Read all about it! The U.S. Covid death toll passes 610,000, but the vaccination rate slows and remains below 50%. Canada opens to fully vaccinated U.S. visitors next month, but the United States says land borders remain closed for at least another 30 days. American Airlines claims domestic business travel will return to 2019 norms next year. Many places advise wearing a mask in public and some reimpose nightly curfews. The CDC and U.S. State Department slap "do not travel" warning on the United Kingdom. The Australia-New Zealand "travel bubble" collapses. And more. Read up from the bottom for context.

Coronavirus Update: Friday, July 23, 2021

The controversial 2020 Summer Olympic Games opened tonight in Tokyo. Because spectators are barred, however, at least one million hotel reservations have been cancelled, according to local travel sources. Here are today's other developments:
        77 Thursdays  The TSA says 2,101,343 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Thursday. That's 77.7% of 2019 volume, slightly less than last Thursday, July 15, but exactly the same as Thursday, July 8.
        Why are we here?   There were 55,058 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Thursday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll was 315. Virtually all of the new cases and deaths are from the Delta variant's spread to unvaccinated people.
        The bubble bursts   Fearing the outbreaks of Coronavirus in Australia, New Zealand suspended the trans-Tasman "travel bubble" for eight weeks. Flights began in April and are the only international travel allowed by the two nations.
        Vaccinate or stay out   Italy has decreed that the country's "green certificate" vaccine passport will be required for entry to most public indoor spaces. That includes entry to gyms, museums, sports stadiums, theaters and indoor seating areas at bars and restaurants. Long-haul trains and flights are not included. The new rule goes into effect on August 6.
        Not so easy   New Orleans city officials now hope residents resume wearing face masks. "I am recommending that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask indoors when with people who are not in their immediate household," New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell wrote on Twitter.
        The Eurovax   The EU on Thursday said 200 million Europeans had been fully vaccinated. That represents 54.7% of the adult population. About 68% of adults have had their first dose.

Coronavirus Update: Thursday, July 22, 2021

According to the CDC, life expectancy in the United States fell 1.5 years in 2020 due to the pandemic and other crises. It marks the largest decline since World War II. Life expectancy now averages 77.3 years. Here are today's other developments:
        Just another manic Wednesday  The TSA says 1,934,918 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints Wednesday. That's 75.5% of 2019 volume. Both are approximately on par with last Wednesday, July 14.
        Breaking worse   There were 52,032 new Coronavirus cases in the United States Wednesday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll was 333. Just a month ago, our rolling seven-day average was below 12,000 new cases.
        American psycho   American Airlines says it expects "full business travel recovery" in domestic markets in 2022. The carrier says its prediction is based on conversations with executives at corporate accounts.
        Hotel highs and lows   The U.S. hotel industry in June recorded its highest monthly occupancy since October, 2019. According to lodging analyst STR, June's average nationwide occupancy hit 66.1%. Among the nation's 25 largest markets, the most glaring laggards are San Francisco/San Mateo (50%) and Washington (50.8%).
        Down under Down Under   Qantas Airways' domestic capacity has fallen below 40% of pre-COVID levels due to lockdowns in three Australian states. Qantas had reached 90% of 2019 domestic capacity in early July, the airline said in an internal memo. Of course, there is virtually no international traffic since Australia is closed except for a "travel bubble" with New Zealand.

Coronavirus Update: Wednesday, July 21, 2021

The one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine is less effective against Coronavirus variants, says a new study. TheHill.com has more details. Here are today's other developments:
        The numbers game  The TSA says that 1,871,986 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints on Tuesday. That's 74.9% of 2019 volume, slightly lower than last Tuesday.
        Breaking bad   There were 42,703 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Tuesday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll was 298.
        Never mind then II ...   Despite Canada's decision to open to vaccinated U.S. travelers starting August 9, the United States says land borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed through August 21. Borders have been closed on a tri-lateral basis since March, 2020, and were due to reopen tomorrow. This is the first time one country unilaterally extended the restrictions.
        Glass half full   United Airlines says business travel by MileagePlus members remains 7-to-8 points below historic norms. It says advance business travel bookings for September are currently 50% of pre-Covid levels, but should improve to 60-65% during the month.
        Hong Kong horror   Over the first half of the year, 379,000 passengers passed through Hong Kong International Airport. That's down 95.4% from 2019 levels.

Coronavirus Update: Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Dr. Anthony Fauci diagnosed vaccine/Covid denier Rand Paul (R-KY) today during a contentious Senate hearing. "Senator Paul, you do not know what you are talking about--and I want to say that officially." TheHill.com has more details. Here are today's other developments:
        The numbers game  The TSA says that 2,141,429 people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints on Monday. That's 81.3% of 2019 volume.
        Back to bad   There were 52,111 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Monday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll was 212. Because another summer surge, this time fueled by the Delta variant, is just what America needed...
        Never mind then ...   England lifted most of its Coronavirus restrictions yesterday even as the Delta variant was fueling a sharp rise in new infections and hospitalizations. As a result, both the CDC and the U.S. State Department today issued Level 4 Do Not Travel warnings for the country. Reuters has the details.
        Ever-lovin' Adelaide   Adelaide joined a lengthening list of Australian cities in lockdown. Agence France-Presse has the details.
        Far-future reservation   It will be the fourth quarter of 2023 before lodging demand returns to pre-pandemic levels, according to a report from CBRE Hotels Research. Due to new room supply, hotel occupancy won't fully recover until the fourth quarter of 2025. RevPAR, a key measure of profitability, may reach 2019 levels in the third quarter of 2024, CBRE says.

Coronavirus Update: Monday, July 19, 2021

If you ignored Coronavirus politics over the weekend, here's a recap: Five Democratic lawmakers who fled Texas to stop action on voter-suppression laws have tested positive for the virus. All were seen on a chartered aircraft last week flying without masks from the state capital of Austin to Washington. In England, Sajid Javid, who became health minister last month after his predecessor broke Coronavirus restrictions, tested positive for Covid even though he is vaccinated. His contact with Prime Minister Boris Johnson led Johnson to quarantine, too. And in Australia, right wing provocateur and columnist Katie Hopkins was deported after she claimed she flouted mandatory visitor quarantine rules. She was in Australia to be a contestant on a reality TV show. Here are today's other developments:
        Another smashing weekend   More than 6.4 million travelers passed through TSA airport checkpoints over the weekend (Friday-Sunday). On Sunday alone, 2,227,704 people traveled. That is the highest one-day total since the beginning of the pandemic and it represents 81.7% of 2019 volume on a similar day.
        Double the misery   There were 12,048 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Sunday, says Johns Hopkins. The death toll was 135. That's nearly twice as many cases as last Sunday and five times more deaths. And a reminder: Weekend statistics are always fragmentary and incomplete--and that is especially true now that many states have slowed their reporting.
        The Great Vaccinated North   Canada got off to a slow start on vaccines, but it has now passed the United States because there doesn't seem to be the same right-wing-inspired anti-vax movement. That's has led the country to announce it will allow fully vaccinated visitors from the United States to enter starting August 9. No word on whether the Biden Administration will reciprocate. The countries closed land borders to non-essential traffic in March, 2020.
        Masks on the Cape   Confronted by a spike in Delta variant Coronavirus infections among fully vaccinated people in Massachusetts, the vacation mecca of Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod today asked venues to enforce vaccine verification and suggested everyone wear masks indoors.
        Show to sail   The U.S. Court of Appeals in Atlanta late Saturday stayed a lower court's ruling that would have barred cruise lines from following CDC guidance and asking passengers for proof of vaccination. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been trying to stop cruise lines--or any other business--from requiring a so-called vaccine passport. The South Florida Sun Sentinel has the details.
        More crowded skies   Eurocontrol, which operates the continent's air traffic control, reports that aircraft traffic for the week ended July 18 reached 64.5% of 2019 levels. That's an average of 22,780 daily flights.

Coronavirus Update: Weekend, July 17-18, 2021

Health officials in Israel, which has successfully vaccinated the vast majority of citizens, say testing reveals that existing vaccines are substantially less effective on the Delta variant of Coronavirus. The Jerusalem Post has the details. Here are this weekend's other developments:
        Horrible   There were 79,310 new Coronavirus cases in the United States on Friday, says Johns Hopkins. That's about seven times the best recent seven-day daily average. The death toll was 417.
        Return of the mask   Seven counties in the San Francisco Bay Area--Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma--now urge even vaccinated people to wear masks in indoor public spaces. Separately, Clark County--that's basically Las Vegas and surrounding areas--is urging residents and visitors to return to wearing masks in indoor public spaces. And the mayor of Orange Country, Florida--that's Orlando and surrounding areas--is suggesting the same.
        Return of the quarantine   Two regions of Spain--Catalonia and Cantabria--have reintroduced a nighttime curfew. Meanwhile, two French départements, the Pyrénées Orientales and Bas-Rhin, have imposed an 11pm curfew for restaurants and bars.
        Open and empty   Just 33 visitors have booked the required flights from Bangkok to Samui in Thailand during the month of July. Several Thai vacation islands have reopened, but require transit via Bangkok. Asean Now has the details.
        World War Z   Travel officials and interest groups trying to convince the Biden Administration to drop U.S. restrictions on inbound travel have run into the Big Z: Jeff Zients, coordinator of the White House's coronavirus pandemic response. He's opposed. Politico.com has the accusations and details.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for July 10-July 16

Read all about it! The U.S. death toll from Covid passes 608,000, but the vaccination rate has slowed and remains below 49%. United Airlines does not expect business travel to return until 2023. Malta bars unvaccinated travelers. France, the Netherlands and Los Angeles impose new virus restrictions. Ireland won't require quarantine for American visitors beginning July 19 and Aer Lingus celebrates with a $100 flight discount. London will maintain its mask mandate on public transportation. Who knew? "Gangnam Style" may spread Covid. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for July 3-July 9

Read all about it! More than 48% of the nation has been fully vaccinated, but the U.S. death toll from Coronavirus passes 606,000 and new infections of the Delta variant are surging. England plans to lift its last Coronavirus restrictions on July 19, but there are critics. Ryanair and EasyJet will continue to impose their mask mandates. Traffic at Copenhagen, Paris and Athens airports remains well below 2019 levels. Canada cracks the travel door open, but Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Spain, Thailand and South Korea reimpose some restrictions. Tokyo bars spectators from Olympic events. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for June 26-July 2

Read all about it! Nearly 48% of the nation is 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 also starts with a bang. Average U.S. hotel occupancy rates are the highest since October, 2019. Thailand, South Africa, 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. Click here for the week's updates.

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.