Read all about it! More than 39% 40% of the nation now has been fully vaccinated. More than 589,000 590,000 593,000 Americans have died from the virus. France reopens to vaccinated travelers next month, but requires British visitors to self-quarantine on arrival. Airline traffic once again passes the 1.8-million mark--and briefly hits 90% of comparative 2019 volume. A United Airlines sweepstakes awards a year of travel for two if you enter vaccine information. Melbourne locks down again. Cruises return to Alaska waters in July, but a Florida restart is hampered by the governor's political executive order. Read from the bottom for context.

Coronavirus Update: Friday, May 28, 2021

An overwhelming majority of Americans have no problem with vaccine "passports" when they speed travel, according to a new survey from PwC, the accounting firm. TheHill.com has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        Here comes the boom   The TSA says 1,854,534 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints on Thursday. That's 74.6% of comparative 2019 volume, a sure sign of a very busy weekend of travel.
        Distressing   There were 27,525 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Thursday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll jumped to 1,338. That's double the number of deaths then were recorded earlier this week.
        Hotel recovery   Average hotel occupancy in the United States for the week ended May 22 reached 60% for the first time since the pandemic began. Two large markets, Phoenix and Tampa, recorded a higher average nightly rate than in 2019, according to industry recordkeepers STR.
        Florida fight   The CDC has approved the first cruises to depart from Florida ports. But the deal is contingent on a specific number of vaccinated crew and passengers. That would run afoul of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's absurd executive order barring even private firms from requiring proof of vaccination. The Tampa Bay Times has the details.
        Seychelles suspense   How has a new round of Coronavirus appeared in the Seychelles, the most vaccinated place on earth? Scientists and anti-vax activists are arguing it out and Bloomberg BusinessWeek does a deep dive on the Indian Ocean island chain.
        No vaccine, please, we're Russian   Russia has boasted about the speed of its development of the Sputnik V vaccine and its efficacy against Covid-19. But average Russians aren't impressed. They've been avoiding the shot en masse. Agence France-Presse has the details.

Coronavirus Update: Thursday, May 27, 2021

Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, went back into lockdown today (local time). Agence France-Press has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        The ghost of holiday travel yet to come   The TSA says 1,618,169 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints on Wednesday. That's 71.3% of comparative 2019 volume, a sharp upswing from last Wednesday (May 19). It seems to auger a very busy Memorial Day Weekend travel period.         Not so good ...   There were 24,052 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Wednesday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll, however, jumped back into four digits at 1,009. Just in case you needed a reminder that we're not yet out of the metaphoric woods.
        Happy days are here again   Delta Air Lines says its load factors are expected to be 90% over the Memorial Day weekend. It also says leisure travel bookings for June have recovered to 100% of pre-Coronavirus levels.
        Hawaii   has lifted its outdoor mask mandate. Masks are still required indoors, however, and it will be at least another month before the state is ready to admit vaccinated travelers without additional testing. MauiNow.com has the details.
        Still bailing   Sweden and Denmark are stumping up another 300 million euros in loans to keep SAS flying. The two nations each own nearly 22% of the trans-Scandinavian carrier, up from below 15% each before the pandemic-related bailouts began.
        Red, amber and green--but in French   France says it will open to tourists again on June 9 using a "traffic light" system of red (entry still banned), amber (proof of vaccination required) and green (generally restriction free). Specific details and implementation procedures continue to be unavailable, however.

Coronavirus Update: Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Moderna says its vaccine is totally effective against Coronavirus in 12-17-year-olds. It will ask for FDA approval to use it. The Pfizer vaccine has already been approved for that age group. The New York Times has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        Tuesday being Tuesday   The TSA says 1,470,840 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Tuesday. That's 59.9% of comparative 2019 volume, nearly the same as the previous two Tuesdays.
        This is where we are   There were 22,756 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Tuesday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 621. These numbers roughly correspond to the most recent 7-day average.
        Summer story   United Airlines expects domestic leisure yields for summer travel to exceed 2019 levels. Business demand continues to be significantly depressed, however. The statement was included in a federal filing.
        A Memorial Day to remember   The AAA says it will be an expensive Memorial Day to travel. Compared to last year, car rental rates have doubled, average airfares are up 14% and hotel rates are up 29%-34%. Gas prices? The highest since 2014 and an average of $1.12 more than last year. TheHill.com has the details.
        New Jersey   will lift its mask mandate on Friday, says Governor Phil Murphy. He previously said the mandate would remain in place until the state hit the 70% herd immunity threshold.
        Stat salad   U.S. passenger airlines last week (May 16-23) carried 66% of pre-crisis passenger volume on 76% of the flights utilizing 89% of their fleet. The statistics were compiled by JetTip.net.
        April in Canada   STR, the hotel-industry statistician, says that average lodging occupancy in Canada was 29.4%, lower than in March.
        They also have to apologize for Waterloo   People arriving in France from Britain will have to self-isolate to prevent the spread of Covid-19, notably its Indian variant, the French government said today. The Daily Mail has the details.

Coronavirus Update: Tuesday, May 25, 2021

The United States on Tuesday is expected to reach half of the nation's adults being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the White House said. On Monday, 49.8% were vaccinated. Here are today's other developments:
        Backwards walk   The TSA says 1,747,353 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints on Monday. That's 69.5% of comparative 2019 volume, a major backward step from Sunday's stunning 90% performance.
        Nice numbers   There were 25,925 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Monday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 427. Encouraging as those numbers are, not all states report on Monday, so the figures are incomplete.
        Toothy tale   A Southwest Airlines flight attendant was attacked by a flyer over the weekend and lost two teeth, according to a letter the flight attendants union sent to the chief executive Gary Kelly. USA Today has the details.
        Clever name, big prize   United Airlines' Your Shot to Fly promotion is offering MileagePlus members a chance to win free travel in exchange for their vaccine information. The sweepstakes runs through June 22 and the top prize is free travel for two for a year--up to a total of 26 roundtrips in any class on any routes. The details are here.
        Cruise news   Three large cruise lines will return to U.S. waters starting in July, all on a Seattle-Alaska routing. Norwegian will offer week-long voyages starting August 6. Royal Caribbean will leave port first with a similar trip on July 19. Carnival's Holland American Line will start on July 24.
        In the bin   Hundreds of thousands of unused Pfizer vaccines may be destroyed because Hong Kong residents have been slow to accept the shots. So far just 19% of Hongkongers have received one dose of either vaccine and only 14% have received two doses. Agence France-Presse has the details.

Coronavirus Update: Monday, May 24, 2021

The commonly accepted origin of Covid-19--a "wet market" in Wuhan, China--has not been debunked, but some people believe it escaped from the city's virus-research lab. China's opacity on the matter raises serious questions. Now comes news that several lab researchers sought hospital treatment in November, 2019, when the Coronavirus first began to circulate. The Wall Street Journal has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        Top of the world, ma!   The TSA says 1,863,697 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints on Sunday. That's the highest one-day total since March 9, 2020. Even more notable: It is 90% of the volume on a comparable May Sunday of 2019, by far the highest volume since the pandemic.
        Better and better   There were 12,853 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Sunday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 190. Even though weekend numbers are fragmentary and incomplete, it's hard not to be encouraged by the trendlines.
        Europe's best   Eurocontrol, which operates Europe's air traffic control, says last week's traffic reached 40% of 2019 aircraft volume. With 15,561 flights, last Friday was the busiest day in Europe's skies in 2021.
        Going to the dogs   Researchers and investigators have been, um, sniffing around this story for months. It seems to be confirmed: Dogs can detect the Coronavirus. Agence France-Presse has details.
        Half and half   At least half of the nation's 50 states have vaccinated at least 50% of its adult population. CNN has the details.

Coronavirus Update: Sunday, May 23, 2021

For the first time in nearly a year, the daily average of new coronavirus infections in the United States has fallen below 30,000. The Washington Post has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        A matter of perspective   The TSA says 1,550,044 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints on Saturday. That's down several hundred thousand from Friday, but it's also 72.9% of 2019 volume, the best one-day performance since the pandemic began.
        So much better   There were 19,778 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Saturday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 480. This is the sharp downward trend that experts have wanted to see.
        The numbers are literally climbing   An expert climbing guide says a coronavirus outbreak on Mount Everest has infected at least 100 climbers and support staff. NBC News has the details.
        Gambling for health   States are increasingly turning to incentives--usually lucrative lotteries--to encourage the hesitant and the laggards to get the Coronavirus vaccine. TheHill.com has the details.

Coronavirus Update: Saturday, May 22, 2021

Coronavirus deaths worldwide may be two or three times the official statistics, according to the World Health Organization. The New York Times has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        Almost ...   The TSA says 1,820,433 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints on Friday. It's just short of the 1,850,531 recorded on Sunday, May 16, and the second time above 1.8 million since the pandemic began. However, at 65.2% of 2019 volume, it's about where traffic has been for the last two weeks.
        Trending lower   There were 28,341 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Friday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 684. Both are notably lower than last Friday.
        March tumble   Even as the Coronavirus began to ground travel in March, 2020, U.S. airlines operated 583,000 domestic flights. And even with traffic roaring back in March, 2021, there were just 461,000 domestic flights. The statistics are provided by the Transportation Department.
        Spain says Hola!   Although details are scant, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Friday that Spain would reopen to vaccinated travelers on June 7. Reuters has what details are available. Within hours, United Airlines announced it would resume nonstops from its Newark hub to Madrid and Barcelona in July.
        Ritorna-Me   Italian regions are gearing up for a return of tourism, which accounts for 14% of the country's economy. The Guardian has details.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for May 15-May 21

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 1.8 million 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 red state-blue state divide over vaccinations. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

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.