Read all about it! More than 570,000 575,000 Americans have died from the virus. More than 25% 26% 27% of the nation has now been fully vaccinated. Italy begins relaxing Coronavirus restrictions. Austria and Ireland will wait until mid-May. France's reopening comes in stages through June. French Polynesia reopens to U.S. visitors, but requires full vaccination and a negative PCR test. The CDC says cruises will resume this summer. And more. Read from the bottom for context.

Coronavirus Update: Friday, April 30, 2021

The popular narrative of an airline recovery is belied by the statistics. According to OAG, the industry schedulekeepers, 61.1 million seats were available worldwide last week. That means overall capacity has fallen two million seats in the last 14 days. Here are today's other developments:
        This is not good   There were 58,199 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Thursday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 854. The experts say the new-infection number needs to be below 20,000 for any real progress.
        Just another Thursday   The TSA says 1,526,681 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Thursday. That's nearly the same as every other Thursday in April.
        Flatland   Nationwide hotel occupancy averaged 57.3% for the week ended April 24. That's flat compared to recent weeks. According to industry statisticians STR, the busiest top markets last week were Tampa (73.7%) and Miami (72%).
        Jackpot   Las Vegas is on a roll. Statewide casino winnings passed $1 billion for the first time since February, 2020. McCarran International Airport handled nearly 2.6 million passengers in March, up 961,000 from February. Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak has set a June 1 target for lifting all statewide restrictions except the mask mandate.
        Oregon steps back   A new outbreak of Coronavirus led Oregon Governor Kate Brown to put 15 counties back into a form of lockdown. OregonLive.com has the unhappy details.
        Michigan by the numbers   Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer unveiled a reopening plan that links eased Coronavirus restrictions to increased vaccination rates. TheHill.com has the details.
        Trouble in Turkey   After more than a year of refusing to take serious measures to control the Coronavirus, Turkey this week imposed a nationwide lockdown. The BBC has the details.
        Luck of the Irish   Ireland has been under its highest level of restrictions since Christmas. The country has now announced a six-week plan to relax the rules, however. Beginning May 10, locals can travel outside their own counties. Non-essential shops can reopen May 17. Hotels reopen June 2. Pubs can reopen for outdoor service on June 7.

Coronavirus Update: Thursday, April 29, 2021

The CDC says it expects cruises to/from U.S. ports should resume this summer. CNBC has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        Pyrrhic victory   There were 55,125 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Wednesday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 959. So much for the thought that we were pushing the curve down toward more acceptable numbers.
        Post-Easter slump   The TSA says that 1,184,326 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Wednesday. That's 52.4% of 2019 volume and continues the trend of a noticeable post-Easter slump.
        Start spreading the news   New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio says he expects the city to fully reopen by July 1. The New York Daily News has details. Separately, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo says the curfew on outdoor restaurant dining will be lifted on May 17. The curfew on indoor dining will be lifted on May 31.
        France reopens the French way   French president Emmanuel Macron today laid out a four-stage reopening plan for the country. On May 3, local travel restrictions end. On May 19, the nationwide curfew is pushed back to 9pm; non-essential shops may reopen; and outdoor dining will be allowed at bars and restaurants. On June 9, the curfew is moved to 11pm, indoor dining service will be allowed and a pass sanitaire (health certificate) will be created. It'll list vaccines and negative tests. Non-EU visitors can enter the country--if they have a pass sanitaire. On June 30, the curfew ends.
        No good deed goes unpunished   In the early days of the pandemic, several airlines adopted back-to-front boarding. That may not have been a wise health move, according to a new study. Business Insider has the details.
        Maryland   has lifted its outdoor mask mandate in alignment with CDC guidance.
        Conventional convention   CES, the massive electronics exhibition, has scheduled a return to in-person events for January 5-8 in Las Vegas.

Coronavirus Update: Wednesday, April 28, 2021

More than 200,000 people have officially died in India due to the Coronavirus. But as the country grapples with a horrific second wave, experts believe the death toll could be double the official count. Here are today's other developments:
        Masks off   Following Tuesday's new CDC guidance that says vaccinated people in small groups outside need not wear a mask, states rushed to relax their mask mandates. At least six states--California, New York, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts and Tennessee--brought their mask mandates in line with CDC guidance. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee suggested all Coronavirus-fueled restrictions soon will be ended. The Tennessean has the details.
        Masks on   A federal in-flight mask mandate is in effect until May 11 and could be extended. But flight attendants are struggling to enforce the rule. Refinery29.com has the details.
        Trending down again   The TSA says 1,077,199 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Tuesday. That is the slowest day of the month so far.
        Creeping up again   There were 50,856 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Tuesday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 707. That's still a lower volume of new cases than the seven-day average (about 55,000), but higher than Monday and still far above what the experts hope to see.
        Mango Airlines   of South Africa halted all flights today and seemed headed into the country's form of emergency bankruptcy reorganization.
        There won't always be a Dixons   Dixons Travel, a fixture at airports in the United Kingdom, is closing all shops. (They sell electronics and related gear.) The chain says the move is in response to the country's decision to ban duty-free shopping. Most of the three dozen or so Dixons Travel shops--there are also branches in Ireland, Norway and on some cruise ships--have been closed during the pandemic.
        Viennese waltz   Effective May 3, Vienna joins the rest of Austria in lifting some Coronavirus restrictions. Non-essential shops can reopen. Museums, exhibition centers and leisure activities can resume. The bulk of the country's other Covid restrictions will roll back starting in mid-May.

Coronavirus Update: Tuesday, April 27, 2021

New CDC guidance says it is safe for people who have been fully vaccinated to be outside without a mask. It recommends staying in small groups, however. Here are today's other developments:
        Monday miss   The TSA says 1,369,410 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Monday. It is better than last Monday, but not other Mondays in April.
        Still below average   There were 47,691 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Monday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 474. That's a lower volume of new cases than the seven-day average (about 55,000), but still far above what the experts are hoping to see.
        United Airlines   says it will "fly 67% of its domestic schedule and 60% of its overall network schedule compared to its 2019 June schedule." That's higher than May operations, scheduled to be around 52%.
        Bubbling up   Hong Kong and Singapore now plan to launch their travel "bubble" on May 26. Reuters has the details.
        Curiouser and curiouser   The Vistara flight from Delhi to Hong Kong, which has led to 52 Covid cases so far, continues to baffle the experts. No one seems to understand how flyers who tested negative before flying have developed the virus in Hong Kong's mandatory hotel quarantine. The Wall Street Journal has the details.
        Cyprus   says it will open to vaccinated tourists from the United States and 64 other countries starting May 10. Vaccinated visitors can enter without a negative Covid test or undergoing quarantine.

Coronavirus Update: Monday, April 26, 2021

The daily U.S. vaccination average has fallen to 2.8 million from its high of nearly 3.4 million daily shots. Here are today's other developments:
        Another near miss   The TSA says that 1,571,220 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Sunday. It's another near miss for pandemic daily volume, which topped out at 1,574,228 on March 28.
        Very, very nice, but ...   There were 32,065 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Sunday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 279. That's substantially lower than in recent days, but remember that weekend numbers are often fragmentary and incomplete.
        Open Sesame, kinda, sorta   Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said yesterday that Europe would reopen to travelers from the United States. "All 27 member states will accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated with vaccines" meeting European standards, she told The New York Times. (All shots administered in the United States meet EU standards.) But von der Leyen did not say when or how Americans would be permitted to visit again.
        No bull   The mayor of Pamplona says the "running of the bulls" through the city's streets will be cancelled this year. It is the second consecutive year that the controversial, but popular, event has been scrapped.
        Phooey   Phuket, the tourist island off the coast of Thailand, has abandoned plans to reopen to international visitors due to a spike in Coronavirus cases. The New York Times has the details.

Coronavirus Update: Sunday, April 25, 2021

There were nearly 900,000 new Coronavirus cases around the world on Saturday, a one-day record according to Agence France-Presse. The dire situation in India and the continuing crisis in Brazil are fueling the global surge. Here are today's other developments:
        Slack Saturday   The TSA says that 1,259,724 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Saturday. It's the lowest volume registered on a Saturday this month.
        Too high, but lower   There were 53,363 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Saturday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 724. That's lower than Friday, but still too high. Reminder: weekend numbers are often fragmentary and incomplete.
        May and the masks   Although airlines all imposed their mask mandates before the federal government, the TSA mask mandate expires May 11. The Washington Post has the crosstalk about a possible extension and the details.
        No mask, no flight   A freak-show politician in Alaska has been banned from flying Alaska Airlines after her latest refusal to wear a mask. Gary Leff of the View From The Wing blog has the commentary, video and social media posts from all sides.
        Continental divide   Turkish Airways operated 711 flights on Thursday, April 22. Lufthansa flew just 355, KLM just 276 and British Airways just 120. Carrier-by-carrier statistics are from Eurocontrol, which operates the continent's air traffic system.

Coronavirus Update: Saturday, April 24, 2021

U.S. regulators have lifted the "pause" on the use of the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine. The New York Times has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        That Friday feeling   The TSA says that 1,521,393 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Friday. It represents 60.3% of 2019's volume, the best Friday performance in several weeks.
        Still distressing   There were 62,399 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Friday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 852. That is lower than Thursday, but still distressingly high.
         Kinda, sorta La Dolce Vita   Italy is loosening Coronavirus restrictions. Starting on Monday, most of the nation's regions will be in the "yellow zone." Restaurants, bars and cafes can serve outdoors. Intra-region travel restrictions will also be lifted.
        Warte bitte!   Austria will begin lifting its Coronavirus restrictions--but not until May 19. Cafes and restaurants will reopen for the first time in six months. TheLocal.com has the details.
        À deux reprises   French Polynesia reopens to U.S. tourism on May 1, but you have to be twice as safe. You not only must be fully vaccinated, you must also present a negative PCR test taken no more than three days before departure.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for April 17-April 23

Read all about it! Worldwide Coronavirus deaths pass the three-million mark and more than 565,000 570,000 Americans have died from the virus. About 25% of the nation has now been fully vaccinated. Canada keeps its land borders closed another month. A flight from Delhi to Hong Kong becomes a superspreader event. Alaska will offer visitors vaccines starting June 1. The Maldive Islands are now open without testing or quarantine to anyone fully vaccinated. More than 8,000 passenger aircraft remain in storage. Hotel occupancy falls to mid-March levels. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for April 10-April 16

Read all about it! More than 560,000 565,000 Americans have died from the virus and more than 21% of the nation has been fully vaccinated. But new-case numbers are rising quickly. U.S. flying slows from the Easter rush. Several South American and Asian countries tighten Covid restrictions. Malta will pay tourists--in cash, not falcons--to visit this summer. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for April 3-April 9

Read all about it! More than 553,000 555,000 560,000 Americans have died from the virus and more than 155 160 165 170 175 million vaccine doses have been administered. New cases and deaths spike up despite increased vaccinations. April is off to a (literal) flying start and airline traffic is the busiest since mid-March of 2020. The CDC bungled messaging aimed at vaccinated travelers. Europe flying is still just 40% of normal. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for March 27-April 2

Read all about it! The CDC says fully vaccinated Americans can fly and travel again. More than 547,000 550,000 553,000 Americans have died from the virus. More than 135 140 145 150 154 million vaccine doses have been administered. U.S. flying roars back and was 52.5% of 2019 volume. American Airlines says bookings are 90% of 2019 levels and United says domestic leisure demand has almost returned to normal. European nations continue to lock down, however. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for March 20-26

Read all about it! More than 540,000 545,000 547,000 Americans have died from Coronavirus 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, but 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. Click here for the week's updates.

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.