Globe Aware news

Globe Aware volunteers who want a digital option of always whipping out their vaccine card, can choose from plenty of apps. Here’s a breakdown of which one is right for you.

Which Vaccine Passport App Should I Use?

For those who want a digital option instead of always whipping out their vaccine card, there are plenty to choose from.

BY SHANNON MCMAHON
September 2, 2021
CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER

Planning travel abroad might have you wondering what kind of vaccine passport app you’ll need to download on your phone to confirm your vaccination or proof of a negative test upon entry. But with the highly contagious Delta variant causing a rise in cases in the U.S., you don’t need to leave the country anymore to run into coronavirus vaccination requirements.

While traveling abroad is returning for Globe Aware volunteers, movement in and out of Hong Kong — once Asia’s biggest international hub — remains at a near-total halt. Dream Cruises has come up with a fitting alternative vacation option — a voyage with no destination, taking passengers from and to Hong Kong by sailing in a big loop. Would you try this if you couldn’t travel?

What it’s like to sail on a ‘cruise to nowhere’

Tara Mulholland
September 12, 2021
CNN

A “cruise to nowhere” feels like a fitting metaphor for Covid-era Hong Kong.

As with the city’s previous failed attempts to re-establish international travel, it offers a facsimile of forward movement that ends up taking you right back to where you started.

While the possibility of traveling abroad is slowly returning to the US and Europe, movement in and out of Hong Kong — once Asia’s biggest international hub — remains at a near-total halt.

In a big COVID travel update, Bangkok has announced it will reopen completely for fully vaccinated travelers from October 1. Thailand has been meaning to restart tourism for a long time and now, with Globe Aware volunteers getting vaccinations, there is hope in visiting the beautiful country soon!

Fully vaccinated travellers can visit Bangkok from October 1

TIMES OF INDIA
Sep 12, 2021

In a big COVID travel update, Bangkok has announced it will reopen completely for fully vaccinated travellers from October 1. Thailand has been meaning to restart tourism for a long time now but given the rise in infection cases, the plan couldn’t take shape. But now, with people getting vaccinations, it has given hope to the world of tourism once again.

US officials have expressed optimism that Covid-19 booster shot delivery can start for all adults on 20 September. Globe Aware vaccinated volunteers are recommended to get the booster when available for future travel safety.

US officials optimistic Covid booster rollout will start on 20 September

But they insist shots won’t be rolled out without health agencies’ authorization, leaving open possibility of delays

Victoria Bekiempis
Sun 5 Sep 2021
The Guardian

US officials have expressed optimism that Covid-19 booster shot delivery can start for all adults on 20 September, the goal set by President Joe Biden, as cases continue to rage across the country fueled by the highly transmissible Delta variant.

There’s something extra special about traveling during the fall for our Globe Aware volunteers. South Africa and Mexico are two of those travel destinations, whether you’re making plans for this fall or fall 2022!

The Best Places to Travel in October

Where to go for harvest festivals and Halloween fun.

BY CAITLIN MORTON
August 17, 2021

Alamy

As much as we love beach lounging in summer and exploring snowy wonderlands in winter, there’s something extra special about traveling during the fall. Aside from fewer tourists and lower prices, October brings harvest festivals, Halloween parties, and the best foliage of the year. (And those warm beaches are still open, if you’re willing to fly for them.) Whether you’re looking to view some spectacular fall foliage or escape to the warm Caribbean this year, these are 10 of the best places to travel in October.

Note: Due to the Delta variant of coronavirus, it’s a good idea to consider extra precautions if traveling this fall. We recommend investing in “cancel for any reason” travel insurance and only booking changeable flights and accommodations. It’s also crucial to obtain medical insurance that will cover you abroad, and to research different countries’ case and vaccination rates when choosing your destination.

The RTF-EXPAR test is reportedly as sensitive at detecting coronavirus as PCR tests. There are hopes the tests could be used at international airports and revolutionize testing for travelers, including Globe Aware volunteers.

10 minute Covid test hoped breakthrough for travel sector

Emily Hawkins

Researchers from the University of Birmingham say they have developed a quick Covid test that is just as sensitive as a PCR test. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
University of Birmingham researchers have developed a new Covid test that provides results in less than 10 minutes.

The RTF-EXPAR test is reportedly as sensitive at detecting coronavirus as PCR tests, according to the scientists behind the breakthrough.

The TSA extended a federal requirement that travelers wear masks on commercial flights, buses and trains through Jan. 18. The measure is the latest in decreasing the spread of Covid-19 and the delta variant.

TSA extends mask mandate for transportation through Jan. 18

AUG 17 2021
Leslie Josephs

KEY POINTS

• The TSA said it is extending the mandate to curb the spread of Covid-19 through Jan. 18.
• The mandate was set to expire on Sept. 14 and officials had extended it in the spring.

The Transportation Security Administration on Tuesday extended a federal requirement that travelers wear masks on commercial flights, buses and trains through Jan. 18.

The measure is the latest sign of persistent concerns within the federal government about the spread of Covid-19. Airlines including Southwest and Spirit have warned about a drop in bookings and higher cancellations, trends they blamed on the fast-spreading delta variant of the coronavirus.

Americans who are set to travel in the coming months but don’t have a renewed passport yet may be out of luck. Globe Aware volunteers should check their passport expiration date before booking their travel dates.

“I am freaking out”: Passport backlog frustrates travelers

BY MEG OLIVER
CBS NEWS

Scammers forced the State Department to temporarily shut down its online bookings for urgent appointments for passports, adding to the frustration of many travelers who are already experiencing long wait times amid a huge backlog in passport applications.

As the world reopens, not all countries are recognizing a mix of vaccines from different makers as fully vaccinated. Globe Aware volunteers can check to see which countries they need to watch out for when it comes to regulations.

Thinking of travelling? Here’s where mixed COVID-19 vaccines aren’t accepted

By Eric Stober
Global News

Canada’s health authority has given the green light to mix-and-match COVID-19 vaccines, but as the world reopens, not all are recognizing a mix of vaccines from different makers as fully vaccinated, despite millions of Canadians doing so.

Here’s who has announced so far they do not accept mixed vaccines.

Globe Aware has been rapidly adapting to cope with the demands of the new Covid era. We’re sharing this Covid Travel Checklist with our volunteers, so they can be prepared for travel too.

The Covid travel checklist: What to know before you go

Maureen O’Hare,
CNN 

(CNN) — While our suitcases have been gathering dust over the past 16 months, the travel industry has been rapidly adapting to cope with the demands of the new Covid era.

This means that if you’re making your first flight for a while, things may be very different from what you’ve previously been used to.

It’s no longer just about packing your power adapter and making sure your shampoo is in little bottles. We’ve put together this Covid Travel Checklist with everything you now need to think about before you set off.