COVID-19 led to most countries around the world closing their borders. However, borders are slowly opening again, and visa can be applied for online as well.
For more than a year now, travelling abroad has been virtually impossible. Here, we outline the current global state of affairs, and explain the consequences for visa applications.
Travel industry hit hard, but hope for the future
The entire travel industry has been hit hard by the consequences of the coronavirus. Due to entry restrictions and negative government travel advices, hardly any distant travel has taken place in the past year. However, the future looks a lot brighter. Vaccination programs are progressing well in many countries around the world, allowing them to ease certain lockdown measures, both for citizens and for incoming travellers. The EU has made it clear that travel between its member states will be possible again this summer, and the UK is in talks to be included in that group. A European holiday is therefore looking very likely this summer.
Current situation in the USA
Vaccination in the USA is going much faster than in most European countries. The Americans have broken vaccination record after vaccination record. The USA leads the world in overall vaccination numbers, having already fully vaccinated close to 45% of its total population Since 19 April, all adults in America have been able to receive a vaccine. This means that even non-US citizens can get vaccinated. In some cities, people can even get a vaccine at the supermarket.
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Due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus in European countries, the US government announced a travel ban for all travellers who had been in one of the Schengen countries in the two weeks prior to their arrival in the US. Later, the United Kingdom was added to that list. This travel ban (Schengen Travel Ban) is still in force. This means that it is currently not possible to travel to the USA from the United Kingdom or Ireland, even if you have a valid ESTA or visa travel permit. The ESTA permit, which due to its lower cost is most commonly used by Brits to travel to the USA for a holiday, can still be applied for online for a trip later this year or even next year, since an ESTA is valid for two years total.
However, there is also good news. Recently, it was revealed that the UK and the USA are in talks to allow travel between the two countries in the near future. No concrete dates have been given, but given the timing of the news, it is likely that both countries want to take advantage of the upcoming summer holidays.
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The situation in Asia
In many Asian countries, the situation is more problematic. In India, there has been a huge increase in infections, and hospitals are suffering from severe shortages. Infections are also rapidly rising in other Asian countries, such as Sri Lanka and Cambodia. Sri Lanka was recently even moved from the “Amber” travel list to the “Red” travel list, meaning travelling to Sri Lanka is strongly advised against by the UK government, and returning travellers are subject to strict quarantine measures. This is not expected to change in the near future, meaning a holiday in Asia is quite unlikely this summer.
Despite the rising infection numbers, India recently eased its entry restrictions. Business and medical visa for India are being granted again since a few weeks. Tourist visa, however, are not. Sri Lanka already opened its borders to foreign tourists at the start of 2021. However, the rapid increase in infections prompted the government to quickly close its borders again.
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Down under: New Zealand and Australia
For a more positive view, Australia and New Zealand are almost free of coronavirus, reporting only a few infections each week. Both countries have been placed on the “Green” travel list of the UK government, meaning travelling to those countries does not require a quarantine when returning to the UK.
You can in theory apply for a visa for both Australia (Australia visa) and New Zealand (NZeTA). However, while the British government deems the countries safe, New Zealand and Australia have not yet opened their borders for foreign tourists. This means that a holiday to New Zealand or Australia this summer seems extremely unlikely, unless the governments of both countries suddenly change their minds.
Featured image: Unsplash
Business
Manchester Marathon found fresh community fund following milestone charitable efforts
Danny Jones
The Manchester Marathon has begun a new community fund following more than a decade of incredible charity efforts.
Known as the Trafford Active Fund for the last 10 years or so, the initiative covers not only the city and its wider boroughs’ annual 26.2-mile long race, but various other sports and activity-based schemes across the region.
Now, though, the fresh Manc Marathon Fund is evolving in partnership with the existing Trafford Moving Fund and MCRactive arm of Manchester City Council by expanding its vital charity work further afield than ever before.
Launching ahead of the 2026 event this spring, runners will once again be behind crucial funding across the Greater Manchester region and beyond.
The new Manchester Marathon Community Fund logo (Credit: Supplied)
For context, back in 2024, the MCR Marathon raised nearly £30 million for the local economy and roughly £3.7m for charities like the Alzheimer’s Society; last April, that figure surpassed more than £4m, and the fundraising numbers only continue to increase with every year.
With that in mind, more than £60k is distributed to various partner programmes that “inspire movement, improve wellbeing, and create meaningful change for local people”.
Moving forward, not only will £1 from every paid entry into the Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half continue to go directly into the Manchester Marathon Community Fund (MMCF).
Andrew Smith, Chief Executive of A.S.O. UK – organisers of the MCR Marathon and Half – said: “We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact the Trafford Active Fund has delivered locally over the years, and we’re excited to extend that impact across both Trafford and Manchester City [Centre].
“By broadening our reach, the MMCF will help even more people to get active and contribute to a legacy of movement and wellbeing. Our relationship with Trafford remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to continuing to support the brilliant community projects that make a real difference there.”
Community groups and projects in Trafford or the City of Manchester can apply for funding via the Trafford Moving Fund and MCR Active (dependent on their location).
A panel from each organisation reviews applications and selects projects that best demonstrate lasting impact.
We share stories from funded projects throughout the year, so you can see the difference your event entry makes.
We love how much the North West regularly dedicates its charitable efforts, both socially and physically, towards important causes throughout the year.
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied via Manchester Marathon/ASO UK)
Business
Deansgate bar Simmons closes just over a year after opening
Danny Jones
London-born bar brand Simmons has closed their Manchester site just over a year after opening their first Northern location.
They’ve lasted roughly 15 months on one of our busiest nightlife strips.
Opening on Deansgate back in October 2024, Simmons Manchester wasn’t just their first foray here up in this half of the country but their only other venue outside of the capital.
An otherwise well-established and popular chain down south, they have a total of 15 different bars in central London, but things clearly haven’t quite taken off as planned here in Manchester.
Placing a poster in the unit’s shopfront besides the likes of Be At One, Yours, The Moon Under The Water Spoons and the Deansgate branch of Slug and Lettuce, as you can see, the fellow franchise founded over a decade ago said: “After much consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our doors.
“It’s never easy to say goodbye”, they add, “We’re incredibly proud of what the team built here and so grateful to them, as well as everyone who joined us over the past year.
“We’ve had some unforgettable nights. We love Manchester, and we hope to be back under the right conditions.”
They go on to thank everyone for being “part of the journey”, but for now, it looks like the room has closed effective immediately.
Simmons started back in 2012 when founder Nick Campbell opened the first bar below his flat in Kings Cross, and their presence has grown hugely since then. The closing sign was spotted and shared on social media earlier this week.
Offering everything from stylish cocktails to New York-style pizza, live music and even private karaoke booths, the place had plenty going on.
With rising business rates, energy bills and more dovetailing with the continuing cost of living crisis that is still hampering both hospitality and the nightime economy, they are just one of many to unfortunately close their doors of late.
For instance, it was only earlier this month that we saw multiple well-known names shut up shop here in the city centre or elsewhere in Greater Manchester, including another long-standing late-night favourite, Revolution.
It’s a shame for any business to close, and we certainly hope they’ll return someday with a model that can be sustained in the current climate.
The Manc -
17th June 2021 
