Travel industry officials have recently pressed the Biden administration to end its requirements that vaccinated international travelers take a coronavirus test before flying to the United States. Currently, all travelers, including Globe Aware volunteers, need to fulfill this requirement when returning to the states from their volunteer vacation.

US airlines, travel industry push White House to end pre-travel testing

Gregory Wallace and Pete Muntean
CNN
May 31, 2022

(CNN) — White House officials met Tuesday with travel industry officials, who pressed the Biden administration to end its requirements that vaccinated international travelers take a coronavirus test before flying to the United States.

Airlines for America, representing major US air carriers, and the US Travel Association, representing the broad travel and tourism industry, said they argued the requirement does not match the current threat from Covid-19.

Globe Aware volunteers can stock up on COVID-19 test kits. This past May, the Biden administration announced that it will provide eight more home test kits free to any U.S. household that wants them.

More free COVID rapid tests are available. Here’s how to get yours

BY JON HEALEY
MAY 17, 2022
LA TIMES

Want to stock up on COVID-19 test kits? The Biden administration announced Tuesday that it will provide eight more home test kits free to any U.S. household that wants them.

The offer, like the one the administration made in January, comes with no strings attached. You can order the kits online or by phone, and the kits will be delivered to any address in the United States, in U.S. territories, on U.S. military bases and at diplomatic installations.

COVID-19 testing can make travel safer for our Globe Aware volunteers. Read on strategies to follow before, during, and after your volunteer vacation.

COVID-19 Testing for Travel: If, When, Where, and How

COVID-19 testing can make travel safer — but you need to do it right. Here, experts weigh in on strategies to follow before, during, and after a trip.

By Salma Abdelnour Gilman
Everyday Health
May 27, 2022

Test before you leave home, experts say — as close to the date of your departure as possible.

It’s the third summer of the pandemic, and by now we know one thing: If you’re traveling, you may need to ponder if, when, where, and how to get a test for COVID-19.

If you’re an American flying to another country, you will need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test (or documentation of recent recovery from COVID-19) before you can board a plane back to the United States.

The island of Cuba will allow group travel for educational or professional exchanges. Globe Aware volunteers will be able to spend a volunteer vacation week in Cuba this summer, contact us to learn more.

Travel To Cuba Could Soon Be Easier, Here’s What You Need To Know

By GREG ROBERTSON
Travel Awaits

The Biden administration is taking steps to expand flights into Cuba, including locations other than Havana, as part of an overall plan to support the island nation and its residents.

Travel to and from the island was severely restricted under the previous administration, but the Biden White House is working to reverse those policies.

Summer is just around the corner, and Globe Aware volunteers who have been patiently awaiting safe travel since the start of the pandemic are ready to buy flights and head out on their volunteer vacations. Though COVID infection rates have slowed, vaccines are readily available, and many people feel safe traveling again, the pandemic is still having an impact on air traffic.

‘Flightmare’ looms for summer, travel expert warns

by: Tori Gaines, Alix Martichoux
Nexstar Media Wire
May 22, 2022

Summer is just around the corner, and travelers who have been patiently awaiting safe travel since the start of the pandemic are ready to buy flights and head out on vacations. Though COVID infection rates have slowed, vaccines are readily available, and many people feel safe traveling again, the pandemic is still having an impact on air traffic.

Could our Globe Aware volunteers imagine doing this!? Sometimes travel can go terribly wrong, but this passenger did something astounding to save everyone on a flight.

Passenger with no flying experience lands plane at a Florida airport after the pilot became incapacitated

By Jamiel Lynch, Dakin Andone and Pete Muntean
CNN
11th May 2022

“I have no idea how to fly the airplane.”

The pilot on his single-engine Cessna 208 had “gone incoherent,” the passenger was telling air traffic controllers Tuesday afternoon, according to audio from LiveATC.net.

It was, he stressed, a “serious situation.”

When it comes to wish list travel spots, Peru’s Machu Picchu is a favorite, and is now open again to travelers. A guided tour can be arranged with Globe Aware when booking your Peru volunteer vacation, as a separate excursion.

Why Machu Picchu, Peru, should be on every traveller’s wishlist

14 May, 2022
NZ Herald
By Sara Bunny

After a string of closures due to Covid precautions, Peru’s ancient Inca trails are again open to visitors.

When it comes to wishlist travel spots, Peru’s Machu Picchu is a perennial favourite. The jewel in the crown of the Inca Empire, it’s a crumbling citadel of more than 100 buildings and a network of walkways and terraces, dating back to about 1450. Perched on a dramatic mountain range where the Peruvian Andes meet the Amazon Basin, the lack of tourists has made it unusually quiet of late. But recently, the Peruvian Government reopened most of the area’s famous trails.

Cambodia reported no new Covid-19 cases on Saturday night (May 7), the first time since the third wave of community transmission broke out in February last year, Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said. This is great news for volunteers wishing to vacation in Cambodia. Feel free to contact a Globe Aware team member in regards to entry regulations and safety.

Cambodia reports zero new Covid-19 cases for first time in over a year, says PM Hun Sen

08 May 2022
The Star

PHNOM PENH, May 8 (Xinhua): Cambodia reported no new Covid-19 cases on Saturday night (May 7), the first time since the third wave of community transmission broke out in February last year, Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen lifted the government-instituted mask-wearing mandate, leaving it to people across the country to decide for themselves. Globe Aware volunteers should know that mask-wearing requirements, however, still apply to enclosed settings such as air-conditioned offices, meeting rooms or movie theatres.

Mask-wearing mandate lifted in Cambodia

Borneo Bulletin
May 8, 2022

PHNOM PENH POST/ANN – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen lifted the government-instituted mask-wearing mandate, leaving it to people across the country to decide for themselves.

Mask-wearing requirements, however, still apply to enclosed settings such as air-conditioned offices, meeting rooms or movie theatres.

Thailand has removed all testing requirements for vaccinated tourists, which includes Globe Aware volunteers. Entry procedures have been simplified and the country is planning to launch a new vaccine passport soon.

Thailand Plans To Launch New Vaccine Passport For Entry

Here we go again. After Thailand removed all testing requirements for vaccinated tourists, many believed it was finally prepared to abandon its infamously strict Covid policies. Although entry procedures have been simplified, those who had been expecting a full reopening to follow will be surprised to learn the country is, in fact, planning to launch a new vaccine passport soon.