Read all about it! About 36% 37% 38% of the nation now has been fully vaccinated. More than 585,000 586,000 587,000 588,000 Americans have died from the virus. Daily airline traffic in the United States passes the 1.8-million mark for the first time since the pandemic began and has been at least 60% of 2019 volume for 17 of the first 20 days in May. Seven New York State airports, including LaGuardia and Kennedy, will offer one-shot J&J vaccinations all next week. Southwest Airlines says business travel revenue remains 80% below 2019 levels. There's a huge red state-blue state divide over vaccination rates. Read from the bottom for context.

Coronavirus Update: Friday, May 21, 2021

The Eiffel Tower announced it will reopen on July 16 after its longest closure since World War II. Here are today's other developments:
        A shot and a flight   New York State will run pop-up vaccination sites at seven airports next week from Monday to Friday. The walk-in sites will offer the one-shot J&J vaccine. They'll be located at Kennedy and LaGuardia in New York City; Westchester County (HPN) in the suburbs; and the upstate airports in Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo. The details are here.
        Still falling ...   There were 30,141 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Thursday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 665. Separately, White House senior Covid advisor Andy Slavitt says government statistics show the 7-day average number of Covid deaths fell below 500 for the first time since March, 2020.
        Seven(teen) Days in May   The TSA says that 1,728,496 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Thursday. That's 64.6% of 2019 volume. Daily comparative volume hasn't fallen below 60% for 15 consecutive days and has been above 60% for 17 of the first 20 days in May.
        Americas abandoned   The United States, Canada and Mexico will keep land borders closed for another month, through June 21. The borders have been closed month-to-month since March, 2020.
        A shot and a flight II   Southwest Airlines resumes in-flight sale of alcohol starting on June 24. USA Today has the details.
        Hotels love these numbers   Average daily occupancy at U.S. hotels reached 59.1% for the week ended May 15, the second-highest since the pandemic began. Friday/Saturday occupancy was higher than at any point since Valentine's Day weekend of 2020, according to lodging statisticians STR.

Coronavirus Update: Thursday, May 20, 2021

India recorded 4,529 Covid-19 deaths on Tuesday. It's the highest total there to date and may be the highest single-day death toll recorded anywhere in the world. Here are today's other developments:
        Falling ...   There were 29,293 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Wednesday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 655. The new infection rate continues to fall and has been below 30,000 for several consecutive days. That's lower than the seven-day average, which is just above 30,000.
        Cruising   The TSA says that 1,496,089 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Wednesday. That's 60.5% of 2019 volume, about the same as last Wednesday (May 12).
        Southwest Airlines   says revenue from leisure travelers will be near 2019 levels by June. But revenue from business travel is down 80%--and will continue to drag on earnings in the second quarter. Daily cash burn is in the $1-$3 million range. The figures were in a Southwest filing with the SEC.
        Europe's quiet skies   Eurocontrol says commercial aircraft volume in Europe's skies was 38% of 2019 volume on May 19. That's actually higher than it had been in recent weeks.
        More masks off   Delaware lifts its statewide mask mandate tomorrow. Meanwhile, Wegmans, the much-admired supermarket chain that operates in five Northeastern states, lifted its mask mandate.
        Down under Down Under   Qantas says its loss of revenue due to Coronavirus will reach A$16 billion by June.

Coronavirus Update: Wednesday, May 19, 2021

The European Union confirmed today that it will soon permit vaccinated Americans to come into the region. However, there were no details available (again) or time frame for implementation. Moreover, EU guidance is just that: No member nation is bound to follow it. Here are today's other developments:
        Good, but ...   There were 27,851 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Tuesday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 857. The new infection rate continues to decline, which is good, but the death toll more than doubled from Monday.
        On par   The TSA says that 1,408,017 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Tuesday. That's 60.9% of 2019 volume.
        Staying home   Outbound tourism from Mexico fell by 73% in 2020, the second-highest decline in the Americas after Peru (76%). Both nations have been ravaged by Coronavirus.
        Hermits down under   Australia's decision to keep its borders largely closed for another year risks turning the continent into "hermit nation." Agence France-Presse has the details.
        The bailout train   Eurostar, the rail service across the English Channel, reached a 250 million euro refinancing agreement with its shareholders and banks. Cross-channel rail service has been cut to as little as one train a day during the pandemic.
        Playing to the (small) crowd   Simon Calder, the well-known English travel writer, was one of 13 passengers using revived Ryanair Boeing 737 flights between London/Stansted and Faro, Portugal. The fares were as low as 10 euros. His tale is here.

Coronavirus Update: Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Trump supporters in red states complain that the former president hasn't been credited for the quick development of the vaccine. They apparently aren't willing to take the vaccine, however. The 21 states with the highest vaccination rate to date all voted for Biden. The least-vaccinated states all voted for Trump. TheHill.com has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        A corner turned?   There were 28,634 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Monday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 392. Both numbers are higher than Sunday, but down markedly from Monday, May 10.
        Hotels and masks   The hotel-industry trade group, AHLA, now recommends its members bring their mask rules in line with the CDC guidance. No major hotel chain has yet removed its mask mandate. The AHLA statement is here.
        Day-by-day   The TSA says 1,734,541 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Monday. That's 66.3% of 2019 volume, almost exactly the same as last Monday, May 10.
        United Airlines   says it plans to fly 80% of its domestic schedule compared to July, 2019.
        The state of masks   New York, last year's epicenter of the Coronavirus, lifts its mask mandate tomorrow, bringing the state in line with CDC guidance. Masks will still be required on public transit, however. Meanwhile, the District of Columbia is also bringing its rules in line with CDC guidance. But California says it won't lift its mask mandate until June 15. That is when most other Coronavirus rules expire in the state.
        The lateness of the hour   Italy has pushed its nationwide curfew back to 11pm. On June 7, it moves to midnight. The curfew ends entirely on June 21.
        Yeah, we know ...   Porter Airlines, based at Toronto/City Airport, has delayed its relaunch to July 20. The carrier hasn't flown since March, 2020, and has repeatedly delayed its restart.

Coronavirus Update: Monday, May 17, 2021

Target, the huge retailer and closest bricks-and-mortar competitor to Walmart, has lifted its mask mandate. Walmart lifted is mandate last week shortly after the latest CDC mask guidance. Here are today's other developments:
        In hailing distance of normal   The TSA says 1,850,531 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Sunday. It's the first time since the pandemic lows of April, 2020, that traffic passed the 1.8-million mark. It's also 70.6% of 2019's volume, the same as last Sunday, May 9.
        That's what we're talkin' about ...   There were 16,864 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Sunday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 262. While weekend numbers are fragmentary and incomplete, these are the best results since March, 2020.
        L'endroit le plus heureux sur terre   Paris Disneyland says that it will reopen on June 17. The largest tourist attraction in Europe, the park has been closed since October 30.
        The bubble collapses   Local conditions have led Hong Kong and Singapore to cancel the travel bubble they planned to open next week. There is no news of a new start date.
        Far from normal   Aircraft traffic in Europe's skies was 40% of 2019 levels, says Eurocontrol, the continent's air traffic control organization. Separately, the Airports Council International Europe says passenger traffic in the first quarter dropped by 81.7% compared to 1Q 2019.
        Um ...   A maskless passenger forced Sunday's JetBlue Flight 915 from New York/Kennedy to San Francisco to divert to Minneapolis. Oh, he was also doing lines of coke in the lavatory and groping passengers. Gary Leff of the View From the Wing blog has the icky details.

Coronavirus Update: Sunday, May 16, 2021

Publix, the large, privately owned supermarket chain in the Southeast, has lifted its mask mandate. Here are today's other developments:
        Cruise control   The TSA says that 1,453,267 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Saturday. That's 69.5% of 2019's volume.
        Weekend wonder   There were 28,813 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Saturday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 476. Weekend numbers are fragmentary and incomplete, of course, but it is clear that progress is being made.
        A different kind of gamble   The Nevada Gaming Control Board lifted the mask mandate for vaccinated individuals in casinos. However, proof of vaccination is not required so it is essentially the end of the mask mandate for gambling (at least the casino kind) in Nevada.
        Nurses say no   The largest nurses union in the United States decried the new CDC guidance that says vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks. TheHill.com has the details.
        Keystone complications   After Pennsylvania Governor Ron Wolf told MSNBC that he would not drop the state's mask mandate until it reached herd immunity, Pennsylvania health officials ended it anyway. It is the latest change to the state's complicated reopening strategy unfolding over the next month. Philadelphia is on a separate track. The Philadelphia Inquirer has all the details.

Coronavirus Update: Saturday, May 15, 2021

Singapore has imposed new screening and passenger processing procedures at Changi Airport after dozens of fully vaccinated workers contracted the Coronavirus. The Straits Times has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        Repetitive   The TSA says 1,716,561 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Friday. It's the third time this week passenger volume passed the 1.7-million mark, astounding since it had been more than 13 months since it reached that milestone last Friday (May 7).
        Lower   There were 42,298 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Friday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 745. Both are slightly lower than last Friday.
        Masks off   At least six states--Virginia, Maryland, Michigan, Kentucky, Minnesota and Oregon--lifted their statewide masks mandates.
        Masks on   The governors of New Jersey and Pennsylvania independently said that their states would maintain their mask mandates until herd immunity (70%) is reached.
        We're out   At least four major retailers--Walmart, Costco, Trader Joe's and Starbucks--are lifting their in-store mask mandates subject to local restrictions. The retailers as much as admitted there was no way they could differentiate between vaccinated and unvaccinated customers.
        Delta Air Lines   says that all new hires must be vaccinated. The rule does not apply to existing employees.
        Italy through a straw   Italy says U.S. and Canadian visitors who arrive on designated Covid-free flights--Delta, Alitalia and American operate several--are now exempt from quarantines. Negative tests are still required.
        Bengal lanced   The Indian state of West Bengal has gone into a 15-day lockdown as the region emerges as the new epicenter of the subcontinent's latest Coronavirus outbreak. Offices, stores and public transit are closed.
        Portugal   says visitors from most European nations may enter the country beginning Monday. Once again, U.S. and Canadian travelers were left out in the metaphoric cold.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for May 8-May 14

Read all about it! More than 30% 35% 36% of the nation has been fully vaccinated. More than 580,000 584,000 Americans have died from the virus. Daily airline traffic in the United States passes the 1.7-million mark--and 70% of 2019 volume--for the first time in more than 13 months. United Airlines, the only U.S. carrier serving India, cuts flights. England's reopening leaves U.S. visitors encased in amber. Italy isn't welcoming Americans yet. Australia won't open borders for another year. Singapore imposes new restrictions after an outbreak at Changi Airport. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for May 1-May 7

Read all about it! More than 575,000 580,000 Americans have died from the virus. More than 27% 28% 29% 30% of the nation has been fully vaccinated. Daily airline traffic in the United States passes the 1.6-million mark for the first time in more than 13 months. The U.S. halts flights from India and Singapore imposes a 21-day quarantine on most arriving travelers. Costa Rica expects 2021 tourism to be worse than 2020. The Tasman flying bubble springs a leak. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for April 24-April 30

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 negative PCR test. The CDC says that cruises will resume this summer. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

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.