Read all about it! Covid deaths pass 619,000 as new infections in the United States once again soar past 100,000 a day. National vaccination rate inches toward 51%. U.S. airline traffic seems to be slowing. Global carriers reduce seat capacity again. Amtrak and Frontier and Hawaiian airlines join United and require employees to be vaccinated; Delta, American and Southwest demur. Puerto Rico lodgings will require proof of vaccination. Federal court halts Florida rules barring cruise lines from requiring crews and passengers be vaccinated. Canada will require all air travelers and interprovincial rail passengers be vaccinated. Martinique closes beaches, hotels and vacation rentals and tourists are told to leave. And more. Read up from the bottom for context.

Coronavirus Update: Friday, August 13, 2021

The FDA and CDC approved a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for immunocompromised people. NPR.com has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        Up and down   The TSA says that 2,045,301 people passed through security checkpoints at U.S. airports on Thursday. That's a few thousand fewer than last Thursday, but also represents 78.6% of 2019 volume, more than last Thursday.
        Vax up, Canada traveler   Canada's transport minister says all commercial air travelers as well as passengers on interprovincial rail and cruise ships will have to be vaccinated. The requirement will be effective before October 1, but no exact date is set. The CBC has the details.
        Your old Kentucky home   Kentucky will offer travel incentives to induce the commonwealth's citizens to be vaccinated. TheHill.com has the details.
        The Philadelphia story   Philadelphia now requires masks at all indoor locations unless vaccinations are required for everyone. This includes restaurants and private businesses.
        The Big not-so-Easy   New Orleans says vaccines or proof of a negative Coronavirus test will be required to enter indoor venues, including bars, restaurants, gyms and music halls. The requirement is effective starting Monday.
        Want some fries with that vax?   McDonald's says all of its U.S.-based office workers must be vaccinated. The company also will delay a return of employees to its offices until at least October.
        Capital consequences   Canberra, capital of Australia, is back in an emergency lockdown.

Coronavirus Update: Thursday, August 12, 2021

English lodgings have had cancellation rates as high as 50% after citizens were allowed to leave the country for holidays. INews.co.uk has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        Wednesday wobble   The TSA says that 1,761,348 people passed through security checkpoints at U.S. airports on Wednesday. It is the first time since June 15-16 that traffic has fallen below 1.8 million flyers for two consecutive days.
        No vax, no service   All Puerto Rico accommodations will require employees and guests to be vaccinated. The regulation begins August 16. The details are here.
        Vaxxing the rails   Amtrak told employees they must be vaccinated by November 1. Starting October 4, new hires must show proof of vaccination.
        The streets of San Francisco   San Francisco will require customers and employees to proof they are fully vaccinated to enter bars, restaurants, gyms and other indoor venues. The regulation goes into effect on August 20 for customers and October 13 for employees of indoor businesses.
        Mostly open   InterContinental Hotels, which also controls the Holiday Inn, Hotel Indigo and Kimpton brands, says 84 of its 5,994 properties remain shuttered. About 300 were still closed at the beginning of the year.
        Losing the battle   A Southwest Airlines flight attendant has lost his month-long battle with Covid-19. He was fully vaccinated. USA Today has the details.

Coronavirus Update: Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Large Texas cities are now in open revolt against Governor Greg Abbott's ban on mask mandates. And courts are siding with the cities. The San Antonio Express-News has the details. Here are today's other developments:
        Tuesday tumble   The TSA says 1,727,075 people passed through security checkpoints at U.S. airports Tuesday. That is the lowest one-day volume since June 15, according to a TSA spokeswoman.
        Delta costs Southwest   In a government filing today, Southwest Airlines says it "has recently experienced a deceleration in close-in bookings and an increase in close-in trip cancellations in August, which are believed to be driven by the recent rise in Covid-19 cases associated with the Delta variant." Southwest is knocking 3-4 points off its third quarter financial predictions.
        You can go your own way   Delta, American and Southwest airlines say they will not follow United and Hawaiian airlines and will not mandate vaccinations for all employees. For its part, Delta says 75% of employees are already vaccinated and all new hires will require a vaccination. CNN has details.
        Stand back, stand back ...   Stevie Nicks, the solo artist and member of Fleetwood Mac, says that she is cancelling her concerts for the rest of the year due to her age and fear of the Covid-19 Delta variant. CBS News has the details.
        Back to the future   Oregon Governor Kate Brown today reimposed a mask mandate for indoor public spaces, six weeks to the day after she held a public ceremony to reopen the state.
        Hawaii Five-O (literally)   Effective immediately, Hawaii Governor David Ige says restaurant and bar capacity in the state is capped at 50%. Capacity was raised to 75% percent in early July.

Coronavirus Update: Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Two large Texas school districts--Dallas and Austin--are defying Governor Greg Abbott's ban on mask mandates. Both have ordered all students to be masked indoors. Here are today's other developments:
        Monday musing   The TSA says 2,022,858 people passed through security checkpoints at U.S. airports Monday. That's down a few thousand from last Monday, but represents 78.7% of 2019 volume. That's slightly higher than last week.
        United they stand   Hawaiian and Frontier airlines have joined United Airlines and announced that all employees must be vaccinated or face regular Coronavirus testing. Hawaiian set a November 1 deadline. Frontier's deadline is October 1.
        DC Determination   All 37,000 employees and contractors who work with the District of Columbia must get vaccinated against the coronavirus or undergo weekly testing. The deadline is September 19.
        Get out   Authorities on Martinique have expanded the Caribbean island's lockdown. Hotels and holiday rentals will also shutter and all tourists should leave. Beaches will close and residents may only travel within a 1-kilometer radius of their homes. Martinique has the highest infection rates in France, about 1,200 infections per 100,000 inhabitants. Meanwhile, French Polynesia on Wednesday restores a nightly curfew between 9pm and 4am.

Coronavirus Update: Monday, August 9, 2021

The Pentagon will require members of the U.S. military to get the Coronavirus vaccine by September 15, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press. Here are the details of the mandate. Here are today's other developments:
        Inevitable summer slowdown   Around 6.2 million travelers passed through TSA airport checkpoints over the weekend (Friday-Sunday). That's nearly 250,000 fewer than last weekend. AP aviation writer David Koenig also notes that "the 7-day rolling average (of passengers) fell below 2 million for the first time since July 10."
        Charging backward   There were 760,368 new Coronavirus cases in the United States during the last week, according to Johns Hopkins. The death toll: 3,537. The Associated Press has details on the country returning to the 100,000-a-day mark. And The New York Times notes the nation is in the worst shape since February when it comes to Covid infections.
        Inching forward   For the week ended August 8, Eurocontrol says there were 170,084 flights in Europe's skies. That's 70.5% of 2019 traffic and a 1.7% week-on-week increase. Eurocontrol operates the continent's air traffic control system.
        The big dump   Industry schedulekeepers OAG notes "a rush of capacity reductions in many markets around the world." The 6.5% reductions in one of the peak travel weeks of the year "tell you everything you need to know about how the industry is struggling to recover." The complete OAG analysis is here.
        Cruising for a bruising   A federal judge has issued an injunction against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the state legislature on the issue of cruise vaccinations. Florida tried to stop cruise lines from observing CDC guidance requiring crews and passengers provide proof of vaccinations. The Miami Herald has the details.
        Who's the worst?   The Kansas City Star thinks Missouri Governor Mike Parson isn't getting enough opprobrium for his reckless actions--and lack of action--during the pandemic. "Some of my friends have been arguing about which of us has the worst governor in the country," writes columnist Melinda Henneberger. Read her column here.

Coronavirus Update: Weekend, August 7-8, 2021

A judge in Arkansas has barred the state from enforcing its ban on mask mandates. The measure was approved earlier this year, but has been disowned by Governor Asa Hutchinson, who signed the law. The Associated Press has the details. Here are this weekend's other developments:
        Not so easy in the Big Easy   New Orleans has cancelled its annual Jazz Fest for the second consecutive year. The event had been planned for October 8-17.
        Capital closed   Manila, capital of the Philippines, has gone back into lockdown. The city is home to about 14 million people.
        La troisième fois c'est le charme   France approved booster shots of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for the country's elderly and at-risk population. The shots will be administered starting in September. Germany already approved a third shot for some citizens. TheLocal.com has the details.
        Small isn't beautiful   The tiny nation of San Marino is totally surrounded by Italy. Unlike Italy, however, it administered the Russian Sputnik vaccine. Now that Italy has changed its Covid rules, the country is essentially stranded. The New York Times has the details.

Daily Coronavirus Updates for July 31-August 6

Read all about it! U.S. Covid deaths pass 615,000. 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 battle new Covid outbreaks and impose new restrictions. Bars and restaurants in several U.S. cities now require proof of vaccination. One in three new Coronavirus infections comes from just two states, Texas and Florida. Americans traveling to Israel will again be required to quarantine on entry. The Delta variant causes the cancellation of major events. And more. Click here for the week's updates.

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.