impose reciprocal quarantine requirements…
ISLAMABAD: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Friday May 29, announced that Pakistan will resume international flight operations from today, May 30. “As per decision of the federal government, the outbound international flights (scheduled, non-scheduled and charter flights) operation has been allowed with effect from 2359 hours tonight,” said Spokesperson Aviation Division Abdul Sattar Khokhar. In a statement, the spokesperson added that both national and foreign airlines will be allowed to operate from all international airports of Pakistan except Gwadar and Turbat. “SOPs for outbound international flights have already been issued according to which airlines will be required to follow…
MUSCAT: Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, continues to take careful action to ensure the safety of its crew and guests. The airline has flown a number of flights to bring citizens home, along with cargo-only flights to bring food, commodities and medical supplies to the country. Oman Air stands ready to operate additional flights on an as-needed basis as plans are formulated for an orderly return to scheduled service, at a time to be determined based on guidance from national and international authorities. [huge_it_slider id=”551″] In coordination with Ministry of Health, the Public Authority for…
MADRID: Officials in Spain have confirmed the country will drop a two-week quarantine requirement for arrivals from July 1st. [huge_it_slider id=”550″] The decision comes as the country seeks to reopen its tourism sector ahead of the summer season. Spain has seen nearly 27,000 coronavirus related deaths, but there has been a sharp drop off in fatalities and new cases in recent days. In response, foreign minister, Arancha Gonzalez Laya, confirmed entry requirements would be lifted in July. Rather quixotically, Britain will only begin to quarantine arrivals on June 8th. This means Brits taking a trip to Spain will be expected…
UNITED STATES: Hospitality giant Marriott has told employees in the United States that furloughs and reduced work week schedules which began in April will be extended through to October. The decision was taken as the coronavirus pandemic continues to slow demand for travel. The financial impact of the pandemic is more severe than 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis combined, Marriott said. In response, the company is also rolling out a voluntary redundancy program for on-property and above-property staff in the United States who may choose to leave. Similar voluntary programs are being considered in other parts of the world.…
ATHENS: Greece said on Friday it will open to visitors from 29 countries from June 15, days before its peak tourism season begins. The countries are: Germany, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Cyprus, Israel, Switzerland, Japan, Malta, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Australia, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Albania, Estonia, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Hungary, South Korea, Serbia, Montenegro, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Finland. Visitors will be randomly tested, the tourism ministry said, and the government would monitor and evaluate developments related to the coronavirus. The list will be updated before July 1, the tourism ministry said. The Mediterranean nation, which emerged from a…
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) feels that mandatory quarantine for air travelers flying between States is an obstacle for the resumption of airline operations. “We think we should avoid (putting in place quarantine measures). “We will advocate to States or governments to not insist on quarantine if they want air travel to restart,” Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, said during a conference call with the global media. He added that IATA did not support general quarantine. Addressing the global media, Brian Pearce, IATA’s Chief Economist, said that governments globally had made about $123 billion available…
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has announced the resumption of domestic flights more than two months after they were suspended to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Starting from May 31st, Saudi-based carries will be permitted to offer flights within the country. “The resumption of domestic flights will be phased, to cover all domestic destinations within two weeks,” The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation said in a statement. The body added it will be working in coordination with airports, air carriers and companies operating in the civil aviation sector to meet the demand in the local market. Saudi Arabia suspended all…
BANGKOK: The Thai government says it will lift all remaining business and activity lockdowns on July 1, according to the National Security Council Chief. “This includes interprovincial and international travel, as well as the end of emergency decree and curfew.” The lift of all restrictions, imposed under the country’s emergency decree, would be a “complete reopening of the country”. Officials and the CCSA will spend June getting ready for this milestone in the country’s relatively successful Covid-19 strategy. But the “end to all restrictions” will still mean some measures will remain in place as part of the new normal for…