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’s tiny new tiramisu hatch Layr speaks out after receiving influx of ‘hostile’ hate messages
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s tiny new tiramisu hatch has spoken out after receiving a recent influx of ‘hostile’ hate messages and reviews.
Having only opened its doors – or should we say, shutters – at the end of last month (29 January) over in Acoats, Layr is one of Manchester’s newest independent businesses that is selling purely tiramisu, with a menu of three different flavours, each served in individually portioned pots.
Here you can expect classic tiramisu where sponge is soaked in espresso, then layered with vanilla marscapone and cocoa dust.
These freshly-made, alcohol-free and Halal desserts have gone down an absolute treat with residents and visitors to the city alike since opening, but unfortunately, it hasn’t been completely smooth sailing for founder Moona who has admitted over the weekend that they have been receiving a number of ‘hostile’ hate comments and reviews that don’t reflect the service they are providing.
The statement comes after the business teamed up with The Couture Club and influencer Farron Clark for a Valentine’s collaboration over the weekend.
Layr said in its Instagram statement: “As a small independent business, we can’t stay silent when things aren’t right. It’s hard to share, but it has to be said.
“With a heavy heart, we need to address something that’s been happening behind the scenes. Over the past few days, we’ve noticed a pattern that’s been difficult to process. Hostile hate-messages, comments, and reviews. A number of one-star reviews have appeared that don’t feel reflective of real customer experiences… with some of our genuine customer photos have been screenshotted and reposted elsewhere.
Layr has spoken out after receiving an influx of ‘hostile’ hate messages / Credit: The Manc Group
“As a small, new independent business, we take all feedback on board. However instances that appear not to be genuine are disheartening to see.”
They then shared a couple of screenshot images of reviews and comments they were referring to, before adding that: “The industry is already a challenge without these instances. We all need each other’s support and I hope we all succeed in what we set out to achieve.”
The statement concluded: “Let’s spread love… not hate.”
Layr’s post has seen hundreds of likes and comments from customers and other local businesses sharing their support.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Business
Tesco confirms it will review ‘unfair’ Clubcard rule after shopper complaints
Emily Sergeant
Tesco is said to be ‘actively reviewing’ one of the rules of its Clubcard loyalty scheme.
Following shopper complaints and long-term campaigning by consumer champion Which?, Tesco has announced that it will be looking into the rule that prevents shoppers under 18 years of age from signing up to its popular Clubcard loyalty scheme.
Which? research found that shoppers must be 18 or over to join loyalty schemes at Tesco, and other major supermarket chains like Lidl, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose, whereas at the at Co-op, you only need to be 16.
And then at the Co-op again, and also Sainsbury’s, if you’re added to a parent or guardian’s account, you can be even younger.
Meanwhile, over at popular high street drugstore chains Boots and Superdrug, you only need to be 13 to sign up to their popular loyalty schemes.
Tesco has confirmed it will review its ‘unfair’ Clubcard rule after shopper complaints / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
This discrepancy is why Which? has been urging supermarkets to lift ‘unfair’ restrictions on who can sign up to their loyalty schemes, saying it has ‘repeatedly called’ for action after revealing that millions of people are excluded from accessing lower prices at some of the UK’s biggest retailers due to age, address, or digital access requirements.
Tesco has said in a statement that it is ‘actively reviewing’ Tesco Clubcard with the intention of making it available to under-18s ‘this year’.
According to Which?, Tesco has been rather ‘vague’ on exactly when the change for under-18 shoppers might come into effect, but says customers who don’t have a Clubcard can still find value using its Aldi Price Match and Everyday Low Prices schemes.
“Which? research shows that the savings from Tesco Clubcard can be really significant, which is why access to them matters so much for shoppers trying to make ends meet,” commented Reena Sewraz, who is the Retail Editor at Which?.
“We’ve been putting pressure on Tesco for years now over its unfair policy of excluding young people, many of whom are struggling with the cost of living, so we’re glad [the supermarket] has listened.
“This is a big step in the right direction, provided it moves quickly to fully implement these changes.”
The Manc -
17th June 2021 
