Read all about it! More than 540,000 545,000 547,000 Americans have died from the virus while 30 million people have been infected. More than 115 120 125 130 133 million vaccine doses have been administered. U.S. flying briefly hits nearly 70% of 2019 volume while some travelers (and pilots) behave badly. Europe continues to lock down, but Germany reverses its draconian Easter shutdown. The U.S.-Canada land border remains closed another month. Read from the bottom for context.

Coronavirus Update: Friday, March 26, 2021

Dr. Robert Redfield, head of the CDC in the Trump Administration, says he believes Covid-19 escaped from a Wuhan research lab. Few experts share his opinion. Here are today's other developments:
        Too high   There were 67,443 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Thursday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll was 1,558. Both remain far higher than the experts want to see.
        Up, up and away   The TSA says 1,444,744 people passed through U.S. airport checkpoints on Thursday. It represents 63.5% of 2019 volume, slightly higher than last Thursday, March 18.
        Unintended consequences mess with Texas   Governor Greg Abbott lifted all Coronavirus restrictions, including the mask mandate, because he wanted to reopen the Texas economy. The result? Organizations began cancelling conferences because they were unsure Texas would be safe. The Texas Tribune has the details.
        Arizona   lifted all Coronavirus restrictions and allowed bars to resume regular operations. Governor Doug Ducey also stripped cities and counties of their power to enforce mask mandates except on public transportation and in government buildings.
        Nairobi   has locked down and closed schools in an attempt to curb the growth of Covid-19.
        Busier skies   Yesterday was the busiest Thursday of the year in Europe's skies. Eurocontrol, which operates the continent's air traffic control, reported 11,400 flights.
        Travelers (and pilots) behaving badly   A Spirit Airlines flight was diverted to Denver on Wednesday after a passenger tried to open an emergency exit door. NBC News has details. Meanwhile, several rowdy travelers were tased at an Atlanta airport security checkpoint, according to WSB Radio. And a Southwest Airlines pilot was caught on a hot mic during landing procedures ranting against the San Francisco area. Pilots are forbidden to engage in unnecessary conversations below 10,000 feet. The Hill has details, including the pilot's condemnations of liberals, Hyundai cars, slow driving and clean-burning diesel engines.

Coronavirus Update: Thursday, March 25, 2021

New York City is opening a vaccination site for Broadway performers and theater workers. The goal: reopen Broadway by the fall. Theaters have been dark since March 12, 2020, and are sure to remain closed through at least the end of May. Here are today's other developments:
        Uh-oh ...   There were 86,903 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Wednesday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll was 1,454. Both numbers are sharply higher than yesterday's report. It also far exceeds the 50,000-or-so daily plateau that had been reached. This is not over yet, folks.
        Humming along   The TSA says that 1,164,954 people passed through U.S. airport checkpoints on Wednesday. It represents 54.1% of 2019 volume, slightly higher than last Wednesday, March 17.
        Halfway at United   United Airlines say that its schedule in May will represent 52% of its May, 2019, flying. The domestic schedule (58%) far outweighs its international (46%). The one area where United is exceeding 2019 numbers: Latin America and the Caribbean. Separately, however, OAG says United plans a 30% reduction in international schedules during the third quarter.
        Belgium   on Saturday reinstates a partial lockdown. Non-essential businesses can only operate by appointment. "Close contact" businesses--hairdressers, tattoo parlors and the like--must close. The restrictions will continue for four weeks.
        Luxembourg   says outdoor dining can resume on April 7. Bars can open until 6pm. The sector has been totally closed for on-premise service since late November.

Coronavirus Update: Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Some experts thought Israel's exemplary rollout of Coronavirus vaccines would push embattled Prime Minister "Bibi" Netanyahu over the top in the country's fourth election in just two years. But neither the anti-Bibi bloc nor Netanyahu's coalition emerged with a majority. But Israel's virus status is improving dramatically, according to the Jerusalem Post. Here are today's other developments:
        Flat   The TSA says that 1,076,453 people passed through U.S. airport checkpoints on Tuesday. It represents 44.2% of 2019 volume, exactly the same as Tuesday, March 16.
        Edging up   There were 52,878 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Tuesday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll was 894. Both were higher than yesterday.
        Don't mention the lockdown   German Chancellor Angela Merkel abruptly reversed herself today and scrapped plans to put the country under a near-total lockdown over the Easter weekend. "We must try to slow the third wave of the pandemic," Merkel said. "Nevertheless, [the idea] was a mistake. ... A mistake should be called a mistake and above all, it should be corrected."
        Seeing pink ... or not   The National Park Service said yesterday that it will limit public access to the Tidal Basin during peak bloom for Washington's famous cherry blossoms to limit the spread of Coronavirus. As of Tuesday, the federal government projects peak bloom to fall between March 26 and April 12.
        Media hogaza   Spain's tourism minister, Reyes Maroto, will settle for half a loaf of tourism this year. "Maybe the ideal goal is ... to get half of the tourists we had in 2019," he explained.
        And we were worried about the Stamp Act ...   British authorities may fine English travelers 5,000 pounds if they go overseas without an essential reason. The BCC has the gruesome details.

Coronavirus Update: Tuesday, March 23, 2021

One in three people who contracted Coronavirus have reported long-term health issues. That is the conclusion of multiple studies of so-called "Covid long-haulers." Here are today's other developments:
        Up the ladder   The TSA says 1,360,290 people passed through U.S. airport checkpoints on Monday. It represents 53.5% of 2019 volume, up from 49.7% the previous Monday (3/15) and 45% on Monday, March 8.
        Worrisome   There were 50,584 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Monday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll was 590. The return to that 50,000-case plateau really worries experts who warn of another surge.
        Jobbed   Employees of HMS, the airport retail and dining giant, are learning that the company is reneging on promises to recall workers as outlets reopen. As the Orlando Sentinel reports, former HMS workers at Orlando International aren't allowed to reapply for jobs from which they were furloughed.
        Germany   is tightening Covid restrictions. Existing regulations have been extended to April 18 with an even tougher regimen over Easter (April 1-5). Almost all retail will be closed on those days and only grocery stores can open on April 3.
        Austria   cancelled plans to loosen Coronavirus restrictions on March 27. An existing lockdown will continue at least through the Easter weekend.
        Costa calms down   Costa, the Italian cruise line, has pushed its restart to May 1 from March 27. The company is a subsidiary of Carnival, the cruise behemoth.

Coronavirus Update: Monday, March 22, 2021

AstraZeneca says that its vaccine was 79% effective in late-stage trials in the United States. Approved for use in more than 70 countries, it is not yet authorized for domestic use. Some nations briefly halted its use due to fears surrounding blood clots. Here are today's other developments:
        Zoom   The TSA says 1,543,115 people passed through U.S. airport checkpoints Sunday. That is the highest volume in more than a year and represents 69.3% of 2019 volume. Sixteen of the 21 days in March so far have registered more than a million flyers.
        Would that this were accurate   There were 33,645 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Sunday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll was 432. Those numbers are only around a tenth of the appalling highs hit in January. But remember: Weekend numbers are fragmentary and incomplete and they are likely to be understated.
        Leisure leads   Airline capacity in Florida and Colorado is now above pre-pandemic levels, indicating that leisure travel is leading the revival. But the heavy business travel markets--New York, California and Illinois--remain down as much as 50%, according to industry schedulekeepers OAG.
        Metaphors   Jens Bischof was once top man at Lufthansa in the United States. Now he runs Eurowings, Lufthansa's discount subsidiary, and his comments about the market are chock full of metaphor. "We knew Germany was literally sitting on packed suitcases ... But we had no idea we'd be literally flooded by bookings," he told an AviationWeek webinar. Munich-Mallorca bookings, he said, jumped 700% in recent days.
        Staying alive   Once-busting Seattle-Tacoma Airport, home to hubs for both Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines, has struggled to survive the pandemic. Especially hard hit: small airport retailers and restaurants. KING-5 TV has the details.

Coronavirus Update: Sunday, March 21, 2021

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson says he will allow the state's mask mandate to expire at the end of March. His excuse: People are bored after a year. Here are today's other developments:
        Busy times   The TSA says 1,369,180 people passed through U.S. airport checkpoints Saturday. It's the tenth consecutive day and 15th day in March above a million travelers.
        Weekend reminder   There were 53,722 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Saturday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll was 771. But remember: Weekend numbers are fragmentary and incomplete. And while these numbers are lower than during the week, they are a nasty reminder that we've plateaued at the distressingly high 50,000-infection level.
        The ugly truth   The Transportation Department says 398 million people flew on scheduled domestic and international flights in 2020. Specifically, 336 million flew domestically and 63 million internationally. That's down from the record total of 1.1 billion flyers in 2019. In percentage terms, 2020 flying was down 62% compared to 2019. That translates to a 59% decline in domestic traffic and a 74% international decline.
        March madness   The NCAA basketball playoff game between the University of Oregon and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) was cancelled yesterday just before tip-off. The game was declared a "no contest" and Oregon advanced to the next round. The reason? Multiple positive Covid tests among VCU's players and coaches.
        Luxurious pain   The parent company of the luxury Peninsula hotel group reported a net loss of US$250 million in 2020. All Peninsula Hotels except for the New York outlet are open, operating with 20-40% occupancy, says chief executive Clement Kwok. Peninsula's iconic Hong Kong flagship has remained open by offering "staycations" and "experience packages" to local customers.

Coronavirus Update: Saturday, March 20, 2021

Then-president Trump repeatedly insisted last year that the Coronavirus would magically disappear. He also erroneously claimed the media and never-Trumpers would stop talking about the virus if Joe Biden was elected. So you can understand why the closure of Mar-a-Lago, his club and current home, would generate ironic interest. Here are today's other developments:
        Higher and higher   The TSA says 1,468,516 people passed through U.S. airport checkpoints Friday. That's another Covid-era record and represents 58.4% of 2019 volume.
        Higher than we want   There were 61,413 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Friday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll was 1,445.
        Blame Canada (again)   Land crossings between the United States and Canada will remain closed for at least another month, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The earliest possible opening date: April 21. Borders originally closed last March.
        The mess in Miami   Miami has imposed an 8pm curfew in parts of the city in an attempt to control rowdy Spring Break crowds. The curfew starts tonight along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and surrounding areas. Two causeways in the region will close at 9pm.
        Gaijin keep out   The powers-that-be controlling the Summer Olympics in Tokyo confirmed today that foreign spectators will not be allowed into Japan. The games, originally scheduled for July, 2020, are now expected to begin this July.
        New Jersey man flies to Florida   Details of the actions and subsequent arrest of a man on a United flight on Wednesday headed to Florida from Newark continue to get weirder.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for March 13-19

Read all about it! More than 532,000 535,000 540,000 Americans have died from the virus. More than 100 105 115 million doses of vaccine have been administered. Travel is roaring back in the United States as flying and hotel occupancy both hit post-pandemic highs. Starved for vaccines--and worried about the AstraZeneca version--Europe is doing less well. Italy, the first Western epicenter of the Coronavirus, locks down again. A late winter storm buries Denver International. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for March 6-12

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 business 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. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for February 27-March 5

Read all about it! More than 510,000 515,000 520,000 522,000 Americans have died from Coronavirus. Europe is locking down again but U.S. states rush to shed their mask mandates and other restrictions. February flying traffic roars to a close and early March looks good by comparison. Texas' weather woes led to a surge in hotel occupancy. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for February 20-26

Read all about it! More than 495,000 500,000 505,000 510,000 Americans have died from Coronavirus and new-case numbers are edging up again. Travel-industry numbers for 2020 were brutal and the first quarter looks even weaker. Italy marks a year after it became the Western epicenter of the disease. Boeing 777s powered by Pratt & Whitney 4000 engines grounded worldwide after Denver incident. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for February 13-19

Read all about it! More than 476,000 480,000 485,000 490,000 495,000 Americans have died, but the new-case number is slowly falling. There was a Valentine's Day/President's Day boomlet in flying. The government backs off plans to demand negative tests for domestic flights. Nasty winter storms snarl flying nationwide and basically ground Texas. Travel industry financial numbers remain startlingly bad. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for February 5-12

Read all about it! More than 452,000 455,000 460,000 465,000 465,000 475,000 Americans have died. The TSA sets fines for violating federal transportation mask mandates, but the states are again fighting over masking rules. Travel is in its February funk as the economic recovery stalls. There's little hope for an immediate rebound, either. Global hotel occupancy rates are atrocious. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for Jan. 30-Feb. 4

Read all about it! More than 435,000 440,000 445,000 450,000 452,000 Americans have died as we pass 26 million cases. California, South Carolina and Arizona are the riskiest states for Coronavirus transmission. Canada cracks down on snowbird flights and slaps testing requirements on all arrivals. The CDC codifies President Biden's executive order on masks for travel. Portugal, the epicenter of the current outbreak, closes the country's borders for two weeks. A winter storm in the Northeast disrupts the skeletal air system. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for January 23-29

Read all about it! More than 412,000 415,000 420,000 425,000 430,000 433,000 Americans have died as we pass the 25-million case mark. U.S. travel slumps as the traditional January downturn depresses flying. Israel again shuts down flights. Sweden and Finland bar their Nordic neighbors and European nations close their borders to many visitors. Airline fourth-quarter "earnings" are awful. Bricks-and-mortar retailers close shops by the hundreds. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for January 16-22

Read all about it! Global Coronavirus deaths pass the 2-million mark and near the 100-million case plateau. More than 390,000 395,000 400,000 405,000 410,000 412,000 have died in the United States as we near the 25-million case mark. The Biden Administration expects 100,000 additional deaths just in the next month. Flying sags in Europe as nations tighten lockdowns. The United States sees small Martin Luther King Weekend surge, then the January malaise. And much more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for January 9-15

Read all about it! Coronavirus cases globally surge and more than 367,000 370,000 375,000 380,000 385,000 390,000 have died in the United States. Flying is plunging after the New Year's rush. Airlines ban rowdy travelers flying back from last week's Capitol riots. Washington and the area's airports lock down ahead of next week's Inauguration. Travel numbers from 2020 continue to show the depth of the industry's crisis while current lockdowns force carriers to cut capacity again. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for January 1-8

The new year starts with more of the same: Coronavirus cases in the United States near 21 million and more than 345,000 350,000 355,000 360,000 365,000 367,000 have died. Canada and England make it even tougher to enter the country as other nations tighten Coronavirus restrictions. More travel shuts down. U.S. flying zigzags after a "huge" Christmas and New Year rush. Click here for the week's updates.

2020 Daily Coronavirus Updates

We began day-by-day tracking of the Coronavirus' effect on travel in late January last year. You can see everything we posted in bullet-point form, grouped into weekly segments, by clicking 2020's archives.