Visiting the Caribbean or Europe soon? CDC warns travelers to avoid destinations with ‘very high’ COVID-19 levels – USA TODAY

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US lifts travel ban for vaccinated international tourists

After more than 600 days, the U.S. lifted its COVID-19 travel ban for vaccinated tourists.

Associated Press, USA TODAY

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday moved the Netherlands, Cayman Islands, Luxembourg and Faroe Islands into its "Level 4"travel advisory, which includes destinations it considers to have "very high"levels of COVID-19.

U.S. travelers should avoid Level 4 destinations or befully vaccinated before arriving if travel is essential, per CDC guidance.The federal agencylooks at countries coronavirus case counts, hospitalization rates, testing capacity and more to determine its travel guidance.

The Netherlands'National Institute for Public Health and the Environment reported 76,790 new cases last week, up 45% from the week prior.The Dutch government reimposed face mask requirements last week to help curb the countrys latest COVID-19 surge.

Hold off on that flight to the Caribbean: CDC raises travel alert level for Belize, Saint Kitts and Nevis

Coronavirus cases have also spiked in the Cayman Islands. The Caribbean islands reported more than 1,000 confirmed cases last week, more than twice what was reported the week prior, according to data from the World Health Organization.

Other Caribbean destinations, including Belize and Satin Kitts and Nevis, are also included in the Level 4 travel advisory.

Luxembourgs confirmed case count rose 5% to 1,165 last week, according to WHO, and cases in the Faroe Islands, locatedin the North Atlantic Ocean, reported 504 confirmed cases last week, down from the week prior but 155% higher than the week of Oct. 18.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz.

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Visiting the Caribbean or Europe soon? CDC warns travelers to avoid destinations with 'very high' COVID-19 levels - USA TODAY

The real Brexit: How Britain became an island – Livescience.com

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Thousands of years before Brexit (Britains political divorce from the European Union), its physical separation from mainland Europe was well underway.

Around 18,000 years ago, during the Pleistocene Epoch, the majority of modern-day Britain was covered by an ice age, according to Wessex Archaeology, an educational charity based in the UK. This period of glaciation persisted for thousands of years until around 12,000 years ago after a warming climate brought the icy expanse to an end.

In its wake, the areas that today are the North Sea and the English Channel were filled with grassy marshland, wooded valleys and swamps, according to National Geographic. This area of land, known as Doggerland, connected Britain with mainland Europe and spanned over 18,000 square miles (46,620 square kilometers).

The beginning of the end for Britain's connection to Continental Europe began around 8,200 years ago when a massive tsunami struck Doggerland. Off of the coast of Norway, an enormous underwater landslide, known as the Storegga Slide, shifted more than 720 cubic miles (3,000 km) of material through the water, according to research published in the journal Nature Climate Change. This is 300 times the annual sediment output from all the worlds rivers.

Related: Earth has a new geologic age: The Chibanian

The Storegga Slide was likely triggered by seismic activity following a period of deglaciation across Norway, according to the journal Marine and Petroleum Geology. The rapid movement and displacement of water caused by the slide generated enough energy to create the tsunami. The enormous wave would have reached heights of up to 66 feet (20 meters), according to the journal Nature Climate Change. The tsunami swallowed up Doggerland. It crashed into the north-east of Britain and travelled 25 miles (40 km) inland, making it a newly formed island, according to the BBC.

Its largely accepted that the tsunami triggered by the Storegga Slide triggered is the predominant cause of the downfall of Doggerland and the separation of Britain from mainland Europe. However, a 2020 study published in the journal Antiquity suggests that it may have been climate change that severed the final link between the two.

By analyzing the seabed and its sediments, researchers at the University of Bradford have discovered that the tsunami might not have been completely responsible for sinking Doggerland.

Following the tsunamis flood, researchers proposed that several smaller islands form a "Dogger Archipelago," which remained for almost a thousand years.

Between 8,200 and 8,400 years ago, "the global average sea level rose (possibly in two phases) between 1 and 4 meters [approximately 3 and 13 feet]," the researchers wrote. This rise in sea level was linked to climate change, according to the Smithsonian. By around 7,000 years ago, the Dogger Archipelago would have presumably disappeared, according to the researchers.

Related: What is climate change, and how is it affecting Earth?

When the Storegga tsunami hit the North-west of Europe it not only drowned landmass, but also decimated ancient communities living on Doggerland.

Evidence of human remains has been collected from fishing and dredging along the North Sea bed, according to research published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. Radiocarbon dating of the remains revealed that the majority belong to Mesolithic humans (between 20,000 and 8,000 years ago) who lived on Doggerland. Archaeological evidence suggests that those that lived on Doggerland were hunter-gatherers, according to National Geographic.

At the time of the tsunami there would have been around 5,000 early humans scattered around Britain, who had travelled from continental Europe following the migration of mammoths and reindeer, according to the BBC.

"If you were standing on the shoreline on that day, 8,200 years ago, there is no doubt it would have been a bad day for you," Vincent Gaffney, professor of landscape archaeology at the University of Bradford, told the Guardian. "It was a catastrophe. Many people, possibly thousands of people, must have died."

The growing sea levels forced the Doggerlanders to flee the lower lands - now sitting under the English Channel - and escape to higher landmasses in modern-day England and the Netherlands, according to National Geographic.

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Inchconnachan: The British island where wallabies rule – BBC News

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Inchconnachan: The British island where wallabies rule

(Image credit: Monica Bertolazzi/Getty Images)

Once the rural retreat of a powerboat-racing countess, this uninhabited isle is now a slow-travel paradise that's home to Scotland's most exotic mammal.

T

There is no graceful way to exit a tiny inflatable vessel as it crashes against the shoreline in an unexpected seiche. With my rucksack dashed over one shoulder and one leg cocked over the dank bow, I clumsily hopped out and plonked my right boot straight into Loch Lomonds bone-chilling water. My left boot soon followed, thudding into the swampy grass on the remote island of Inchconnachan, the former summertime playground of one Fiona Bryde Gore (ne Colquhoun), Countess of Arran and home to Scotland's only colony of wallabies.

After being enamoured by Inchconnachan for years, I had finally arrived on this uninhabited, 103-acre island in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park; albeit in far less style than a certain Lady Arran would have done. A member of the famous Clan Colquhoun that, under Luss Estates, still own several islands and a stretch of the mainland on the west of Loch Lomond Fiona Colquhoun fell in love with this hidden oasis and ordered a timber-framed holiday home, boathouse and pier for her personal use. All three of these are now derelict; the latter explaining my clumsy entrance.

Slow travellers can hire a kayak or canoe to paddle out to the uninhabited isle of Inchconnachan (Credit: Dominic Walter/EyeEm/Getty Images)

Colquhoun, born in 1918, grew up on the bonnie banks o Loch Lomond and loved exploring the islands surrounding her childhood home at Rossdhu, on the western shore of Loch Lomond. She often returned to Inchconnachan meaning "The Colquhoun's Island" in Scottish Gaelic over other nearby isles of Inchtavannach, Inchmoan and Inchcruin, due to its mid-loch location and secluded bays that made it ideal for powerboating.

After taking part in a powerboat speed trial aboard the racing boat Miss England III on Loch Lomond at the age of 13, Colquhoun's need for speed gathered pace. She would eventually earn the nickname "the fastest granny on water". And after becoming the first woman to travel faster than 100mph on water by hitting a blistering 103mph on Lake Windermere in 1980, she was awarded the esteemed Segrave Trophy, which is given to Britons demonstrating"outstanding skill, courage and initiative on land, water and in the air".

"From all accounts, [Lady Arran] was a quirky character," said Carron Tobin, the former executive director at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Today, Inchconnachan remains something of a testament to the countess' quirks.

You may also be interested in:A country being unified through hikingThe plan to connect every British townThe birthplace of the US vacation

After marrying Sir Arthur Gore, the 8th Earl of Arran, in 1937, Colquhoun became the Countess of Arran. At their home in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, Gore's penchant for keeping non-native animals, such as llamas, alpacas and wallabies, was well-documented.

"I understand she introduced wallabies to the island shortly after World War Two, having kept them at her home in England," Tobin said. "I believe there are around 50 to 60 still living on the island today. Inchconnachan is also home to the capercaillie, an endangered Scottish woodland grouse. It is disputed, but they seem happy cohabiting with the wallabies."

Today, 50 to 60 red-necked wallabies roam free on this uninhabited Scottish island (Credit: Monica Bertolazzi/Getty Images)

Considered the most exotic animal species in Scotland, Inchconnachan's red-necked wallabies are a smaller relative of kangaroos. Though they're native to the temperate reaches of eastern Australia and Tasmania, the wallabies seem to have developed a particular fondness for Inchconnachan's moody climate over the years, and are even known to hop across the frozen loch and frolic in the nearby woodlands during severe winters.

Like Colquhoun (who passed away in 2013) and her pouched pets, I, too, have a particular fondness for Loch Lomond and have spent countless days exploring it by foot and boat over the years. The largest lake in Scotland, Lomond is laced with 22 islands and 27 islets, mostly covered in dense woodland. It's those islands, and specifically Inchconnachan, that had long piqued my interest. I was always keen to find out what or who was hopping around on these far-flung arboreous isles.

While Lady Colquhoun used Inchconnachan to fuel her speed demon dreams, these days it and most islands on Loch Lomond is inaccessible by ferry or public boat. Instead, slow-travelling adventure seekers like myself can hire a kayak, canoe or paddleboard from the nearby village of Luss and paddle 1km across the usually calm waters to the island. Once there, another adventure awaits.

Few travellers may realise that, like Sweden's famed law of wanderlust, Scotland is one of just a handful of countries in the world (and the only country in the UK) where wild camping is legal. And while certain parts of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park are protected by wild camping byelaws between March and September, thanks to Scotland's 2003 Land Reform Act, anyone is free to camp on most unenclosed land throughout the country including on Inchconnachan.

Wild camping is permitted on Inchconnachan and throughtout Loch Lomond (Credit: Paul McGee/Getty Images)

After being owned by the Clan Colquhoun since the 14th Century, Scotland's uninhabited "wallaby island" made headlines in July 2020 when it was put up for sale. It eventually sold in March 2021, but despite its new ownership and status as a private island, Scotland's wild camping access rights still apply though it's important to travel responsibly.

The key thing, says Tobin, is "to leave no trace, and to take back whatever you brought over".

If you're planning a wild camping trip in Scotland, be sure to familiarise yourself with The Scottish Outdoor Access Code to abide by the country's leave-no-trace policy.

So, there I was, ambling around the island's soaked marshes searching for somewhere to camp. I decided on the west shore facing The Narrows, a river-like snaking stretch of calm water between Inchconnachan and Inchtavannach whose shelter from prevailing winds provides quietude. As the rain showers passed and I pitched my tent, I soon realised I had landed a suntrap one that was a short stroll from the countess' holiday lodge.

Today, the long-abandoned retreat resembles little more than a decaying squat, with its rotting floorboards, sodden mattresses, rusty oven and shattered bathtub all in situ. The island's charms lay elsewhere, however.

The village of Luss, 1km from Inchconnachan, is a popular place to rent kayaks and canoes to get to the island (Credit: Richard Franks)

Inchconnachan is fairly flat, and its handful trails lead to untouched beaches, age-old conifers and oaks (making it a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Scotland) and elevated lake views from the island's humble 50m summit. Sharp-eyed visitors should also look upwards to spot a pair of nesting sea eagles, which recently returned to the area for the first time in more than a century.

As night began to fall, I followed a trail flanked by knee-height bilberry bushes and burnt orange bracken to a sandy beach on the island's north end, which provides blissful, uninterrupted views of one of Scotland's most popular munros, Ben Lomond.

Then, all of a sudden, I heard something stirring beneath the trees. I slowly turned around, torch-in-hand, to see if Scotland's rarest of beasts had appeared. It had not, so I carried on down the trail. After a few more minutes, a red-necked marsupial no taller than 50cm hopped across my path, a mere few metres away, before acknowledging my company and scurrying away. A brief, but beautiful, encounter.

As tempting as it was to sleep under the stars, the weather soon turned and reminded me that I was positively in Scotland in October. I left the solitude of the beach for my sheltered tent on other side of the island, from where I rustled up a portable stove-cooked chilli dinner and fell asleep to the sound of squawking birds, chattering ducks and yes frolicking wallabies.

The Narrows separates Inchconnachan and Inchtavannach and is considered jewel of the Loch (Credit: Sky View Video/Getty Images)

At 05:45, I was awoken by the hammering rain against the canvas and the sound of what I thought was a bellowing deer stag. I unzipped my tent, cautiously clambered outside and sat as the sun slowly appeared above the Luss Hills to the west. My unexpected alarm was indeed a red stag by the hillside.

As the rain relented and the mist began to clear, I spotted something in the water. What appeared to be a doe was swimming across The Narrows, possibly beckoned by the call of her new mate. In all my years exploring the Loch, this was the epitome of Scottish scenic splendour. I could see why Lady Arran kept coming back.

Slowcomotionis a BBC Travel series that celebrates slow, self-propelled travel and invites readers to get outside and reconnect with the world in a safe and sustainable way.

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Japan, US confirm Senkaku Islands subject to bilateral security treaty: Foreign Ministry – United News of India

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More News13 Nov 2021 | 11:31 AM

United Nations, Nov 13 (UNI/Xinhua) In a UN General Assembly vote, Chinese candidate Huang Huikang won re-election into the International Law Commission for a five-year term beginning January 1, 2023.

Paris, Nov 13 (UNI/Xinhua) Participants in the Paris International Conference for Libya, chaired by France, called for the holding of free, fair, inclusive and credible presidential and parliamentary elections on December 24 in Libya as scheduled.

Glasgow, Nov 13 (UNI/Xinhua) Alok Sharma, president of the ongoing United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland, said that he expected the negotiations for a deal will continue into Saturday afternoon.

Beijing, Nov 13 (UNI/Sputnik) Hua Chunying, the spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, confirmed on Saturday that Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart, Joe Biden, will hold an online meeting on November 16.

Tokyo, Nov 13 (UNI/Sputnik) Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi has held a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, with the parties having confirmed that the bilateral security treaty covers the disputed Senkaku Islands, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

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Mining operation allegedly owes millions in taxes and royalties in Solomon Islands – The Guardian

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A mining operation in Solomon Islands owes millions in unpaid taxes and royalties, according to a former senior government figure, with a report showing that the mining companies had not paid taxes or royalties on one-third of their exports over the last five years.

According to a summary of a royalty payments report into mining on West Rennell Island from the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, seen by the Guardian, the Asia Pacific Investment Development (APID) company and its subcontractor Bintan Mining Solomon Islands Ltd (BMSI) have paid royalties for only 67 of the 100 shipments of bauxite ore exported during their operation.

The reports executive summary noted that APID and BMSI had been exporting bauxite ore, which is used in the production of aluminium, from West Rennell since 2015. In that time, 100 shipments of bauxite have been exported overseas.

With regards to the royalty share payments, only sixty-seven (67) shipments have been paid to the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI). The remaining 33 shipments were still outstanding and yet to be paid to the CBSI before it can be distributed to the rightful recipients, said the report summary.

Former director of mines, Nicholas Biliki, estimates the unpaid ore shipments leave roughly SBD80m (AU$13.4m) owing to landowners on Rennell Island, for royalties, community development assistance and landowner payments, as well as around SBD10m (AU$1.65m) owed in taxes and roughly SBD10m owed in payments to rehabilitate the island.

Biliki said the alleged failure to pay royalties on one-third of the shipments was a massive loss to Solomon Islands government and resources owners.

APID and its sub-contractor, BMC, [the parent company of BMSI] miserably failed to live up to their obligations. The company [APID] has lots of agreements with the landowners and lots of money has been owed to them. Also, the government has lost taxes from these 33 shipments, Biliki alleged.

As well as issues with missed payments, Biliki claimed that the companies had also failed to rehabilitate areas affected by mining.

I understand more than a half of the areas mined have never been fully rehabilitated, he said.

APID and BMSI have been embroiled in court cases for years that contest which company is responsible for paying royalties and rehabilitating the environment.

APIDs mining lease was cancelled in mid-October 2020 when Biliki was director of mines. APID has brought legal proceedings against the Solomon Islands government disputing this cancellation.

Though we cancelled the operation, the company has a legal obligation to clean up its mess before leaving, he said.

One of the Rennell landowners, Jimmy Festus, said some resources owners were still waiting for their dues.

Our waiting seemed to have no end The sad reality we are currently facing is that we have no place for gardening, he said.

Another landowner, Steward Baiabe, told the Guardian that he had seen records of their bauxite shipments at the ministry of mines.

I was in Honiara last month following up with the company for our shipments. Unfortunately, they have no offices in Honiara, so I went to the ministry of mines to enquire about the shipments. I was told by a mines officer that we have 33 shipments yet to be paid to the government and landowners.

Baiabe called on the government to get the company to pay what they are alleged to owe.

The government must be serious on addressing this issue.

In response to questions put to BMSI by the Guardian, a lawyer representing the company said: We are unable to comment due to pending proceedings before the high court of Solomon Islands. The most we can say is that the informations and allegations supplied may not be accurate and may contain misleading or misstated informations.

The lawyer did respond to requests by the Guardian to clarify which information or allegations he was referring to.

Chris Vehe, permanent secretary of the ministry of mines, energy and rural electrification, confirmed there were inconsistencies in the money received for this mining operation and the number of shipments that took place.

There are inconsistencies with reporting and a good number of shipments have not been kept track [of]. Mines officials were the ones responsible for record keeping and tracking of the shipments. Only the director of mines like Mr Biliki and the Central Bank of Solomon Islands would definitely know of the details of the shipments. But yes, my office is aware of these inconsistencies.

Vehe said the government would investigate the matter if they were to get hold of all the records of shipments, adding that the operation was a complicated one.

Its been messed up from its very beginning.

The governor of Solomon Islands central bank has previously said that while exempt from paying export taxes, Bintan Mining Company have made some payments to the government, contributing SBD$142m (US$17.8m) in foreign exchange in 2020 and $131m (US$16.4m) in 2019. The governor did not respond to requests for comment for this story.

Bauxite mining on Rennell Island has been controversial since it first began, with landowners and some officials estimating that since 2014 up to 50% of the bauxite-rich soil in West Rennell has been exported.

In February 2019, Rennell Island was the site of a huge oil spill when a bulk carrier, hired by BMSI, that had been attempting to load bauxite from a nearby mine on the island ran aground on a reef. It spilled 300 tonnes of oil into the pristine bay.

The oil spill turned the water black, contaminated fresh water sources, killed marine life, and children reported skin and eye infections in the wake of the disaster.

The owner of the vessel, King Trader, and its South Korean insurer, P&I Club, apologised for the spill in March 2019, describing the situation as totally unacceptable. In a statement the companies said although matters of liability are yet to be determined [we] have expressed deep remorse. The statement said they were acutely aware of environmental damage and were working as quickly as possible to bring the spill under control.

According to a report given to the Solomon Islands government in 2019 and leaked to the ABC, the oil spill caused the direct loss of more than 10,000 square metres of reef and more than 4,000 square metres of lagoon habitat, and economic losses of up to AU$50m. The report said the site could take up to 130 years to recover.

APID did not respond to questions put to them by the Guardian.

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Mining operation allegedly owes millions in taxes and royalties in Solomon Islands - The Guardian

Island in Washington County will be added to coastal state park – Press Herald

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The state has acquired a 50-acre island off the Down East coast that will be added to Roque Bluffs State Park in Washington County.

Pond Cove Island in Englishman Bay will be added to the 274-acre state park in the town of Roque Bluffs, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands announced this week.

Pond Cove Island is about one-third of a mile from the mainland and features two miles of winding shoreline and stone beaches suitable for landing kayaks or small boats that can be launched from the park.

Officials from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry said the island will enhance park visitors experience at the park, which includes a half-mile-long sand beach, a freshwater pond, hiking trails and a picnic area.

At a time when we are seeing an ongoing and expanded interest in outdoor recreation by Maine residents and visitors, we are pleased to have this opportunity to create a new island water access experience for Maine State Park guests, Amanda Beal, department commissioner, said in a statement.

Funding from to the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, the Land for Maines Future Water Access Fund and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act helped pay for the island.

As a sea kayaker, I know how important it is to have islands close to shore that are open to the public, Bureau of Public Lands Director Andy Cutko said. Pond Cove Island is an exceptionally scenic spot in an ideal sheltered location, and we look forward to developing campsites for overnight use.

The island will be open to the public for hiking, picnicking, birdwatching, hunting, fishing and trapping.

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Island in Washington County will be added to coastal state park - Press Herald

High school football: Buchholz beats Fleming Island 35-7 to advance in Class 7A playoffs – Gainesville Sun

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The Fleming Island Golden Eagles started Thursday night's football playoff game against the Buchholz Bobcats strong, as they forced apunt on theopening drive.

For a team that averagednearly 35 points per game coming into the contest at Citizens Field, the Bobcats don't do a lot of punting.

Fleming Island's moral victory of forcing a punt, however, would be nothing more as the Golden Eagles muffed the punt return and Buchholz senior Billy Galione fell onball at the Fleming Island 1-yard line.

The Bobcats found the scoreboard with a 1-yard touchdown rush from junior quarterback Creed Whittemore.

One small snowball evolved into an avalanche as things quickly went south for the Golden Eagles, who saw their season end whenthe Bobcats stampeded to a 35-7 win to advance to the Region 1-7A semifinal next week.

Top-seeded Buchholz (10-1) will hostthe winner of Friday's Fletcher (5-5) vs. University (6-2) game.

FHSAA Class 7A football state playoff preview

Ainslie Lee, Seth Stringer, Roy Fuoco and Larry Blustein preview the Class 7A football playoffs and predict the champions in each region.

Jon Santucci, Treasure Coast Newspapers

After Buchholz's opening score, Fleming Island was forced to punt it away from its own 41-yard line whenthe drive stalled after travelling just 21 yards on eight plays.

Buchholz junior Jacarree Kelly generated a nice return bytaking it down to the Fleming Island 38-yard line.

From there, Whittemore and the Bobcats needed just two plays to score, a 27-yard strike from Whittemore toKelly for a14-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

Buchholz continued to pour it on, scoring on each of its subsequent possessions.

The Bobcats marched 86 yardson 10 plays, capped by a 37-yard scoring connection between Whittemore and senior receiver Quan Leeon 4th and 7.

Buchholz's next drive traveled 88 yards on seven plays before senior EJ Gadson punched it in from one yard out. The score was set up by a 53-yard pass play between Whittemore and senior receiver Adrian Sermons, who came down with a miraculous catch over freshman defensive back Kaylib Singleton.

The Bobcats would tack on one more score before the intermission on a 12-yard pass play from Whittemore to Kelly.

With a commanding 35-0 lead at half, Whittemore didn't take a snap in the second half. The junior finished the night 8-for-12 for 171 yards, three passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.

"Our offense played really well tonight," said Buchholz coach Mark Whittemore, the QB's father. "A lot of big plays. Our playmakers made great plays tonight. And that's important. To win a playoff game, your big-time players have to come out and produce. And all three of our receivers that are that caliber ... they showed that tonight."

The Bobcatsoutgained the Golden Eagles 251-67 yards at the break. But that didn't stop Buchholz defensive coordinator Chuck Bell from thinking his unit had given up too many yards.

Fleming Island picked up chunk yardage from the legs of freshman quarterback Cibastian Broughton, who led the effortwith 45 yards on 11 carries. Broughton's biggest run of the night came in the first half when he tore off for 37 yards.

The Golden Eagles' biggest play of the the gamecame on a 43-yard pass play from Broughton to senior receiver Caleb Jones.

Buchholz keptFleming Island's junior running back Sam Singleton, who was averaging more than 92 yards per game,to just nine net yards.

By game's end, the Buchholz defense had allowed Fleming Island 113 yards from scrimmage a number most defenses would be happy. But the Bobcats thoughtit was too much, says all there is to say about their expectations.

"Our defense really sets the tone for our team," Whittemore said. "That's kinda how we're built.Our bloodline is defense first. And so their play really ignites us."

Fleming Island (6-5) finally found its way to the scoreboard midway through the fourth quarter as itblocked a Buchholz punt from inside the10-yard line, allowing junior Jhace Edwards to execute a quick scoop and score.

"The big thing is that we just don't lose momentum. Really, it's actually advantage Buchholz from a rest standpoint," Whittemore said of his team having Friday, Saturday and Sunday to bask in Thursday night's win. "But as a high schooler, three days is like a lifetime. So we gotta make sure we stay on them and are aware of where they are and what they're doing. Just keep our thumb on them ... that's all."

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High school football: Buchholz beats Fleming Island 35-7 to advance in Class 7A playoffs - Gainesville Sun

Netherlands, Faroe Islands added to COVID-19 red list – Philstar.com

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MANILA, Philippines The Philippines has placed Faroe Islands and the Netherlands on its COVID-19 red list and, as such, travelers from these two areas, except for returning Filipinos, are prohibited from entering the country from Nov. 16 to 30.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. made the announcement yesterday based on the updated list provided by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).Roque said the IATF also updated its green list, which now includes American Samoa, Bhutan, Chad, China (mainland), Comoros, Cte dIvoire (Ivory Coast), Falkland The Department of Tourism (DOT) is still hoping to reduce, or even scrap, quarantine requirements for foreign tourists in order to revive the countrys tourism industry impaired by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an interview with Bloomberg yesterday, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the DOT continues to push for less stringent quarantine protocols even the removal of facility-based quarantine for foreigners from countries that have moderate to low risk of COVID-19 transmission.

The DOT has been pushing for green lanes, especially for reduced quarantine days, and if possible no quarantine days, for the fully vaccinated, Puyat said.

She noted that the government has mandated that there is no longer a quarantine period for fully vaccinated foreigners coming from green listed countries or those at low risk of COVID-19 spread.

Puyat also said that high COVID-19 vaccination rates in Metro Manila could be crucial in determining whether quarantine for foreign travelers, including overseas Filipinos, should stay or go.MANILA, Philippines The Philippines has placed Faroe Islands and the Netherlands on its COVID-19 red list and, as such, travelers from these two areas, except for returning Filipinos, are prohibited from entering the country from Nov. 16 to 30.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. made the announcement yesterday based on the updated list provided by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

Roque said the IATF also updated its green list, which now includes American Samoa, Bhutan, Chad, China (mainland), Comoros, Cte dIvoire (Ivory Coast), Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Federated States of Micronesia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China), India, Indonesia, Japan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Montserrat, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Paraguay, Rwanda, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Saint Eustatius, South Africa, Sudan, Taiwan, Togo, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Fully vaccinated travelers from these green listed territories are not required to undergo facility-based quarantine upon arriving in the Philippines, provided they present negative RT-PCR test results.

Roque said all other countries, territories and jurisdictions not included in the green and red lists are under the yellow list.

Fully vaccinated individuals from yellow list countries need to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of a negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day from their arrival. They shall then be required to undergo home quarantine until their 10thday in the country.

Roque also announced that the IATF approved the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for the national COVID-19 vaccination certificates of Australia, Czech Republic, Georgia, India, Japan, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Turkey and Samoa to be accepted or recognized for purposes of arrival quarantine protocols, as well as for interzonal/intrazonal movement.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is still hoping to reduce, or even scrap, quarantine requirements for foreign tourists in order to revive the countrys tourism industry impaired by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an interview with Bloomberg yesterday, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the DOT continues to push for less stringent quarantine protocols even the removal of facility-based quarantine for foreigners from countries that have moderate to low risk of COVID-19 transmission.

The DOT has been pushing for green lanes, especially for reduced quarantine days, and if possible no quarantine days, for the fully vaccinated, Puyat said.

She noted that the government has mandated that there is no longer a quarantine period for fully vaccinated foreigners coming from green listed countries or those at low risk of COVID-19 spread.

Puyat also said that high COVID-19 vaccination rates in Metro Manila could be crucial in determining whether quarantine for foreign travelers, including overseas Filipinos, should stay or go.

In the NCR, we have already (fully) vaccinated 88 percent, and for first dose its 97 percent, she said, referring to the National Capital Region or Metro Manila.

She said Metro Manilas exceeding its target for herd immunity could be a big boost in reducing quarantine days and possibly no quarantine even for those from yellow (list) countries, or those with moderate COVID-19 transmission risk and would still have to undergo up to 10 days of quarantine.

?In another development Thursday night, the DFA advised Filipinos in Ethiopia to prepare for mandatory evacuation after it raised Alert Level 4 in the African nation due to continued and intensifying conflict.

The DFA raises an Alert Level 4 in a country when there is large-scale internal conflict or full-blown external attack, prompting government to begin mandatory evacuation procedures.

The DFA is advising all Filipinos not to travel to Ethiopia at this time due to ongoing conflict in Tigray and other neighboring regions, its official statement read.

Filipinos who are in the country where Alert Level 4 is in effect are advised to restrict non-essential movements, avoid public places and immediately prepare for evacuation, it added. Janvic Mateo

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Netherlands, Faroe Islands added to COVID-19 red list - Philstar.com

Staten Island Museum celebrates its 140th Anniversary with 140 Objects online exhibition – SILive.com

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STATEN ISLAND N.Y. -- This Friday, the Staten Island Museum is celebrating its 140th anniversary of its founding on November 12, 1881 by a group of young naturalists who came together with the idea to preserve the natural history of Staten Island.

To celebrate this day, the Museum has multiple initiatives, including a 140 Object virtual exhibition. The exhibition includes historical maps, periodical cicada specimen, sculptures, modern art, and historical artifacts chosen by the Staten Island Museums collections staff. It is also the first installment of the museums new online collections database.

Hylan Plaza, Peter Van Dyck (American, 1978) (Courtesy/ Staten Island Museum)Staten Island Museum

We are grateful to the founders for acting on their love for Staten Island and their instincts to preserve specimens. Now, 140 years later, the current museum staff and Board of Trustees are building upon that legacy and pursuing what it means to be a 21st century museum and New York Citys only remaining cultural institution with collections that span natural science, history, and art, said Janice Monger, Staten Island Museum President and CEO. We welcome the public to visit us in person for a stunning site-specific artist installation Jennifer Angus: Magicicada or peruse a new online exhibition 140 Objects to experience the collections from home.

Jennifer Angus, Magicicada at the Staten Island museum (Courtesy/ Staten Island Museum)

Staten Island Museum is home to one of the worlds largest collection of cicadas, the Magicicada exhibit. Magicicada refers to a genus of cicada that was designated in 1925 by Staten Island Museum co-founder and cicada expert William T. Davis. The exhibit is now featuring an installation from artist, Jennifer Angus. The installation is filled with patterns created with preserved insects. Angus installation is currently on view until May 2022.

Arch-Hommage VII, Helen Levin (Courtesy/ Staten Island Museum)Staten Island Museum

Another anniversary initiative the museum is holding is part of its longstanding art show tradition of the past 70 years. The open call is for an exhibition called Yes, And which is aimed to open in June of 2022. The theme suggests the abundance of experience on and perception of Staten Islands art and artists. Applications are being accepted through December 31, 2021.

-Morris Moving Company, Gift of the Morris Family, Collection (Courtesy/ Staten Island Museum)Staten Island Museum

Staten Island Museum is also partnering with the Richard B. Dickenson Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (SIAAHGS) and Frederick Douglass Memorial Park, for over the next two years they will be working on the Access, Collaboration, and Equity in Genealogy (ACEGen) initiative to digitize burial records dating back to the cemeterys founding in the 1930s. ACEGen will begin with a special focus on African American records, and the museums collection will be accessible to the public online with historical documents that are under-represented in the public record.

Staten Island Museum timeline from 1881-2007 (Courtesy/ Staten Island Museum)

Staten Island Museum timeline from 1881-2007 (Courtesy/ Staten Island Museum)

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Staten Island Museum celebrates its 140th Anniversary with 140 Objects online exhibition - SILive.com

BREAKING: Entire Area of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade Temporarily Closed at Universal’s Islands of Adventure – wdwnt.com

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade is closed this morning at Universals Islands of Adventure. The land and all three of its rides (Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, and Flight of the Hippogriff) have yet to open today.

A sign at the entrance to Islands of Adventure informs guests that Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure will be open later today.

Some Team Members from Hogsmeade are out in the Lost Continent, advising guests of the closure and directing traffic.

Team Members out front are advising guests to visit Universal Studios Florida for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley. No official reason for the closure has been given, but some Team Members are reporting they are being sent home due to a power outage.

Guests were able to board the Hogwarts Express at Hogsmeade Station for a one-way trip to Universal Studios Florida. However, the train has now ceased operations from either station.

Power outages are not uncommon, but the early release of scheduled Team Members may indicate that this will not be resolved quickly.

This is a developing story, so stay tuned for further updates.

For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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BREAKING: Entire Area of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade Temporarily Closed at Universal's Islands of Adventure - wdwnt.com

Private islands for sale in Queensland going cheap, but lifestyle has its challenges – ABC News

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Eager buyers trying to get a foot on the property ladder could snap up a tropical island for the price of a one-bedroom apartment in Sydney, a real estate agent says.

Private islands are no longer just a privilege for billionaires like Richard Branson as buyers look beyond the mainland to get more bang for their buck.

"There is a greater interest," Richard Vanhoff, a real estate agent specialising in islands, said.

"With the pricing of southern states, they are paying big money for houses and they still don't get the waterfront.

"When you are buying an island, you get all the waterfront."

Around Australia, private Islands have been snapped up in the past 12 months for as little as $320,000.

Queenslander Craig Becky was searching for an investment property last year when he found an offer too good to pass up.

"I actually saw it on a morning TV show and it was touted as the cheapest island in Australia," he said.

"I thought, 'Oh it's in my price range.'

"I just never had in my mind I would buy an island one day, but when it came up, I thought, 'I just have to have it.'

"Life is short."

Mr Becky is now the proud owner of Worthington Island, off the coast of Gladstone, which he bought for "well under" the asking price of $385,000.

The 27-hectare island has an off-the grid beach shack and a private airstrip.

"It's not what everybody thinks of palm trees and white sand," Mr Becky said.

"it's more mangroves and crabbing and fishing. It's like a big bush block with a shack on it.

"It's really relaxing have a fish, have a nap, go for a walk around.

"It's beautiful, I love it."

But the lifestyle does not come without challenges Mr Becky doesn't get much in return for his rates, with no-one to pick up the weekly rubbish and access to the island is at the mercy of the tides.

But for this island owner, the benefits far outweigh the inconveniences.

"Everything is on island time," he said.

"The thing I love is that there are no neighbours."

The sale of islands is consistent with buying patterns since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ).

"What we are seeing is that many people are wanting to buy regional properties because of the lifestyle," REIQ chief executive Antonia Mercorella said.

But she said it was difficult to gauge whetherthe obsession with space would remain when things got backto normal.

"Before you invest, I think you really need to think about the practicalities of it," Ms Mercorella said.

"In some cases the island can be quite remote and difficult and expensive to get to.

"It's not something you would buy for the purpose of flipping you would want to be buying it with the view to perhaps holding onto it for the longer term."

Judging by available listings, an island lifestyle can be achieved for any price.

Poole Island in the Whitsundays has a million dollar price tag, while Temple Island off the coast of Mackay is on the market for $1.7m.

Or, if you've got a spare $15m, perhaps Marble Island off the central Queensland coast is more to your liking.

Mr Vanhoff said the lengthy lockdowns in southern states over the past two years had made the freedom of island living hugely appealing.

"People are sitting back in those areas that are in restrictions thinking about life and thinking about their future," he said.

"I guess islands come to mind they go, 'Oh, wouldn't we like to do that, that would be great, we wouldn't have to put up with this.'

"I get the odd call when there is a big lotto being presented.

"They'll ring me and get all the information out of me and get all excitedbecause their clairvoyant told them they would win and then they don't win.

"But it's all good fun."

Ms Mercorella said while private islands were being marketed more regularly, their sale remained unusual.

"It's probably a fantasy that many of us have," she said.

"But I think for the majority of us, practicality and reality probably sets in and prevents us from making the choice."

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Private islands for sale in Queensland going cheap, but lifestyle has its challenges - ABC News

Young Grand Island man defies the odds with incredible comeback – WIVB.com – News 4

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A young man from Grand Island is defying the odds.

A year and a half ago, it was unknown if Ben Richard would ever walk again.

And now, hes not only walking, but hes an inspiration for other Western New Yorkers battling spinal cord injuries.

These days, 19-year-old Ben Richard is walking, and even dancing with a lively spirit.

Hes independent.

He gets by with the help of his family, friends, therapists at ECMC and his 9 iron, which he uses as a cane.

Its actually really nice. Its got the rubber grip so it doesnt move anywhere, explained Ben.

We first introduced you to Ben last year.

His WWII Veteran grandfather graduated high school with him, wheeling him across the stage.

Separated by decades and vast life experiences, it was a day that almost never happened.

On May 9, 2020, a car crash changed his life.

The first probably week and a half to two weeks, I dont really remember much. I remember a little bit of the ICU, said Ben.

Ben was a passenger in a car that skidded on ice, ejecting him.

Most serious of his injuries, Ben fractured his scull, broke his shoulder and dislocated his back at the L3,L4 vertebrae, pinching his spinal cord and paralyzing him below the knee.

He explains the sensation as pain that shoots through the roof.

Feelings very strange below the knee. I pretty much have all the pain that comes with stubbing a toe but its like so much worse, said Ben.

But it doesnt stop him and it never has.

Today, Ben is paving his own path.

In his early days of recovery, Ben was told by doctors, they werent sure if hed ever walk.

To shove it in their faces, I got contraction when I tried to point my toes down in my calf. Im hopeful, said Ben.

Bens physical therapist Julie Buono is helping Ben gain strength.

His progress is huge. When he started, he was in a wheelchair, he wasnt standing. He cold transfer from the wheelchair to a mat and we had to do a lot of stretching, explained Buono.

He comes to outpatient physical therapy at ECMC twice a week, and he works hard.

Were trying to work on his balance so he can get rid of the cane eventually, said Buono.

Ben is thankful to be here.

He was 18 at the time of his injury, which is the youngest you can be to participate in this program.

He says its the best therapy for his type of injury.

I got really really lucky to I mean lucky is a funny word but like I was blessed enough to come here, said Ben.

While Ben works to recover, hes also here for the camaraderie.

Hes everyones biggest cheerleader in the gym and its cool to see. Hes the first one willing to talk to someone, to encourage them, to tell his story if he needs to. So, he really is a positive influence on anyone he meets, said Occupational Therapist, Rachael Ponichtera.

Despite only being 19, Ben is now a peer counselor for people with similar injuries.

Through all of this, hes gained something really important: perspective.

You take a lot of things for granted before and now its just like especially being in like groups of seeing everyone on the MRU and seeing people down here, its like Im glad I have my arm. It could be gone. It couldve flew off. You know? Or, Im just glad Im this far. I see some people come in and Im like you know, I was there, explained Ben.

Two weeks ago, Ben participated in the USA Wheelchair Football League and he made an incredible play, catching a pass.

Ben says no matter where life takes him, hell always find success.

A story of motivation for people, no matter how high the odds are stacked against you.

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Young Grand Island man defies the odds with incredible comeback - WIVB.com - News 4

2022 Budget Address – Government of the Virgin Islands

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2022 BUDGET ADDRESS

DELIVERED BY

PREMIER AND MINISTER OF FINANCE

HONOURABLE ANDREW. A. FAHIE

UNDER THE THEME:

Strategically positioning New Industries with Sustainability and Innovation: Continuing to improve the standard of living with focus on Education, Small Business, Healthcare and Technology

Thursday, 11th November, 2021

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

It is important that I begin this Budget Address from the words of Abba, our Father as found in Luke 12:8, And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God.

I thank God for His continued strength as we turn this Budget Address over in to His hands.

I say Good Day and GODs Blessings to all Honourable Members of this Honourable House and all the people of these beautiful Virgin Islands wherever they may be, as we continue to move forward in this New Regular, living and working with COVID-19.

Together we continue to confront all the challenges and embracing opportunities that this unpredictable pandemic has thrown, and continues to throw our way.

I am pleased and proud, as a Virgin Islander, to stand today to present this fourth National Budget in under three years, and to do so with sufficient time in hand for all the necessary processes to be completed so that everything will be in place for the start of the new financial year in January 2022. Simply put; since taking office, all our Budgets have passed on time as mandated by the Constitution.

Introduction

Mr Speaker, it is important for us as a young country to bear in mind the symbolism of what it is for a people to develop, present, approve and implement their own Budget; especially when they are able to generate the funds and to balance their Budget for themselves year after year after year. It is something to be proud of, to be inspired by and to be encouraged.

For this empowerment, we thank our foreparents. Let us join in paying tribute to our foreparents who started and maintained the course, on the journey to ensuring that the Virgin Islands people are empowered to pursue their aspirations of being fully in control of their destiny.

It was the late Theodolph Faulkner of Anegada and other great Virgin Islands leaders who made the bold and unequivocal declaration on 24 November, 1949: [And I Quote]

We are imbued with a desire to decide our local affairs our own selves. We have outgrown that undesirable stage where one official, or an official clique, makes decisions for us.

We are seeking the privilege of deciding how our monies are spent and what shall be our Presidential laws and policies. [End of Quote]

That was the impetus for the return of legislative function to the shores of the Virgin Islands, paving the way for Virgin Islands people to enjoy full participation in the democratic election of their representatives and for the making of laws to govern themselves legislation such as the Appropriations Act.

As we continue to honour the struggles and strides of those who led before us, we recall the Late and Great former Chief Minister Dr. the Honourable Willard Wheatley, the first Virgin Islander to officially hold the post of Minister of Finance, on 1 June, 1977.

Dr. Wheatleys exceptional public management saw the Government of the Virgin Islands independently closing a budget deficit in 1978 and ending the year with a budget surplus of $1.3 million. Through this, in one of the most significant milestones in the political and economic journey of our nation-building, the Virgin Islands graduated out of Grant-In-Aid, and have maintain this course through the decades.

Virgin Islanders liberated themselves from external financial dependence on the United Kingdom. And as I said, we graduated from Grant-In-Aid, and have maintain this course through the decades for all Chief Ministers, for all Premiers.

And at this time, I would like to take a moment. Because it is two years now today since Honourable RT ONeal died. And I would like us to stand and take a moment of silence, Mr Speaker, in honour of his memory.

Thank You. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Virgin Islanders liberated themselves from external financial dependence on the United Kingdom; clearly demonstrating the ability of our people to manage our own economic affairs from each Chief Minister to each Premier, hold each other accountable, and uphold their dignity. Virgin Islanders are not defined by anyone or any circumstance. We are innovative, capable and resilient. We just have to continue to believe in ourselves and stay laser-focused on our true Virgin Islands Vision.

The year 2021 has been another unprecedented year for the Virgin Islands. While your Government wished we could focus exclusively on delivering our Manifesto pledges - remedying decades old problems with our aging infrastructure and furthering the development of the Virgin Islands for the benefit of our people - this unfortunately could not entirely be the case.

For the second consecutive year, like most - if not all - other countries, we remained in battle with the worst pandemic to hit the world in over 100 years. The COVID-19 pandemic, in recent months, is presenting new threats in the forms of aggressive variant strains, as it continues to supress economic activity generally in every part of the world, and more specifically in the areas of tourism and travel, upon which our economy is heavily reliant. This is subduing revenues for the public and private sectors, and creating hardship for many of our people whose jobs and income streams are adversely affected, not just locally, but globally.

In 2021 we saw a major spike in COVID-19 cases on our shores and grief that was unprecedented in our era in the loss of 37 additional lives. We ask God to continue to comfort families and loved ones, as we also remember our loved ones who passed due to different causes. Many of them were friends. Many of them were family. Thankfully, according to recent data, the number of positive cases now stands at 15, all of which were detected by our effective travel screening protocols. We wish those persons a full and speedy recovery.

In January 2021, the United Kingdom Government declared it an appropriate time to institute a Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Governance in the Virgin Islands, under the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1880.

The Inquiry, which is still in progress, placed significant demands on the resources of our Public Service as documents dating back more than a decade had to be sourced, officers had to prepare affidavits and statements, and senior public officials including Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, heads of departments and others had to attend the COI to give evidence.

The Inquiry took up significant time and attention, but Mr Speaker, your Government fully and faithfully participated in the proceedings, with the hope that a transparent COI would lead to a just and beneficial outcome for the people of the Virgin Islands.

These challenges have come as we continue to recover from the 2017 August Floods and two devastating Category 5 hurricanes Irma and Maria, that created a paradigm shift for our economy. We continue our recovery efforts with our limited resources.

But, as I will explain later in this Budget Address, your Government and its agencies and departments, still managed to accomplished a lot of work for the development of the Virgin Islands, amid the challenges and distractions.

This is an appropriate time to commend our public officers across all ministries, agencies and departments. And I must commend all f our public officers for the hard work they have done through these last few years during the hurricanes, during COVID-19 and even during the COI. I want to say that they mean a lot to me as Premier, because even during the COVID-19 lockdown, I personally took the time to call each and every public officer in terms of Permanent Secretaries and Department Heads and Senior Officers, and even some other officers everyone, to see how they were doing and to see how they were coping with COVID-19. Because larger than the public service, we are one people and we do have a life, and we do have to make sure as leaders that we care.

So, I commend our public officers and all those who have powered through with commitment to keep our Virgin Islands moving forward during these difficult times. Our successes are the results of collective effort and dedication.

The Acting Financial Secretary, Mr Jeremiah Frett, the officers in the Ministry of Finance, and the Permanent Secretaries who provided the Ministry with the relevant programmes of works and project details, have done an exceptional job in preparing the 2022 National Budget, which I present now under the theme of,

Strategically positioning New Industries with Sustainability and Innovation: Continuing to improve the standard of living with focus on Education, Small Business, Healthcare and Technology.

Mr Speaker, what follows in this Budget Address is just a summary and a snapshot of some of the work that has been done and some of the targets that we are setting for the year ahead. More comprehensive details can be found in the Medium-Term Framework Plan 2022-2024 and the Draft Estimates of the 2022 Budget, which I encourage all our citizens to read once it is published.

Knowledge is power, and these documents will provide persons with the knowledge and information they need to more actively participate in the opportunities in our economy.

The Global Economy

Mr Speaker, context is important. Therefore, we must situate the Virgin Islands economy within the global landscape. That is the only way we can have a proper appreciation for what has happened in 2021 and what the projections will be for 2022.

The advent of COVID-19 vaccines early in 2021 brought optimism for the resurgence of economies after a stagnant 2020.

In June 2021, the World Bank, in its Global Economic Prospects Report, forecasted that the global economy was set to expand 5.6 percent in 2021 - the strongest post-recession pace in 80 years underpinned by steady but highly unequal vaccine access. The July 2021 global growth projection from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for 2021 was for 6.0 percent over 2020.

Perspective is, however, important. This recovery was, however, projected to be unevenly concentrated in a few major economies, with most emerging market and developing economies lagging behind. While about 90 percent of advanced economies were expected to regain their pre-pandemic per capita income levels by 2022, only about one-third of emerging market and developing economies were expected to do so.

Further, the World Bank noted, in low-income countries, the effects of the pandemic are reversing earlier gains in poverty reduction and compounding food insecurity and other long-standing challenges.

According to the World Bank, by 2022, the global output would remain about 2 percent below pre-pandemic projections, and per capita income losses incurred in 2020 would not be fully undone in about two-thirds of emerging markets and developing economies.

Simply put, COVID has messed up the entire worlds economy.

The IMF, however, in its October 2021 World Economic Outlook Report has downgraded the 2021 growth projection by 0.1 percent.

The world will have to wait until June 2022 to hear what the World Bank has to say.

Mr. Speaker, no-one has a playbook for this unpredictable and unprecedented COVID-19.

I caution that persons should not get carried away by the overall figures, because while the projections are very encouraging for the wealthier economies, the situation is very much the opposite in the less developed economies.

Vaccine access, vaccine hesitancy, the emergence of new variants of the virus, and disruptions to major supply chains, are among the main contributors to the reduced projection. Pandemic-related disruptions to contact-intensive sectors have also caused the labour market recovery to significantly lag the output recovery in most countries.

The IMF is maintaining its projection for 4.9 percent global growth in 2022.

Mr Speaker by April 2020, international tourist arrivals globally had dropped by 98 percentage points from pre-pandemic levels, according to data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The recovery has been very sluggish.

A joint report by the UNWTO and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in June 2021 estimates a total loss of more than $4 trillion to the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the years 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19s direct impact on tourism and its ripple effect on other sectors. Some 53 percent of this loss will be experienced by developing countries.

The Virgin Islands is clearly not unique in our experience, Mr Speaker.

According to the UNWTO/UNCTAD report, experts do not expect a return to pre-COVID arrival levels until 2023 or later. The main barriers are travel restrictions, slow containment of the virus, low traveller confidence and a poor economic environment.

Additionally, the profile of travellers has changed. Retirees, who tend to spend more per trip, are more likely to stay at home. Younger travellers, who seem more willing to travel tend to stay longer but spend less than older travellers. This means that tourism-dependent developing countries must diversify their industries.

While we will strive to be optimistic, we have to also be realistic.

We must measure our expectations while global tourism recovers. We must take heed. We must adjust our thinking and our strategy.

We must pivot to our strengths, improve on our weaknesses, be cognisant of threats and position ourselves to take advantage of opportunities when they arise - and to even create our own opportunities through innovation.

We must push forward, adapt, evolve and we must continue to diversify our economy.

Financial Performance Review

But notwithstanding this glum projection from the global tourism community, I am pleased to say that the Virgin Islands tourism industry did show some encouraging signs for recovery, particularly in the recent months. And for this we must say to GOD be all the glory.

We have much to be thankful for and much to look forward to in 2022 as a preferred destination and jurisdiction.

Despite the unavoidable restrictions on travel such as reduced airline and ferry capacities which apply not only to the Virgin Islands, the demand for the Virgin Islands sun, sand, sea and overall experience has remained high.

Up to the end of October just below 38,000 persons entered the Virgin Islands via the air and sea ports, with the vast majority being visitors.

With a more aggressive advocacy for mass vaccinations, the reduction of the BVI Gateway fee and easing of the quarantine periods for fully vaccinated travellers, it is expected that the gradual increase in arrival numbers will continue through the rest of 2021 to reach a projected 46,000 overnighters and day-trippers.

Based on the cruise schedules published by the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA), it was projected that a total of around 66,000 cruise passengers would visit our shores by the end of 2021.

And in case you are wondering, I want to thank all of those who work at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, the BVI Ports Authority and especially all of us who went to Seatrade and were able to help this to happen with Gods help.

Critical to this progress was the Virgin Islands profile as a relatively safe destination for travel during the pandemic.

We were clear that our strategy for the reopening of the borders and businesses, was a managed one with vigilance to keep everyone safe.

Notwithstanding the protocols for operations, our people generally kept in line with what was required. Our visitors adapted and adjusted to our New Regular, so that activity could continue to expand.

Mr Speaker, there were those at this time who said that the BVI will never be back. There were those who were saying at this time that other places were eating our lunch. But Iam here to say today that because of the measures that we have put in place, we not only now have our lunch back; we have the entire store to get breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For 2021:

We are on our way back.

When the pandemic struck in March 2020, your Government took some decisive measures, which we said although they were tough -- were aimed at protecting the lives and livelihood of our people and the economy from catastrophic damage.

The level of economic activity that can be seen taking place is proof that we have been able to achieve this so far, and our economy remains stable and resilient after all it has been through in recent years.

The stimulation of the economy through various measures assisted in reducing some financial burden on our systems, while creating opportunity for business ideas, innovative operations, and boosting activities where possible.

For 2021:

The projected improvement in economic activity in 2021 came as no surprise following the stimulation of the economy from the roll-out of a $40 million grant from the BVI Social Security Board (BVISSB) in the third quarter of 2020.

Do keep in mind that $10 million from the BVISSB grant was placed into an unemployment relief fund and managed by BVISSB. Also, $7.5 million from the grant was paid to the National Health Insurance (NHI), where from the inception previous Governments had been delinquent in making payments.

Along with the economic stimulus package, your Government also injected resources into the economy by advancing the roll-out of a number of public sector capital projects.

The combination of these two measures the grant and the capital projects resulted in a vitamin boost for economic activity across many sectors leading to a 2.2 percent upward revision of the projection for the overall growth in 2021 over 2020, compared to the 7.5 percent contraction that was first forecasted.

Mr Speaker, your Government is fully aware of the need to continue exercising a reasonable level of caution. Because we continue to get back stronger and stronger daily, but we are not there yet. But thank GOD we are not where we were.

Hence, while this improvement is encouraging, we are cognisant that it is not enough to outweigh the effects of the pandemic on our GDP. We will get there, but it will take diligence, persistence and vigilance.

With respect to Financial Services, Mr Speaker, despite the continued declining annual trend in the market share of the industry in 2020, which was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a rebound of the financial services industry in mid-2020, which continued into the first half of 2021, with incorporation figures that were similar to pre-pandemic levels. New incorporations grew by 68.5 percent and 24.1 percent by the end of the second quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Incorporations up to August, numbered 23,182, growing 65.5 percent when compared with the same period in 2020. Similar growth patterns were recorded in revenue from fees up to August 2021 with a growth of 3.7 percent compared to the similar period in 2020.

Revenue from Financial Services surpassed the initial 2021 estimate of $184.4 million and is projected to close at $196.4 million more than $7 million in excess of the 2020 figure of $189.75 million. This is of course due to the sterling efforts of our innovative and driven team at the Financial Services Commission and our other industry stakeholders.

While the projection is that new incorporations will remain steady or be slightly improved at best, we must be on guard that the overall declining trends witnessed over the last 10 years, in both incorporations and transactional activity can continue.

In the construction sector, Town and Country Planning Department data shows that construction imports grew by a substantial 98.8 percent in the first half of 2021 - to $51.98 million, compared to the first half of 2020. Inflationary pressures do continue to be felt across goods following the demand and supply stresses affecting the general movement of prices impacted by the pandemic. And may I add, this is not just in the BVI, but this is happening throughout the entire world.

While the pandemic impacts linger, in 2021 some sectors continue to operate with certain constraints. On the other hand, other sectors such as mining and quarrying, construction, and transportation and storage are showing signs of increasing economic activity that is largely driven by ongoing public and private sector capital projects.

The revised budget estimates show total Government revenue in 2021 was $332.1 million; just $190,000 less than the initial projection.

Total Revised Recurrent Expenditure for fiscal year 2021 totalled $341.7 million; $11.3 million above the initial estimates. This included $17.88 million in Coronavirus Prevention Expense, which together with other expenditure, was essential in keeping our people safe while protecting the economy during the on-going pandemic.

It is anticipated that by the end of 2021 the Government of Virgin Islands will expend $4 million towards the long overdue increments for work year 2017 and the balance will be expended in 2022. Our public officers deserve their increments, and even during these challenging times, this Government is making provisions to ensure that it is paid and paid in this 2022 Budget. And even before the end of the year, some of the public officers will receive their increment. We are almost there. We are getting there.

Total Government Debt stands at $140.98 million as at 15 October, 2021, of which $94.3 million is foreign debt and $46.6 million is local debt.

The numbers once again show prudent, responsible fiscal management. The situation could easily have turned much worse had your Government not taken the tough and well calculated decisions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and to stimulate the economy in the areas targeted.

Mr Speaker, as the captain of the financial ship, I can honestly say that there were many sleepless nights to keep this country running. But with GODs help, we continued to run between the raindrops and dont get wet.

Record and Forecast

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2022 Budget Address - Government of the Virgin Islands

Island Nursing Home Task Force meets with town officials – The Ellsworth American

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DEER ISLE The Island Nursing Home is officially empty of residents that is. There are still a couple of employees working to handle paperwork and other issues.

That was some of the news from two members of the Island Nursing Home Task Force: Chairman Dr. Sam Harrington and Vice Chairwoman Rep. Genevieve McDonald (D-Stonington).

The nursing home, which closed due to a lack of staff, moved its last resident Oct. 22.

On Nov. 4, Harrington and McDonald updated members of the Deer Isle Select Board, who had questions.

So, what are they doing up there? Select Board member Joe Brown asked.

We dont know, McDonald quipped. There is a social worker whos keeping in touch with residents and another staffer, Lori Morey, is in the building handling medical records and other paperwork. I dont know how long that will go on.

Select Board members asked whether the homes executive director, Matthew Trombley, had left. He has.

INH has temporarily frozen its license, which expires in October 2022. McDonald said there is a process to extend the license.

Deer Isle Town Manager Jim Fisher said, Before they hire a new executive director, they need to decide if theyre going to reopen as a nursing home.

An executive directors license is essentially what runs the nursing home, McDonald said. It needs to be someone dedicated to the island.

Harrington said Heidi Gillen might serve as the interim executive director.

Shes been there a long time, Harrington said. Shes done every job. She was designated to be the successor for Matthew when the board realized Matthew wasnt going to be there forever.

One complaint that many community members have expressed is what they see as late notice about the nursing homes closure. The nursing home announced the October closure in late August.

To that end, McDonald and state Sen. Louie Luchini (D-Hancock County) are co-sponsoring a bill that will require more transparency around nursing homes closures.

I agree there should have been a lot more transparency, McDonald said. I wish they had reached out sooner. I wish that previous to it getting that dire, they had reached out to the community.

Transparency was nothing up there, said Select Board Chairman Ron Eaton. Ticks me off.

A shortage of housing on the island was one of the issues cited in the staffing shortage.

It would be ideal to have local staff, but if theres nowhere for them to live thats what we run into, McDonald said. So, one of the things we have to look at, we may have to look at foreign nursing.

INH has looked into hiring nurses from the Philippines.

I dont have any doubt that will be the way to do it, said Brown, whose family has run a plumbing and heating business on the island for over 70 years. Maybe downsizing the operation so you dont have to have as many staff to run it. If Im running my business, Im going to start out a little smaller.

Fisher said housing is very important, but the median age is 55 in Deer Isle.

Thats not an easy age to recruit someone to do a job like that, he said.

Its a difficult job, Brown added.

Harrington said its difficult for employees to work if they dont know if theyll be asked to work a double shift.

Thats an untenable situation to be in if you have family, he said.

Its a very fragile industry, the physician said. If youre short one staff member, you cant shrink your business, you have to move a patient.

Meanwhile, INH is looking for volunteers, about 160 in total, to adopt a resident, according to the nursing homes social media page.

Dede Ragot, INHs social services director, said the goal of the program is to recruit a group of volunteers who are interested in reaching out and maintaining contact with the Island Nursing Home residents who were recently displaced and transitioned to other facilities.

The aim of this program is to support former residents with their transition, maintain a connection with their island community, and to convey they are missed and have not been forgotten, Ragot said.

Being a volunteer would mean committing to contacting a resident each month, whether through sending a card, calling or visiting.

We will match volunteers and residents with similar interests through an about me profile or a specific resident can be requested, said Ragot. INH is hoping to find two to three volunteers (roughly 160 volunteers) for each of our former residents.

Groups wishing to contribute cards, letters, drawings, small gifts, stamps, etc. are also welcome and would be greatly appreciated. For more information, contact Ragot at 460-2941 or [emailprotected]

Meanwhile, the task force is hosting an online community meeting on Monday, Nov. 15, at 5:45 p.m.

McDonald said the purpose of the meeting is to provide an update and to solicit feedback from the community. The link to attend can be found on the calendar on the town of Deer Isles website.

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Island Nursing Home Task Force meets with town officials - The Ellsworth American

Aucklanders can visit the Hauraki Gulf conservation islands again – Stuff.co.nz

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Aucklanders who have been cooped up during lockdown over the last few months will be able to enjoy some of the incredible nature on their doorsteps once again from Friday.

Ferries will restart to the Hauraki Gulf conservation islands of Rangitoto and Tiritiri Matangi on Friday and Rotoroa Island on Saturday as restrictions are loosened under step 2 of alert level 3.

The islands have been off limits to recreational visitors for the last three months, with only essential travel allowed as Auckland continued to deal with the pandemic.

Fullers360 CEO, Mike Horne, says its great to once again welcome day-trippers onboard.

Fullers360

Rangitoto Island features must-do Auckland walks.

READ MORE:* Lonely Planet names Auckland the best city in the world to travel to in 2022* The best Auckland day hikes to do in the new alert level 3 * Te Huia train service on track for central Auckland stop on weekdays

The DOC protected islands are teeming with native wildlife for Aucklanders to spot on their next day trip. Were proud of the role we have in providing essential services for Aucklanders, and now being able to reopen island destinations for safe recreational travel, said Horne.

Andrew Poole, Chair at Rotoroa Island Trust, agreed: "With stunning coastal walks, sandy swimming beaches, fascinating island history and native wildlife, Rotoroa Island is a place to truly feel restored.

Sailings will be operating with reduced capacity to enable physical distancing onboard, and passengers must still follow all government guidelines for travelling on public transport including wearing a face covering onboard and inside ferry terminals, and scanning in using the Covid Tracer app.

Why go? Rangitoto Island features must-do Auckland walks.

Visitors can spend a few hours ambling around most of the volcanic island's base or take a trip up to the 260-metre-high crater summit to soak in the Hauraki Gulf's panorama.

Fullers360

Tiritiri Matangi is a 75-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland.

Why go? Tiritiri Matangi is a bird watcher's paradise.

The 220-hectare Department of Conservation-run island is being repopulated with native birds and vegetation including t, fantail, silvereye and grey warblers.

AUCKLAND ZOO

One of the residents on Rotorua Island.

Why go? Get up close and surrounded by nature.

Listen out for teke, takah, pteke, whitehead and saddleback calls. Keep an eye out for kiwi. First released in 2014, more than 25 kiwi now enjoy the predator-free haven.

More information at fullers.co.nz.

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Aucklanders can visit the Hauraki Gulf conservation islands again - Stuff.co.nz

Malta: The island welcoming digital nomads – BBC News

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Visitors to Malta may also benefit from the tourism-boosting Free Independent Traveller (FIT) scheme, which allows participating hotels to give guests who stay three days or more up to 200 (100 from the government and a matching subsidy from the hotel) in incentives (which can include a room discount or on-site perks). Book quickly though, as the special deals may end when funds for the programme run out.

Travel with no trace

Malta has been making some of the largest strides in environmental sustainability in recent years, ranking 10th in Earth.org's Global Sustainability Index. In 2021, the country launched its action plan toward a circular economy one which ensures that producers remain responsible for where their products end up, encouraging reuse, recycling and overall reduction of resources.

To encourage this, the Malta Ministry for Tourism launched its Green Mobility programme for hotels in 2019, which awards hotels for encouraging sustainable modes of transport like bicycling, electric vehicles and shuttle services for its employees and guests to get to and from the hotel and urban centres. Current award winners include the five-star AX The Palace, its four-star sister hotel AX Victoria, and The Waterfront Hotel, conveniently located in Sliema near the ferry to capital city Valletta.

Eating sustainably and serving local ingredients from local farmers and fishermen has been on the rise here as well. Le Bistro, located in the Radisson Blu Resort near the sandy beach of Golden Bay, works closely with local suppliers to serve Spanish- and Italian-influenced dishes.

For those looking to eat more plant-based fare, Malta resident James Cutajar, who runs the travel blog The Travel Deck, recommends The Grassy Hopper, Malta's first vegan restaurant, which recently rebranded under the name Foam and Fork. "They offer some amazing burgers, wraps and salads," he said.

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Malta: The island welcoming digital nomads - BBC News

Atlanta named one of the best travel destinations in the world for 2022 – FOX 5 Atlanta

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(Image by William Thompson from Pixabay)

ATLANTA - When it comes to cities, Atlanta has a lot to offer, and now a global travel organization has named the city one of the best places to travel to in the world.

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Lonely Planet, a travel guidebook company that has been recommending places to go for decades, included the Peach State's capital in its Best in Travel list for 2022. It's the only U.S. city on the list.

The list is created annually with nominations from Lonely Planet's staff, writers, bloggers, partners, and more. A panel of experts then narrows down the selections to just 10 countries, regions, and cities.

For 2022, Lonely Planet said Atlanta ranked No. 4 in its Top 10 Cities list, coming just behind Auckland, New Zealand, Taipei, Taiwan, and Freiburg, Germany.

"Charismatic and lush, Atlanta is a feverish, easy-on-the-eyes cavalcade of culture, cuisine, and Southern hospitality," Lonely Planet writes in its description of the city.

In part, the group says it chose Atlanta for its lush greenspaces, numerous walking and biking paths, its diverse community appeal, connection to history and civil rights, and its thriving arts and music scenes.

"We are thrilled with Atlantas recognition as a world-class city for travelers to visit and explore our history and culture," said Andrew Wilson, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Visitors will learn why Atlanta makes headlines as a dynamic city that continues to evolve and inspire travel for everyone."

Three places Lonely Planet suggests visitors definitely check out is the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, High Museum of Art, and the city's expansive breweries.

You can read the full list of Best in Travel here.

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Atlanta named one of the best travel destinations in the world for 2022 - FOX 5 Atlanta

Hilton Doha honoured by World Travel Awards – Breaking Travel News

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Hilton Doha has been crowned Qatars Leading City Hotel by the global ceremony platform, World Travel Awards.

The international awards brand is recognised as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence, each year rewarding and celebrating global brands from all sectors of the travel and tourism industry.

Hilton Doha triumphed among the pool of five-star hotels nominated for the same category by providing a unique lifestyle for well-travelled guests.

The property offers a diverse and exciting experience, including a variety of food and beverage outlets, relaxing pool amenities and an unapparelled beach experience.

The hotel truly captures the essence of a perfect escape from the everyday hustle and bustle in a form of a resort, located at the heart of the business district of Doha.

We pride ourselves, here at Hilton Doha, in providing unforgettable experiences for every guest we welcome, and gifting new memories to create, for when they return.

Our hotel will always be here, as the resort of the busy life of Doha needs, said Elias Moukarzel, general manager Hilton Doha Hotel.

More Information

Find out more about Hilton Doha on the official website.

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Hilton Doha honoured by World Travel Awards - Breaking Travel News

An emotional journey: Families reunite in U.S. with tears, balloons as COVID travel ban ends – Reuters

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NEW YORK/LONDON/TIJUANA, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Paul Campbell had waited nearly two years to reunite with his German fiance at Boston's Logan airport on Monday, the day the United States eased travel restrictions imposed on much of the world since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

"I'm just ecstatic that she's here, I'm happy," said Campbell, 63, a retired firefighter from Vermont who greeted her with a heart-shaped balloon. "Our relationship is still thriving even though we've been apart for two years."

At John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, a child held a sign reading, "Do I look bigger?" as he waited for the first British Airways flight from London's Heathrow. "730 days missed u! Aunty Jill + Uncle Mark," his sign said.

The travel ban, imposed since early 2020, barred access to non-U.S. citizens travelling from 33 countries - including China, India and much of Europe - and had also restricted overland entry from Mexico and Canada.

While travel continued for residents of other countries and visitors falling under exceptions, the ban eliminated the sources of more than half the visitors to the United States in 2019, according to trade group U.S. Travel, primarily tourists and other non-essential travellers to the United States.

"Today America is open for business. That is our message to the world," U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told Reuters in an interview at Chicago's O'Hare airport.

For many arriving on packed flights from Europe or lining up at border crossings in Canada and Mexico, Monday's was an emotional journey that ended in the arms of joyful relatives clutching flowers, balloons and homemade signs.

Months of pent-up demand triggered a major spike in bookings on Monday, with travellers only required to show official proof of vaccination and a recent, negative viral test. Travel bookings for the holiday season in the United States continue to rise rapidly, according to airlines and industry data.

No major issues at airports were flagged in an early morning call among airlines and U.S. government officials although authorities have warned about possible long queues and delays.

Earlier, long-term rivals British Airways and Virgin Atlantic carried out simultaneous take-offs from Heathrow's parallel runways, a stunt aimed at highlighting the importance of transatlantic business to the UK's aviation sector.

"It's a major day of celebration," Weiss said, adding that planes were "filling up nicely," in what he called a significant tipping point for an industry brought to its knees by the pandemic.

LAND BORDER CROSSINGS

U.S. land borders also reopened to non-essential travel on Monday.

People wait for their relatives after the arrival of the British Airways flight at JFK International Airport in New York, U.S., November 8, 2021. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

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Canadian travellers, particularly retirees headed to U.S. sun spots, flocked to the U.S. land border to drive across for the first time in 20 months, although testing requirements could dampen short-stay travel.

Janet Simoni, who lives in London, Ontario crossed the U.S.-Canada border just after midnight and drove to the house near Detroit where her husband lives.

"This whole half of my life has been missing for almost two years," said Simoni.

In Mexico's Ciudad Juarez, across from the Texan city of El Paso, a line of about 20 people formed early. They crossed and embraced family on the other side of the border, a Reuters witness said.

"We thought they were going to tell us again that they had decided not to open it," said Lorena Hernandez, stroking her grown-up daughter's hair and smiling broadly after they were reunited in El Paso. "I said, if they don't reopen, Im going to take a plane."

Hundreds of migrants have arrived at Mexican border cities such as Tijuana in recent days, hoping the reset will make it easier to cross and seek U.S. asylum, despite warnings from advocates that the re-opening is for people who have papers.

'SO SURREAL'

Aysha Mathew struggled to hold back tears after her mother and sister arrived at New York's JFK airport on Monday, fresh off the first British Airways flight from London's Heathrow.

Mathew was holding her toddler, Adam, and pushing a stroller with her infant, Aaron, whom her mother and sister were meeting for the first time.

"It's so surreal to finally be here and see them meet in person," Mathew said. "I'm really, really happy."

U.S. allies had heavily lobbied the Biden administration to lift the rules.

While cheering the resumption of the two-way transatlantic traffic, airline officials stressed that tourism and family trips alone will not be enough forcarriers whose profits depend on filling the most expensive seats. L1N2RZ0LF

According to U.S. Travel, declines in international visitation since the start of the pandemic resulted in nearly $300 billion in lost export income and a loss of more than one million U.S. jobs.

Reporting David Shepardson in Chicago, Julia Harte in New York, Tara Oakes, Stuart McDill, Sarah Young in London, Antony Paone in Paris, Jose Luis Gonzalez in Ciudad Juarez, Amran Abocar and Anna Mehler Paperny in Toronto, Brian Snyder in Boston; Writing by Ingrid Melander and Maria Caspani; Editing by Gareth Jones, Nick Macfie, Philippa Fletcher and Cynthia Osterman

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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An emotional journey: Families reunite in U.S. with tears, balloons as COVID travel ban ends - Reuters

International travel will get easier, but restrictions will remain – The Economist

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Nov 8th 2021

by Simon Wright: Industry editor, The Economist

THE START of the pandemic was characterised by empty supermarket shelves, as global supply chains creaked under the strain of panic buying and the disruption caused by covid-19. The system soon adjusted. But one shortage that has not been alleviated is that of international travellers. Planes are still often half-full at best and many of the worlds airports remain sparsely populated. International arrivals fell by nearly 75% in 2020, according to the UNs World Travel Organisation, with 1bn fewer people taking trips abroad. The figures for 2021 are not expected to be much better. But the prospects for 2022 look less gloomy.

More people will rediscover the pleasures of jumping on a plane to go on a spontaneous city break, attend a long-planned family wedding or take the holiday of a lifetime. And while executives will continue to spend a lot of time sitting bolt upright in video calls, more will also recline in business-class seats. In the decades before the pandemic, international travel grew rapidly, with the number of visitors to foreign countries tripling between 1990 and 2019. Budget airlines, growing prosperity and more leisure time underpinned this growth. These forces will eventually reassert themselves.

Early in the pandemic, most forecasters reckoned that international travel would not recover to the levels of 2019 before 2023 at the earliest, and more likely in 2024. That still seems a reasonable bet. Restrictions on international jaunts are still tight and are lifting only slowly. Even now only three countriesColombia, Costa Rica and Mexicoimpose no restrictions on visitors, while 88 countries are still closed completely and many more have draconian policies in place. But as vaccination rates climb and infections fall, rules will be relaxed and routes will reopen. Much of the worlds population was barred from entering the United States until its rules changed in November.

Cross-border travel will not recover to pre-covid levels until 2023 at the earliest, and more likely 2024

The recovery will be uneven. Domestic travel in large countries has already bounced backAmerica is getting closer to pre-covid levels and China has surpassed them already. Regional travel is picking up. IATA, an airline-industry body, reckons Europe could be back to nearly four-fifths of pre-pandemic levels in 2022. But Asias recovery has been slow and may continue to lag the rest of the world. Long-haul travel will remain at low levels until vaccinations are more widespread and the plethora of rules and regulations become easier to navigate.

Leisure bookings surge whenever countries lift restrictions on foreign travel, and unless a new, more dangerous mutation of covid-19 emerges, that huge pent-up demand will help fill planes again on short-haul routes. Businesses, however, plan to spend less on travel. Surveys suggest that budgets are typically being cut by 20-40%. The gloomiest prognosticators reckon half of all business travel could be gone for good. Many meetings and conferences will remain virtual, or at least take place in hybrid form with far fewer people attending in person.

Even if a more virulent mutation of the virus emerges, potentially putting everything into reverse again, one type of globetrotter will fly above the lingering dark cloudsthe rich. Soaring demand for seats on private jets is likely to continue as the wealthy sidestep many of the barriers facing the masses. The first eight months of 2021 saw 2.9m flights by business jets, 70% more than in 2020 and a tad higher than in 2019, while commercial flights still languish around 40% below pre-pandemic levels, according to WingX, a private-aviation data firm.

If that is not exclusive enough, a new covid-free destination took off in 2021 and is expected to welcome many more visitors in the coming years. If you have several hundred thousand dollars to spare, you can book a ticket for a flight to outer space.

Simon Wright: Industry editor, The Economist

This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition of The World Ahead 2022 under the headline Fasten your seat belts

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International travel will get easier, but restrictions will remain - The Economist