Palestinians Reject Historic Cargo Flight From UAE Carrying COVID Supplies

by Gary Leff

Jun 11 2020

On May 18 Etihad operated its first ever flight to Israel, flying an Airbus A330 full of cargo from Abu Dhabi to Tel Avvi carrying supplies including ventilators bound for the Palestinian territory. However the Palestinian authority rejected the shipment because the U.A.E. coordinated the shipment with Israel, rather than directly with them.

This week Etihad tried again. The first flight was operated by an Airbus A330 painted white. This time it was a Boeing 787-9 in Etihad colors, there was nothing hidden about the shipment.

Continue Reading »

Hawaii Won’t Re-Open To Tourism Until At Least August

by Gary Leff

hawaii
Jun 11 2020

Hawaii has extended its required 14 day quarantine for arriving visitors through the end of July. That means it’s effectively off-limits to tourism until at least August.

They can’t ban travelers from coming to the islands, but they can require quarantines once they land. So for Hawaii ‘re-opening’ means lifting of quarantine requirements. Here’s what the state plans to do before that happens.

Continue Reading »

Insane? Maldives Says They’ll Open In July With No Restrictions

by Gary Leff

Jun 10 2020

I wouldn’t hesitate to spend time in the Maldives. And at present there’s very little confirmed spread of the virus in the country. My approach would be this: be prepared (and be prepared to fund) a longer stay if something went wrong. And if you’re in an especially vulnerable group, for instance over 60 with pre-existing conditions, consider staying home.

Continue Reading »

It’s Time To Lift U.S. Travel Restrictions On China And Europe

by Gary Leff

Jun 10 2020

It makes no sense to ban travel from places where virus spread has slowed to a much lower pace than it’s already circulating here, especially when we’re not banning travel from some of the places in the world where the virus is spreading fastest.

The China travel ban failed because the CDC blew its implementation and the Europe travel ban came too late. Those were policies that might have helped if implemented at the right time and in the right way back in January and February. But they no longer make sense in June.

Continue Reading »

COVID Surcharges Have Started In Las Vegas

by Gary Leff

Jun 10 2020

As properties re-open in Las Vegas it looks like there’s a new opportunity for a surprise ‘gotcha,’ a COVID-19 surcharge. When destinations around the world that have re-opened, or that are looking to, are practically paying you to come, we’re starting to see extra charges not listed on the menu show up on bills in Las Vegas.

And yes – it’s identified as a “COVID-19 crisis” surcharge.

Continue Reading »