Travel & Entertainment Archives | Page 18 of 43

COVID-19 updates for those planning a trip to Taiwan, Japan, Canada, and South Korea

For those who have been keeping up with the news, it’s impossible not to know that COVID-19 is firing up again.

An even more recent mutant, BA.2.75, may be on the radar as Singapore battles its most recent round of COVID-19 infections brought on by the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants.

According to a virologist at Imperial College London, the subvariant BA.2.75 is worth monitoring because of its abundance in spike mutations, apparent quick development, and extensive geographic distribution.

But for those who are still hopeful that travel plans won’t be disrupted, keep reading for COVID-19 updates in Taiwan, Japan, Canada, and South Korea.

Taiwan

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Taiwan wants to end its two-year tourist ban, maybe by initially permitting both inbound and outbound group excursions at the same time. The director general of the tourism bureau stated that both incoming and outgoing tour preparations are in progress, involving the retraining of local guides and itinerary creators.

Japan

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On 21 July, Japan’s daily COVID-19 infections hit 180,000, breaking the previous day’s record. 31,878 coronavirus cases, a peak, were reported in Tokyo, surpassing 30,000 for the first time.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated during a news conference that movement restrictions should not be considered but that it is important to monitor the effects on the healthcare system carefully.

Some members of the COVID-19 advisory group for the health ministry have urged the government to take into consideration actions like declaring prefectures where an infection is spreading quickly as an emergency.

Canada

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For vaccinated visitors arriving in Canada by air, the four busiest Canadian airports—Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, and Toronto—resumed obligatory random COVID-19 testing on 19 July.

Travelers will undergo COVID-19 tests outside of the airports, either through an in-person visit at a drugstore, testing vendor facility, or through an online appointment for a remote self-swab test.

Within 15 minutes of finishing their customs declaration, travelers will get an email notification if they have been chosen for required random testing. All necessary information needed to go through testing will be in that email too.

In addition, within 72 hours of their arrival in Canada, all visitors must utilize ArriveCAN to provide the necessary travel information, including their vaccination history.

South Korea

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Due to the emergence of a highly infectious Omicron subvariant, Korea’s new coronavirus cases remained above 70,000 for the third day in a row on 21 July. 71,170 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the nation, 320 of which were international.

All visitors entering South Korea as of 25 July must undergo a PCR test within 24 hours due to the government being obliged to strengthen its testing requirements due to rising caseloads around the country. Travelers currently have up to three days after arrival to complete the test.

On the Q-code website, travelers can record the results of their on-arrival PCR tests. A seven-day quarantine at a designated quarantine facility is necessary if the on-arrival test results are positive.

South Korea is increasing the number of test facilities at airports around the nation to simplify on-arrival testing. Incheon International Airport presently has three test facilities, while Gimhae International Airport has one. This month, a testing facility will open at Jeju International Airport.

Editor’s note: All information published at the time of writing is accurate.

COVID-19 updates for those planning a trip to Japan, Australia, South Korea, and New Zealand

May witnessed a rise in trips abroad as a result of additional relaxing of immigration restrictions in several countries, with aviation traffic on certain international routes reaching pre-pandemic levels.

The amount of traffic on a global level in May was 68.7 percent of 2019’s, which is the best comparison to traffic before COVID-19 thus far this year.

Amidst inflation, hefty jet fuel costs, and lacking consumer confidence, there is still a travel recovery, demonstrating that individuals continue to be quite keen to travel overseas. However, with many countries seeing an uptick in recent COVID-19 cases, including our sunny island, will we all be able to hop on board our next flight soon?

Stay on this page for COVID-19 updates for those planning a trip to Japan, Australia, South Korea, and New Zealand.

Japan

Image Credits: channelnewsasia.com

On 14 July, Japan issued a public health alert, advising people to take extra precautions in light of the upcoming summer holidays as a fresh wave of coronavirus infections looked to be spreading quickly.

The number of reported cases in Tokyo rose to 16,878 on 13 July, reaching levels not seen since early this year. This is the greatest number of cases since February. On 14 July, the capital reported 16,662 new cases and increased its alertness to the maximum level. More than 50% of the cases recently are caused by the BA.5 mutation.

Australia

Image Credits: bbc.com

The health system in Australia is also on high alert as a result of a recent uptick in cases caused by the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, which has brought COVID-19 numbers to levels that are not far off from records set earlier in 2022.

After achieving world-beating immunization rates, Australia ended stringent social distancing regulations and emergency lockdowns at the beginning of this year. Authorities have warned that there might be millions of new infections in the nation over the next few weeks while ruling out any stringent limitations to stop the spread despite the fast-moving subvariants.

South Korea

People drink and eat outdoors in downtown Seoul

Image Credits: koreatimes.co.kr

As infections decreased after reaching a peak of more than 600,000 per day in mid-March, South Korea abandoned the majority of its pandemic-related restrictions in May, including a requirement that people wear outside masks. But for the first time in two months, the number of COVID-19 infections in South Korea has risen beyond 40,000, and the government has issued a warning about a probable five-fold increase in the following months.

The government does not currently have any intentions to reinstate limitations, but it does not completely rule them out if the COVID-19 scenario undergoes a major shift. They are likely to increase quarantine checks at major airports as the volume of travelers is anticipated to increase significantly over the summer vacation period amid a new wave of viral recurrence, according to the most recent news on 15 July.

To strengthen quarantine inspection, an extra 200 quarantine employees will eventually be sent to Incheon International Airport, the main entry point into the nation, and seven other regional airports. Separately, the government will deploy roughly 2,500 employees to the nation’s busiest tourist destinations to monitor adherence to antivirus regulations and hygienic measures.

New Zealand

Image Credits: reuters.com

As we come to a close, the most recent updates for New Zealand have it that the number of new COVID-19 cases has significantly increased over the last few weeks, and experts are predicting that this wave of Omicron seems worse than the first.

To stop the spread of COVID-19 and ease pressure on the nation’s healthcare system, which is grappling with an inflow of flu and COVID-19 patients, the New Zealand government introduced free masks and fast antigen tests on 14 July.

People are currently compelled to wear masks in public indoor areas, such as in stores, libraries, and public transportation under New Zealand’s current “orange light” rules. A switch to “red” constraints would impose a 200-person indoor gathering cap, but there is currently no political support for such an interruption, and the majority of infectious disease specialists do not believe it would have a substantial effect.

Updates from the World Health Organization (WHO)

On 12 July, the head of WHO issued a warning that recent COVID-19 infection waves indicate the epidemic is far from finished. Early in July, the COVID-19 emergency committee of the WHO convened by video conference and declared that the pandemic continues to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the most serious alert the WHO can issue.

The committee concluded that the course of viral evolution and the attributes of newly emerging variants continues to remain largely unpredictable and that the probability of new, more adaptable variants springing up with varying degrees of infectivity and immune escape ability increased in the apparent lack of actions to minimize transmission.

And true enough, as we’ve learned over the years, the changes brought about by COVID-19 are not to be taken lightly. For those who are traveling, it would be wise to keep checking back on the news on the latest restrictions or refer to the specific embassy’s news on any possible update on travel restrictions. We hope everyone will get to vacation with minimal disruptions but stay safe even while treading within the boundaries of Singapore.

Editor’s note: All information published at the time of writing is accurate.

World Happiness Report 2022: Top 10 happiest places

The World Happiness Report has been running for ten years now.

To create the Happiness World Report, 1,000 people from each nation are usually surveyed. On a range of zero to 10, with zero being the worst imaginable existence, participants are asked to assess and score their current lives. Six variables—corruption, generosity, independence, GDP per capita, social assistance, and healthy life expectancy—are used to justify the rankings.

And if you’re curious about our little red dot’s position on the list, we’ve come in at number 27, just behind Taiwan. Given that Singapore was listed as the 32nd happiest nation in the world in the same survey from 2021, that’s quite a shift. But going beyond our borders, don’t you want to know where the top 10 happiest locations are so you can plan a trip soon?

Let’s roll with the rankings!

#10: New Zealand

Image Credits: wellingtonnz.com

You may find anything in New Zealand, from a diverse culture to an untamable wilderness. Head to the sandy shores coiled around secluded bays, which are surrounded by fjords shrouded in mist, or make some new acquaintances in the little charming towns.

#9: Israel

Israel has an astounding variety of landscapes, from the wave-lashed beaches of Tel Aviv to the mirror-like vastness of the saline Dead Sea. Spend a few days enjoying all that the city has to offer before venturing out into the sun-baked wilderness to fill your social media feed.

#8: Norway

More than a thousand fjords may be found in Norway. Take out your wool sweater, and get set for a once-in-a-lifetime journey. If you decide to visit Norway, you will discover that it’s very different from everywhere else you’ve gone. Your memories of its stunning beauty will last for years.

#7: Sweden

The attractions in Sweden are countless. Visitors will find untouched nature, top-notch museums, and stunning cities and villages here. Whether you’re looking for urban sights, outdoor recreation, or a blend of the two, you will find it in Scandinavia’s biggest country.

#6: Luxembourg

One of the smaller nations in all of Europe is Luxembourg. Despite its advantageous location between France, Belgium, and Germany, it occasionally receives less attention than its larger neighbors. It’s a remarkable city, though, and since it’s very accessible, it’s easy to tick off your bucket list of places to visit.

#5: Netherlands

Image Credits: musement.com

The Netherlands is well-known for being a country of canals, tulips, and windmills, and today’s tourists will probably discover these among its many tourist sites. But the nation also has a wealth of beautiful parks and towns, as well as bustling cities like Amsterdam that are home to several museums showing the longstanding works of artists.

#4: Switzerland

Have you been daydreaming of the Swiss Alps, green meadows, and delicious cheese? There are many amazing things to do in Switzerland, which provides the ideal blend of heritage, natural splendor, and entertainment, from skiing and river rafting to picturesque train journeys and distinctive festivities that will keep you occupied all day long!

#3: Iceland

Iceland is a nation that appears to always be covered in snow and ice, but it is also one of the most volcanically active places in the world, with a large number of volcanoes that are waiting to explode. You may spot sparkling glaciers, subterranean caverns, and attractive national parks with roaming reindeer in addition to volcanoes and geothermal lakes.

#2: Denmark

Denmark is a little Scandinavian nation with breathtaking landscapes where visitors may take in the surrounding grandeur. It is endowed with an exquisite combination of innovative architecture, magnificent landscapes, medieval structures, and large and distinctive castles that rapidly enchant visitors.

#1: Finland

Image Credits: visitfinland.com

Three things make Finland famous across the world: the Northern Lights, snow-covered igloos, and its reputation as the world’s happiest nation. Not only that, but as per data from the World Health Organization, Finland has the finest quality of air worldwide. Take a stroll near a lake, through a forest, or just relax on a flat rock by the ocean, and have a wonderful quiet time all to yourself.

Asian markets soar as China shortens the COVID-19 quarantine period for international visitors

In a significant relaxation of one of the tightest COVID-19 limitations, China has cut the length of the quarantine period for incoming tourists by half.

The period of quarantine in centralized facilities has been shortened from 14 to seven days, and the subsequent period of at-home health monitoring has been shortened from seven to three days.

The most recent health authority recommendations also relaxed quarantine rules for persons who are near those who have tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, the three-week quarantine period that had been in effect throughout the epidemic, according to the authorities, has been reduced to ten days.

Tourism updates

This month, the Chinese aviation authority said that it has been in contact with a few nations to gradually raise the number of flights in the second half of 2022.

The Disneyland theme park, which had been closed for more than three months, would reopen on 30 June at the Shanghai Disney Resort. Experts in the industry predict that this year’s summer travel season will be buzzier than previous year’s due to the increased confidence being generated by the circumstances aimed at reducing the risk of outbreaks.

woman and daughter poses at Shanghai Disneyland

Image Credits: latimes.com

An uptick in Asian markets

On 28 June, most Asian markets recovered some of their earlier losses, and oil maintained its current uptrend after China shortened the visitor quarantine period, stoking hopes for a lifeline to the faltering economy.

The Hang Seng Index reversed losses and increased by around 0.4 percent, and the CSI300 Index increased by about 0.7 percent, leading to gains in the stock markets in China and Hong Kong. Seoul, Tokyo, and Shanghai turned up after spending the morning of 28 June in red, and there were also increases in Manila and Bangkok.

Inflation and interest rates will probably take a good turn

Some observers continue to be somewhat cheerful as the second half of the year draws near, even though the inflation and interest rate situation is still a concern, made worse by the conflict in Ukraine.

Although the first half of 2022 is the worst since 1970, a market expert pointed out that history shows that when the first half of the year is down at least 15 percent, the second half of the year is usually always up, with an average yield of 24 percent.

Another person said that dealers had already taken into account a considerable portion of the anticipated economic deterioration. It is possible for inflation concerns to be reduced gradually and for a “U-shaped” recovery to be driven by a slowdown rather than a recession.

And if there’s a tip for investors, that would be for individuals to concentrate on low-cost, defensive investments while addressing any risks in the midst of it all.

These are the downsides of traveling you should be aware of

You can retreat through travel.

Occasionally, you just need to go away, whether it’s from a toxic relationship, a job you despise, or simply a monotonous, inactive lifestyle.

Yes, a change of environment can help you get over fatigue or melancholy, and being far away from the mess or stress factor might help you see it from a different perspective. But there’s no disputing that a coin always has two sides.

As the world opens up and people are packing their suitcases, these are the downsides of traveling you should be aware of.

Costly

Flights and accommodation can be costly unless you are willing to compromise with your trip dates and sacrifice your schedule and convenience. Another factor to bear in mind is that pricing for essential items like food, lodging, and transportation can change significantly from what we’re used to in sunny Singapore.

Jet lags

While many individuals mistake jet lag for just being extremely sleepy, it is a condition that occurs when your innate body clock becomes out of rhythm as a result of traveling across time differences. Jet lag can cause sleepiness or irritability, as well as difficulty resting sufficiently for some folks. Your body system may experience upsets as a result of this.

Health issues

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Though it can occur anywhere else in the universe, it occurs far more frequently when abroad. The explanation for this is that we are constantly confronted with new stimuli, which weakens our resistance to infection. Traveling exposes us to germs and viruses from all over the world, some of which are not exactly pleasant.

Disrupted routines

When you’re at home, your day has a set schedule and direction. You know what to anticipate and appreciate consistency. Traveling, unfortunately, is a fantastic way to disrupt this. And perhaps that’s a beneficial move… after all, we could do with a little spice now and then, yeah?

But what if you have strict dietary restrictions to keep up with? Or perhaps require certain hours of snooze to perform adequately? Norms and behavioral patterns can be beneficial at times, though we easily take them for granted. But because of the volatility and uncertainty of travel, comforting routines can be tough to maintain.

Traveling, without a doubt, aids in the expansion of perspectives while also allowing people to understand more about diverse cultures. We recognize, nevertheless, that travel, with its various uncontrollable circumstances, may sometimes be somewhat of a headache for some. If you’re still excited to plan that forthcoming trip, despite the drawbacks we’ve discussed in this article, go ahead! Just be sure to research in-depth before stepping into foreign lands. COVID-19 has changed the world very much, so unless you tread with an open mind, you might be rudely shocked to see the changes.