April 2022 E-Newsletter Recap

Posted by Lawyers Travel on May 12, 2022 4:46:56 PM
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Lawyers Travel's weekly client e-newsletter, the Informed Traveler, keeps readers updated on travel industry news and trends.

Following is a recap of April's top 5 (most clicked by Lawyers Travel's clients) e-newsletter stories.

1. US WILL NO LONGER ENFORCE MASK MANDATE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

A court ruling (details here) on Monday, April 18, has struck down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mask mandate on US public transportation, effective immediately. In response, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will no longer enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs. A US administration official said that while the agencies are assessing potential next steps, the court's decision means the CDC's public transportation masking order is no longer in effect. The administration could still opt to appeal the order or seek an emergency delay in the order's enforcement. While masks are no longer required at this time, the CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings. On Tuesday, the Justice Department said it would appeal the ruling if the CDC determines the mandate is still necessary to protect public health.
 
Following the announcement, many US travel suppliers -- including all major US airlines (Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United), Amtrak, and Uber -- have all announced that masks are no longer required domestically and optional as a result. For international flights, mask requirements will depend on the arriving country requirements. Lawyers Travel anticipates that further travel suppliers are likely to follow suit.  
 
As we continue to see an evolution in regulatory and supplier developments, we remind our travelers to visit Travel Vitals (https://www.lawyerstravel.com/travel-vitals) for the most up-to-date information. 

2. CANADA FURTHER EASES TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

The Canadian federal government has further eased travel restrictions for entry into the country, reports Travel Pulse. As of April 25, fully vaccinated travelers entering Canada are no longer required to provide a quarantine plan upon entry. Additionally, they are no longer required to wear masks in public spaces, monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms, quarantine if another traveler in the same travel group shows signs or symptoms or tests positive, and maintain a list of close contacts and locations visited. Additionally, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children aged five to 11 no longer need a COVID test to enter Canada.

Meanwhile, pre-entry tests are still required for partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travelers ages 12 and older who are currently eligible to travel to Canada. All travelers are still required to use the ArriveCAN app to upload travel and vaccination information within 72 hours of their arrival to Canada and/or before boarding a plane or cruise ship destined for Canada. Further, all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, must continue to wear a mask on planes and within airports.

3. AMTRAK UNVEILS INTERIORS FOR NEW ACELA TRAINSETS

Amtrak and its supplier, Alstom, have unveiled the interiors of the new Acela trainsets that will better serve Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor travelers. The new interiors are part of Amtrak's development plan to upgrade its traveler experience and set the stage for the next generation of train travel in America and on the Northeast Corridor. The new Acela offers enhancements in comfort, technology, innovation, and safety on Amtrak’s most environmentally sustainable fleet of trains to date. “Between the sleek design of their interiors, state-of-the-art technology, and sustainable amenities, and innovative safety features, our new Acela trains will help revolutionize American train travel,” said Amtrak President & CEO Stephen Gardner. “Thanks to Senator Schumer’s strong leadership and commitment to improving high-speed rail and Amtrak service in the New York and throughout the nation, and the hard work of Alstom, Amtrak employees and our other partners, travelers will experience improved, modern, and smoother service on the Northeast Corridor and provide this country with the type of modern train travel we deserve when these trains are ready for service next year.” 

4. UBER TO LIST SAN FRANCISCO TAXIS ON ITS APP

Uber has come to an agreement with San Francisco taxi operators Yellow Cab SF and Flywheel Technologies to add taxicabs to its app, reports Business Travel News. The news comes two weeks after Uber made a similar arrangement with New York City taxis. The San Francisco cabs will begin to show up in the app in the coming months, according to Uber. "We're excited to partner with taxi software company Flywheel and Yellow Cab SF as we continue to update our taxi offerings through the country," Uber VP of mobility for the US and Canada Dennis Cinelli said in a statement. "San Francisco taxi drivers will have more access to demand, and cities will get fewer empty miles driven, which is a win for drivers, riders and the cities we serve." With Uber's existing partnership with Creative Mobile Technologies, the deal with Yellow Cab SF and Flywheel eventually will make up to 100 percent of San Francisco's 1,075 taxis available on the Uber platform, according to the company.

5. CIBTVISAS OFFERS EXPEDITED PASSPORT RENEWALS IN AS LITTLE AS ONE TO FIVE DAYS 

As the demand for travel continues to increase in 2022, travelers should check their passport status to make sure they are still valid. Most countries require passports to have at least 6 months of validity after the return date of travel, as well as available pages for visa and country entry/exit stamps. Processing time for renewals can take up to 4-6 weeks and is subject to change as COVID-19 has placed unprecedented demands on the US Passport Office. CIBTvisas offers various renewal options and can fulfill US passport requests in as little as one to five days, subject to availability. In addition, CIBTvisas also provides a full line of passport services including first time passports, child’s passports, and passport name change services for US passport holders. For assistance with the passport process or to schedule an appointment, travelers can contact their Lawyers Travel consultants or call CIBTvisas at 877-304-8071.