After closing its borders in March, the Maldives is set to reopen for tourism. According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism, a phased reopening is planned, with incoming flights to its main international airport set for July, well ahead of a planned year-end opening.
The border to neighbouring Germany will be opened on 15 June. Borders to Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary may also be opened on 15 June. Until further arriving travellers are required to present a current negative Covid test or self-quarantine for 14 days.
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania opened their internal borders on 15 May but remain closed for travellers from other countries.
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If a visitor to Cyprus tests positive for the coronavirus this summer, the government will cover many of their expenses — including food, drink and lodging — according to a new plan that maps out how the island nation can revive its crucial tourism industry.
Tourists "will only need to bear the cost of their airport transfer and repatriation flight". It is part of a package of measures aimed at drawing visitors back to the island, which has reported few cases.
Cyprus say it will ease restrictions on international air travel on June 9.
Cromhall is a former limestone quarry that naturally flooded when works ceased. It was used for entry-level and rescue training because the slightly undulating rock bottom has an ideal training depth of 17 mt / 55.7 ft. Cromhall is also a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest' (SSSI) because it is home to the protected Great Crested Newt.
The working group has cautiously welcomed a mindful, progressive return to shore diving, because it naturally lends itself to social distancing above the surface. It is worth noting that below the surface divers routinely dive in full personal protective equipment (PPE).
With Covid-19 restrictions easing, divers can now access the latest information about diving accessibility and restrictions in a particular country with the click of a mouse. PADI has created an interactive world map utilizing the most up-to-date information from each PADI dive center.
It has already been way too long since we got wet and who knows how much longer it will be before we can go diving again, other than alone at a local dive site that may be open, if we are lucky.
The coronavirus outbreak is an eyeopener in so many ways. It is giving us lessons on what is important. When the pandemic hit in earnest, many of us suddenly found ourselves focused on more basic needs than usual. If not food and shelter, then at the least, safety and health, and the wellbeing of our loved ones, some of whom we were not permitted to visit.
April 2020 — I come to you as a recreational and technical diving instructor, as a physician consultant for Divers Alert Network, and as a COVID-19 survivor. For me, it was just an occupational hazard. I tested positive for COVID-19 after seeing a patient in my cardiology clinic for an unrelated condition who seemed quite short of breath. He was admitted to the ICU and tested positive for COVID-19.
Last week, our good colleague Stephan Wheelan wrote an excellent recap "The Day the Diving Stood Still" - Is the diving industry facing an existential threat from coronavirus?" on his website, DeeperBlue. It is close to what I had originally intended to post here today, but Stephan beat me to it. Instead, let me expand a bit upon the matter.
Local diving seems to be recommencing in some countries, depending on what local regulations permit. Supervised or guided dives at various local spots are now on the calendar again and off to at least a modest start. One Italian operator explained how he hands out masks for clients to wear aboard his dive boat and everyone is supposed to sit at least one metre apart.
It is standard operating practice for harbours to charge harbour dues and mooring fees. The monies raised are used to cover the cost of managing and looking after the infrastructure of the harbour.
