An Open Diary

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

UK and US sign aviation agreement to protect vital travel links

Transport Secretary signs bilateral agreement safeguarding the future of air travel between the UK and US.

Transport Secretary, US Secretary of State and US Transportation Secretary co-sign Air Services Agreement ahead of the end of EU transition period
arrangement safeguards flights between the UK and US
agreement reinforces the UK’s trading relationship with the US, worth over £230 billion

The Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, has today (17 November 2020) signed a new bilateral Air Services Agreement safeguarding the future of air travel between the UK and US past the end of the transition period. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed on behalf of the US, along with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

READ MORE HERE

Australia - Framework for National Reopening by Christmas

On 13 November, the Commonwealth, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory agreed to a new ‘Framework for National Reopening Australia by Christmas’ subject to local health advice.

READ THE FRAMEWORK HERE

HKSAR - Travel scheme bookings to open

The first batch of quotas under the Return2hk travel scheme will open for applications tomorrow.

Under the scheme, Hong Kong residents who fulfil specified conditions will be exempted from the 14-day compulsory quarantine requirement when they return to Hong Kong from Guangdong or Macau.

READ MORE HERE

US - 2020 federal income tax returns / Register Deadline for Economic Impact Payment

The Internal Revenue Service encouraged taxpayers to take necessary actions this fall to help them file their federal tax returns timely and accurately in 2021, including special steps related to Economic Impact Payments (EIP).

The Internal Revenue Service reminded anyone who doesn't normally file a tax return that they have until 3 p.m. EST this Saturday, November 21, to register with the IRS for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP).

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

China - New policies foster growth of foreign trade

The central government has unveiled a new package of measures to spur the growth of foreign trade, including steps to support exporters' use of new technologies and channels to explore the international market and enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises.

The measures were laid out in a guideline issued by the General Office of the State Council, China's Cabinet, on Nov 9 in a bid to promote the high-quality and innovative development of the foreign trade sector.

READ MORE HERE

New Zealand - Masks to be worn on Auckland public transport and all domestic flights

Masks will need to be worn on all public transport in Auckland and in and out of Auckland and on domestic flights throughout the country from this Thursday, Minister for COVID-19 Response Chris Hipkins said 16 November.

READ MORE HERE

India - Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah directs slew of measures for controlling the spread of Covid-19 in Delhi at a review meeting

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah today reviewed the Covid-19 situation in Delhi, in the backdrop of rising number of cases and the increasing strain on the capacity of medical infrastructure in the hospitals of the Capital.

READ MORE HERE

HKSAR - Social distancing measures tightened

The Government today announced that social distancing measures will be tightened due to the development of COVID-19 in Hong Kong.

Recently, there have been signs of a rebound in local confirmed cases with unknown sources of infection, the Government said in a statement, adding that the fourth wave of the outbreak could be triggered at any moment.

READ MORE HERE