ICYMI: We continue to adapt to emerging subvariants. What does "Centaurus" hold?

So much for that summer lull in coronavirus cases. Globally, Covid-19 cases are surging again. Uprise Health recently released a report which stated that even today, 37% of HR leaders spend at least one fifth of their workday – roughly 90 minutes of an eight-hour day – managing Covid-19 protocols and absences. Over the last 14-day period, cases are up 42.4% and deaths are up 13.1% globally, so Omicron and it's increasing number of subvariants continue to force us to remain vigilant and aware. While not as virulent, BA.5 is now dominant in the U.S., and is able to avoid immune defenses acquired by vaccinated people and those previously infected. Per The Atlantic, "Those who have managed to avoid the virus for close to three years will find it a little harder to continue that streak, and some who recently caught COVID are getting it again." Then another new variant, BA.2.75 (dubbed "Centaurus") is the latest big concern having many wondering whether it will bring the second-largest Covid wave due to its severity and transmissibility.

And so we continue every two weeks to try to summarize the latest happenings around the world that are impacting (or could impact) global relocation and assignment activities. It is still very unclear how many rounds this fight will go so check out the below to track how the virus is adapting and how we continue to adapt to it (or them).

1. Europe: Some of the latest big changes include: Portugal, Finland, Germany, Estonia, Italy, Cyprus, Austria and Greece no longer have any COVID-19 travel restrictions for visitors. Passengers flying in the EU no longer need to wear masks in airports or aboard flights. Some countries have chosen to ignore this ruling and still require masks. Check the rules before you fly here. Visitors to Belgium from outside the EU no longer need to show any COVID-19 paperwork to enter. Masks are no longer mandatory in Spain and mainland Portugal, except on public transport. 
2. United Kingdom: Last week Britain reported a 32% rise in infections and said that hospital admissions are climbing, with intensive-care cases spreading among older age groups. The rise in hospitalizations is still far below previous waves, and widespread vaccination has made the pandemic far less deadly. 
3. Cyprus: While entry requirements have been dropped, the mask mandate is back after just one month following the latest surge in new Covid cases. The mask mandate comes just as the summer tourist rush is set to begin and it means tourists will have to wear a mask indoors from July 8th or face a €300 fine. 
4. Indonesia: Indonesia is requiring some travelers to take Covid tests again. Testing will be required for travelers that have not received their booster vaccines starting July 17th for Indonesian citizens and foreign travelers. Overseas travelers are also required to show a physical or digital second dose COVID-19 vaccine card or certificate, which has at least been done 14 days before departure. The conditions for entering Indonesia through any entry point include being asked to comply with the provisions of the health protocols set by the government as well as being required to download the PeduliLindungi app before departure and use it throughout their stay.  
5. China: The BA.5 subvariant has made it's presence known just a month after Shanghai lifted its citywide lockdown as fresh Covid cases have emerged there in recent days, prompting officials to order many of the city’s 25 million residents to undergo testing. Bloomberg shares that nearly 30 million people face curbs of widespread restrictions with at least 6 cities and counties being impacted. The cities of Xi’an, Lanzhou and Haikou have imposed partial lockdowns, closing nonessential businesses and enforcing mass testing, setting restrictions on several million residents. Mass tests also began this past Monday in several major districts of the southern metropolis of Guangzhou. All this week the gambling center of Macau will close all of its casinos and restrict people to their homes. All businesses have been ordered to shut except for supermarkets and others providing essential services. Per Bloomberg Prognosis, in Beijing, municipal officials announced the country’s first vaccine mandate, saying that people would need to be inoculated to enter some public places. Even with essential shops exempted, the ensuring public outcry was loud enough that the mandate was revoked less than two days later.
6. Hong Kong: In an attempt to reduce the degree of restriction, Hong Kong has suspended a ban mechanism that has been in place and created chaos with travelers. Airline routes no longer banned based on a set number of incoming passengers infected with Covid-19. While the change is expected to reduce uncertainties and problems for people who need to travel, it is also a hopeful sign for future relaxations. Additionally, Hong Kong will mandate electronic tracking bracelets for people in home isolation and bring in a China-style electronic health code system as part of fresh measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus. 
7. United States: The states with the highest rise in cases over the last 14 days are: Arkansas (+57%), North Dakota (+34%), North Carolina (+32%), Kansas, Idaho and Alabama (+30%) and New York and California (+21%). All of these numbers of course are expected to be severe undercounts as most people are using at home Covid tests and not reporting results. The reality is that many states have shut down testing sites completely. Here in the U.S. it is suspected that the BA.5 is re-infecting people multiple times and causing a rise in hospitalizations. Per NPR, "Some 31,000 people across the U.S. are currently hospitalized with the virus, with admissions up 4.5% compared to a week ago. And data from New York state shows that reinfections started trending upwards again in late June."

• Bolivia
• Lebanon
• Peru
• Tunisia

As of July 11th, 10 other popular European destinations were also still sitting at "Level 3 - High Risk": France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the UK. Others in this category outside of Europe are Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea , Thailand and Turkey.

The good news? We now have a range of treatments available which reduce the severity and prevent death in a huge number of patients and vaccines seem to be effective at preventing severe infection and hospitalizations. Looking for other good news, try "JUST GIVE ME POSITIVE NEWS". Previously this site was wholly focused on COVID-19, but now, with so much negative news in the world, it helps to showcase some of the more positive traits in humans and how humans can come together in times of despair and heartbreak to help each other.