International cruises from England to restart - BBC News

PA Media

International cruises will be able to start again from England from Monday 2 August after a 16-month break.

People arriving at UK ports who have been fully vaccinated in the US and the EU will also not have to quarantine, the UK government said.

It's part of a plan to relax isolation rules for US and EU arrivals in the UK.

An industry body said travel agencies, hotels, tour guides, port operators and other firms would benefit from cruises restarting.

Domestic cruises have been allowed to run from May but international cruises have been prohibited.

The government said that international cruise travel advice "will be amended to encourage travellers to understand the risks associated with cruise travel and take personal responsibility for their own safety abroad".

Getty Images

Under the new rules, from 04:00 BST on Monday 2 August, fully vaccinated US and EU travellers arriving from amber countries will not need to quarantine or take a test on day eight of their arrival.

However, they will still need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on the second day after they arrive.

And travellers from France are not exempt.

Arrivals will also still need to complete a Passenger Locator Form.

Under-18s will be exempt from isolation, and some will not have to test, depending on their age.

The UK government said the rule changes would help to reunite family and friends whose loved ones live abroad.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said the reopening of travel was "progress we can all enjoy".

However, international cruises are unlikely to be available from Monday.

On its website, P&O Cruises said following their UK summer staycations, its Britannia ship will begin planned western Mediterranean itineraries on 25 September, while its Iona vessel will launch on the same date.

It said due to the current traffic light system, a "number of itineraries have had to be cancelled".

Cruises on Ventura have been paused until 3 October 2021, while cruises on its Azura ship have been halted up until 10 December 2021. Some others have been delayed until 2022.

Cunard's first UK cruise will sail on August 13 with international cruises beginning in October.

Both firms are part of US giant Carnival cruises, which is one of the world's biggest cruise companies.

The hugely profitable business was brought to its knees by Covid after regulators around the world stopped ships from sailing to try and limit outbreaks.

There were outbreaks on various cruise liners, including some owned by Carnival.

Richard Ballantyne, chief executive at the British Ports Association (BPA), said UK domestic cruises had demonstrated how ports and cruise lines could "ensure the health and safety of passengers, crew and destinations".

He added that the organisation is "hopeful that the devolved administrations will follow suit shortly" in allowing international cruises.

The British Ports Association, which represents more than 400 ports, terminal operators and port facilities, said it was "disappointed" that arrivals from France still need to quarantine on arrival into England for ten days.

Getty Images

The global cruise line industry has been one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2019, it contributed more than $154bn (£110bn) to the global economy, according to the trade body Cruise Lines International Association, before the shops were all anchored due to the lockdown.

Carnival, which made a profit of $3bn in 2019, reported a loss of $10bn in 2020 after its revenues plunged 73%.

There is an increased risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases on ships due to passengers and crew mixing from different parts of the world, according to experts.

In 2020 there were major outbreaks on cruise ships, including the Carnival-owned Diamond Princess.

According to the most recent statistics on data site Worldometer, 22 countries have still had fewer Covid cases than were found on the Diamond Princess, and 27 countries have had fewer than its 13 deaths.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiLGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL2J1c2luZXNzLTU4MDA2MTYz0gEwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYnVzaW5lc3MtNTgwMDYxNjMuYW1w?oc=5

2021-07-28 23:32:09Z
52781757393400

Facebook warns of 'significant' slowdown in revenue growth - Financial Times

Facebook warned that the pace of its revenue growth would “decelerate significantly” in forthcoming quarters, sending its shares down in after-hours trading.

The warning from the social network came as it posted bumper revenues and profits for the second quarter. Mark Zuckerberg’s social media company reported a 56 per cent rise in second-quarter revenues to $29.1bn, beating analysts’ expectations of $27.9bn.

The company attributed the growth to a 47 per cent increase in the price of ads, signalling strong demand from brands. 

Facebook’s net income jumped 101 per cent year-on-year to $10.3bn, or $3.61 a share, well above consensus estimates of $8.7bn, or $3 a share. 

However, the company, which gets the majority of its revenues from advertising, cautioned that pace of revenue growth would “decelerate significantly on a sequential basis as we lap periods of increasingly strong growth” underpinned by the pandemic recovery.

Shares fell nearly 4 per cent in after-hours trading to around $360.

For now, Facebook appears to have shrugged off the impact of Apple’s new privacy policies, which ban apps and advertisers from collecting data about iPhone users without their explicit consent. Facebook had repeatedly warned that the changes could hurt ad spending, as many users are expected to reject being tracked by the app.

However, it cautioned that the changes would have a “greater impact” in the forthcoming quarter than the previous one. 

Monthly active users rose 7 per cent year-over-year to 2.9bn as of June 30, in line with expectations.

Facebook has been exploring other revenue streams in the face of the Apple update, since access to data for ad targeting may become more difficult.

In particular, it has deepened a push into ecommerce, adding new tools for online shopping and payments that could grow in use as pandemic restrictions lift. 

The company has also increased its investment in virtual and augmented reality, hiring 10,000 in the sector as it joins the race against rivals such as Apple to build the next computing platform. Earlier this week, Facebook announced that it was creating a unit dedicated to building out the ‘metaverse’ — a shared virtual and augmented reality space where users can interact.

“This is going to lead to entirely new experiences and economic opportunities,” Zuckerberg said on the call with analysts, adding: “I expect people will transition from seeing us primarily as a social media company to seeing us as a metaverse company.”

Facebook was in the spotlight last week after a testy stand-off with president Joe Biden, who accused the company of “killing people” by failing to adequately clamp down on coronavirus vaccine misinformation.

The company rebuffed the claims, suggesting the Biden administration was using Facebook as a scapegoat to deflect attention from its difficulties in boosting numbers of the vaccinated. 

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiP2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZ0LmNvbS9jb250ZW50LzMwZjE0NDA5LTQzOGQtNDA2Ni1hNDQzLWMwOWIzYmNlYjVlNtIBAA?oc=5

2021-07-28 22:34:52Z
52781757978984

International cruises from England to restart - BBC News

PA Media

International cruises will be able to start again from England from Monday 2 August after a 16-month break.

People arriving at UK ports who have been fully vaccinated in the US and the EU will also not have to quarantine, the UK government said.

It's part of a plan to relax isolation rules for US and EU arrivals in the UK.

An industry body said travel agencies, hotels, tour guides, port operators and other firms would benefit from cruises restarting.

Domestic cruises have been allowed to run from May but international cruises have been prohibited.

The government said that international cruise travel advice "will be amended to encourage travellers to understand the risks associated with cruise travel and take personal responsibility for their own safety abroad".

Getty Images

Under the new rules, from 04:00 BST on Monday 2 August, fully vaccinated US and EU travellers arriving from amber countries will not need to quarantine or take a test on day eight of their arrival.

However, they will still need to take either a pre-departure test and a PCR test on the second day after they arrive.

And travellers from France are not exempt.

Arrivals will also still need to complete a Passenger Locator Form.

Under-18s will be exempt from isolation, and some will not have to test, depending on their age.

The UK government said the rule changes would help to reunite family and friends whose loved ones live abroad.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said the reopening of travel was "progress we can all enjoy".

However, international cruises are unlikely to be available from Monday.

On its website, P&O Cruises said following their UK summer staycations, its Britannia ship will begin planned western Mediterranean itineraries on 25 September, while its Iona vessel will launch on the same date.

It said due to the current traffic light system, a "number of itineraries have had to be cancelled".

Cruises on Ventura have been paused until 3 October 2021, while cruises on its Azura ship have been halted up until 10 December 2021. Some others have been delayed until 2022.

Cunard's first UK cruise will sail on August 13 with international cruises beginning in October.

Both firms are part of US giant Carnival cruises, which is one of the world's biggest cruise companies.

The hugely profitable business was brought to its knees by Covid after regulators around the world stopped ships from sailing to try and limit outbreaks.

There were outbreaks on various cruise liners, including some owned by Carnival.

Richard Ballantyne, chief executive at the British Ports Association (BPA), said UK domestic cruises had demonstrated how ports and cruise lines could "ensure the health and safety of passengers, crew and destinations".

He added that the organisation is "hopeful that the devolved administrations will follow suit shortly" in allowing international cruises.

The British Ports Association, which represents more than 400 ports, terminal operators and port facilities, said it was "disappointed" that arrivals from France still need to quarantine on arrival into England for ten days.

Getty Images

The global cruise line industry has been one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2019, it contributed more than $154bn (£110bn) to the global economy, according to the trade body Cruise Lines International Association, before the shops were all anchored due to the lockdown.

Carnival, which made a profit of $3bn in 2019, reported a loss of $10bn in 2020 after its revenues plunged 73%.

There is an increased risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases on ships due to passengers and crew mixing from different parts of the world, according to experts.

In 2020 there were major outbreaks on cruise ships, including the Carnival-owned Diamond Princess.

According to the most recent statistics on data site Worldometer, 22 countries have still had fewer Covid cases than were found on the Diamond Princess, and 27 countries have had fewer than its 13 deaths.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiLGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL2J1c2luZXNzLTU4MDA2MTYz0gEwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYnVzaW5lc3MtNTgwMDYxNjMuYW1w?oc=5

2021-07-28 20:29:24Z
52781757393400

International cruises to restart from UK - BBC News

PA Media

International cruises will be able to start again from England from Monday 2 August after a 16-month break.

People arriving at UK ports who have been fully vaccinated in the US and the EU will also not have to quarantine, the UK government said.

It's part of a plan to relax isolation rules for US and EU arrivals in the UK.

An industry body said travel agencies, hotels, tour guides, port operators and other firms would benefit from cruises restarting.

Domestic cruises have been allowed to run from May but international cruises have been prohibited.

The government said that international cruise travel advice "will be amended to encourage travellers to understand the risks associated with cruise travel and take personal responsibility for their own safety abroad".

Getty Images

Under the new rules, from 04:00 BST on Monday 2 August, fully vaccinated US and EU travellers arriving from amber countries will not need to quarantine or take a test on day eight of their arrival.

However, they will still need to take either a pre-departure test and a PCR test on the second day after they arrive.

And travellers from France are not exempt.

Arrivals will also still need to complete a Passenger Locator Form.

Under-18s will be exempt from isolation, and some will not have to test, depending on their age.

The UK government said the rule changes would help to reunite family and friends whose loved ones live abroad.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said the reopening of travel was "progress we can all enjoy".

However, international cruises are unlikely to be available from Monday.

On its website, P&O Cruises said following their UK summer staycations, its Britannia ship will begin planned western Mediterranean itineraries on 25 September, while its Iona vessel will launch on the same date.

It said due to the current traffic light system, a "number of itineraries have had to be cancelled".

Cruises on Ventura have been paused until 3 October 2021, while cruises on its Azura ship have been halted up until 10 December 2021. Some others have been delayed until 2022.

Cunard's first UK cruise will sail on August 13 with international cruises beginning in October.

Both firms are part of US giant Carnival cruises, which is one of the world's biggest cruise companies.

The hugely profitable business was brought to its knees by Covid after regulators around the world stopped ships from sailing to try and limit outbreaks.

There were outbreaks on various cruise liners, including some owned by Carnival.

Richard Ballantyne, chief executive at the British Ports Association (BPA), said UK domestic cruises had demonstrated how ports and cruise lines could "ensure the health and safety of passengers, crew and destinations".

He added that the organisation is "hopeful that the devolved administrations will follow suit shortly" in allowing international cruises.

The British Ports Association, which represents more than 400 ports, terminal operators and port facilities, said it was "disappointed" that arrivals from France still need to quarantine on arrival into England for ten days.

Getty Images

The global cruise line industry has been one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2019, it contributed more than $154bn (£110bn) to the global economy, according to the trade body Cruise Lines International Association, before the shops were all anchored due to the lockdown.

Carnival, which made a profit of $3bn in 2019, reported a loss of $10bn in 2020 after its revenues plunged 73%.

There is an increased risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases on ships due to passengers and crew mixing from different parts of the world, according to experts.

In 2020 there were major outbreaks on cruise ships, including the Carnival-owned Diamond Princess.

According to the most recent statistics on data site Worldometer, 22 countries have still had fewer Covid cases than were found on the Diamond Princess, and 27 countries have had fewer than its 13 deaths.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiLGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL2J1c2luZXNzLTU4MDA2MTYz0gEwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYnVzaW5lc3MtNTgwMDYxNjMuYW1w?oc=5

2021-07-28 19:48:05Z
52781757393400

Fed signals taper decision closer as ‘progress’ made on economy - Financial Times

The Federal Reserve signalled it was moving closer to the moment when it will withdraw its support for the US economic recovery by tapering the central bank’s asset purchases, declaring that “progress” had been made towards meeting its goals.

At the end of a two-day meeting on Wednesday, the Federal Open Market Committee kept its main interest rate close to zero and said it would continue buying $120bn in debt per month until “substantial further progress” was made on the recovery compared to last December.

But the Fed offered new guidance on its planned “tapering” of the bond buys it introduced last year at the height of the pandemic, saying the conditions for a move would be evaluated later this year.

“Since [December], the economy has made progress toward these goals [of price stability and full employment], and the committee will continue to assess progress in coming meetings,” the FOMC said.

The FOMC meeting comes at a time of conflicting economic signals. Inflation data has been higher than expected since US central bank officials last met in June, while the spread of the Delta variant across the US has renewed concerns about the labour market and growth.

“With progress on vaccinations and strong policy support, indicators of economic activity and employment have continued to strengthen. The sectors most adversely affected by the pandemic have shown improvement but have not fully recovered. Inflation has risen, largely reflecting transitory factors,” the FOMC said.

The US central bank planned to ramp up discussions on the tapering of asset purchases at this meeting. Jay Powell, the Fed chair, needs to forge a consensus on the timing, conditions and details of a move to slow its support for the recovery, likely later this year or in early 2022. Powell has taken a cautious approach to reducing the Fed’s monetary stimulus so far, even as more hawkish officials have pushed for swifter action.

Last month’s FOMC meeting was marked by big upgrades to economic projections from Fed officials, including forecasts for earlier interest rate increases. But the spread of the Delta variant in recent weeks may result in a need for greater patience from the Fed, particularly if it leads to reduced activity among consumers and the reintroduction of restrictions designed to curb transmission.

Soaring infection rates, particularly among the unvaccinated, prompted US health officials on Tuesday to perform a U-turn on their masking recommendations for people who have been fully jabbed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said vaccinated people should now cover their faces when indoors in areas with substantial levels of Covid-19.

Recent gyrations in US government bond prices reflect in part concerns about the Delta variant and the potential hit to growth. Treasuries rallied sharply in recent weeks even though Fed officials signalled last month an earlier lift-off in interest rates in their projections. Yields on the benchmark 10-year note have in turn fallen, hovering around 1.26 per cent on Wednesday.

The Fed also announced the establishment of two permanent facilities that would allow eligible domestic and foreign market participants to swap Treasuries and other short-term securities for cash — tools that had been endorsed this week by a group of heavyweight former policymakers as a way to ensure ample Treasury liquidity, especially during periods of stress.

The maximum operation size for the so-called standing repo facility was set at $500bn, with a minimum bid rate of 0.25 per cent, and the list of counterparties, which currently includes primary dealers who underwrite Treasury debt sales, will be expanded over time.

“These facilities will serve as backstops in money markets to support the effective implementation of monetary policy and smooth market functioning,” the Fed said in a statement.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiP2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZ0LmNvbS9jb250ZW50LzZiNTk5MmQzLTk2N2UtNGE2My1iMTU5LWEzOTg2NTRkNjE5OdIBP2h0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmZ0LmNvbS9jb250ZW50LzZiNTk5MmQzLTk2N2UtNGE2My1iMTU5LWEzOTg2NTRkNjE5OQ?oc=5

2021-07-28 18:11:18Z
52781753133783

COVID-19: Quarantine rule change will 'get global Britain back in business' - Sky News

Travel bosses have hailed the loosening of COVID rules for US and EU travellers as a move that would "get global Britain back in business".

Shares in British Airways owner International Airlines Group rose by nearly 4% while there were also rises for easyJet, Ryanair, Tui and engine maker Rolls-Royce.

Cruise operators Carnival and Saga received a boost too as the government also said international cruises would be able to go ahead.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Shapps: 'Now is good time to open up'

The announcement on quarantine by the Department for Transport means that from 4am next Monday travellers fully-vaccinated with US and EU approved jabs will be able to travel to England from "amber" list countries without having to quarantine.

They will still have to take a pre-departure COVID test and another one within two days of arrival.

Advertisement

The loosening of rules does not apply to France, with arrivals from there still having to isolate.

Travellers fully vaccinated in the UK have already been able to return from amber countries without quarantining since earlier this month.

More from Business

The significance of the latest announcement is that it extends that right to those who have received jabs approved by European and US regulators - effectively reopening Britain to visitors from those parts of the world.

Joss Croft, chief executive of UKinbound, representing Britain's tourist industry, said: "Today's announcement that quarantine will be removed for vaccinated US and EU visitors to England is a fantastic step forward that will allow the £28bn inbound tourism sector, which supports over 500,000 jobs across the UK, to finally restart."

The decision was also cheered by the UK's big aviation players, who have cut thousands of jobs after the pandemic grounded global flights - and have been urging ministers to unlock restrictions much more quickly.

British Airways chief executive Sean Doyle said: "This step will allow us to reunite loved ones and get global Britain back in business, giving the economy the vital boost it so badly needs."

But Mr Doyle also called for more countries to be added to the UK's "green" destination list and a review of the costly testing requirements he said were out of step with neighbouring countries.

Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss said the airline was "ready to work with government to ensure new rules are smoothly implemented at pace, supporting the reopening of the transatlantic corridor".

However he highlighted the continued ban on UK visitors to the US, calling for it to be repealed.

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: "The government has made the right decision to safely further reopen international travel.

"We will now work with colleagues in the industry to boost UK trade, reunite family and friends, and generate billions in new tourist income."

It comes after Heathrow, BA and Virgin revealed the results of a pilot scheme which they said demonstrated that the vaccination status of travellers from amber countries could be efficiently and accurately checked away from the border.

Image: The move is expected to boost Britain's tourist industry

The announcement was also welcomed by the wider business community.

Tom Thackray, director of infrastructure for the CBI, said: "Restriction-free international travel will be a vital piece of the recovery jigsaw, and ending quarantine requirements for fully-vaccinated arrivals from the US and EU is a huge step towards that goal."

British Chambers of Commerce Co-Executive Director, Claire Walker, said:  "For the hundreds of thousands of people directly employed in the travel industry and the many more that are part of supply chains, this will be welcome news.

"The long-term recovery of our entire economy also depends on reopening the UK to the two-way flows of people and trade."

Adam Tyndall, programme director for connectivity at London First, representing businesses in the capital, said welcoming visitors from the US and EU would "support our world-class hospitality, retail, leisure and cultural institutions who have sorely missed the revenue from tourists".

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibGh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2NvdmlkLTE5LXF1YXJhbnRpbmUtcnVsZS1jaGFuZ2Utd2lsbC1nZXQtZ2xvYmFsLWJyaXRhaW4tYmFjay1pbi1idXNpbmVzcy0xMjM2NjQ2MdIBcGh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2FtcC9jb3ZpZC0xOS1xdWFyYW50aW5lLXJ1bGUtY2hhbmdlLXdpbGwtZ2V0LWdsb2JhbC1icml0YWluLWJhY2staW4tYnVzaW5lc3MtMTIzNjY0NjE?oc=5

2021-07-28 15:00:00Z
52781757635197

Toy giant Mattel warns of higher prices as costs rise - BBC News

Mattel

Toy maker Mattel says it has to raise prices in the run-up to Christmas as the industry giant faces higher costs.

The comments come after a rise in costs of raw materials and shipping, as the global economy recovers from the pandemic.

At the same time, the maker of Barbie dolls announced better than expected sales of more than $1bn (£720m).

Like rival Hasbro, Mattel is emerging from the impact of Covid that saw shops closed and supply chains disrupted.

"We will be looking at increasing prices in the second half of [the] year," Mattel's chief executive Ynon Kreiz told the BBC.

"We haven't broken out [which products will be affected], but this is in response to some of the inflationary pressures," he added.

Mr Kreiz also said his company was not alone in having to put up its prices: "We're not the only ones who did it, in our industry everyone did - and no-one is surprised by [price increases]."

He was speaking as the company unveiled second quarter figures that beat Wall Street forecasts.

Net sales for the period jumped by 40% compared to the same time last year to $1.03bn.

That was boosted by a 46% rise in billings for Barbie, the company's biggest brand.

Companies in many industries around the world have had their operations disrupted by delays to shipping and problems getting goods through ports due to the pandemic.

Mr Kreiz said Mattel encountered supply chain issues due to problems with shipping but had got around the worst of them due to the scale of the business.

"We were able to leverage our size and partnerships that we have with our vendors and retail partners and mitigate some of these issues, so we did not have any impact on our business in the second quarter," he said.

On Monday, rival toy maker Hasbro announced better than expected net revenues of $1.32bn, a rise of 54%.

Hasbro also said it aimed to avoid pandemic-related supply chain issues by increasing its shipping capabilities and speeding up the process of sourcing its products.

In recent years Mattel has made Barbie more diverse, with dolls based on different role models and professions.

Earlier this month the firm launched a doll based on tennis superstar Naomi Osaka.

Revenues were also boosted by a 67% jump in billings for the Hot Wheels toy car brand.

The firm said it expects Barbie content on Netflix and an upcoming movie starring Margot Robbie, as well as a new video game based on Hot Wheels, to help maintain both brands' popularity this year.

Mattel shares were more than 5% higher in extended New York trade after the earnings announcement.

You may also be interested in:

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiKmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jb20vbmV3cy9idXNpbmVzcy01Nzk5MzQ5N9IBLmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jb20vbmV3cy9idXNpbmVzcy01Nzk5MzQ5Ny5hbXA?oc=5

2021-07-28 04:10:08Z
52781755906488