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Monday, November 10, 2014

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.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Ebola travel restrictions: Mauritius

The Mauritius High Commission has announced that any foreign nationals, including South Africans, who have visited one or more of the countries affected by Ebola in the last two months will not be allowed to enter the country for the time being.

Ebola-affected countries include: Guinea; Liberia; Sierra Leone; Nigeria; and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Senegal will be removed from the list of affected countries on October 10, should no new cases emerge before that time.

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

Breaking news: First Ebola case reported in US Today's News

Breaking news: First Ebola case reported in US Today's News
Wed, 1 Oct 2014

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday confirmed the first case of Ebola in the US. The patient travelled to Dallas, Texas, from Liberia. The patient did not have symptoms when leaving Liberia but developed them about five days after arriving in the United States.

The CDC does not recommend that people travelling on the same flight should be monitored, as Ebola is only contagious if the person is experiencing active symptoms.

CDC director, Dr. Tom Frieden, reassured the US public and said: “Ebola can be scary. But there’s all the difference in the world between the US and parts of Africa where Ebola is spreading. The United States has a strong health care system and public health professionals who will make sure this case does not threaten our communities. While it is not impossible that there could be additional cases associated with this patient in the coming weeks, I have no doubt that we will contain this.”

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Airport dealing with delays and cancellations

London City Airport has been struggling to get back on schedule following a morning of severe delays and cancellations due to fog.

Aberdeen is also reporting weather-related delays.

Authorities say that there could be delays of up to five hours at London City. Airlines have also reportedly cancelled some services.

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for south-east England; East Anglia; and the East Midlands.

Heathrow said they had no delays caused by fog, while Gatwick said that the airport was 'operating well'.

The Woolwich ferry service, which runs across the Thames in east London, has been suspended.

Travellers heading to the airport should check the status of the flight and expect delays throughout the day.