ICYMI: Shutdowns and masks - the virus continues to impact across the globe

There is concern from numerous sources that we have let our guard down and are at risk for a new wave of infections. And while Omicron has proved to be more mild than past strains, during its peak it caused a record-breaking number of hospitalizations — including among kids. The concern is that as testing has diminished, there is little doubt that there are plenty more cases out there than are being reported and that by the time another surge rolls around, the time to intervene will likely have already passed.

And while some are worried about the potential of an upcoming surge, others are ready to get moving! In a new survey, business travelers reveal that they are eager to take trips for in-person events in the near future. The U.S. Travel Association found in its survey of more than 2,500 business travelers that 84% of respondents plan to take at least one trip to attend a conference, convention or trade show in the next six months. In addition, roughly a quarter of business travelers surveyed said they plan to take more trips to events than they did pre-Covid while 43% plan to travel the same amount. Possibly offsetting their motivation to travel, airfare is up 20% compared to pre-pandemic prices thanks to inflation and increased demand.

So as we try to navigate amid the current setting, let's catch you up on what is happening and where:

1. United States: Philadelphia is the first big U.S. city to reinstate an indoor face mask mandate as they begin to see cases climb. COVID-19 cases rose more than 50% in 10 days, so health inspectors will start to enforce the mask mandate at businesses starting April 18. Other locations that are seeing surges are Washington DC, New York City and per U.S. News, among the top 25 COVID hot spots in the country – as measured by average cases over seven days per 100,000 people – seven are in Kentucky, six are in Texas and three in Wyoming, though average case rates have been relatively low across the nation. The United States is essentially “back to normal” for domestic travel within the 50 states with no mandatory pre-arrival testing or quarantines. Additionally, although masking on planes had been extended to May 3, a federal judge in Florida has struck down the mask mandate on public transit, although this may not be final and only temporary. At the moment, international visitors at least two years old must have a negative pre-arrival test.
2. Canada: As of April 1, Canada dropped their pre-arrival testing requirement for vaccinated travelers arriving in Canada via land or air. Arrival testing requirements are not changing for unvaccinated travelers, who are still eligible to visit Canada by showing results of a negative antigen test taken within one day of arrival, a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure or proof of a positive PCR test taken within 10-180 days of entry. All travelers must complete an online form via ArriveCan ahead of arrival.
3. Mexico: There are now minimal Covid-19 restrictions across most of the country. The only major tourist destination enforcing a pandemic restriction is Puerto Vallarta where mask mandate is still intact. Although Mexico briefly added COVID-19 restrictions in early 2022, the entire country is now designated as “green,” indicating a low risk of contracting COVID-19 based on government data. 
4. China: Shanghai continues to battle COVID infections and remains locked down for almost a month now, and while some areas are beginning to ease some restrictions, many are extremely angry. Since April 1, the surge has seen over 200,000 new cases and  now has a daily infection rate of 26,000. One of the issues that has citizens there upset is when parents test positive and a child tests negative, the child is sent to a communal residence while the parents enter quarantine. Often there is no contact between separated family members for days. The city has seen case numbers triple within 24 hours. Also the city of Guangzhou has also had a flare up and warns that Omicron is likely spreading there. China has closed the city to new arrivals.
5. Hong Kong: Hong Kong will ease some social distancing measures including dining restrictions from later this month as the city is recovering from its largest outbreak of the coronavirus, the city government said Thursday.
6. Japan: Japan’s borders are closed to tourists, allowing only business travelers, foreign students and academics to newly enter the country. The border essentially remained closed until its reopening in November for business travelers, foreign students and interns. But after the omicron variant emerged and cases surged in Japan, the government closed the gates again until March 1, when newly arriving foreign students and business travelers were allowed in once more. With a possible seventh wave of COVID-19 infections looming, the government is trying to avoid reinstating a quasi-emergency or full-scale emergency as both hinder social and economic activities. 
7. South Korea: As of April 18, officials said a midnight curfew on restaurants and other rules would be lifted next week, although people will still have to wear masks. Also eliminated is the cap on private gatherings which was set at 10. The government will also allow rallies and other events with 300 or more people, while removing a 70 percent cap on capacity at religious facilities. Facemasks are mandatory in public places, indoor public areas, and on public transport 
8. Australia: Australian authorities have eased border controls as of April 18. Inbound passengers no longer have to undergo pre-departure testing before arrival. Officials are permitting unvaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents to depart the country without travel exemptions. The government will also end a ban on international cruise ship operations at Australian ports.
9. Germany: German shoppers can now go maskless for the first time in two years, as the country drops some coronavirus measures — despite high infection rates and resistance from some states. Hamburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have used the federal government's "hotspot" loophole — requiring measures be in place if infection rates are especially high — to leave mask mandates in place. Germany will not end mandatory isolation for most people who catch COVID-19 because there was concern it implied that the pandemic was over.
10. Denmark: In case you missed it, Denmark was the first E.U. nation to abolish all Covid-19 travel restrictions. Previously, non-E.U. or Schengen area country travelers who had not completed their vaccination process with a recognized vaccine dose and those who were not recovered from the virus, were required to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 24 hours of entering Denmark. But not any more. Denmark is open for tourists and business travelers.
11. Greece: Right now Greece still boasts some of the strictest COVID-19 laws in Europe, but as of May 2, it will lift all Covid-19 related entry rules which means no proof of vaccination will be required to enter by land, sea or air and testing will be scrapped regardless of vaccination status.
12. United Kingdom: The UK has been at Level 4 since July 19, 2021. That puts England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all in the "Very High" risk category for Covid-19 according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Many other European countries remain in this category too. Think: France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

And while we see all of the above, 2 new highly contagious variants off the BA.2 strain are being closely watched. BA.2 is now the dominant strain globally. Then the omicron XE variant is a combination of the BA.2 omicron variant and the original omicron variant strain. It has been spreading throughout the United Kingdom and recently reached Japan. But according to this article from McKinsey, "A new variant may yet trigger another chapter in the COVID-19 pandemic and societies must be prepared to respond if and when that happens. But for now, the pandemic phase looks to be ending."