#Same Day PCR Test in Toronto

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved on our archive

Just a totally normal headline for a society that's "back to normal" after "beating a pandemic" :)

By Jennifer Yoon

Montreal pharmacist Aleck Brodeur just got a shipment of COVID-19 rapid tests. Ever since the temperature has been dropping, more people have wanted to buy them, he says.

"They go out so fast. We always have to order some every day, and we keep increasing the supply that we order, but they're still all going," he said.

He expects this shipment — 13 kits in total — to be gone by the end of the day. In Quebec, there were 3,882 new laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 between Sept. 15 and Sept. 21.

Unlike last fall, Brodeur doesn't have free rapid tests to hand out. The federal government stopped providing free COVID rapid tests to provinces and territories in May.

In a statement to CBC News, a spokesperson for Health Canada said it is no longer procuring rapid tests en-masse. The agency also says there are no plans to replenish the federal inventory after it is depleted.

That means pharmacies have been purchasing the tests from suppliers and selling them, like any other over-the-counter merchandise. Pharmacists say the supply is sometimes thin.

"We kind of hunt them down and make sure they're Health Canada approved," said Kyro Maseh, a Toronto-area pharmacist.

Artron Laboratories Inc., which manufactures COVID test kits, said in an email it has increased test production in the past few months, and is expecting to ramp it up even more for the upcoming winter season.

Where can you get your hands on COVID tests? You might need to visit several pharmacies before you're able to find one that carries rapid tests — free or for sale.

While some pharmacies in Quebec and Ontario have run out of free tests, the situation is different elsewhere. Alberta public health says they're still handing out free tests from the federal stockpile at participating pharmacies until the supply runs out.

While Quebec pharmacies may not have any more free rapid tests, the province is handing out free rapid tests at certain clinics or service centres.

PCR testing is also available in some provinces for those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. The results just take a bit longer to come in: at least 24 hours.

If you have expired tests, experts say most work for a few months after the expiry date, but they also warn false negatives are a risk: if you test negative on an expired test, but you're still experiencing symptoms, it's possible you may still have COVID — even if the expired test didn't detect it.

"If it's positive, you're definitely positive. If it's negative with symptoms, that's when you need to worry about using expired tests," said Dr. Dawn Bowdish, a professor of immunology at McMaster University and the executive director at the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, in Hamilton.

Should we even be testing for COVID anymore? If you're otherwise healthy and young, chances are, whether you test positive for COVID or you have the common cold, you'll be given the same advice: don't go to work or school, stay at home.

But for those who are more vulnerable to severe illness, an early positive test can change the treatment options — and possibly, health outcomes.

"Older adults and the immunocompromised who are at high risk of hospitalization should get antiviral drugs within a day or no more than two of becoming ill," Bowdish said.

"If they don't know they have COVID, they can't get the drugs that might keep them out of hospital."

Latest numbers from select public health and hospital laboratories across Canada suggest COVID-19 levels are holding steady nation-wide, but Dr. Donald Vinh, an infectious disease specialist and medical microbiologist at the McGill University Health Centre, thinks the numbers don't reflect what's actually going on in the community.

"What we know is that this is an underestimate of what's going on," he said.

There's no doubt in his mind about whether widespread testing is still worthwhile. COVID, he says, can have serious impacts on vulnerable populations — and there are also treatments available.

"Instead of saying, well, we're four years out, do we still need tests for SARS-CoV-2? I would say we, in fact, should be having broad availability of tests for pathogens which have high impact in high-risk populations and for which we can give therapy," said Vinh.

In the U.S., the federal government has re-opened a program that allows any household to receive up to four free COVID test kits by mail. American public health authorities are urging the public to take a quick test before visiting with friends and family during the holiday season.

Bowdish, the immunologist, says she would like to see something similar in Canada.

"People do change their behaviours and decisions if they know they have an infection that might cause an older adult or someone who's vulnerable to get seriously ill."

[traveltesting]

Some Medical Clinics offer X-rays and blood samples at the time of an appointment.

[yupp7]

NBA COVID-19 tracker: Five Lakers, four Knicks in protocols; Kings fear outbreak, postponement, per report

The uptick in COVID-19 cases around the NBA has the league reportedly discussing modifications to its health and safety protocols with the National Basketball Players Association. The Omicron variant is here, and this week saw the first confirmed case of it within the NBA's player pool, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. With coach Alvin Gentry and multiple players in protocols, the Sacramento Kings canceled the practice they'd scheduled Thursday and temporarily closed their practice facility, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The Kings -- who saw guard De'Aaron Fox enter protocols on Thursday -- reportedly fear that more players will test positive and that Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies could be in jeopardy. If there is an outbreak, Sacramento could find itself in the same position that the Chicago Bulls have been in. The NBA postponed Chicago's games against the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors (originally scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday), and, since Dec. 1, 10 of its players have entered health and safety protocols, as have broadcasters Stacey King and Bill Wennington. King tweeted Wednesday that he had tested negative on Tuesday night, but still had a high temperature and felt weak. Several Bulls may be eligible to return on Sunday when they host the Los Angeles Lakers, who will have a makeshift roster themselves. Russell Westbrook and Avery Bradley joined three teammates in health and safety protocols on Thursday, and the Lakers signed Isaiah Thomas using a hardship exception. Aside from those two Chicago games, there have not yet been other postponements. The Brooklyn Nets, however, had only eight active players -- the league-mandated minimum for a game to be played -- when they hosted the Raptors on Tuesday. Seven Nets players are in the protocols, and Brooklyn announced Thursday that it has signed Langston Galloway to a 10-day contract, using a hardship exception. (The shorthanded Bulls used hardship exceptions to sign Alfonzo McKinnie and Stanley Johnson, the latter of whom entered health and safety protocols before his first game.) Five Charlotte Hornets players were recently in health and safety protocols, but all have since been cleared. Players who are not fully vaccinated must enter health and safety protocols if they are found to be a close contact of a person who has tested positive. As of Friday, players who have not received a booster shot will be subject to tighter restrictions, including game-day testing. If any player tests positive for COVID-19, he must immediately isolate until 10 days have passed from that test or the onset of symptoms, or until he tests negative on two PCR tests 24 hours apart. Also in health and safety protocols: Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle and Toronto president Masai Ujiri. The Nets have coaches and front-office members in protocols, Steve Nash said Tuesday, and the Lakers have staffers in protocols, too. The Raptors announced Wednesday that they will play home games at 50 percent capacity, starting Saturday against the Golden State Warriors. On Thursday their G League team, Raptors 905, followed suit.

[worklabournewsresearch]

Business, Labour Groups Divided Over Preferred COVID-19 Isolation Policies

Bickis, I. (2021, December 29). Business, labour groups divided over preferred COVID-19 isolation policies. Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/business/2021/12/29/business-labour-groups-divided-over-preferred-covid-19-isolation-policies.html

Ian Bickis writes: "Canadian business and labour groups are at odds over preferred isolation times for people who have tested positive for COVID-19. The question has renewed urgency after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommended on Monday that Americans with COVID-19 should isolate for five days rather than 10 if they’re not showing symptoms. ... It would be welcome news if provinces were to follow a similar policy as the CDC, said Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses president Dan Kelly, because the labour shortage is a 'massive' issue for small and medium businesses. 'The more that we can safely limit the amount of time we have to take people out of the workforce, the better.'"

"Some labour groups, however, have come out strongly against moves that potentially endanger worker health. ... 'There is absolutely no medical or scientific evidence suggesting that it would be either right or proper to reduce the isolation period for workers from 10 days to five days,' said Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan. 'That was a number that was pulled out of the air in response to concerns from employers – it has nothing to do with what’s actually good for workers from a public health perspective.' McGowan said talk of changing isolation rules is coming at the same time that Alberta’s PCR testing system is overrun, and residents are being asked to rely on at-home rapid test kits if possible. This is problematic, McGowan said, because any workers who do get sick due to exposure to a COVID-positive colleague won’t have access to the positive PCR test result they need in order to access workers’ compensation or federal COVID-19 sickness benefits."

"Rafael Gomez, director of the Centre for Industrial Relations & Human Resources at the University of Toronto, said that it’s important provinces emphasize that this is a long-term problem and put in place measures that people can tolerate over years. Gomez said loosening some isolation restrictions is likely prudent. Vaccination rates are already high, and officials need to think of the wider health of the population beyond just COVID-19 numbers, said Gomez. 'It might very well be a good idea to have five days instead of 10 days for people who aren’t symptomatic, who have critical roles in the economy, who have jobs to do, earnings to actually keep their own households afloat.'"

Additional Information

Ganam, S. (Host). (2022, January 5). Should self-isolation rules be relaxed? In CHED Mid-Morning with Shaye Ganam. 630 CHED and Global News Radio 770 CHQR. Featuring CIRHR Director Prof. Rafael Gomez https://omny.fm/shows/ched-mid-morning/should-self-isolation-rules-be-relaxed#description

Kluwe-Schiavon, B., et al. (2021). A behavioral economic risk aversion experiment in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS ONE 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245261 Open Access

Photo Source: Business, labour groups divided over preferred COVID-19 isolation policies [Photograph]. Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/business/2021/12/29/business-labour-groups-divided-over-preferred-covid-19-isolation-policies.html

[functionalmedicinehealing]

What Is Integrative Functional Medicine & What Do Integrative Functional Medicine Doctors Do?

In the very early 1990's I attended my initial Practical Medicine workshop. In those years there would certainly be 100-200 professionals in a class, always shown by the field's founder, Dr. Jeffrey Bland. Dr. Bland would lecture for a full day, sometimes two, seemingly inexhaustibly and we would certainly be motivated to continue the job. His work was actually the centerpoint wherefore has actually ended up being a whole area of natural medicine.

In those years if you had a space of 100 knowledgeable present there would certainly be 90 chiropractic practitioners, a couple of naturopaths as well as a number of standard doctors, together with the strange acupuncturists. (Not odd looking, I indicate weird as in arbitrary) Now, 25 years later on, the training programs I attend are mainly gone to by MD's. It's a fascinating shift over the last generation from a "edge" field exercised by "alternative providers" to an activity take by doctors with conventional medical training. All this to say the approval of Integrative Functional Medicine is growing.

From those extremely early workshops to the existing main academic team, The Institute For Integrative Functional Medicine, the meaning of Integrative Functional Medicine has actually continued to be the exact same.

What Is Integrative Functional Medicine-- Definition?

So what is it? What is Integrative Functional Medicine. My interpretation is "a laboratory based system of evaluation that relies primarily on natural health options". We utilize science to identify the issues, i.e. lab work and concentrate on natural health and wellness therapies that are timeless, diet regimen, meditation, workout and often nutritional supplements, organic treatments all based upon labs The significance of the "Useful" component is that in Integrative Functional Medicine we make every effort to find body organ "Dysfunction" prior to the start of a condition procedure as well as restore "Feature" back. I expect you can call it "Inefficient Medicine" but that doesn't have a great ring to it!

What is an Integrative Functional Medicine Doctor & Professional?

An Integrative Functional Medicine medical professional restores typical physiology and also normal body "Feature" as opposed to concentrating on the treatment of particular illness. We discover, in general, that if we may restore typical body feature that most illness procedures clear up. So after that, what is an Integrative Functional Medicine professional? Ok, that concern takes some discussing.

In a sense Integrative Functional Medicine is a location of mainty unto itself. So you might have a medical doctor that methods medicine, internal medicine or senior citizen medicine, pediatric medicine AND techniques Integrative Functional Medicine additionally. You may have a nurse practitioner or chiropractor or acupuncturist or naturopath that practices nursing, chiropractic, acupuncture or naturopathy AND ALSO alongside that methods Integrative Functional Medicine. You'll have some doctors that just practice Integrative Functional Medicine and also cease to use their original training. A lot of docs combine whatever their initial training was with the Integrative Functional Medicine model.

What do Integrative Functional Medicine doctors do in regards to first workups?

The majority of follow a comparable course. There is an initial brand-new person assessment, normally an hour or longer where they take a complete background, not just a medical history yet a history of your life stresses, working to locate the initial underlying source of the health issue you are experiencing rather than entirely focusing on your present signs. All Integrative Functional Medicine medical professionals will certainly order different types of laboratories, some used in traditional medicine yet most unique to our area. Individualized GI assessments for your microbiome, gauging nutrient degrees, amino acid levels, natural acids for brain wellness the liver cleansing pathways. SNP screening or hereditary testing prevails as is food allergy screening together with a selection of hormone assays.

Use of Individualized Integrative Functional Medicine laboratories.

What does an Integrative Functional Medicine doctor finish with all these individualized labs in terms of treatments? We suggest way of life adjustments, which are pretty basic, it's whatever you discovered in preschool for grownups primarily. Reach bed early, consume your veggies, obtain outdoors and play (i.e. workout) and behave to other people. That part is not brain surgery. The brain surgery component is the interpretation of the lab job and the development of wellness programs or wellness methods based on the testing. That ability of laboratory analysis takes years to master.

This is the area where Integrative Functional Medicine really stands apart due to the fact that the laboratories typically reveal surprise troubles that have pestered the individual for years. Persistent reduced grade GI infections or microorganisms that have actually interrupted the microbiome. A discrepancy in the microbiome itself may be ruining as well as is briskly recognizable from the laboratories making use of PCR or DNA modern technology to map out your gut germs. Toxic substances such as mercury, lead and arsenic as a whole are not so pleasant to the human brain and may be spotted in a full lab develop. The metabolites, or breakdown products of natural chemicals such as serotonin or dopamine give insight right into mind function and also salivary hormone dimensions for cortisol disclose the stress hormonal agent system's state of function. The checklist takes place.

Exactly how to Discover the very good Integrative Functional Medicine Professional

One trouble with finding out how to obtain the most Integrative Functional Medicine medical professional is that as of now there is no official single body that licenses all Integrative Functional Medicine medical professionals as there are licensing bodies for many sub specialties in medicine. For example if you're seeing an ophthalmologist you may be pretty sure they've had actually progressed training in what's up with your eyes, a psychoanalyst completes clinical school and then research studies psychological health and so forth. And considering that there are several sorts of practitioners doing this work, MD's, DO's, DC's, ND's, LAc's, NP's, etc. it gets even more complicated to determine who is or isn't trained in Integrative Functional Medicine since each of those teams has totally various state boards and different postgraduate degrees or field of expertise certificate programs. For now, the most, really the just, Integrative Functional Medicine academic/research oriented training program for doctors is The Institute For Integrative Functional Medicine. Their accredited knowledgeable have one of the most complete and also extensive training readily available.

As well as to address the question what do Integrative Functional Medicine doctors carry out in a more esoteric method ... They focus on the private not the disease. They take your spiritual and psychological life seriously as well as comprehend your physical health depends upon spiritual link as well as psychological connection. They believe what you eat on a daily basis may make you unwell as well as alternatively, what you eat every day may make you healthy. They assume meditation is incredible. They think exercise is called for. They count on the corrective worth of rest. They won't assume you're crazy if you are depressed or worn out yet all your standard medical tests are great. They love the concept of recovery without first relying on medicines and surgery yet are unafraid to utilize drugs or surgical procedure if definitely no other alternatives exist. They care about the earth as well as take ecological toxin/environmental air pollution really seriously as a health and wellness danger. They are here, on this planet, to be of service. To aid people. We're the great doctors!

For more information about becoming an Integrative Functional Medicine practitioner, please see our full variety of available training courses readily available to you!

A couple months ago I was instructing at an Integrative Functional Medicine seminar and also had the very good luck to be resting at a table with 8 or 9 other professors. Taking a look around that table I realized each of these doctors is the kind of doctor I want I had had the ability to find when I was more youthful. A person that would certainly listen prior to hurrying to judgement, somebody with extremely established clinical skills as well as crucial thinking abilities coupled with compassion empathy which recovery touch that just a few individuals are provided.

Integrative Functional Medicine is a calling and also by that I imply one is phoned call to this job and we are "in service" to people, not here to enrich ourselves or for our own ego satisfaction. As a group all the Integrative Functional Medicine doctors I socialize with are taking a transformation in healthcare, reviving some peace of mind to our clinical system by dealing with clients as individuals.

The article “ What Is Integrative Functional Medicine & What Do Integrative Functional Medicine Doctors Do?” was originally seen on Kalish Institute

Are you interested in knowing more about how functional medicine may help you achieve optimum health and wellness? Contact the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre at (416) 968-6961 to book an introductory appointment.

[swiftclinics]

Online Report for Covid-19 Antigen & PCR Test on Same Day | Swift Clinics

Our servicing area includes the entire GTA and Southern Ontario including Hamilton, Oakville, Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto Etobicoke, North York, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Scarborough, and Pickering.

Visit Us :- https://www.edocr.com/v/rw5bjokj/swiftclinics/online-report-for-covid-19-antigen-amp-pcr-test-on

[wirter]

How to Avoid a Negative Canadian Passport Test

The US has not been too keen on sending tourists back home from Visit Now, which is a travel agency that offers vacation packages to almost every corner of the planet. This agency offers a diverse range of travel options, but the one that has earned the most popularity is the 'express' option, which is basically a discount or special package for only a few days. This package has been especially designed for those who have just landed in America and do not know where they are going to spend their first few days. It is perfect for people who do not wish to spend two or three months travelling around the US and their relatives are only able to visit once in a while.

In addition to this special package, Visit Now also offers another that is more unique for Americans, called the 'Covid-Outer' Pass. This pass entitles tourists to a stay of ten days or more in any of the cities of the United States, Canada or Mexico that they may wish to visit during their visit. However, it is worth noting that even if you do purchase this pass, you will not be allowed to visit Canada, Mexico or any other countries of the North American continent for that matter for a whole year, on visa. If you wish to visit any of these countries while still on your visa, you would have to leave the country for good. So, if you really intend on visiting any of these countries in the long run, you need to buy the Canadian or US Passes before arrival.

Despite the fact that Visit Now offers many different travel options for its tourists, one of the most popular among them is their VIP packages. These are highly selective in nature and allow only the choicest of people to benefit from their services. When you visit Now, you can select between a range of special packages, ranging from the most luxurious suites to the most budget-friendly ones. Some of the most prominent features include privacy in your room, transportation from your air liner to the airport as well as the accommodation of an overnight bed and breakfast. The packages offered by Now actually enable you to save money, since you can opt for a basic package instead of opting for a luxury suite. As a customer, you also have the option of paying in advance, by making your payment in a lump sum or a cheque.

One of the things that attract people to Canada are the winter honeymoons that are conducted each year by the Canadian Cruise and Shipping Company. These packages allow the couples to arrive at the beginning of August and stay for up to three days, where they are able to enjoy the best views of the Canadian landscape and meet some of the most interesting locals. The famous Mount Rushmore and other important places of tourist interest are also seen from close quarters. However, if you really want to enjoy all that Canada has to offer, you will have to arrive with a negative covid-19 pcr test.

If you arrive with a negative covid-19 pcr test taken within the last sixty days, you can use the visa time that is granted to you to get into Canada. In order to do so, you must apply for a visa from the United States Consulate in Toronto, on the same day as you receive your passport. Once you have your visa, you must visit the U.S. Consulate in order to acquire your passport, and then visit the embassy of Canada in the United States. This process is rather simple and can be done in about seven to ten days.

When you arrive with a negative or test, you will not be allowed to remain in Canada. This is because a record of you will be retained in the Canadian immigration database. If you intend to work in Canada, or visit Canada in the future, your Social Security number will be required when you apply for a Canadian passport. Therefore, having a negative or test at this time could result in your application being rejected. Therefore, the safest bet for you is to get a few practice tests before you intend to go to Canada.

Another important reason why you should have a negative covid-19 pcr test taken within the last sixty days, is because it indicates to the Canadian authorities that you are not in good health. Even if you have taken a screening test that shows that you are in overall good health, a negative or test will indicate to the customs officials that your immune system is not strong enough to withstand travelling to Canada. If your health is not in good condition, you may be denied entry to Canada, or you may be charged with a criminal offence, such as misrepresenting yourself, if you attempt to enter Canada using a false identity. If you lie about your health when you are applying for any type of visa, including a visitor visa, you are committing a criminal offence.

If you have a negative or test, or a positive one, you should report to the American consul immediately and request that your passport be returned to you immediately. Consular officers at the American consulates are authorized to investigate any fraudulent claims of citizenship by American citizens and can revoke citizenship without judicial process. In order to avoid having your passport taken away, it is advisable that you advise the embassy of your intended departure six to eight weeks in advance. The embassy will then take the necessary steps to prevent your passport from being seized.

[fhhealthtestingcentre]

Private Covid Testing Toronto

 FH Health is providing Private Covid Testing Services In Toronto. FH Health uses Health Canada approved Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines operated by trained Professionals. We endeavor to provide same day results for patrons who book their appointment before noon. For booking, please email mobile@fhhealth.ca.

 https://www.fhhealth.ca/

[traveltesting]

Swift clinic provides quick, Fast and Same-Day PCR Test in Toronto. We understand how important your objectives are to you, and we believe tests should never come in the way of achieving them. As a result, We also provide the fastest covid-19 test for travel in Canada

[ladystylestores]

The Maldives is now open to all global tourists. Here’s how they’re doing it

(CNN) — Though border restrictions and quarantine measures are keeping people from visiting many of the world’s most popular travel destinations at the moment, one country famed for its natural beauty is now welcoming all guests — the Maldives.

As of July 15, this island nation in the Indian Ocean is reopen to international tourism and, perhaps remarkably, very few strings are attached.

Global travelers — US citizens included — will not have to enter into a mandatory quarantine upon arrival at Velana International Airport in the capital, Male. Nor will they need to produce proof they have tested negative for coronavirus.

There are also no new visa requirements or additional fees to pay.

One island, one resort

In the beginning, international visitors will only be allowed on the resort islands and they need to book their entire stay in one registered establishment.

Exemptions will only be made for transit arrangements, according to the Maldives government’s guidelines.

In terms of Covid-19 prevention, tourism officials are banking on the fact each resort essentially offers its own form of quarantine already — albeit a pretty enjoyable one.

Trans Maldivian Airways is the world’s largest float plane operator. We go on the job with one of its most experienced pilots, Canadian Andrew Farr.

The Maldives is made up of 26 atolls filled with over 1,000 islands occupied by dozens of resorts, all spread out over 90,000 square kilometers.

Most of the islands in the Maldives developed for tourism feature just a single resort. Should guests or staff come into contact with someone who tests positive for Covid-19, in theory they will be easily traceable, while the potential for spread is kept to a minimum.

But as enticing as it sounds to hop on a plane for the Maldives right now, travelers may have to contend with their own country’s quarantine measures upon their return — and that might deter them from visiting.

“What is important to take into consideration is that it depends not only on the Maldives, but also on lifting of travel restrictions in different countries. It is not just desire but ability,” says Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and founder of Soneva, which has two Maldives resorts — Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani.

That said, guests are already demonstrating a willingness to return, he tells CNN Travel.

“We have more on the books at Soneva Fushi for August than we had at the same time last year. As the borders open, and our main markets are allowed to travel to us, it could be our best August ever.”

Are any airlines actually flying there?

In spite of the global aviation downturn, it is possible to fly to the Maldives commercially right now, with several major airlines connecting through the Middle East.

These include Emirates Airlines, which offers connections through Dubai from major global cities like London, Chicago, Toronto and Sydney. Fellow UAE carrier Etihad will resume flights from Abu Dhbai to the Maldives from July 16. Turkish Airlines is tentatively starting flights from July 17.

The 5.8 Undersea Restaurant is the world’s largest of its type. A $200 prix-fixe menu accompanies a view teeming with coral life.

Bear in mind, just because the Maldives isn’t requiring visitors to submit proof they’re Covid-19-free, some airlines are, so be sure to check ahead of time.

Upon arrival, passengers are asked to fill in health declaration cards and a 30-day tourist visa will be provided. Travelers showing symptoms of Covid-19 will be subjected to a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test at their own cost and sent to a designated facility for isolation.

Are all resorts reopening on July 15?

Of the 156 resorts on Maldives Tourism’s list of reopening dates, 43 will be open July 15. (Several on that list remained open throughout the pandemic, serving guests who choose to stay there, or those who came in later via private plane or yacht.)

Dozens more will reopen in August, with 50 or so more planning to follow suit in September and October.

French hospitality group Accor has five Maldives resorts and will be staggering openings in the coming months.

“We intend to reopen Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort from August 1, followed by Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort in September,” says John Bendtsen, Accor Area General Manager for the Maldives.

“Our remaining properties in the Maldives will reopen from October 2020 — Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi and Raffles Maldives Meradhoo.”

So far, the response from guests has been very positive although cautious, he says.

“We are seeing a real appetite for travel more towards the end of the year with the Christmas and New Year period particularly positive as well as the first quarter of 2021,” says Bendtsen.

“Travelers who have already visited the Maldives previously are much more confident and we are seeing a lot of returning guests make bookings for the 4th quarter of 2020.”

Soneva Jani’s not your typical luxury resort. Here’s what visitors at this “no shoes, no news” property can expect.

In terms of health and safety, the government is issuing “Safe Tourism Licenses” to accredit tourist facilities that abide by legislation and specific safety requirements like having a certified medic on call and holding an “adequate stock” of personal protection equipment.

Some resorts are implementing additional measures to protect guests and staff.

At Soneva’s two properties, for instance, guests will be asked to undergo a Covid-19 PCR test at the brand’s private airport lounge before they’re transferred to their resort by plane. Once at the resort, they will go straight to their villa and are requested to remain there until the test results are received and are negative.

If a guest’s results come back positive, they will be asked to isolate in their villa, where they will be looked after by trained nurses.

“During the first week of stay, we would also ask guests to take one more real-time PCR test,” says Shivdasani.

“Although this could be considered as being slightly excessive or over-cautious, at Soneva, all our islands are ‘One Island One Resort;’ it is our goal to make our private island homes Covid-19 free environments, so that our guests can truly relax and engage with our hosts and fellow guests and not feel any concern about being infected.”

Soneva remained open throughout the pandemic and has been following the best practices recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the recommendations of virology and infectious diseases experts, adds Shivdasani. Enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols are also in place.

Reopening gives Maldives ‘first mover advantage’

The Maldives has recorded nearly 2,000 confirmed cases and five deaths from Covid-19 so far.

Like all countries heavily reliant on tourism, it’s been hit hard by the crisis — and at a time when their tourism fortunes were rising. According to the World Bank, tourism directly and indirectly accounts for two-thirds of the country’s GDP.

The industry flourished in 2019 as visitor arrivals grew by 14.7% (year on year), with total arrivals reaching a record 1.7 million. Officials were hoping they’d hit 2 million arrivals this year.

In a statement issued in May, Ali Waheed, the country’s minister for tourism, described the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as “more devastating than the 2004 tsunami and the 2008 global financial crisis.”

The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has opened the world’s first-ever underwater hotel residence.

“For the first time in 47 years of tourism in the Maldives, we have experienced zero tourist arrival since this March,” he said, before adding, “we cannot keep our borders closed for long.”

Eunice Aw, Singapore director of global hospitality consulting firm Horwath HTL, tells CNN Travel via email the tourism industry in the Maldives has proven to be resilient, bouncing back quickly from previous crises, however the country faces an uphill battle as they unlock their border to all visitors.

“Given the unprecedentedness of Covid-19, moving forward, even with the reopening of borders, visitor arrivals are not expected to surge and overall arrivals in 2020 are estimated to fall by approximately 70 to 75% year on year,” she says.

“This takes into consideration the pandemic situation in many of the Maldives’ main source markets such as China (17%), India (10%), Europe (49%) and the US (3%), where countries are either still trying to contain the pandemic or battle against second or third waves of the infection.”

Adding to this, Europe — their biggest market — is a 10 to 12 hours’ flight away and long haul travel recovery is likely to lag behind short haul travel, she adds.

“Tourism recovery has to be further supported by the resumption of international flights, reciprocal travel arrangements with partner countries, relaxation of quarantine/isolation requirements in visitors’ home countries and recovery in travelers’ confidence to travel.

“Nonetheless, the reopening of its borders in July will give the Maldives a first mover advantage to capture pent up demand of holidaymakers once recovery is on the way.”

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[phgq]

Emirates' 1st commercial flight lands in Clark

#PHnews: Emirates' 1st commercial flight lands in Clark

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – The one-off A380 service of Emirates landed at the Clark International Airport on Wednesday, with 405 passengers on board.

The first A380 commercial aircraft to operate from Dubai to Clark aims to meet the demand for flights to and from the Philippines.

Welcomed with a water cannon salute, Emirates A380's flight EK 2520 departed Dubai at 2:40 a.m. and arrived at Clark at 3:23 p.m.

It is a special flight serving passengers from Metro Manila and the surrounding Luzon areas and beyond.

The return flight will depart Clark at 6:20 p.m., arriving in Dubai at 10:45 p.m. on the same day.

“We are proud to fly our first scheduled A380 service to Clark, in the year we are celebrating our 30th anniversary of serving the Philippines. Emirates has shared a long-standing relationship with the country and our commitment to it and our customers remains stronger than ever. We would like to thank the authorities in the Philippines for supporting us throughout the years. We resumed scheduled passenger services to Clark on August 1 with six weekly flights and have since been witnessing tremendous demand from customers in the UAE and other cities within our network to travel to the Philippines,” Satish Sethi, country manager for Emirates-Philippines, said in a statement.

In addition to marking a milestone and making its debut to Clark, the highly-popular Emirates A380 aircraft will accommodate more travelers on the flight, while allowing them to experience its unique features and safety protocols put in place to protect customers and crew.

Emirates has been serving the Philippines since 1990 and inaugurated its first service to Clark in 2016.

In 2014, the Emirates A380 made a one-off trip to Manila, marking its first arrival in the Philippines.

Since the resumption of flights to Clark earlier this month, Emirates has seen a huge demand on its six weekly fights, as well as its daily flights between Dubai and Manila. On August 20, Emirates will resume its operations to Cebu.

The aircraft took to the skies again in July, and now serves destinations including London Heathrow, Paris, Cairo and Guangzhou. Its network grew further on August 16 with scheduled A380 services to Toronto.

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) are mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving in Dubai (and the UAE), including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from.

Meanwhile, Bi Yong Chungunco, chief executive officer of Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD) Corp., operator of Clark International Airport, said, “a few days ago, LIPAD celebrated its first anniversary as the operator of CRK. Having the first scheduled A380 service in Clark on the week of our anniversary is a very welcome event especially during these challenging times. Together with our partners, we hope to make the journey of our arriving passengers as seamless and hassle-free as possible, while adhering to the guidelines set by our IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) It is our goal that within three days time, our passengers should be on their way home after undergoing testing and quarantine.”

In compliance with IATF standards, all 405 passengers of the international flight shall be subject to mandatory RT-PCR test at the airport and shall stay in a government-accredited hotel facility while they wait for the result of their test. (PNA)

  ***

References:

* Philippine News Agency. "Emirates' 1st commercial flight lands in Clark." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1112808 (accessed August 20, 2020 at 03:25AM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. "Emirates' 1st commercial flight lands in Clark." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1112808 (archived).

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