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Development and tourism will make Meghalaya a developed state: Om Birla

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday said that with the Centre formulating a comprehensive action plan for development and tourism, Meghalaya could become one of the most developed states in the country in the next 25 years. Dedicated efforts have been made during the past several years for the development of infrastructure in Meghalaya and collective efforts are needed to strengthen tourism in the northeastern state, he said. “The union government has formulated a comprehensive action plan for development which is being implemented. I am sure that in the next 25 years when the country will be celebrating hundred years of Independence, Meghalaya especially would be one of the most developed regions of the country,” Birla said in a recorded message to the people on the 50th statehood day. Wishing the people, he said the celebration of the golden jubilee year of the formation of the state assumes more significance as the country is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. “It is a matter of happiness for us that within 50 years of attaining statehood, Meghalaya has made substantial progress in various sectors. Meghalaya is one of the most beautiful states in the country. It is the most important tourist destination in the northeast. Owing to its biodiversity and rich culture, Meghalaya has always been a center of attraction for tourists,” he said. Birla also expressed hope that the hill state will achieve greater accomplishments in the coming years. “The long democratic experience and exemplary contributions of its leaders especially that of the former Lok Sabha speaker, late (Purno) Sangma Sahib will always be remembered as the state moves ahead on its development path. I congratulate members of the tribal groups and all citizens of the state on this joyful occasion. Citizen-centric governance should be our goal as it is the only way to ensure inclusive growth in the state,” he said.

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Rules to be followed by tourists arriving in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: UAE is gearing up to welcome tourists as favourable conditions in weather have opened ample opportunities for the tourism sector in the country. Vying these changes, the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism has issued a set of rules for travellers, both vaccinated and non-vaccinated. For those travelling via road from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, a checkpoint is available at the Ghantoot checkpoint. A vaccine certificate issued by the respective country should be submitted here. The tourist must produce a negative certificate of PCR test conducted within 14 days in UAE or those taken 48 hours outside the country. Tourists who have been vaccinated should produce a negative result. Those who are not vaccinated should submit a negative PCR test taken within 96 hours. Make sure you get the approved vaccine that is recognised by UAE. Abu Dhabi also allows access to vaccines approved by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health and Prevention Society. The mandatory quarantine in Abu Dhabi has been waived for those who are vaccinated and non-vaccinated people from the countries that are Green listed. Travellers must download the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (ICA UAE Smart) app or visit the ica.gov.ae website to complete the Register Arrivals Form 48 hours before the travel date. PCR certificate received within 48 hours mandatory. If the result is negative, you are permitted to travel. Upon arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport, travellers will need to take another PCR test (only children under 12 and individuals with official exemptions are exempt). The test is free of cost. Travellers from Green List countries should take another PCR test on the sixth day after landing in UAE. Those from countries not included in the green list should take tests on the fourth and eighth days. All major tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi are open to vaccinated travellers only. They should carry documents to prove the claim and the PCR test result. Conditions to be met by those travelling to Abu Dhabi from other emirates The same rule applies to those who travel to Abu Dhabi from other emirates. PCR test to be conducted after landing in the airport. The traveller must stay in the emirate until receiving the negative result. Those who get a positive result would be sent to isolation. There will be scanning in the checkpoints in Abu Dhabi for travellers using the road. Special antigen testing is available free of charge for those with covid-19 symptoms. Anyone with potential Covid-19 symptoms will be sent for a free rapid antigen test and must isolate either at a quarantined hotel or their accommodation if tested positive.

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Entering the US by land or ferry? You'll need to be vaccinated – even if it's essential travel.

Starting Saturday, non-U.S. citizens need to be fully vaccinated before entering the country by land or ferry, even if they are traveling for "essential" purposes. The change was first announced in October and more closely aligns with air travel vaccination requirements to enter the United States. Travelers visiting the country could previously cross land ports or ferry terminals without proof of vaccination for essential reasons such as work and trade. “These updated travel requirements reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to protecting public health while safely facilitating the cross-border trade and travel that is critical to our economy,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a Thursday statement. Unvaccinated U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and U.S. nationals will still be able to enter the country via ferry or land port. I’m entering the US by land or ferry. What do I need to bring? Non-U.S. citizens entering the country via land port or ferry terminal must: Verbally attest their COVID-19 vaccination status. “Full vaccination” is considered two weeks after a final dose in a single- or two-dose vaccination series, a full series in a clinical trial or two doses of any “mix-and-match" series. Provide proof of a CDC-approved COVID-19 vaccination. Present a valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant document such as a valid passport, Trusted Traveler Program card or Enhanced Tribal Card. Be prepared to present any other documents a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer may request. Meet all other entry requirements not related to COVID-19. Travelers entering the U.S. by land or ferry will not need to take a coronavirus test. The DHS said it will expel travelers attempting to enter the United States through any illegal means or without proper documentation. I’m a US citizen/permanent resident. Does anything change for me? The new entry requirements do not apply to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents or U.S. nationals. However, the DHS says these travelers should remember to bring a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant document (such as a passport) when traveling. ► From vaccines to testing:What travelers need to know about the new US travel system What are the rules if I fly into the US as a non-citizen? While there are limited exceptions, most travelers who are not U.S. citizens, permanent residents or U.S. immigrants must be fully vaccinated to enter the country by plane. Travelers must be able to show proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the past 90 days or show a negative coronavirus test taken no more than one day before travel. Children under 2 years old do not need to test.

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Covid-19: Only essential services, travel allowed today in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 24-hour lockdown-like restrictions have come into place from midnight. Only essential travels will be allowed on Sunday for which the people will have to declare a self-attested affidavit before the police. Shops selling essential commodities like groceries, medicines, milk, meat and fruits can open from 7am to 9pm. However, dining-in will not be allowed in hotels, bakeries and restaurants. Only parcel services will be allowed here. Bars, Bevco and Consumerfed outlets, theatres, and shopping malls are not allowed to open. Those working on Sundays can travel, provided they produce their ID cards to the police. The police will be intensifying checking at all strategic points and those violating the restrictions will be fined and will be registered. Police said that people arriving at railway stations, bus stands or airports can travel, but they will have to produce the tickets at the checking points. The people who have booked resorts or hotels can also travel after producing the booking details. Workshops have been allowed to open for services. KSRTC will operate emergency services in the city, MC road and national highways. But there will be no regular service in all the routes. Police will allow people, who want to go to hospitals for emergency cases, people who are going for vaccinations and also their bystanders, to travel. All pre-planned functions can be held with a maximum participation of 20 people. This will be applicable for marriages and also funerals. Candidates going for examinations should produce the hall tickets at the checking points. Special casual leave The state government has cancelled the special casual leave given for those coming in the direct contact list of Covid-positive people. Government employees had the privilege of taking seven-day special casual leave if they became primary contacts. This has now been withdrawn. As per the new directions issued, those coming in contact with Covid-positive people should report the matter at the workplace, monitor themselves and maintain social distance. Those with symptoms should take necessary action as per directions from the , said the order issued by the chief secretary.

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Full list of travel requirements for entering and leaving Ireland amid rule changes

Ireland will be collectively celebrating a return to normality as pubs and nightclubs operate as normal from today. Most rules have been stood down in the fight against Covid-19 as NPHET and the government deemed this weekend the prime time to lighten rules. There are just three restrictions in place that are vital in stopping the spread of the virus in the community, and they are: The requirement of the Digital Covid Certificate for international travel The need for masks in retail and on public transport The requirement to self isolate if you develop symptoms of Covid-19 In line with the new rules taking effect from Saturday, January 22, here is the existing guidance for passengers entering and departing Ireland from now on. Entering Ireland If you are travelling to Ireland from overseas you must still fill out a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before departure. Passengers heading to Ireland do not have to show an additional pre-departure Covid-19 test result if they have: an accepted proof of vaccination or proof of recovery from Covid-19 in the prior 6 months However, from February 1, 2022, vaccine certificates for initial vaccination will no longer be accepted for travel if it has been more than 270 days since your final dose. If you have a vaccine certificate that proves you have had a booster dose or an additional vaccine, you will not be subject to any time limit. Passengers without proof of vaccination, or proof of recovery from Covid-19 in the past 6 months, must show evidence of a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to arriving in Ireland. Only PCR test results are accepted for passengers arriving in Ireland in this case. According to the DFA, “In situations where a person is unable to present evidence of a negative ('not detected') PCR test prior to travel due to continuing to test persistently positive after infection - a positive PCR result from a test taken 11 or more days prior to the date on which the person arrives in the State and no more than 180 days prior to the date on which the person arrives, will be accepted.” Leaving Ireland Despite the easing of restrictions in Ireland, the European Digital Travel Cert will remain mandatory for international travel for the time being. Anyone considering travelling abroad should be aware that restrictions are subject to change at very short notice, and additional restrictions may be imposed in the country of your destination, including during your visit.

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Travel update: Do I need a covid-19 booster shot to travel to Spain?

NEW rules come into play from February 1 in Spain that mean vaccination certificates are only valid if you have received a jab against COVID within the last nine months (270 days). This means that all travellers who had their last dose more than 270 days ago, will need to have a booster shot to be permitted entry into Spain and that will need to appear on your Covid pass. And if your last jab (before your booster) was administered more than 270 days before you require entry then make sure your booster was received at least 14 days before the date of travel. “From February 1, 2022, in order to travel to Spain with a vaccination certificate, the certificate must have been issued by the competent authorities of the country of origin at least 14 days after the date of administration of the last dose of the full course of vaccination, as long as the final dose of that course of vaccination was no more than 270 days ago,” the statement of Spain’s official travel website, Safe Spain, reads. As well as showing proof of complete vaccination, travellers arriving in Spain will need to fill out a Health Control Form prior to their arrival. The link to the form can be found HERE. Once in Spain, if you live or are travelling within a region where Covid passes are required to enter restaurants, bars and other public spaces then you will need to show your certificate to enter. However unlike the rules to enter Spain, it hasn’t yet been decided that the 270 day validity will be imposed on Covid passes for entry to venues. Those who received their boosters in Spain must make sure that this is reflected on their Covid certificate and this means downloaded a newer version. You can do this in the same way either through Spain’s Ministry of Health or through the regional health authority where you live in Spain. Once downloaded, you can save the new version on your phone so you can easily access the QR code

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