Read all about it! U.S. Covid deaths pass 615,000 as the vaccination rate inches past 50%. Europe records its best month of aircraft traffic since the pandemic began. Tokyo hotels are below 50% occupancy even with the Olympics in town. China, Thailand and Australia are battling new Covid outbreaks and imposing new restrictions. Bars and restaurants in many U.S. cities now require proof of vaccination. One in three new Coronavirus infections comes from just two states, Texas and Florida. Americans visiting Israel will again be required to quarantine on entry. The Delta variant causes the cancellation of major events. And more. Read up from the bottom for context.

Coronavirus Update: Friday, August 6, 2021

United Airlines will require its 67,000 U.S. employees to get vaccinated against Covid by no later than October 25 or risk termination. CNBC has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        The plateau   The TSA says that 2,063,720 people passed through U.S. security checkpoints on Thursday. It represents 76.2% of 2019 volume, virtually identical to yesterday's performance.
        Corporations against Covid   Microsoft says it will require proof of Covid vaccination for all employees, vendors and guests to gain access to its offices. The software giant employs about 100,000 people in the United States. Separately, Amazon says it is delaying its plan to bring employees back to offices until January, 2022.
        Cruises against Covid   Carnival Cruise Lines will now require masks for all passengers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, in certain indoor areas onboard its ships. It will also require mandatory pre-cruise COVID-19 testing. The policies take effect on August 14. Princess Cruises, which is owned by Carnival, is imposing virtually identical measures.
        Governments against Covid   Virginia will require state employees to be vaccinated against Coronavirus or be tested every week, Governor Ralph Northam says. The state's 122,000 employees and contractors must be vaccinated by September 1 or submit to weekly testing. Meanwhile, the most populous county in the nation, Los Angeles, will also require employees to show proof of vaccination. The rule goes into effect on October 1 and covers 110,000 workers.
        Hotel week   Average hotel occupancy in the United States was 70.1% for the week ended July 31, down slightly from the previous week, according to lodging statisticians STR.
        Bajo, bajo, bajo   Only 5.4 million travelers visited Spain in the first half of the year. It's half the number who visited in the first six months of 2020. It's also just a fraction of the 38 million who arrived in the first half of 2019, according to the country's National Institute of Statistics.

Coronavirus Update: Thursday, August 5, 2021

Only one Western European nation now has a lower vaccination rate than the United States. It's us and the Swiss at the bottom of the pile. TheHill.com has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        Slowly, slowly   The TSA says that 1,855,299 people passed through U.S. security checkpoints Wednesday. That's fewer than last Wednesday (July 28), but represents 76.3% of 2019 volume, slightly more than last week.
        On second thought ...   The New York Auto Show at the Javits Center has been cancelled two weeks before it was due to open. (The Associated Press has the details.) Meanwhile, The Hong Kong Sevens, generally considered the most important global rugby tournament, has been cancelled for the second consecutive year. It was scheduled for November. The details are here.
        Locked down again   Victoria, home to Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, has locked down again. The Financial Review has the details.
        Half a banh mi   Vietnam has cut its 14-day quarantine for arrivals in half. Visitors now must quarantine for seven days followed by seven days of medical surveillance.
        Florida fight   Several school districts in Florida are bucking Governor Ron DeSantis' executive order banning mask mandates. Florida is the current epicenter of the latest Coronavirus outbreak. The Washington Post has the details.
        Arkansas shuffle   Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson says he regrets signing a bill banning mask mandates in the state. Arkansas has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country and one of the highest rates of new infections. TheHill.com has the details.

Coronavirus Update: Wednesday, August 4, 2021

A federal appeals court has upheld Indiana University's edict that all students must be vaccinated to attend classes this fall. The Indianapolis Star has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        Downshift   The TSA says that 1,797,120 people passed through U.S. security checkpoints on Tuesday. The TSA notes that is the smallest one-day figure since June 22. Still, it represents 75.2% of 2019 volume, not a huge drop from recent days.
        The two-state two-step   CNN's analysis of Coronavirus statistics indicates a third of all new infections come from just two states, Texas and Florida.
        The new chosen people   Americans visiting Israel once again will be required to quarantine for a week upon entry to the country. The new rule is effective August 11. The Washington Post has the details.
        Lockdown   The Caribbean island of Guadeloupe has again locked down, this time for three weeks, joining its sister French islands of Martinique and Reunion. The lockdown is effective at 8pm tonight (local time).
        The slow comeback   Eurocontrol, which operates Europe's air traffic control system, says there were an average of 23,899 commercial flights per day during the week ended August 1. That's 68.3% of 2019 levels.

Coronavirus Update: Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Canada is levying heavy fines on travelers who fake their vaccination and testing paperwork. The BBC has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        Hmm ...   The TSA says 2,031,758 people passed through U.S. security checkpoints on Monday. That is 77.5% of 2019 volume, substantially less than last Monday (July 26). That cuts against a recent surge in travel.
        New York state of proof   New York City will require proof of vaccination for indoor dining, gyms and performances. The city will create a health pass this month and enforcement will begin by mid-September. The New York Times has the details. The Broadway League, which represents New York's Broadway theaters, earlier announced that it would require proof of vaccination to attend a show. Its announcement is here.
        Chicken, cash and vaccines   Arkansas-based Tyson Foods says all employees must be vaccinated by November 1. New employees must be fully vaccinated before their start date. The company also says employees could earn as much as $200 for their vaccinations. The company's statement is here.
        Flying blind   Fewer than one in five firms reached even 25% of their business travel spending in the second quarter, according to Deloitte. Nearly half say they do not expect to reach 2019 spend levels even by next year's fourth quarter. The full report is here.
        Louisiana   has reinstated its indoor mask mandate. The state is one of the new epicenters of the Delta variant. Governor John Bel Edwards' order is here.
        McMasking   McDonald's has reimposed a mask mandate in many places where Coronavirus infections are rising. TheHill.com has the details.
        Back to the future   Wuhan, where the Covid virus originated, will test all 11 million residents after a new outbreak. Other cities are also cancelling flights and trains. The Associated Press has the details.

Coronavirus Update: Monday, August 2, 2021

China, where it began, is fighting a new wave of Coronavirus infections. Millions of people, including Beijing residents, have been confined to their homes due to testing and travel curbs. "The situation is still grim and complicated," said the government of Zhuzhou, one of the affected cities. Agence France-Presse has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        Big holiday crowds   Around 6.44 million travelers passed through TSA airport checkpoints over the weekend (Friday-Sunday), the traditional height of the summer travel season. Only 2.27 million traveled last year. However, it still lags the 7.78 million who flew the first weekend of August, 2019.
        Change in the numbers   Effective today, we'll stop reporting the daily Coronavirus numbers from Johns Hopkins. Because some states don't report on weekends and Florida, the nation's current epicenter, reports only on a weekly basis, daily reports are increasingly confusing. Instead, we'll start following the Johns Hopkins weekly report. To wit: There were 559,334 new cases in the past week. That is about a third of the record high recorded January 3-9. The death toll: 2,522.
        More planes in the skies   Eurocontrol, which operates the European air traffic control system, says July aircraft traffic was 65% of 2019 levels. That's the best performance since the pandemic began.
        Olympic agony   Lodgings in Tokyo, many of them built to house the expected crowds of the Olympics, are getting hammered since spectators were banned. "Occupancy rate for most hotels in Tokyo is still hovering below 50% ... due to much new room supply in the city," says Koji Takabayashi, managing director in Japan of Horwath HTL.
        Thai troubles   The government of Thailand announced 16 more provinces are now under a 9pm to 4am curfew. Thirteen provinces were already under the curfew. Thailand is recording record-high Coronavirus infections.
        Boosters   The German government says that it will begin offering booster shots next month to anyone vaccinated with the two-shot AstraZeneca or one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Israel has already done the same for citizens over 60.
        Saudi Arabia   is now allowing fully vaccinated travelers to enter the kingdom.

Coronavirus Update: Weekend, July 31-Aug. 1, 2021

Six passengers on Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas tested positive for Coronavirus, says a USA Today reporter on the ship. Because it makes sense to resume traveling on a floating Petri dish. Here are this weekend's other developments:
        Falling behind   After fumbling early efforts, Europe has now surpassed the United States in the percentage of citizens fully vaccinated. It's not just a brilliant catch-up campaign, of course. The United States is awash in anti-vaxxers, the vaccine hesitant and the downright stupid. The New York Times has the details and graphic evidence.
        Florida falters   Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wants to be president and he thinks the way to do it is to out-Trump Trump. He has steadfastly stood in the proverbial schoolhouse door when it came to Coronavirus mitigation. The result? Florida has broken its own weekly record for new infections. The Washington Post has the details. Meanwhile, DeSantis' control of statewide Coronavirus policy now is being questioned locally. Politico.com has those developments.
        Eat, drink and be vaccinated.   Bars and restaurants are beginning to require patrons to show proof of vaccination. Two recent examples: Seattle (see here) and San Francisco (see here).
        Vaccine mandates   Walmart has told its corporate staff that vaccines will be required. CNBC has the details. Meanwhile, Disney has issued a similar edict for non-union employees. The Los Angeles Times has those developments.
        The Oregon trail   Oregon has ordered an indoor mask mandate for most of its state buildings and schools. TheHill.com has the details.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for July 24-July 30

Read all about it! The U.S. Covid death toll passes 612,000 and the vaccination rate remains below 50%. The United States says it will not loosen restrictions on visitors from Europe, China, Brazil and other countries while the CDC slaps a "do not travel" warning on several more nations. Hotels in locked-down Sydney, Australia, are less than 2% occupied. Florida is the epicenter of the Coronavirus and accounts for one in five new infections in the United States. England opens to vaccinated U.S. travelers without quarantine. Las Vegas, Reno and Washington impose indoor mask mandates. Transatlantic summer traffic collapses. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for July 17-July 23

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 Australia-New Zealand "travel bubble" collapses. The CDC and State Department slap "do not travel" warning on the United Kingdom. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

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.