No Coffee Gatherings This Week

Above, at Grandpa's Grill in November. Greg is the one with the big white beard to my left.

It looks like I'll have to stay isolated this week.

After getting back home last evening after we had Chinese food in Gallup, Russell Azbill fell and Greg Lucier called me for assistance to get him back on his feet.

After making a couple of calls to other friends for assistance, I got to Russell's and several neighbors were there already and he was back on his feet. Greg was there as well.

He had been under the weather this weekend due to a "cold", but as it turned out, he has COVID. He was white as a sheet. I don't think I've ever seen anyone so white. I didn't know this when I got there, but found out while there. I don't think I got any closer than a couple of feet of him. I was wearing my gloves, fortunately.

So, as a precaution, we are not going to have our coffees this week. I don't think I was exposed to the virus, but you never know. I think Russell and Greg made contact, but I am not certain. I asked Greg if he knew where he got it. He said he doesn't know.

At least I already had my vaccinations. Hopefully, they will be doing some good.

Greg's brother Larry has a greater chance of exposure to the virus since he lives at Greg's. He was already vaccinated as well.

Well, isn't this just ducky?

Japan Shortening Quarantine Period

Above, a Niigata cemetery. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On first glance, Japan's policy involving foreign nationals and coronavirus is a bit confusing, to say the least.

On one hand, foreign visitors are banned from entering the country. Then on the other, they are shortening quarantine times down. It looks to me that the following involves Japanese citizens and foreigners who are residents.

The latest policy has been posted by The Japan Times:

Japan said Friday it will shorten the quarantine period for travelers arriving in the country to 10 days from the current 14, effective Saturday.

Citizens and Japan residents arriving from countries severely hit by the omicron variant of the coronavirus, which effectively includes all countries and territories around the world, will be eligible to enter the country under the new rules, the Foreign Ministry said. New entries of foreign nationals are effectively banned due to COVID-19 border restrictions.

“The length of period when they are required to self-quarantine in places such as their own residence or accommodations after their entry into Japan, to follow-up checks conducted by the Health Monitoring Center for Overseas Entrants and to refrain from using public transportation is changed from 14 days to 10 days,” the Foreign Ministry said.

The period had been at least three days, but it was extended to 14 days in late November as the government tightened border controls following the emergence of omicron.

The move comes after the government shortened the quarantine period for close contacts of COVID-19 patients from 14 days to 10.

To read more, go here. 

Japan To Ease Entry For Businesspeople, Students But Not Tourists

Above, the Asahi Beer Hall in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is easing entry into the country for businesspeople and students, but not for tourists.

This policy is due to the drop in coronvirus cases in Japan.

According to Nikkei Asia:

TOKYO -- Japan looks to let foreigners visit the country for short business trips, study abroad and technical training in an easing of its strict coronavirus-related entry rules, Nikkei has learned.

Tourists are not included in this round. The government is expected to announce the policy changes as early as this week, with implementation to begin this month.

With new COVID-19 cases down substantially from record levels over the summer, Japan aims to gradually loosen a de facto entry ban on foreigners that has become a source of growing frustration among businesses. Top corporate lobby Keidanren has been among the advocates of a more flexible approach.

The quarantine requirement for short-term business travelers will be cut to as little as three days for vaccinated visitors, from 10 days now. Companies and organizations receiving foreign nationals will be required to monitor their activities.

The shorter quarantine requirement will also apply to Japanese nationals returning from business trips abroad.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Opens Up To Fully Vaccinated Travellers From October

Above, the National Diet Building in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some protocols for Japanese citizens to travel internationally are being revised. It will likely be in effect in October.

According to Travel Daily:

Japan is finalising plans to reduce the duration of quarantine for those completely immunised against COVID-19 from 14 to 10 days and allow them to immediately self-isolate at home, even if they return from higher-risk areas, according to the health ministry on Friday.

According to reports quoting government officials, the reform would most likely go into effect in October. 

Following the anticipated adjustment, persons who produce proof of full COVID-19 vaccination will be permitted to observe the shortened quarantine time at home. Although Japan and other countries have begun issuing vaccine passports for international travel, it is unclear what will constitute acceptable evidence.

The relaxed requirements, however, will only apply to those who have received one of the three COVID-19 vaccines approved by the Japanese government: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or AstraZeneca.

 As for entering Japan:

Currently, all people entering Japan, whether or not they have had their COVID-19 vaccinations, are subject to the same quarantine regime, which includes pre-entry COVID-19 tests, further tests upon arrival, and the mandatory 14-day quarantine.

People arriving from more than 40 countries and territories labelled as high-risk due to the spread of the delta strain are forced to stay in government-approved facilities for the first three days. Those who test negative at the conclusion of the two-week quarantine period can return home or relocate to a facility of their choice for the duration of the two-week period.

Others arriving from areas not on the list can travel straight home or to a hotel of their choice.

This doesn't appear to apply to foreign tourists. You can bet that I'll keep watch for any news.

To read the full article, go here. 

Japan To Shorten Quarantine To 10 Days

Above, Toho Studios in the Setagaya section of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is about to shorten quarantine time for vaccinated foreign nationals who enter the country to 10 days from 14.

The policy is very odd since people have limited amounts of time for travel and being in self-quarantine for even 10 days would be a hardship. So why bother to even go there?

Even with this easing, Japan's policy of entering the country is confusing, to put it mildly. To see why, read below, especially the parts in bold. It reminds me of the old saying, "A camel is a horse designed by a committee."

According to the Japan Times (some snippets): 

Good news for people planning to travel or return to Japan: The government is expected to shorten the period of self-isolation upon arrival for vaccinated people from 14 to 10 days — the first time the nation will have eased quarantine measures since the beginning of the year.

The revised quarantine measures, likely to be announced Thursday, will only apply to people who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved in Japan — Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca.

The revision is expected to take effect as early as the end of September.

At present, all people traveling to Japan need to get tested twice — within 72 hours before their departure and on arrival — before they go into the mandatory self-isolation period.

Depending on where they come from and the pandemic situation there, some arrivals are required to stay in government-designated facilities for a certain period of time ー ranging from three to 10 days ー and undergo additional COVID-19 tests as part of their two-week quarantine. Others can isolate at home or an accommodation of their choosing.

At present, only Japanese citizens and foreign nationals with a valid residence status are allowed to enter Japan. Exceptions are made only for those seeking entry under exceptional circumstances.

However, Japan has banned foreign nationals with residence status from entering Japan if they are traveling from certain regions and nations such as India and many of its neighboring countries, which had been struggling to contain the virus.

It is bizarre that at first Japan says foreign nationals can enter, but have to be quarantined. Then they say they can't enter unless they have a "valid residence status". 

It is probably best to not even bother going there until the pandemic is over.

To read the full article, go here.

New Mexico Reopening July 1

Well, hallelujah!

The "queen" of New Mexico has decreed that New Mexico will be fully re-opened on July 1.

It should have been re-opened long ago and businesses and personal lives of people should not have been devastated into ruin in the first place.

Hopefully, people will remember during next year's election.

Covid Test Is No longer Required On Hawaii's Big Island

Above, a double waterfall on the Big Island. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's some good news for people from "the mainland" who plan to travel to the "Big Island" of Hawaii.

From Travel Weekly:

The Big Island of Hawaii has ended its requirement for a Covid-19 test upon arrival for out-of-state travelers as of June 1.

The island implemented the post-arrival testing in fall 2020 as part of the county's efforts to combat the spread of Covid-19. The testing was paid for and provided by the county and was in addition to the statewide requirement for all those traveling to Hawaii to receive a Covid-19 test within 72 hours of their departure for the state, or be subject to a quarantine period.

Originally the post-arrival testing applied to all arriving passengers, but in May travelers who had been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to arrival were exempted from the additional testing.

There are still some testing guidelines still in place for the rest of the state.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Sets Target Date to Allow Vaccinated Travelers Without A Pre-Test

Above, tourists in luau food lines. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Compared to other states, Hawaii has been one of the more restrictive ones when it comes to COVID-19 and tourism.

Currently, the state requires pre-tests of tourists, even if they are vaccinated. But all that may be changing fairly soon. (Hint: Independence Day.)

According to an article in Forbes:

If you’re considering travel to Hawaii at the moment, you’re probably busy sorting through the requirements one needs to avoid quarantine, including a pre-arrival test for trans-Pacific travelers and then additional pre-tests for interisland travel.

Currently, even those who are vaccinated are subject to these regulations.

The state of Hawaii also still has a mask mandate in place, which applies to all people, even those who are vaccinated, despite the new CDC recommendations that eased its previous guidance.

But, good news may be on the way.

 To read more, go here.

Hawaii Considering Uniform Quarantine Rule

Above, a view of Waikiki and Diamond Head. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since the pandemic began, there has been much confusion on what can and can't be done in each state.

Probably the most confusing are the different sets of rules each island of the state of Hawaii has imposed.

Hopefully, all that will soon change if a bill passes the Hawaii legislature that will set uniform rules for the state as a whole.

According to TravelPulse:

As diligent as the state of Hawaii has been with its travel rules and restrictions, visitors have nonetheless been confused about which island has which rules.

Hawaii’s seven main islands – Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai and Niihau – all have different rules of entry for tourists regarding quarantines against the coronavirus.

But that might soon become a thing of the past.

Hawaii lawmakers are considering a bill that would standardize the state's pandemic travel restrictions across the islands, a departure from the current system that allows individual counties to create their own modified safety measures, according to a story published in USA Today.

Currently, each of the seven islands can opt out of the state's “Safe Travels” program, which requires a single negative COVID-19 test before departure for Hawaii to avoid a mandatory quarantine. Some counties can choose to require all visitors to quarantine for 10 days; some can ask for additional screening; some can set up a modified quarantine program.

To read more, go here. 

Yosemite Open For Day-Use Only Beginning December 7

Above, The Beast at North Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

How is camping in your own RV or tent, and you confine yourselves to your own campsite, is a danger to others but day-use activities are safe? That makes absolutely no sense. But we're talking about California, aren't we?

That's exactly is what's happening at Yosemite National Park.

Sierra Sun Times reported:

December 5, 2020 - In support of the California Regional Stay-at-Home order in the San Joaquin Valley region, beginning at noon on Monday, December 7, 2020, Yosemite National Park is open 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. for day-use activities only. Lodging and campgrounds are currently closed. Some services and facilities are limited, and shuttles are not operating. Consistent with the state’s regional stay at home order, day use limits will be in place until local conditions change. Please refer to California’s regional Stay-at-Home order (https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs) for the current timeline of these restrictions.

Yosemite National Park will be closed daily to all visitors from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 A.M. and park gates will be locked overnight.

All in-park overnight lodging will be closed for incoming arrivals beginning on Monday, December 7, 2020 and will remain closed until further notice. All overnight camping within Yosemite National Park will be prohibited beginning on Monday, December 7, 2020 until further notice. This includes all park campgrounds, wilderness camping, and overnight use along climbing routes. Overnight backpacking trips into Yosemite’s wilderness will also be prohibited.

To read more, go here.

The Hoarders Are Back

Above, the Gallup Walmart toilet paper aisle last spring. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last Saturday night, Russell Asbill and I went to the Gallup, New Mexico Safeway market to pick up some groceries as we were aware that the state will be locked down again starting today.

The store was fairly busy and I was able to get everything on my list (yes, I do make shopping lists). Russell mentioned getting toilet paper and I took a walk over to the toilet paper aisle to take a peek and, lo and behold, the shelves were barren, even though there were signs telling shoppers that they are limited to one package per shopper. That didn't seem to do any good.

Lucky for me, I bought a package about a week ago, so I am okay for a while. 

What is wrong with people? They should have learned their lesson last spring when the hoarders gobbled up every package. I understand that this is happening again nationwide.

Stupid people never learn!

New Mexico Back In Lockdown

Here we go again!

Starting today, the whole state of New Mexico is under another lockdown thanks to Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham.

KRQE reported:

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The entire state will re-enter a shut down for the next two weeks beginning Monday, Nov. 16. On Friday, Governor Lujan Grisham announced renewed lockdowns for New Mexico, the toughest restrictions since the pandemic hit the state in March.

New Mexicans have been told to stay at home, except for essential travel. Indoor and patio dining will no longer be allowed, which are now limited to take out and delivery only.

Non-essential businesses like salons, gyms, and non-tribal casinos must stop in-person activities. Outdoor recreation facilities, including state parks and golf courses, must also shut down. Capacity will also be reduced at grocery and big box stores.

Good thing I did some grocery shopping Saturday night. 

To read more, go here.

What You Need To Know About Travel To Hawaii

Above, Diamond Head from the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon at Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Well, it appears that COVID-19 cases are spiking up again and states, primarily ones run by Democrats, are implementing lockdowns and other measures again. What did you expect? They're control freaks!

Hawaii is open to visitors again and Fodor's Travel has an article on essential things one needs to know about traveling there.

They begin with:

In October, Hawaii began its pre-travel testing program, allowing visitors from the mainland U.S. to bypass the 14-day quarantine after testing negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of traveling to the islands. Starting November 6, the program will also extend to visitors coming to the islands from Japan.

You may be eager to jet off to Hawaii for a tropical getaway, but there are a few things you need to know before you pack that beach bag.

As with all things related to COVID-19, the details change quickly. At the time of writing, all of Hawaii’s islands allow visitors from the mainland with the exception of Lanai, which is limiting non-essential travel due to a new cluster of COVID-19 cases.

To read more, go here.

Aloha! 

Airline Alliances Urge Testing Over Quarantines

Above, a Japan-bound United Airlines plane at Los Angeles International
Airport. United is part of Star Alliance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Airline alliances are urging testing of passengers over coronavirus quarantines to get people traveling again.

According to Japan Today:

FRANKFURT, Germany - Three global airline alliances are urging governments to put into practice common guidelines for passenger testing and digital health pass technology, to help people start flying again.

Oneworld, Star Alliance and SkyTeam said testing could be part of an overall approach to restart international travel, by reducing reliance on the “blunt instrument” of quarantines aimed at halting the spread of the coronavirus.

New testing guidelines from the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Authority could "pave the way for a framework of trust to be established between countries," Star Alliance CEO Jeffrey Goh said in the joint statement on the oneworld.com website. Oneworld CEO Rob Gurney and SkyTeam CEO Kristin Colvile joined in the statement.

The alliances — representing 58 member airlines — cited recent tests of the CommonPass digital health pass, which uses a smartphone app to securely verify that passengers have complied with health requirements, whether these be a test or a future vaccine.

SkyTeam includes Aeroflot, Delta, Air France-KLM and China Airlines in a partial list of members. Oneworld has, among others, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and Alaska Airlines while some of Star Alliance's members are Air Canada, Lufthansa, SAS, and United.

To read more, go here. 

Pass Pre-Travel Test, You Can Travel To Hawaii

Above, an evening view of Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The pandemic, or at least the measures put into place by the Hawaii state government controlled by Democrats, has left the state's tourism industry in ruins.

But there may be a light at the end of the tunnel as a pre-travel testing program started Thursday will allow tourists who have passed a pre-travel coronavirus test into the state.

CBS News reported:

Angela Margos was among the first passengers in San Francisco to get on a plane headed for Hawaii, where travelers who test negative for the coronavirus will no longer be required to self-quarantine for two weeks.

"Vacation, peace of mind," said Margos, a nurse from San Carlos, California, of why she's flying to Hawaii. "I need time to relax, unwind."

The pre-travel testing program began Thursday and allows visitors who test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of their arrival in the islands to avoid quarantine — a measure that's been in place for all arriving passengers for most of the year.

Officials had touted the mandatory quarantine rule as an integral part of Hawaii's early success in keeping the coronavirus at bay. The new testing program is an effort to stem the devastating downturn the pandemic has had on Hawaii's tourism-based economy.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Eased Entry Rules, But Hurdles Remain

Above, the arrival lobby of Narita Airport's Terminal 2 in the "good 'ol days". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan has eased entry rules for people coming into the country, but there are still hurdles that people have to "jump" in order to enter.

The country is still closed to tourism, but some with family and business in Japan can enter.

According to The Japan Times:

The international arrivals lobby at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 in Tokyo was eerily quiet Monday, with only a limited number of passengers from such destinations as Paris, Manila and Seattle showing up.

One of them was Barbara Tomiyama, 54, who arrived on a flight from Manila. She said she found the whole process of entering Japan — including the submission of a certificate showing a negative test for COVID-19 within 72 hours prior to departure, taking antigen saliva tests upon arrival and the need to self-isolate for 14 days — “very inconvenient.”

“It’s time-consuming,” she said, having spent about two hours passing the inspections, adding that she came back to her home in Tokyo to live with her son who has permanent residence status.

She said she arranged for her brother-in-law to pick her up at the airport, as the use of public transportation is prohibited during the self-quarantine period.

Still, some others passed the inspection quickly in around an hour or so, as the saliva-based test to detect coronavirus infections can show results within 30 minutes. A 49-year-old American man who flew from Seattle for business said he found the process of entering Japan “very easy.”

“There’s very few people, almost nobody in there, so I’m happy it was pretty easy” to get through the inspection, said the man, who declined to be identified but said he works for the U.S. military.

He added that during the quarantine period of 14 days, he would have to limit his business activities to those done by phone.

Despite onerous inspections, they are still considered the lucky ones, as many foreign nationals are unable to get a coronavirus test within 72 hours prior to their departure. That, along with the two-week self-isolation requirement and other strict conditions, may explain why so few of them can come to Japan despite the eased entry rules this month.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Extends Tourist Quarantine To October, At Least

Above, Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here we go again!

The spike in coronavirus infections has delayed again the reopening of Hawaii to out-of-state visitors another month, at least.

USA Today reported:

Hawaii Gov. David Ige has hinted about it for weeks as COVID-19 cases in the state surged, and on Tuesday he made it official: The state won't reopen to tourism until October at the earliest. 

The planned Sept. 1 start of a program that would allow out-of-state visitors to bypass Hawaii's strict 14-day quarantine upon arrival by presenting a negative COVID-19 test at the airport has been delayed until at least Oct. 1, Ige said late Tuesday. 

"We will continue to monitor the conditions here in Hawaii as well as key markets on the mainland to determine the appropriate start date for the pre-travel (COVID-19) testing program," he said.

To read more, go here. 

NM Restaurants "Don't Feel Listened To"

Above, Don Diego's Restaurant & Lounge in Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To be a restaurateur in any state, particularly New Mexico, is not a winning proposition.

Restaurants have been singled out by governors with lockdown orders or limited services.

In New Mexico, it has been a teeter-totter existence for restaurants as they have been allowed and then disallowed to serve dine-in patrons at 50% capacity.

Unfortunately, when a state has a governor, such as Michelle Lujan Grisham, who won't listen, unnecessary chaos erupts that forces restaurants to seek relief through the courts. Grisham has the attitude of, "Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!" 

The latest comes from the Santa Fe New Mexican:

Though another legal showdown with the Governor’s Office looms later this month, the New Mexico Restaurant Association is pleading its case to the public in the interim. 

A day after a flurry of action placed Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s indoor-dining ban before the state Supreme Court, restaurant association CEO Carol Wight again made her arguments on behalf of the industry, asserting indoor dining in June and early July wasn’t a significant source of the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state. 

“It was never dine-in restaurants that was the problem,” Wight said Tuesday. “I really hope to drive home it’s not making a difference [to shut down dine-in]. The [statewide overall] spike is still going up. We don’t think what the industry is doing has anything to do with the spread of coronavirus.” 

The fight over indoor dining reached the state Supreme Court on Monday when a District Court judge in Carlsbad issued a restraining order that temporarily stopped the governor from enforcing a renewed ban on dine-in options. Hours later, though, lawyers for Lujan Grisham requested a stay from the Supreme Court, which ordered the parties to file legal arguments in the next several days. 

For now, the ban remains in place. 

The state has about 3,300 restaurants, with about 200 permanently closing since the pandemic started, Wight said. 

A spokesman for the Governor’s Office wrote an “open line of communication” exists with the association and discussions have taken place “since the outset of the implementation of pandemic-related restrictions.” 

“As far as there being an open line to the governor, we are not feeling that,” Wight responded. “Yes, I can email the secretary of environment and secretary of tourism, but we don’t feel listened to.”

Remember, brick walls don't have ears.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Extends Out-Of-State Visitor Quarantine Another Month

Above, dancers at a Honolulu luau. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you were planning for an idyllic vacation to Hawaii just after August 1, those plans have to be tossed out the window.

USA Today reported:

Hawaii is delaying its plan to allow out-of-state visitors to the return to the vacation hot spot by a month due to an increase in coronavirus cases in the state and on the mainland U.S. 

In late June, the governor's office announced that travelers could visit Hawaii beginning Aug. 1, no quarantine required, by presenting a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of boarding. Without one, passengers arriving from the mainland would have to strictly quarantine for 14 days, a policy in place since March that has scared away most tourists and decimated Hawaii's tourism industry. The surge in cases on the U.S. mainland has made it harder for people in many states to get tested. 

Hawaii Gov. David Ige said at a news conference late Monday that the program won't begin until Sept. 1, a decision he said was not taken lightly. 

To read more, go here. 

New Mexico Restaurants Defy Governor's Order

Just when New Mexico restaurants were able to offer indoor dining, Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham pulls the rug from under them again. Many won't be able to survive unless they are able to stay open and offer indoor dining.

But some restaurants aren't taking her order without a fight.

According to the Carlsbad Current-Argus:

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered that all restaurants in the state close indoor dining on Monday to slow the spread of COVID-19 as positive case numbers rose across the state. 

The move came just weeks after restaurants were told they could reopen when cases appeared to be declining, and owner of Carlsbad's historic Trinity Hotel and Restaurant Janie Balzano said the latest closure could be catastrophic to the business. 

She said the restaurant will stay open on Monday in defiance of the governor’s orders but in support, Balzano said, of her 41 employees and their families.

With the $600 federal unemployment subsidy expiring at the end of July, Balzano said her workers both want and need to stay on the job. 

“This would shut us down for good. We are going to be staying open,” Balzano said. “We have 41 employees that want to go on unemployment and couldn’t make it on unemployment.”

To read more, go here.