TBA Corporate: November 2014

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Ebola travel restrictions changed - Seychelles

Seychelles has amended its Ebola travel restrictions.

Previously, travellers were not allowed to enter Seychelles if they had visited Nigeria; Guinea; Liberia; Sierra Leone; or the Democratic Republic of Congo within 21 days of their arrival dates.

However, Nigeria has now been removed from the list of restricted countries.

More importantly, Mali has been added to the list following the confirmation of Ebola reaching the country.

Daily Ebola updates can be found here or under the ‘Additional Information’ heading on the TI Plus homepage.

Monday, November 10, 2014

Metrolink to use replacement buses

Metrolink will use replacement buses during work on Manchester Airport's station platform.

Early Sunday morning Metrolink services to Manchester Airport will be replaced by buses throughout November, while work takes place on the fourth platform at the train station.

Work to complete the new fourth platform at Manchester Airport station will resume in January as Network Rail begins to install the new track, signalling and upgrade the platforms.

The work means that there will be changes to services between Manchester Airport and Wythenshawe town centre.

Metrolink will not operate trams between Wythenshawe Town Centre and the airport until 08h30 on November 16, 23 and 30.

Before 08h30, there will be a bus replacement service in operation, running a 15-minute service between Wythenshawe and the airport.

Next year, throughout January 17 and until midday the following day, there will be no Metrolink services between Wythenshawe and the airport.

A replacement bus will operate to cover the usual service.

Strikes may disrupt public transport

Strike action is anticipated throughout Belgium in November and December.

This may cause widespread disruption to public transport in and out of Belgium and travellers are advised to allow additional travel time for all journeys.

Protest marches and demonstrations may also take place in central Brussels. Travellers should remain vigilant and follow advice given by the local authorities.

Country cancels hosting of AFCON

Morocco has confirmed it will not hold the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2015 tournament due to the risk of the Ebola virus.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reportedly approached potential alternative hosts for AFCON 2015 but with the first game due to kick-off on January 17, time is running out to make the necessary preparations.

CAF will meet in Egypt tomorrow to decide whether to cancel/postpone the tournament or announce a new host nation.

Arctic blast to chill 42 states

As the polar vortex gets displaced to the south, the door will open for arctic air to plunge over the most of the United States as this week progresses.

Only the Southwest; Hawaii; Alaska; and South Florida will escape the grip of the upcoming arctic blast that the polar vortex can be blamed for.

The harshest cold will hit the northern Rockies and Plains. However, temperatures will also plummet throughout the Northwest and to the Gulf Coast and I-95 corridor.

The arctic blast will drop into the northern Rockies today, accompanied by a snowstorm, and will then spread across the Northwest and Plains through Wednesday.

Tomorrow and Wednesday will prove to be the coldest days of the week across the northern Rockies and northern High Plains. The cold will raise the risk of hypothermia and frostbite for those not properly dressed.

Across the Northwest; South; and I-95 corridor, the arrival of the cold air will create a December-like feel with a 10- to 20-degree (Fahrenheit) change in high temperatures from the preceding day.

The adverse conditions will likely cause delays on roads and at airports. Travellers should expect disruptions.

Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing for nearly two weeks in the Upper Midwest, including Minneapolis.

There is a possibility for another winter storm crossing the nation next Thursday to the following Monday. With the cold air still in place, there could be a swath of snow stretching from the Northwest to the central Plains to the Northeast.

Enough cold air could even be in place for ice to glaze Portland, Oregon, and snow to fly around Seattle, Washington.

Renewed flood threat from Italy to Greece

Additional flooding rain is expected across southern Europe this week, just on the heels of last week’s flooding rainfall.

Moisture from the Mediterranean Sea will fall across areas from southeastern France to Italy and from Slovenia to Greece.

While this system does not look as potent as the storm that occurred last week, it will still bring the potential for additional flooding. The greatest threat for flooding will occur in northern Italy, especially on the southern slopes of the Alps.

In addition to heavy rainfall, over a metre of snow will fall in the Alps, adding to the vast amount of snow that fell during the last storm.

Rainfall in excess of 150mm is expected to soak parts of northern Italy where major flooding is possible.

Not only will flash flooding be likely, but long-duration river flooding is possible as well. Due the heavy rain during the past week, and the expected rainfall this week, larger rivers like the Ticino and Po may spill out of their banks for several days.
The heavy rain is expected to begin today across southeast France and northern Italy and will continue at varying intensities through Wednesday. The flooding threat will spread farther to the south through the remainder of the week.

Majority of Catalonians want independence

An informal vote on independence for Catalonia over the weekend has shown more than 80% of its participants are in favour.

The provisional results followed a day of voting across the autonomous region, which includes Barcelona, in north-eastern Spain.

The non-binding vote went ahead after Spain's constitutional court ruled out a formal referendum.

Voters were asked two questions: whether they wanted Catalonia to be a state and whether they wanted that state to be independent. More than two million people took part in the vote and with almost all votes counted, 80.72% have answered yes to both questions.

Opinion polls suggest that as many as 80% of Catalans want an official referendum on the issue of Catalonia's status, with about 50% in favour of full independence.

The ballot was held in the face of fierce opposition from the Spanish government.

Additionally, the Libres e Iguales (Free and Equal) group, which opposes the vote, held protests in dozens of cities. One protest in Barcelona witnessed minor scuffles but no arrests.

Other rallies in favour of the vote were also held.

Travellers are advised to avoid all public demonstrations.

Sphinx courtyard set to reopen

Egypt will soon reopen the courtyard in front of the Sphinx to tourists.

The monument has been under restoration for nearly four years.

The Sphinx courtyard will be opened for the first time since the restoration. However, a date for the opening has not yet been set.

Once the courtyard is opened, tourists will be free to walk around the monument.

A small temple built next to the Sphinx by pharaoh Amenhotep II of the 18th dynasty will also be opened to the public for the first time.

Meanwhile, the Menkaure pyramid (the smallest of the three Great Pyramids of Giza) will be reopened today, November 10, after three years of restoration work.

FCO advises against use of public transport

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is advising against the use of public transport in Jerusalem due to recent incidents that left a number of people dead.

On October 22 and November 5, cars were driven into pedestrians at public tram stops in East Jerusalem.

On August 4, an industrial digger was driven into a bus in East Jerusalem.

Additionally, there have been frequent reports of stoning of public transport, including buses and the tram.

There is an ongoing risk of security incidents on public transport in East Jerusalem, particularly the Light Rail. The FCO says that these incidents are unpredictable and advise against the use of public transport throughout Jerusalem.

Travellers should consider alternative options.

Visa decrease- Germany

Germany has decreased its visa costs.

A Schengen visa (Tourist and Business) now costs R830, down from R860 previously.

A child visa (aged 6-12) decreased from R500 to R490.

An Intergate Visalink appointment fee remains R285.

Airport upgrade on schedule

Walvis Bay Airport’s upgrade remains on schedule and is expected to be completed by July 2015.

The upgrade includes the renovation of the terminal building and expansion of the whole facility.

The N$67 million upgrade started in September 2013.