Tag: Mandatory

Germany And Ireland Preparing To Reintroduce Mandatory Masks This Fall

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With a new wave of Covid on the horizon, a number of countries are preparing to bring back dreaded pandemic mandates once more, including hugely popular tourist destinations like Germany and Ireland. In these European nations, mandatory mask usage may again be enforced starting this fall, should infection trends continue rising.

Even though a majority of countries are now open with no travel restrictions, Germany and Ireland included, we admit we may have jumped the gun in affirming the world is ready to treat Covid as endemic. If Germany’s recent back and forth with restrictions are any indication, travelers will face a high degree of unpredictability moving forward.

Even when their final destination has already dropped all pandemic rules, preservation of personal freedoms is no longer guaranteed:

Germany Planning To Make Masks Compulsory Again In Indoor Settings From October

Having backtracked twice on their reopening plans ahead of finally dropping all entry rules in early June, Germany is again discussing proposals to tighten mandates. This time, it’s masks that may be making a comeback after the summer travel season ends, according to local news outlet Die Welt.

It seems the German Government is seriously considering issuing a mask mandate in all public spaces starting this fall, when Covid infections have a potential to rise due to increased social mixing in poorly-ventilated enclosed areas. Confirming the proposal is being actively debated, Die Welt even dubbed it the ‘O-bis-O’ scheme.

‘O-bis-O’ stands for ‘Oktober bis Ostern’, translated into English as ‘From October to March’. While no official measures have yet been announced, this would mean visitors would be required to wear face masks in a majority of settings, including bars, restaurants and shops, throughout the whole winter season.

Unarguably the EU’s leading nation, Germany’s change in approach could have reverberations across the entire continent, which has been enjoying far greater freedoms lately. Its current lax health measures, enshrined into the Infection Protection Act, are set to expire in September, adding further weight to these findings.

So far, the German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has not commented on an eventual return of mandatory masks in October, though his latest recommendations seem to point to a strengthening of the rules. Despite conceding the current data ‘does not justify making mas use a legal requirement’ right now, Lauterbach stood firmly in his recommendations that the public must adhere to masks.

He has urged visitors to keep their face coverings, as Germany already reaches 35% of its previous peak of infections. Unfortunately, the numbers are set to rise even further, as reported by Reuters. Up until this point, Germany has not communicated any changes to its mask policies or border measures affecting travelers, but that may change with no warning.

Ireland Could Be Following Suit

Proving Germany’s initiative is already having a ripple effect on Europe, Ireland is mulling a new mask mandate to be reinstated in the event of a ‘possible emergency in winter’. As the Irish Times announced, the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly will be drafting a new law imposing mandatory mask-wearing across the country.

Earlier this year, as Ireland moved away from pandemic conservatism and fully reopened, all legislation concerning mask usage had been allowed to expire. The decision could be overturned soon, as Government sources confirm the intention is to ‘draft legislation that could be passed quickly’ if the need arises.

Infections in Ireland are nowhere nearly as pronounced as Germany’s, but we all have seen, time and again, how volatile pandemic trends can be, and how fast the virus can disseminate once a new variant stars seeding. As new sub-lineages of Covid are identified, Ireland is reporting the highest daily case count since January.

Ireland’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has directly linked the viral rebound to the spread of two of Omicron’s most infectious offspring, the BA. 4 and BA. 5 sub-variants. In recent data, the HPSC has confirmed 77 per cent of cases detected in the seven days leading up to June 18 were caused by either BA. 4 or BA. 5.

As things stand, visiting Ireland today looks a lot like being a tourist in 2019. Whether it’s pub crawling or chasing the country’s world-renowned natural landmarks along its rugged Western Coast, visitors are not expected to present vaccine passes or wear masks. Based on the information gathered here, this could change once summer is over.

Is France Next In Line?

Elsewhere in Europe, countries that stood among the first to drop the mask rule are now reconsidering their liberal stance. That is the case with France, whose Prime Minister is strongly recommending mask usage despite the country lifting the mandate just over a month ago. Essentially, what started as a promising Covid-free summer is slowly turning into a new nightmare.

Coupled with the latest spate of flight cancellations, the ups and downs of Covid continue posing big challenges to travelers this year. Due to the uncertainty relating to the ever-changing mandates, we strongly encourage you to get insured ahead of flying – that way, you will be covered for cancelled trips regardless of Germany’s, or Ireland’s, or France’s unpredictable moves.

Read More:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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July 1, 2022
Masks On Flights Remain Mandatory For At Least Another 2 Weeks

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The US government announced on Wednesday that all transportation networks will be extending the mask mandate requirement for planes, trains, buses, and public transportation until at least May 3, 2022.

Travelers especially were expecting to see the end of this rule, as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had already extended this mandate several times and this time it was supposed to end on April 18.

According to the information shared on NPR’s news portal, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through a spokesperson, explained the precaution: “In order to assess the potential impact the rise of cases has on severe disease, including hospitalizations and deaths, and health care system capacity.”

It has already been confirmed that the TSA will also comply with the government’s decision by extending the face-covering requirement for at least two more weeks.

Some travelers might feel frustrated, particularly those who have seen that many airlines have removed the mask measure and that other countries have dropped this rule. However, the US government and local authorities believe that this measure is still necessary, especially considering that COVID cases have increased by around 25% in the past two weeks in several parts of the U.S.

Why The US Government Extended The Mask Mandate

Unfortunately, the omicron subvariant —which now represents 85% of COVID cases in the US— has been spreading quickly across the country. The director of the Center for Public Health Law and Policy at Arizona State University, James Hodge, said these past two weeks have shown that measures must be considered carefully.

Hodge also added: “If we pull this mask mandate, we will have extended numbers of infections — that’s not responsible and that’s counter to the public’s health.”

Local authorities and government agencies have considered a more responsible measure to maintain the passengers wearing face coverings. The TSA also said in a statement: “Since early April 2022, there have been increases in the 7-day moving average of Covid-19 cases in the United States. … TSA will continue to coordinate closely with CDC and communicate any changes to this requirement with the public.”

Pete Buttigieg, Transportation Secretary, during an event in Indiana said on Wednesday: “We have to make sure whatever we do is responsible from a public health perspective. On one hand, we’re in better shape than ever before thanks to the vaccinations that have taken place and the boosters people have got. On the other hand, we have these variants that emerged and we need to keep a close eye on them. So my hope is we are on a path forward, ultimately, leading us out of these mandates.”

Also, an official of Biden’s administration shared with CNN that the government had decided to extend the measure to gather more information and understanding of the variant and the current situation.

Travelers And Airlines Must Comply

Despite being against this measure, travelers must remember that the TSA can fine passengers who refuse to wear face coverings. Those who don’t comply with the measures will be sanctioned, and fines can cost from $500 to $3,000 for repeat offenders.

The mask mandate has been controversial for months and some airlines aren’t happy with the extension of the requirement. The industry group Airlines for America requested the government to remove this requirement in a letter, arguing that the measure is no longer coherent considering the current public health context.

The executives wrote: “It makes no sense that people are still required to wear masks on airplanes, yet are allowed to congregate in crowded restaurants, schools and at sporting events without masks, despite none of these venues having the protective air filtration system that aircraft do.”

It is evident how the mask mandate has polarized opinions across the US, and unruly passengers’ behavior related to this has been a trend in incidents reported by the Federal Aviation Administration. Passengers against the measure insist that it should be an option. The debate will remain for the moment, and within two weeks the government will announce whether or not they have reconsidered the mandate.

Read More:

These Countries Have Removed Mask Mandates For Travelers

Are We About To See The Return Of Mask Mandates Across The U.S.?

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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April 15, 2022
UK Lowers Price Of Mandatory Testing Following Months Of Controversy

The UK authorities has lowered the worth of its obligatory Covid-19 testing kits following months of complaints from the struggling journey trade, most people and vocal members of the political opposition events. A compulsory requirement for vacationers arriving from particular international locations, vacationers need to take a number of pricey checks upon their return to the UK throughout their interval of isolation.

The discount within the worth of Covid-19 testing is about to be welcomed as a optimistic determination by the federal government, at a time when it’s going through fixed heavy scrutiny from all sides concerning its insurance policies for worldwide journey. Here’s a better have a look at what has modified, who the change is about to have an effect on and whether or not or not any extra modifications could be on the best way.

Test Price Lowered – What Travelers Should Know

Ever for the reason that UK launched its controversial traffic light system for worldwide journey again in May of this yr, it has undergone a collection of modifications and alterations concerning its guidelines and rules. One such important change was permitting those that are absolutely vaccinated to journey from an amber nation to the UK without having to isolate, having beforehand wanted to isolate for a interval of 10 days beneath the unique phrases of the site visitors mild system.

However, with unvaccinated vacationers getting back from amber international locations nonetheless needing to self-isolate, it’s this group that will probably be affected by the change in the price of Covid-19 tests. Whilst the NHS offers check kits without spending a dime for these with signs within the UK, these getting back from worldwide journey should pay for them. These vacationers need to be examined twice throughout their 10-day interval of isolation, on day 2 and as soon as extra on day 8.

Luckily for them, the worth change will see them lower your expenses, because the British authorities bowing to sustained strain over the worth of the checks. The checks used to value £170 for 2, however will now be out there for simply £136 – a saving of £34, or round $50. The discount doesn’t apply to these arriving from purple listing international locations, or those that organize their checks privately – it can solely have an effect on amber nation arrives who buy checks from the NHS.

More worth reductions may nonetheless be on the best way, because the British Health Secretary Sajid Javid introduced a “rapid internal review” of the worth of personal Covid-19 testing was at the moment underway. Javid mentioned:

“I’ve ordered my department to urgently review the list of private providers on gov.uk to ensure pricing is clearer and transparent. Any provider found to be misleading the public will be kicked off. Too many providers are acting like cowboys and that needs to stop. The public should be allowed to enjoy their summer holidays without having to face excessive costs or anxiety.”

The worth of Covid-19 testing has lengthy been a supply of debate within the UK, with journey corporations accusing the federal government of constructing worldwide journey a privilege that solely the rich may afford as a result of excessive prices related to testing. By decreasing the worth of the checks, it can make journey extra accessible for a wider group of individuals, and will lead to a miniature journey growth in these final remaining weeks of summer time.

It shouldn’t be the primary time the British authorities has bowed to strain from the general public, with the federal government lately scrapping plans for an amber plus list which might have seen vaccinated guests getting back from France needing to self-isolate. With the federal government eager to curry favor with the general public, extra modifications may properly be on the best way in future. For updated data on which international locations make up the inexperienced, amber and purple lists, please examine here.

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August 16, 2021