Pandemic travel news: Vacationing in Asia just got easier

By Vernon P. Vang Last updated Mar 28, 2022

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(CNN) — This week at CNN Travel, we eat our dinner out of the coolest tube of toothpaste in the world, dream of sunny Indonesian beaches and admire the latest developments in British public transport. Come and have a look, won’t you?

Asia opens up

Traveling in Asia has become easier as Hong Kong will allow passengers to transit through its airport from April 1.

The city is still mostly off-limits to tourists, but it is a major airport hub for destinations across the Asia-Pacific region.

Meanwhile, many countries in Asia are now adopting the “living with the virus” approach.

South Korea is dropping quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated visitors from April 1, while Indonesia dropped its quarantine rules for international guests following a successful trial on the popular island of Bali .

Singaporepictured above, is heading towards full reopening to vaccinated visitors from all countries from April 1. There are a few exceptions, but most fully vaxxed guests will not need to take a post-arrival PCR test or quarantine.

The islands and the southern tip of Africa

It’s not just Asian destinations that are easing Covid regulations.

pacific island The country of Fiji has eliminated a “soft quarantine” policy requiring visitors to spend three days in a government-approved facility, provided they are – you guessed it – fully vaccinated. The new guidelines come into effect on April 7.

The Spanish Canary Islands have dropped their local restrictions, which is great news for spring breakers. As well as dropping masking and testing rules, nightclubs can reopen and dancing is allowed again.

Vaccinated travelers to South Africa no longer need a negative PCR test to enter. Not vaccinated? You can get vaccinated in the country once you have landed, as local vaccination centers allow people from anywhere to come in and request a shot.

The United States, however, remains cautious about international travel. This week, and the Indian Ocean island nation was the only country to be upgraded to Tier 4, “avoid travel” status by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That’s the good news. The less good news is that there are still around 120 destinations listed at level 4.

What would Garfield think?

This is just one of the innovative presentations of Italian cuisine created by Valerio Braschi at Rome’s Restaurant 1978. It is also known for pizza served in a bag, steak in liquid form and carbonara transformed into a cocktail.

Not unusual enough for you? The restaurant also serves zebra – albeit in a more traditional cutlet-like format.

Say hello to Elizabeth

Named after Queen Elizabeth II, Crossrail is due to partially open in 2022 as the Elizabeth Line. It will connect East and West London like never before.

London’s new Crossrail public transport system, officially known as the Elizabeth Line in honor of the Queen, will start carrying passengers from May.

The 100 kilometer (62 mile) underground network will link some of the capital’s most popular locations, such as the West End theater district and Canary Wharf financial hub, to Heathrow Airport and can go as far as at 90 miles per hour.

Although the full schedule won’t be active until 2023, travelers will appreciate being able to get from the airport to downtown in as little as 38 minutes.

A cult candy goes global

White Rabbit, a milk-based candy made in China, has become an international trend thanks to its delicious taste and adorable partly edible packaging.

It has expanded beyond its roots with white rabbit flavored ice cream in Los Angeles, branded socks in New York, frozen ice cream in Hong Kong and even an art installation in Shanghai.

If you want to appear to know, ask da bay youMandarin for big white rabbit.

In case you missed it

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The list of “longest flights in the world” has just received a new competitor.

Colombia is a mix of jungle, beach and urban cool.

Get back to flying in style

Flying again for the first time since the pandemic?

Our friends at CNN Underscored, a CNN-owned product reviews and recommendations guide, have put together a handy list of tools and products that will make your budget seat as comfortable as your well-worn living room couch.

Top image: A view of the Singapore skyline taken on June 14, 2021. (Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images)