Healthcare

Biden admin says travelers shouldn’t go to Japan because of high COVID-19 cases

Published

6 months ago

May 24, 2021

Staff Writer

U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs announced a level four travel advisory for Japan Monday, calling on citizens travel to not travel to the country because of their high number of COVID cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sets the travel restrictions for countries around the world.

#Japan Travel Advisory: Level 4 – Do not travel due to COVID-19-related restrictions. The CDC issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in Japan. There are restrictions in place affecting U.S. citizen entry into Japan. https://t.co/Soq2SIfeMJ pic.twitter.com/UTQAQqQC5O
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) May 24, 2021

Japan also has a strict COVID restrictions for travelers to the country according to the US Embassy and Consulates in Japan. “Travel for tourism and most other short-term purposes is still not permitted, and there is no indication that this will change in the short term,” their website reads. It’s so strict the government doesn’t make exceptions for vaccinated travelers either.

Only about 3.5% of the population has been vaccinated in the country. Still, they are seeing just under 5,000 new cases every day according to reports.

You can follow Jenny Goldsberry on Twitter @jennyjournalism.

Related Topics:CDC coronavirus COVID19 Japan State Department

Healthcare

American and Southwest stand by vaccine mandate, despite Abbott’s ban

Published

2 months ago

October 13, 2021

Staff Writer

American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are still planning to comply with President Biden’s executive order regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. The order requires all their employees to be vaccinated by Dec. 8t. As a result, they will be ignoring Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s ban on vaccine mandates.

Folks, vaccination requirements work. pic.twitter.com/XuBsOQxGaN
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 9, 2021

Abbott announced his own executive order, effectively banning mandates even from private employers, on Tuesday. “In another instance of federal overreach, the Biden Administration is now bullying many private entities into imposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates, causing workforce disruptions that threaten Texas’ continued recovery from the COVID-19 disaster,” Abbott said. “The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and our best defense against the virus, but should remain voluntary and never forced.”

Yet both airlines are requiring their employees to be vaccinated by Nov. 24. This comes despite Southwest’s impromptu cancellation of over 2,000 flights over the weekend. At the time, the airline blamed the cancellations on air traffic control and weather conditions. However, SaraACarter.com was unable to verify that any other airline had to cancel near as many flights for the same reasons. This has left many to speculate that Southwest actually cancelled flights due to their employees walking out as a direct result of the mandate.

Just got passed this flyer from a Southwest employee #FreedomFlu pic.twitter.com/Q5gXGhxoma
— Handbrake Poso (@JackPosobiec) October 13, 2021

Reporter Jack Posobiec tweeted out a flyer circulating among the anti-vaxx Southwest employees. Currently, they are planning a protest outside of Southwest headquarters next Monday. The protest will be called “Freedom Not Force.”

Southwest told Reuters it “would be expected to comply with the President’s Order to remain compliant as a federal contractor.” In addition, American similarly said Abbott’s order does not change anything.

You can follow Jenny Goldsberry on Twitter @jennyjournalism.