Travel Information News

Travel News

Global: FCDO advise against all travel to many countries
Covid-19: Over 193m cases & 5m deaths
Southern Africa: New covid variant & travel restrictions added
South Africa: Climate change protests today
Australia: Heavy rains expected in eastern areas
Sudan: Further anti gov protests expected
Indonesia: Mount Semeru erupts on Java
Ethiopia: Approaching civil war
Thailand & Cambodia: opening to international travel
Bolivia: Nationwidse union strike
Australia: Open to visitors from November
Global: UK removes all countries from red list
Argentina: Reopens to travellers
Afghanistan: Taliban in control
Myanmar: Minor protests continue


 

Travelling in Africa

A new covid variant has emerged named Omicron in late Nov '21 in Southern Africa prompting the UK, Israel and many EU countries banning flights. On 25th Nov the UK put 9 southern african countries on the red list. 

All travellers planning to go to Africa are strongly advised to check the security and health situation on the UK FCDO Travel Advice site and other sites such as the US State Department, WHO and seek a variety of sources. Much of North and Central Africa is not safe. The UK FCO currently is currently advising 'Against all travel to' or  'Essential travel only' to many Sahal countries (or parts of them) including Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Chad, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Burkina Faso & much of Northern Nigeria, Yemen and Somalia. If you plan to work or visit these countries/areas we strongly recommend that a thorough travel risk assesment is made and steps put in place to mitigate the risk. There is growing concern that the Ebola outbreak in Eastern DRC is now getting out of control, the WHO declared it an international emergency in July 2019, over 1500 deaths have occurred. As of early 2020 the situation in Sudan is stabilising with the prospect of the military government handing to a power sharing coalition betweem military and civilian rule. In May 2020 heavy rains have caused extensive flooding in parts of East Africa, killing at least 200 people in Kenya. 

South & Central America

Cases of Covid-19 are now slowing down and travel is beginning to open up to Central and South America. However, some countries such as Argentina and Uruguay remain closed to foreign nationals and all those open have strict entry regulations.
All countries that are open generally require:

A Negative PCR Test

Proof of double Vaccination

And you need to complete a Health Declaration Form.

If you are planning a trip to South or Central America, do check the weather patterns. For example, it's wet in Bolivia and Peru from January to March but sunny, cold and dry from April to July

The Middle East

Covid -19 has now affected many countries in the Middle East although Iran is the epicentre with scores of cases and officially 25,000 deaths but the true figure is suspected to be much highter, perhaps close to 40,000. Turkey & Iraq have implemented strict border controls and many flights to Iran across the region have been cancelled. The number of cases in all Middle East countries is begining to stabilise although accuate data is scarse.  Isreal is the world leader with it's vaccination roll out and case numbers have dropped off dramatically. The UAE has also embarked on an impressive programme, whilst other countries are lagging behind. Inevitabely Iran has banned any vaccination with UK or USA association. As at the beginning of May 2021 Turkey has seen a spike in infections although the reporting of the true covid situation is assessed as having been misleading throughout the pandemic. On 22 Aug Iran lifted it's covid restrictions but this coincided with a significant increase in daily covid cases and deaths.

On 10 May 21 conflict once again broke out between Israel and Hamas with rockets fired at Jerusalem from Gaza. After an intensive period of conflict a ceasefire came into effect on 20 May 21.

The killing of the head of Iran's Republican Guards Corps, General Quassim Soliemani by a US drone strike in Baghdad on 3 Jan 20 increase tension between Iran and the USA. The consequences will be felt across Iraq, Lebanon and Iran. Countries across the Middle East face political turmoil following the revolutions in Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, and the ongoing conflict in Syria. Libya was slowly recovering post revolution but has come highly unstable due to interfactional fighting and criminal activity, including kidnapping which is on the rise. The UK FCO advises against all travel to Iraq, Libya and Syria. The presence of IS, now very much diminished, is an issue Syria and Iraq. Power plays between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran dominate the agenda in this highly volatile regime. Iran is in the spotlight with growing protests due to economic hardship, the US reimposed sanctions in 2018 which is having a major impact on the economy but meanwhile Iran continues to assert its growing influence in Syria and the Lebanon which in turn is leading to conflict with Israel. Resentment against Iran's involvement in the region is on the rise, in October and November 2019 violent protests have occurred across Iraq and Lebanon against Iran's axis of influence namely the Shia dominated Iraqi government and Hizbollah. This comes at a times when more mass protests have also broken out in Iran following a 50% hike in fuel prices. The scale of the recent Iran unrest is under reported due to an internet black out. Protests in Lebanon have continued into 2020 and the massive explosion of 4 August in Beirut wrecked much of the city and has only increased public anger towards the political elite. In other develpments a peace accord between UAE and Isreal has come into place and even more significant, high level clandestine talks between Isreal and Saudi Arabia took place in November 2020, a sign on an intent to challenge Iran's influence in the region. 

South East Asia

South East Asia has amongst the strictest Covid rules in the World but there are signs that some countries are opening up but the regions is currently difficult to visit.

Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Indonesia are closed. There is limited access to Cambodia but Thailand opens its borders on 1 November 2021 to tourists from 46 countries including the UK. From 15 November double vaccinated travelers to Cambodia do not need to quarantine.

However, Business travellers can visit South-East Asia if they have a legitimate business requirement.

Indian Sub Continent

The Indian sub-continent is beginning to open up for travel. On 15 November 2021, tourists on commercial flights may enter India whilst Sri Lanka, Bangladesh & Pakistan are open to tourists & business travellers who meet covid entry requirements. India currently has more entry hurdles to complete, but these are likely to be relaxed over the next few months.

Entry for business and tourists to the Indian sub-continent is becoming easier although India has the tightest restrictions. A brief summary is below but entry regulations are constantly evolving, so do check national websites and the FCDO travel site.

New Online and Remote Business Travel Safety Awareness Training

Remote Business Travel Safety Awareness Training

At Objective Travel Safety, we have now adapted our acclaimed Business Travel Safety Awareness training programme and are delighted to to offer our course online via Skype, Zoom, Webex, Teams or any other video conferencing or webinar platform. 

With our flexible approach to training, the training course is broken down into short sessions at times that suit you and your colleagues working from home. This approach gives companies the flexibility to continue travel safety awareness training remotely, in preparation for returning to work and international travel.

Hostile Environment Safety Training Covid–19 Risk Reduction Measures

Hostile Environment Safety Training Covid–19 Risk Reduction Measures

We’re delighted that our Hostile Environment Safety Training courses are now resuming at Objective Travel Safety and we wanted to let you know the robust plans that we have put in place to keep you safe on our HEST training courses, outlining the measures that we are planning to ensure that the courses run as safely a possible within covid-19 restriction guidelines.

Firstly, we ask everyone attending to complete a health declaration form, but more on that later!

Running the courses is clearly not without risk but the courses are designed to prepare attendees whether journalists, reporters or NGO’s for a range of risks, some equal if not greater than the threat posed by Covid-19.

New open group course for Business Travel Safety Awareness

Objective Announces New Business Travel Safety Awareness Course

Business Travel Safety Awareness Courses provide confidence, knowledge and essential skills needed to stay safe when abroad,  plus delivering duty of care obligations for companies. 

Objective have recently increased their portfolio by launching new open group Business Travel Safety Awareness courses held near Birmingham; ideal for SMEs, educational bodies and companies with a limited number of people needing business travel safety advice.

Mongol Rally Expedition

Are you taking part in the Mongol Rally Expedition 2019?

We understand that it takes extensive planning for such a fantastic, inspiring and memorable adventure and that it is not about having a smooth, uncomplicated ride.  You will definitely be in for an extreme adventure and this is why it is so important to be prepared for every eventuality of this journey.

Myanmar Burma

Myanmar is the most wonderful country to visit and it's a good time to go at the moment due to lack of other tourists.  I had been before, in 1983 when one could only get a visa for six days and it was all rather fraught but exciting. Today Myanmar, in a semi-democratic mode, is a joy to visit and it’s relatively easy but perhaps a little more expensive than its neighbours.  The unrest in the north of Rakhine and the publicity surrounding the exodus of thousands of Rahinga Muslims has had a negative effect on the tourism trade.  Some estimates suggest that tourism may be down by up to 40%. 

Kenya & Zanibar Feb 2018

I have just returned from a short trip to Kenya and Tanzania. The former was returning to Nairobi and visiting the highland area around Nanyuki whilst in Tanzania it was a familiarisation trip to Zanzibar.Below are a few thoughts which we hope will be useful.

Japan - First visit

This was my first visit to Japan, so some first reflections and useful travel safety tips.

Objective takes the risk out of travel

Charlie McGrath discusses the increasing need for travel safety awareness for both business and leisure travellers.

Travel to Iran

Iran is the most wonderful country to visit. Getting there requires a little bit more planning that other destinations but its worth all the effort. The Iranians are perhaps the most friendly people I have come across on my very extensive travels. 

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