Travel Advisory

La Compagnie Boutique Airline postponed the resumption of its flights to New York for a second time. Due to the travel restrictions between Europe and the United States and the uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic situation, the French carrier will not be resuming flights until early September 2020.


With coronavirus cases on the rise in the United States and travel restrictions across the Atlantic still active, the French airline specialized in full-business transatlantic flights announced it would extend the suspension of its route between Paris-Orly (ORY) and Newark-Liberty (EWR) airport until August 31, 2020.


In March 2020, La Compagnie had announced it would cease operations until June 1, 2020, before postponing the date a first time to July 11, 2020. On June 12, 2020, the airline obtained a loan of €10 million guaranteed by the French state.


Created in 2014, La Compagnie operates two Airbus A321neo configured with 76 business-class seats on two daily flights between Paris and Newark, with rotations towards Nice Cote d'Azur Airport (NCE) during the summer season. A second transatlantic route between New York and London Luton Airport (LTN) was terminated in 2016.

BANGKOK, July 13 (Reuters) - Thailand ordered security stepped up at its land borders on Monday after concerns surged over a possible second wave of coronavirus infections, following the arrests of thousands of illegal migrants in the past month.


Since the start of June, authorities have arrested 3,000 migrant workers for overland entry attempts, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for Thailand's task force on the disease.


Taweesin also raised concern about weak regulation for foreign arrivals by air, after two such visitors tested positive, with one breaking quarantine rules.


The government identified a 43-year-old crewman of an Egyptian military plane and a nine-year-old girl in the family of a Sudanese diplomat as the new cases that could potentially trigger a second wave.


With no locally transmitted case reported for more than six weeks, Thailand's virus tally since January stands at 3,220 infections and 58 deaths.


Air crew and the families of foreign diplomats are among the few groups of foreigners allowed into the country since March, on condition of spending 14 days in quarantine.


The Egyptian arrived on Wednesday and spent time in the eastern province of Rayong before leaving on Saturday. After a virus test came back positive on Sunday, authorities found he had left the hotel where he was supposed to stay in isolation.


The Sudanese girl was hospitalised on arrival in Thailand, but her family was allowed to self-quarantine in its Bangkok condominium with no official supervision. There were no reports that the family had left the residence.


Although Thailand has partly lifted its entry ban on foreigners, including permanent residents, business travellers and medical tourists, it still bars ordinary tourists and migrant workers.

The following repatriation flight is scheduled at this time:

Solange Reps Travel Agency: Private tour operator Solange Reps is planning a flight from Lima to Miami (MIA) on Wednesday, July 15. The flight is open to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). Interested travelers should complete this form: https://solangereps.typeform.com/to/VqHhopwJ. This is not a U.S. Embassy flight. For additional information, contact Solange Reps directly by calling or sending a WhatsApp message to +1 (786) 387-0000 or +51-952-396-417 or visiting their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Solangereps.Mayoristapreferida.

Temporary Closure of the Cusco Consular Agency: The U.S. Embassy's Consular Agency in Cusco will be closed beginning Monday, July 20, and is scheduled to reopen by mid-November 2020. U.S. citizens in need of routine or emergency consular services may contact the U.S. Embassy in Lima via email at LimaACS@state.gov or by calling +51 (01) 618-2000.

Location: Malta

Event: On July 10, the Ministry of Health confirmed 674 cases of COVID-19, seven of which are active cases. 

As of March 27, U.S. Embassy Malta suspended non-emergency U.S. citizen and visa services. U.S. citizens in Malta who require assistance should contact the Embassy using the contact information at the end of this Health Alert. Beginning June 18, routine passport and consular report of birth abroad appointments resumed. All other non-emergency U.S. citizen (including notary appointments) and visa services remain suspended until further notice. Please visit the U.S. Embassy in Malta U.S. Citizen Services website and Visas website for more information. 

The Malta International Airport and ports reopened on July 1 to "safe corridor" destinations, including: Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland. The list of countries can also be found at the Reopen EU website. MIA has implemented various measures to maintain a safe environment for passengers and employees. For details please visit the MIA website.

Travel restrictions are based on residency, not nationality. Individuals who wish to travel to Malta from a "safe corridor" country must spend at least two weeks in a "safe corridor" country directly prior to entering Malta. Passengers who meet this requirement will not be required to quarantine upon arrival.

To date, U.S. citizens travelling directly from the United States or any other non- "safe corridor" country are not permitted entry into Malta. Travel to and from certain other destinations is expected to be permitted beginning July 15. However, it has not yet been confirmed which countries will be included or whether quarantine will be required of passengers arriving from the newly added destinations. Please visit the Malta Ministry of Health Travel web page for more information.

Commercial flights remain available for U.S. citizens in Malta who want to return to the United States. Please note, passengers may be unable to depart the airport while transiting. U.S. citizens who plan to return to the United States should contact their airline directly with questions regarding layovers, including questions about baggage and traveling with pets.

CAIRO, July 10 (Reuters) - Kuwait advised its citizens and residents against traveling abroad at the moment due to the instability of the coronavirus pandemic, and the spread of the virus despite strict measures applied worldwide, the Health Ministry announced in a statement on Twitter on Friday.

Last month, Kuwait's communications office said that commercial flights at Kuwait International Airport will resume from Aug 1, after being suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Location: Romania

Event:

Romania remains in an extended 30-day state of alert, which began June 17.  After a recent spike in COVID-19 cases, the Government of Romania announced that relaxation measures previously scheduled for July 1 would be postponed due to scientific and technical data showing a rise in COVID-19 cases.  The government has continued to reemphasize compliance with existing restrictive measures and has not ruled out extending the current state of alert or implementing further restrictions based on current case growth.

As communicated in previous messages, relaxation measures have permitted the reopening of shopping malls, fitness clubs, outdoor pools, private indoor events of no more than 20 people, and outdoor events of no more than 50 people.  Relaxations have also permitted the reopening of public and private kindergartens, after school programs, and indoor religious services, in compliance with social distancing health guidelines.  Restrictions continue to mandate the wearing of protective masks in closed public spaces, stores, public transportation, and the workplace.

U.S. citizens are not permitted to enter Romania unless they meet one of the specified exceptions.  U.S. citizens wishing to know if they meet an exception for entry may consult the Ministry of Interior's website here or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website here.  They are also advised to contact the Romanian Embassy in their country of origin or the Romanian Border Police prior to departure.  The Government of Romania also implemented non-European Economic Area (EEA) travel requirements reflecting the Council of the European Union's (EU's) June 30th recommendations, which prohibit non-essential EU travel for U.S. residents.  Travelers may consult the European Commission's webpage called "Re-open EU" for more information regarding travel restrictions throughout Europe.

Separately, on July 6 the Government of Romania approved a revised framework for travel-related isolation and quarantine requirements.  Travelers arriving from EEA countries with per capita case growth equal to or less than Romania’s will be exempt from 14 days of isolation.  Travelers may consult the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) for a list of these countries.

The Government of Romania released guidance with regard to visa and resident permit validity, available here.  Documents of any visitor or resident of Romania that expired during the initial state of emergency will maintain validity for an additional 90 days from the end of the state of emergency (until August 12).  Documents of any visitor or resident that expired during the state of alert will maintain validity for an additional 90 days from the end of the current state of alert (until October 14).  Visitors are encouraged to depart Romania as soon as it is safe to do so.  Visitors are also encouraged to contact the Romanian authorities for any questions regarding their specific circumstances and interpretation of this guidance, the application of which rests solely under the purview of local authorities.

The government has eased commercial flight and travel restrictions to countries with documented COVID-19 case reductions.  Air carriers TAROM and Wizz Air have resumed operations to regional destinations with daily flights to most destinations.  European national carriers have resumed flights to airport hubs with connections to the United States.  Travelers should continue to be prepared for last minute cancellations.  Travelers should also visit the Otopeni "Henri Coanda" International Airport website for a schedule of departing flights, and check with airlines for updated information about travel plans.

Event: The Macau government announced that it will end a special ferry service between the Taipa Ferry Terminal and Hong Kong International Airport on July 16. If you wish to return to the United States, you should make arrangements now.

Please confirm with ferry operators and airlines to ensure that you qualify for this service. If your outbound flight is canceled for any reason, you may be subject to quarantine requirements in Macau. For more information, please see the Macau government's press release.

Transportation options from Macau to the United States may be unavailable after July 16. If you choose to stay overseas, you should be prepared to remain where you are for the foreseeable future.

Actions to Take:

Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information. 
For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations. 
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit the Consulate website on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Hong Kong and Macau.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security's website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.

Jet2 has canceled all flights for the coming weeks from Scotland to Spain following the Scottish Government's announcement about quarantine rules for overseas travelers.


The airline has canceled all flights from Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh Airport to Mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands until July 25, with flights to Cyprus, Portugal and Madeira from U.K. airports also canceled until August 1.


Jet2 has however confirmed plans to resume flights and holidays to other popular holiday destinations from Scotland on Wednesday of next week (July 15).

LONDON, July 10 (Reuters) - Quarantine measures for those travelling to Britain from around 70 countries and overseas territories, including France and Italy, no longer apply from Friday in a boost to the ailing aviation and travel industries hit by COVID-19.

Those arriving from higher-risk countries will still have to self-quarantine for 14 days but many popular destinations are now exempt, meaning millions of Britons are able to take summer holidays without having to stay at home when they return.

Airports have imposed safety measures such as perspex screens, mandatory mask-wearing, hand-sanitiser stations and hand-washing facilities to stop the spread of the virus.

But flights are likely to remain far below usual levels and the boss of Gatwick, London's second-busiest airport, told Reuters he was hoping that quarantine-free travel would be widened to other destinations.

"What we would like to see at the end of the month, when it is next reviewed, is the Portuguese market open up as well," said Chief Executive Stewart Wingate.

"Our absolute focus is on the European markets because that's what will help us to build volume during the summer and protect as many jobs at Gatwick as possible this year."

Event: The Government of Djibouti has announced Djibouti’s Ambouli International Airport will open for incoming and outgoing passenger traffic on July 17, 2020.


All passengers entering Djibouti will be tested upon arrival for COVID-19 by the Djiboutian Ministry of Health.


U.S. citizens who wish to depart Djibouti should purchase tickets directly from a commercial airline.

CAIRO, July 9 (Reuters) - Sudan's civil aviation authority has opened Khartoum international airport partially for flights from Egypt, Turkey and United Arab Emirates, the state news agency reported in a statement on Thursday.

The statement added this decision is in line with the supreme committee for health emergencies which decided to gradually ease measures taken to combat coronavirus in Sudan.

RABAT, July 9 (Reuters) - Morocco extended on Thursday an emergency decree until Aug. 10 giving local authorities leeway in taking restrictive measures in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The cabinet maintained the decree in force to allow for restoring lockdowns on a region-by-region basis depending on the coronavirus developments.

Morocco has unlocked since June 25 most of the economy allowing cafes, restaurants, sports clubs, and other services and entertainment businesses to resume activity at half capacity except in the provinces where infections remain higher such as Tangier, Marrakech and Safi.

Domestic travel has resumed, while borders are set to reopen on July 14 to nationals in addition to foreign residents and their families.

By Thursday evening, Morocco had recorded 15079 cases, including 242 deaths and 11447 recoveries with total tests rising to 835,264.

Outbreaks within industrial clusters have complicated Morocco’s efforts to counter the coronavirus with the latest major outbreak earlier this week found among workers of fish canneries in Safi.

The pandemic has hit Morocco's finances as the government expects a budget deficit of 7.5% and economic growth at -5%. 

Japan intends to begin talks in mid-July on resuming business flights with 10 more economies including mainland China, South Korea and Taiwan, a move that will be backed by a sharp increase in coronavirus testing capacity.


Tokyo also seeks travel talks with Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Mongolia.


Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to unveil plans for the negotiations soon. The move comes as travel bubbles, or air bridges -- agreements between destinations where the pandemic is under control -- proliferate in Asia.


Japan already has opened similar discussions with Vietnam, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. Vietnam welcomed about 440 Japanese business flyers in late June.

YEREVAN, July 13 (Reuters) - Armenia said on Monday it had extended until Aug. 12 a state of emergency to try to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus as the number of daily infections has yet to start declining.


Despite the state of emergency, almost all sectors of the Armenian economy are functioning after businesses reopened in early May to ward off economic collapse.


But the country's borders remain closed and international flights have not resumed.


Armenia, a country of around 3 million, has registered 32,151 confirmed coronavirus cases and 573 deaths so far from COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.


It is the worst-affected country in the South Caucasus region and hundreds of new infections are still being recorded each day.


Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said earlier this month that if people did not follow anti-epidemic measures, Armenia might face a new lockdown, which could cause a severe economic crisis.


His government has made wearing face masks in public mandatory.


Specialists from foreign countries and international organisations arrived in Armenia last month to help the country fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

In another sign that holidays overseas will be off the cards until well into 2021, Qantas have officially removed international flight bookings – bar New Zealand – from their website until March 28, 2021.


Pulling of all international inventory comes weeks after Group CEO Alan Joyce announced that services overseas wouldn’t likely resume for another 12 months.


According to Executive Traveller, while flights overseas to the US, Asia and Europe can still be made through the Qantas website, the flights will be serviced with partner airlines such as Emirates and Cathay Pacific.


The closing of flights and changing of bookings isn’t unexpected, given Mr Joyce signalled that all international flying would be suspended until the middle of 2021.

The Government of Lebanon confirmed 2,082 cases of COVID-19 and 36 related deaths in the country as of July 10, 2020.

The Lebanese government has extended the general mobilization until August 2. The former 12 midnight-to-5:00 a.m curfew is no longer in effect.

Rafic Hariri International Airport, closed to regularly-scheduled flights since March 19, reopened to commercial air traffic on July 1, 2020, with service starting at a level of 10 percent of that handled a year ago. The Lebanese government has announced new procedures for travelers arriving in Beirut as of that date.

The Government continues to implement enhanced screening and " measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Please also see the latest daily Lebanese government publication which consolidates every ministry’s decisions, actions and responses to address the crisis.

On June 15, the Department of State authorized non-emergency personnel to begin returning to Lebanon. Although U.S. Embassy Beirut is no longer on "ordered departure" status, routine consular services at U.S. Embassy Beirut remain suspended until further notice. The Embassy continues to provide emergency services for U.S. citizens. Please visit the website for additional information, or contact BeirutACS@state.gov.

CAIRO, July 10 (Reuters) - Kuwait advised its citizens and residents against traveling abroad at the moment due to the instability of the coronavirus pandemic, and the spread of the virus despite strict measures applied worldwide, the Health Ministry announced in a statement on Twitter on Friday.

Last month, Kuwait's communications office said that commercial flights at Kuwait International Airport will resume from Aug 1, after being suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

As of July 1, the European Union (known as the EU, which includes Italy) began lifting the restrictions on nonessential travel into the EU for residents of certain third countries. The list of third countries does not currently include United States residents.  Please visit https://reopen.europa.eu/en for more information.

The Italian government has modified its entry regulations to allow exceptions for several categories of visitors, including students, business persons, EU residents, and relatives of Italian citizens.  Please review the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for more specific information in English.  Also please take note of any self-quarantine requirements.

The U.S. Embassy in Rome, Consulates General in Milan, Naples, and Florence, and Consular Agencies in Venice, Palermo, and Genoa have resumed limited regular passport processing.  Travelers with an immediate travel need and a confirmed flight to the United States may also contact U.S. Embassy Rome or your local consulate and request an emergency passport appointment.

Health Alert for U.S. Citizens (July 10)

Event:  Airport and places of worship to reopen; curfew hours shortened
Location: Sierra Leone (countrywide)

On July 9, the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health confirmed 1,598 cases of COVID-19 in Sierra Leone.

The restrictions on Inter-District Travel have been lifted in Sierra Leone.  Curfew hours have been reduced. The nationwide curfew now extends from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.  Visit the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health website for updates.

Churches and mosques are open as of July 13 and Lungi International Airport is scheduled to open on July 22.  Several commercial airlines have started to take reservations for flights departing from Sierra Leone in July and August.  Please check with the commercial airlines or a travel agent for information on these flights.  We [U.S. Embassy] do not anticipate additional repatriation flights from Sierra Leone to the United States.

STEP Enrollment:  All U.S. citizens in Sierra Leone are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and monitor the Embassy's website and Facebook page for the latest available information.  We will release updated information on the situation in Sierra Leone as it becomes available.  For the Embassy's most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit the Embassy's COVID-19 Information Page.

U.S. Embassy Freetown Consular Operations:  The consular section is closed for routine services at this time.  We remain available for emergency American Citizen Services (ACS).  If you are a U.S. citizen requiring emergency assistance, please contact the ACS Unit by e-mail at consularfreetown@state.gov.

State of Emergency Extended; Status of U.S. Embassy Banjul Consular Operations


Location: The Gambia


The Gambia's border closures remain in effect, and commercial flight operations continue to be suspended. On July 7, President Barrow announced a seven-day extension of the National State of Emergency, effective until July 15. We [U.S. Embassy] do not anticipate additional repatriation flights from The Gambia to the United States, and American citizens should be prepared to remain abroad for an extended period of time. As commercial airlines resume operations, we encourage you continue to check with commercial airlines for updated information and flight availability.


U.S. Embassy Banjul Consular Operations: While maximizing necessary physical distancing, with most U.S. Embassy Banjul employees working remotely, we remain available for emergency American Citizen Services (ACS). If you are a U.S. citizen requiring assistance, please contact the ACS Unit by email at ConsularBanjul@state.gov; by phone during business hours at +220-438-1341; or for emergencies after hours at +220-429-2856. For the Embassy's most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit the Embassy's COVID-19 Information page.


Routine ACS operations and visa processing at U.S. Embassy Banjul remain suspended at this time.

Cebu Pacific on Friday said it will resume passenger flights to and from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) beginning Sunday, July 12, 2020.


These are the following flights:


5J 18 Manila-Dubai - every Sunday at 6:55 p.m. (Manila time)
5J 19 Dubai-Manila - every Monday at 3:30 a.m. (Dubai time), starting July 13.



Cebu Pacific said the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority is requiring passengers to obtain travel and health insurance coverage before arrival in the UAE.


Guests without valid health insurance may be denied check-in or boarding.

Egypt Air’s subsidiary Air Cairo will resume its scheduled year-round service between Hurghada and Belgrade on July 19.


According to the Egyptian Embassy in Belgrade, flights between the two cities will run three times per week, each Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

July 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Transportation said it has revoked permission for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to conduct charter flights to the United States, citing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concerns over Pakistani pilot certifications.


The information is contained in a revocation of special authorisation dated July 1 provided by the department to Reuters on Friday.


Pakistan last month grounded almost a third of its pilots after discovering they may have falsified their qualifications.


The European Union Aviation Safety Agency suspended PIA's authorisation to fly to the bloc for six months in a blow to the carrier's operations. 

ROME, July 9 (Reuters) - Italy on Thursday banned entry to people coming from 13 countries that it said presented an excessive rate of COVID-19 infections.


The list compiled by the health ministry comprises Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, Kuwait, North Macedonia, Moldova, Oman, Panama, Peru and Dominican Republic.


The ban affects anyone who has stayed in or travelled through these countries in the last 14 days, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said in a statement.


Travellers from all other countries outside the European Union and the Schengen free movement area can come to Italy but must observe 14 days of quarantine on arrival.


"Around the world the pandemic is in its most acute phase. We cannot waste the sacrifices the Italians have made in recent months," Speranza said.


Italy was the first European country to be hit hard by the coronavirus after its outbreak first emerged on Feb. 21.


It has recorded almost 35,000 deaths but the daily tally of fatalities and new infections have dwindled to a fraction of those seen at the peak of its epidemic in late March.


On Thursday the Civil Protection Agency reported 12 deaths over the last 24 hours, down from 15 the previous day, while new cases increased to 229 from 193.

Since Georgia's inclusion on the list of safe countries, and the issuance of the recommendation on the possible reopening of borders to these countries, the Georgian Government has been engaged in active bilateral negotiations with several EU member states. According to, Press Service of the Government Administration, agreements on the unconditional bilateral reopening of borders have already been achieved with several countries. The German Embassy in Georgia has responded to the decision of the Georgian government with a Facebook post.


Germany, France, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania – the five EU nations – will be the first countries Georgia will unconditionally reopen its borders to after months-long closure caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic, Irakli Chikovani, Georgian Government's spokesperson announced after the meeting of the coronavirus task force on July 8. The citizens and residents of the five countries will only be allowed to enter Georgia via direct flights, Chikovani said, according to local news website civil.ge