Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
State Department And CDC, Citing Virus, Warn Against Travel To Japan
AP: US Warns Against All Travel To Japan As Olympics Loom
U.S. health officials and the State Department on Monday warned Americans against travel to Japan because of a surge in coronavirus cases in the country, which is preparing to host the Olympics in just two months. The twin alerts don’t ban U.S. citizens from visiting the country, but they could have an impact on insurance rates for travelers and may factor into decisions by Olympic athletes and spectators on whether to compete in or attend the games, which are due to start in July. There was no immediate indication as to what effect the warnings might have on would-be Olympic-goers. (Lee, 5/24)
AP: Japan Says US Travel Warning For Virus Won't Hurt Olympians
The Japanese government Tuesday was quick to deny a U.S. warning for Americans to avoid traveling to Japan would have an impact on Olympians wanting to compete in the postponed Tokyo Games. ... Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said at a news conference Tuesday that the warning does not prohibit essential travel and Japan believes the U.S. support for Tokyo’s effort to hold the Olympics is unchanged. (Yamaguchi, 5/25)
In other travel news --
CBS News: United Airlines Offers Vaccinated Customers Shots At Free Travel
United Airlines is offering vaccinated customers a shot at winning free travel as the carrier joins a national effort to get more Americans immunized against COVID-19 and derail a pandemic behind the deaths of nearly 590,000 Americans. New or existing members of United's MileagePlus loyalty program who upload their vaccination records to United airline's mobile app by June 22 can be entered to win free flights for a year's worth of travel, the Chicago-based company announced on Monday. (Gibson, 5/24)
NBC News: FAA Proposes More Than $60,000 In Fines Against Unruly Passengers Amid Mask Fights
Five unruly passengers are facing fines totaling more than $60,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration, the agency announced Monday. The passengers face fines of $9,000 to $15,000 for interfering with flight attendants who either instructed them to obey cabin crew instructions or follow federal regulations like wearing a mask, the U.S. Department of Transportation agency said in a release. Two of the passengers are accused of assaulting flight attendants on different flights. (Wong, 5/24)
