Coronavirus Special Report
March 6-March 12, 2021
March 6-March 12, 2021
Read all about it! More than 522,000 525,000 530,000 532,000 Americans have died from the virus. It's been a year since the outbreak was officially declared a pandemic. States continue to reopen businesses and dining venues, but many European countries move back to lockdown. March flying in the United States ticks up. The CDC says fully vaccinated people can mingle more freely--but shouldn't travel. And more. Read from the bottom for context.
Coronavirus Update: Friday, March 12, 2021
President Biden said last night that all adult Americans will be eligible for the Covid vaccine by May 1. How long it takes to get shots in arms remains the question, however. Here are today's developments:
Six of one The TSA says 1,284,271 people passed through U.S. airport checkpoints Thursday. That's the sixth time this month that traffic has been above one million. We're also getting close to the tipping point when current flying will pass last year's volume. On Thursday, for example, we reached 75.4% of 2020's volume. Progress, really There were 49,356 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Thursday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 1,557. For comparison purposes, the daily new-case total is one sixth of the high reached in early January. The death toll is about a third of its pandemic high, also in early January. Start spreading the news Visitors to New York from non-contiguous states won't be required to quarantine beginning April 1. Devil's bargain The Duke Blue Devils pulled out of the ACC basketball tournament and won't play in the NCAA March Madness tournament that starts next week. A player contracted Coronavirus. Meanwhile, an ACC playoff game today between the University of Virginia and Georgia Tech also was cancelled. Don't tell Commodore Perry Japan Airlines and ANA have stopped accepting reservations for flights from Britain, Germany and France. The carriers will maintain the suspension for at least two weeks. Lonely London Hotel occupancy in London in February was just 23.3%, according to industry statisticians STR.Coronavirus Update: Thursday, March 11, 2021
It's understandable why many people mark today as the first anniversary of all things pandemic. As you can see by the Travel Newsstand for March 11, 2020, it was the day President Trump issued the botched Europe flight ban, the NBA suspended its season--and the WHO officially declared a pandemic. Here are today's developments: Here we go The TSA says 955,177 people passed through U.S. airport checkpoints Wednesday. That represents 59.1% of 2020 volume and 45% of 2019 volume. The 2020 volume numbers fall quickly now as travelers stay home due to the double-barreled pandemic declaration and the flight bans. Almost 10 There were 58,611 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Wednesday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 1,564. Nearly 10% of the nation is now fully vaccinated. Eat it up New Jersey and New York City restaurants will be permitted to serve indoors at 50% of capacity starting on March 19. It was previously announced that the rest of New York State can open restaurants to 75% of capacity on that day. Vaccine pause Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Italy stopped distribution of the AstraZeneca vaccine after serious side effects and several deaths. The problems mostly seem to be traceable to a single batch. This version of the vaccine has not yet been approved in the United States. Sketches of Spain Spanish tourist officials have banned most travel through Easter, but they say vaccinated travelers and those with a negative PCR test could be welcome as soon as mid-May. They're still at it The French and Brits continue to spar over, well, anything and everything. The latest front: travel between the two countries. France has now joined the Netherlands in lifting restrictions on British visitors. Coronavirus Update: Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Don't get lost in the flying stats: On March 8, 2020, traffic surpassed 2 million people passing through TSA checkpoints. No day since has registered as many. Last year, traffic fell from that 2 million plateau to fewer than 90,000 on April 14. Keep 2020's progressive collapse in mind as you read daily statistics. Here are today's other developments: Tuesday trip The TSA says 823,210 people passed through U.S. airport checkpoints Tuesday. That represents 43.1% of 2020 volume and 34.6% of 2019 volume. Back to the plateau There were 57,417 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Tuesday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 1,947. While vaccines are picking up rapidly now, CDC and other health experts worry that the new-case number remains too high for a sustained recovery. And the death toll is always appalling. Northern exposure Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy announced late yesterday that anyone in the state who is at least 16 years old is eligible for a Coronavirus vaccine. Alaska is the first state to open vaccinations to all residents without restriction. You won't be turning Japanese Kyoto News Service reports that Tokyo Olympics officials will announce that no spectators from outside the country will be permitted to attend the games this summer. Capacity check There were 57.1 million airline seats available worldwide during the week ended March 7. That's just shy of 54% of global capacity available during the same period in 2019. The analysis comes from Routes Online. Get me to the Greek Greek tourism officials said at an industry trade show in Berlin this week that they hope to open Greece to tourists again by early May. Fully vaccinated visitors and those who can present a negative PCR test will be welcome.Coronavirus Update: Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Noted: More Americans have now been fully vaccinated (31.2 million) than have been infected with the Coronavirus (29 million), according to Johns Hopkins. Here are today's other developments: March's millions The TSA says that 1,117,939 people passed through U.S. airport checkpoints Monday. That's the fifth day this month traffic passed one million and represents 52.7% of 2020 volume and 45% of 2019 volume. Encouraging There were 44,758 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Monday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 719. Alligator food A JetBlue Airways flight from New York/Kennedy to Cancun diverted to Fort Lauderdale last Saturday when a man refusing to wear a mask caused a commotion. Passengers were outraged by the 90-minute diversion and rained abuse down on the arrested man. "I hope you get eaten by an alligator!" one yelled. The Miami Herald has the details. The Bulgarian version An Air France flight from Paris to New Delhi last Friday made an unscheduled stop in Sofia, Bulgaria, to offload a quarrelsome passenger. The Hindu has the details. Italy is launching Covid-free trains between Rome and Milan beginning next month. The trains will be operated by FS, the state railroad. Alitalia last year launched Covid-free flights between Rome and Milan.Coronavirus Update: Monday, March 8, 2021
The CDC has released guidance on what fully vaccinated people can do to expand social interactions. It's mostly good news. The specifics are detailed at the CDC site. Here are today's other developments: March is roaring The TSA says that 1,277,719 people passed through U.S. airport checkpoints Sunday. That is the most travelers since January 3 as travelers were returning from Christmas and New Year's trips. It also represents a startling 69.3% of 2020 volume--but, remember, traffic was plunging last year at this point. However, it also represents a hefty 59.3% of 2019 volume. Lowball There were 40,340 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Sunday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 669. But the reminder: Weekend numbers are fragmentary and incomplete. New York State restaurants can serve indoors up to 75% of capacity starting March 19. That's up from 50% now. In New York City, however, the indoor capacity cap remains at 35%. Hawaii update Only 359,000 of 1.5 million available room nights were occupied in January, says the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Hawaii has had the strictest entry requirements of any state. Europe skies For the ninth week of the year, aircraft traffic was down 65% compared to 2019, according to Eurocontrol, which handles the continent's air traffic control.Coronavirus Update: Sunday, March 7, 2021
This can't be good news: The world is on the brink of a fourth wave of Coronavirus infections. The Hill has details. Meanwhile, the United States is now above 9% of the population that is fully vaccinated. Here are today's other developments: Is business travel in charge again? The TSA says 991,547 people passed through U.S. airport checkpoints Saturday. That's 45.1% of 2020 volume and 38.9% of 2019's volume. Saturday is beginning to slow down in recent weeks while Thursdays and Fridays have been stronger. It could indicate business travel is beginning to reassert itself. Stay tuned. Weekend breather There were 58,062 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Saturday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 1,485. And the reminder: Weekend numbers are fragmentary and incomplete. Proceed with caution. Silicon Valley stunner The Fairmont Silicon Valley abruptly closed late Friday and moved remaining guests to other hotels. The San Jose property, with more than 800 rooms, was averaging just 7% occupancy, a spokesman for the hotel said. He said the hotel lost $18 million last year and is on track for a $20 million loss this year. The hotel filed for bankruptcy, but hopes to reopen in several months with new management and a new brand flag. Italy retreats The Italian Health Ministry has moved Campagnia and its largest city, Naples, into the red zone, the highest category of restrictions. Two other regions, Veneto and Friuli Venezia Gulia, moved to orange, the second-highest category. In red and orange regions, restaurants and bars are closed except for takeaway and delivery. Schools close in red zones. Shops can remain open in orange zones, but malls must close on holidays. India update The owner of Taj Hotels, India's leading lodging brand, says that leisure travel accounts for 60% of business, but business, corporate and government travel is growing and may soon reach 50-55% of bookings.Coronavirus Update: Saturday, March 6, 2021
After a wild vote-a-rama--and a long delay yesterday to satisfy Joe Manchin of West Virginia--Senate Democrats passed the $1.9 trillion Biden stimulus package. It was a party-line vote of 50-49. The bill now goes back to the House for final approval. Here are today's other developments: Numbers games The TSA says that 1,167,551 people passed through U.S. airport checkpoints on Friday. That is more than on Thursday, but a lower percentage (54.8%) of 2020 volume and sharply lower (48.5%) compared to 2019's volume of 2.4 million. Still on the high Covid plateau There were 67,397 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Friday, says Johns Hopkins. That's about where we've been for a week now. But the death toll (2,520) was higher than Thursday. Pick your politics An editor at the screechy right-wing New York Post is shocked--shocked!--to learn the left-wing Biden Administration allows privately owned United Airlines to pack its planes and fill middle seats. The conservative cry for nanny-state protection is here. California inches forward California will permit theme parks and sports stadiums to reopen at 15-35% of capacity. Parks can reopen April 1, but only to California residents. Indoor dining will not be permitted and there will be strict limits on indoor rides. West Virginia has lifted capacity limits on bars, restaurants, grocery and retail stores and other small businesses. Governor Jim Justice says the state's mask mandate remains in force, however. The Garden Isle grows Kauai will rejoin Hawaii's Safe Travels program on April 5. That will make it easier for out-of-state travelers to visit the so-called Garden Isle. KHON2 has the details.