Read all about it! Nearly 48% of the nation has been fully vaccinated, but the U.S. death toll from Coronavirus has passed 605,000. After passing the 2-million traveler mark ten times in June, the Fourth of July weekend also starts with a bang. Average U.S. hotel occupancy rates are the highest since October, 2019. South Africa, Thailand, Bangladesh and Indonesia add new Coronavirus restrictions. Australia now says only 3,000 travelers a week may enter the country. International traffic on Asia/Pacific carriers is just 4.3% of 2019 levels. And more.

Coronavirus Update: Friday, July 2, 2021

UEFA, the governing body of soccer, has cancelled European Championship tickets sold to residents of Great Britain. The fear? They will fly to Rome, site of tomorrow's quarter-final match between England and Ukraine, and break quarantine to attend the showdown. Here are today's other developments:
        Happy days are here again   The TSA says that 2,147,090 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints on Thursday. That's more than the 2,088,760 who traveled on a similar pre-July 4 Thursday in 2019. It's the first time 2021 volume has surpassed travel on a similar day in 2019. But cool your metaphoric jets. Comparative Fourth of July numbers are always a bit squirrely. Still, there is every reason to believe holiday travel this weekend will be near or at 2019 levels.
        This is not good   There were 14,463 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Thursday, says Johns Hopkins. That's notably higher than the current CDC 7-day rolling average of 11,343. The death toll rose to 305.
        Australia tightens travel lockdown   Australia is slashing the number of travelers allowed to enter the country by 50% to about 3,000 per week. Agence France-Press has the details.
        Hotel happy   Average U.S. weekly hotel occupancy through June 26 hit its highest level since late October, 2019, according to industry statisticians STR. Best large markets: Tampa and Miami. The worst major market: San Francisco/San Mateo.
        The Florida fracas   At least two cruise lines restarting in Florida are ignoring the state's rule against requiring customers to disclose their vaccine status. Battlelines are now drawn between cruise companies, who are following the CDC guidance, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. NBC News has the details.
        Bailing on Bali   Indonesia announced new restrictions on Thursday for parts of Java and Bali islands. Mosques, schools, shopping malls and sports facilities will all be required to close. Measures will take effect on Saturday (local time) and last until July 20. That includes a major religious holiday (Eid al-Adha) when large groups and families traditionally gather.
        Arkansas Agonistes   Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson moaned over the weekend that Coronavirus cases were rising and vaccinations flagging. He wasn't prepared to do anything about it, though. Now it is clear that the state is recording the highest number of new cases and hospitalizations since late February. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has the details.
        Russian roulette   Covid-19 deaths in Russia reached a record high for the fourth consecutive day, according to official government figures.

Coronavirus Update: Thursday, July 1, 2021

Today is Canada Day, the country's independence day. Sadly, land borders between the United States and Canada remain shuttered 16 months after they first closed at the beginning of the pandemic. Here are today's other developments:
        What a difference a year makes   According to figures in the TSA daily report, more than 56.7 million people passed through airport security checkpoints during June. That is nearly four times the 14.7 million who traveled in June, 2020, and more than 73% of the traffic in June, 2019.
        Fireworks ahead?   The TSA says that 1,920,663 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Wednesday. It is 75.4% of comparative 2019 volume and points to a busy July 4th weekend.
        Creeping up   There were 12,872 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Wednesday, says Johns Hopkins. That's a bit higher than in recent days. But the death toll fell to 240.
        Go where you live   International travel will not rebound until 2023, according to the World Tourism Organization, a UN agency. TheHill.com has the details.
        Glass more than half full   Global airline capacity increased 2.2% in the week ended June 21, 2021. The total number of seats worldwide was 72.4 million or 62.1% of 2019 capacity. The figures were compiled by Routes Online, an industry analyst.

Coronavirus Update: Wednesday, June 30, 2021

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said today that fully vaccinated people are "safe" from Coronavirus variants and do not need to wear masks. Separately, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said unvaccinated people "are in trouble" from the fast-spreading, highly contagious Delta variant. Here are today's other developments:
        Breather   The TSA says that 1,808,306 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Tuesday. It is 77% of comparative 2019 volume, a breather from the recent breakneck pace.
        Better and bad   There were 11,596 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Tuesday, says Johns Hopkins. (That's better than yesterday.) The death toll was 359. (That's bad.)
        Asia/Pacific slumber   In May, 1.3 million international passengers flew on carriers aligned with the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA). That's just 4.3% of the volume registered in May, 2019. Separately, AAPA member Cathay Pacific said it carried just 24,000 customers in May, down 99.2% from May, 2019.
        Frankfurt fried   Frankfurt Airport is operating at just 54% of 2019 flight volume, according to Eurocontrol, which operates the continent's air traffic control system.
        Tell your momma, tell your pa   Arkansas is in the bottom ten states for vaccinations and Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson is worried. He's not going to do anything about it, but he is worried. Politico.com explains what he said.

Coronavirus Update: Tuesday, June 29, 2021

The Kremlin today said Russia would not reach its 60% vaccination target by the end of summer. Meanwhile, the country registered its highest daily death toll since the pandemic began. Here are today's other developments:
        Flying   The TSA says that 2,066,964 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Monday, the tenth day this month when traffic cracked the 2-million mark. It is 84.2% of comparative 2019 volume, highest percentage in June so far.
        Bad and better   There were 15,083 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Monday, says Johns Hopkins. (That's bad, too high.) The death toll was 150. (That's better for a Monday.)
        Australia gridlock   More than 10 million Australians are now in lockdown as Brisbane this evening (local time) becomes the country's fourth city to issue stay-at-home orders. Agence France-Press has the details
        United Airlines   "expects to generate positive adjusted pre-tax income" in July, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
        Friendlier skies   For the week ended June 27, Eurocontrol says aircraft traffic in Europe's skies was 53% of 2019 levels. That's an average of nearly 19,000 daily flights.
        Unmasked   Pennsylvania yesterday lifted its mask mandate.
        Canadian lodging slump   Canada's hotel industry reported slightly lower performance in May compared to April, according to industry statisticians STR. The nationwide daily occupancy rate was 28.1%

Coronavirus Update: Monday, June 28, 2021

Much of the world remains in the grip of the pandemic, but things are slowly improving in the United States. Another sign? The Library of Congress reopens on July 15. Here are today's other developments:
        Another record   The TSA says that 2,167,380 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Sunday, the highest daily count since the beginning of the pandemic. It's also 82.3% of comparative 2019 volume, the highest percentage in June so far.
        Very good, but ...   There were 3,892 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Sunday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll was 75. But it's a qualified victory since as many as 18 states and territories do not report Coronavirus stats for Sundays, according to Johns Hopkins.
        Spain rolls out welcome mat   Effective today, U.S. travelers arriving directly from the United States will no longer be required to show a negative time or even proof of vaccination. A health form is all that is required. The details are on the Web site of the Spanish consulate. Spain first began welcoming U.S. travelers three weeks ago.
        South Africa hardens lockdown   South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa has reimposed restrictions for two weeks to combat a surge in the Coronavirus Delta variant. The nighttime curfew is now in place between 9pm and 4am. Restaurants may only operate for takeaway or delivery service. Alcohol sales are banned.
        Welcome back   Austria reopened to U.S. visitors last Thursday. Travelers must have proof of a negative test or proof of vaccine. The details are here. Meanwhile, Malta has also reopened--but only to visitors from 38 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. A negative test is required. The details are here.
        Bangkok blues   Thailand reimposed restrictions on restaurants, construction sites and gatherings in the capital Bangkok and its suburbs because of a spike in cases.

Coronavirus Update: Weekend, June 26-27, 2021

U.S. hotel occupancy for the week ended June 19 hit its highest level in 85 weeks, according to industry statisticians STR. The nationwide average occupancy rate was 68%, the highest since the week ended November 9, 2019. Here are this weekend's other developments:
        Eighth time's a charm   The TSA says 2,137,584 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints on Friday, the eighth time above two million in June. It's also 78.3% of comparative 2019 volume.
        Sounds good   Although weekend Coronavirus numbers are always incomplete, the trend lines are going in the right direction. There were 12,667 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Friday and 7,303 on Saturday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 349 (Friday) and 147 (Saturday).
        Kiss and quit   British health secretary Matt Hancock has resigned after security cameras caught him kissing an aide. That violated Hancock's own social distancing rules. Politico.com kisses and tells.
        Wasn't there a song about this?   Bangladesh goes into total lockdown starting Monday (local time) after a "dangerous and alarming" rise in Coronavirus infections, most of it from the Delta variant. "No one can step out of their homes except in emergency cases," a government statement added.
        Down Under goes down   Sydney's limited lockdown goes citywide until July 9 as the country grapples with (for Australia) a major Coronavirus outbreak. The New Zealand-Australia travel bubble was fully suspended on Saturday (local time) for at least three days. New Zealand previously paused the bubble five times with individual Australian states but this is the first time it has put a blanket halt to quarantine-free travel.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for June 19-June 25

Read all about it! Hawaii lifts testing requirement for vaccinated visitors. More than 46% of the nation has been fully vaccinated, but the total U.S. death toll from Coronavirus has now passed 603,000. The TSA says more than 2.1 million people flew on Sunday, highest total since March, 2020. Coronavirus deaths in Brazil pass 500,000. Qantas grows domestic schedule since most Australia international traffic remains forbidden. Europe reaches 50% of 2019 flight levels. Airline seat capacity worldwide remains 43% below 2019 levels. The Netherlands reopens to U.S. visitors, but not to Canadians. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for June 12-June 18

Read all about it! At least 44% 45% of the nation has been fully vaccinated, but the total U.S. death toll from Coronavirus has now passed 600,000. The TSA says more than two million people flew on three separate days in the last week, the most since March 6, 2020. Denmark, Spain, France and Switzerland drop mask mandates and France opens to visitors on Monday. Britain delays its reopening for another month. Surging infection rates force Moscow, Lisbon and the Chilean capital of Santiago to shut all or most services. Canada and the United States keep land borders closed for another month. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for June 5-June 11

Read all about it! At least 43% of the nation has been fully vaccinated, but more than 598,000 have died from the virus. The TSA says nearly two million people flew on two separate days this week, the most since early March, 2020. Two cruise ships report passengers tested positive for Coronavirus. Florida stops reporting daily virus or vaccination data. Mississippi's governor shrugs off state's horrific death toll and low vaccination rate. Europe skies are filling up again, but British passenger traffic in the first quarter fell 94% compared to 2019. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for May 29-June 4

Read all about it! More than 41% of the nation has been fully vaccinated, but more than 594,000 596,000 Americans have died from the virus. Malaysia locks down for two weeks and Hanoi halts international flights. Nearly two million travelers flew from U.S. airports on several days during the Memorial Day weekend. U.S. hotels still selling 300,000 fewer hotel rooms each day. Heathrow in London reopens Terminal 3 to serve visitors required to submit to mandatory quarantine. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for May 22-May 28

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. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

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.