COVID-19 Global Update

Local lock-downs are being implemented in areas where cases are on the rise
Most venues have been allowed to re-open as long as safety measures are adhered to including; hairdressers, restaurants, cafes, pubs, gyms and play areas. The vast majority of venues are not accepting magazines due to questionable government guidelines that are not based on scientific findings, these are being challenged
Corporates - phased returns have started but in line with government guidance, those who can work from home are being advised to do so. Limited magazine placement on our racks
Hotels started to re-open from 4th July but this is very much a gradual return with restricted facilities. Currently not accepting magazines
A 14 day self-isolation period has been imposed for anyone coming in from counties not on the travel corridor list with the list continually changing
Airport lounges remain closed in the large although a select few have re-opened
Gate services and media walls in certain airports are now operational and are taking magazines
The Eurostar* lounge is re-open and accepting magazines
Cruises will not recommence until 2021
Private jet centres are operational with some accepting magazines
Certain events are on track to take part the later end of the year
Our racks in luxury apartments in Canary Wharf are operational and effective

North America

The pandemic situation differs wildly from state to state. All the following states are seeing cases going up: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah and therefore restrictions are being re-imposed
US Domestic Airline distributions are slowly re-starting with Delta Airlines, and are set to ramp up for October and November with things set to continue to progress into the winter and beyond
Private jet centres are open and accepting magazines
Magazine placement in luxury lobbies in NY, Florida and Washington is proving very popular
The Hamptons are busy with people deciding to stay for the winter and magazine placement remains in high demand
We now have access to Long Island's Gold Coast and Cape Cod

California

Lock-down continues to ease but this is one of the stricter states
Bars, Restaurants, Wineries - open but mainly for outside only
Hotels re-opening with limited facilities
Salons/barbers open in the main
Gyms have re-opened
Corporates - return to offices began in September
Entertainment venues are open

New York

New York was the hardest hit and therefore has eased at a slower but sensible rate to successfully control the virus
Entered Phase 4 however several restrictions remain in place. Across the state, certain businesses deemed high-risk by officials, due to drawing large crowds, have not been allowed to reopen these include cinemas, concert venues and amusement parks
Bars and restaurants currently offering take out services and outdoor dining has been extended indefinitely with restaurants now installing portable outdoor heaters. This past week indoor dining started with a 25% seating capacity
Health Clubs have reopened with 50% capacity
New York, Connecticut and New Jersey - marinas and golf courses open
Hotels are all starting to reopen with discount rates. Occupancy is low but should pick up throughout the holiday season. Our NY agent has special authorisation to deliver to hotels
Schools are reopening with 2-3 in-school days and 2-3 virtual days
Malls have now reopened
JFK international lounges closed but Delta Airlines lounge is accepting magazines
A 14 day quarantine applies to passengers from the worst hit states listed above
Magazine placement in luxury apartment buildings is proving very effective

Washington

All bars, restaurants, recreational and entertainment facilities have opened with restrictions depending on the county
Most salons/barbers open
Most hotels open
Delta Airlines lounge excepting magazines

Canada

Canada-US border restrictions limits all non-essential travel across borders until 21st October
Restrictions on recreational travel are still in place and the government continues to advise to avoid all non-essential travel outside Canada
Ontario announces new restrictions and steep fines amid Covid-19 surge. The new rules reduce the size of indoor gatherings to 10, down from 50, and outdoor gatherings to 25, down from 100.
Corporates - staff continue to work from home wherever possible
Restaurants are open but capacity is limited to accommodate physical distancing. Guests can dine in groups of up to six people
Schools have re-opened and provinces have tried to limit class sizes, but many students have opted for online learning
Most hotels and limited airport lounges open

The Hamptons

The Hamptons are stronger than ever as tens of thousands have moved out of NYC to the Hamptons permanently
All the grocery stores, natural and upscale food markets are all open
Hotels, bars, restaurants are open, some with outdoor dining only
Magazine placement is proving popular and copies are accepted across all venue genres

Germany

Border restrictions have been lifted
Retail and hairdressers now open for business
Most restaurants open but some outdoor dining only
Airport lounges mainly closed.
Hotels mainly re-opened with restricted facilities

France

Hotels, bars and restaurants have re-opened in the main with restrictions and some hotels are accepting magazines
Paris - private jet centres and train lounges open and accepting magazines. Airport lounges remain closed. The Eurostar* lounge is open and accepting magazines. Hotels, spas and private members clubs are now re-open and magazine placement has recommenced
The South of France are experiencing a high number of cases so many hotels and venues have been forced to close again

Spain

Cafes, bars, restaurants all re-opened with restrictions
Hotels re-opening with restrictions
Airport lounges still closed
Beaches are being closed where social distancing is not being maintained

Italy

Lock-down has slowly eased with shops, hairdressers, restaurants/bars/cafes, gyms re-opened with restrictions
Hotels open with restrictions
Airport lounges still closed

Switzerland

Restaurants, bars, salons, retail, sports and cultural spaces are all now open with restrictions
Majority of hotels are open with low occupancy
Zurich airport lounges now open and accepting magazines

Sweden

Masks in public mandatory until vaccine is found
Little sign of lock-down despite having highest virus deaths in the Nordic region
Hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes still open
Limited airport lounges open for magazine placement

UAE

Ranked in the top 20 safest countries in the world
Everything is now open as usual and magazine placement is thriving
Airline lounges, which are the last venues to resume, have also started to take magazines
All hotels are open and have reported fantastic occupancy levels thanks to staycations
Offices are open with 100% workforce
Gyms, restaurants, spas and salons have all re-opened
Beaches clubs are open and accepting magazines in plastic covers
Events are now back on track with a number of high profile events set to take place during Q4. Please get in touch for event details

Singapore

Hotels open with limited facilities and are accepting magazines
The airport is open including circa 50% of the lounges which are accepting magazines

Hong Kong

Many businesses, leisure facilities and shops are open
Hotels and restaurants open with limited facilities, accepting magazines
Circa 50% of airport lounges open and accepting magazines

Australia

Bars, cafes, restaurants, salons and entertainment venues all re-opened with restrictions. Most are accepting magazines on the basis they are for single use only
Air travel very limited but 200 domestic routes restarted. Qantas domestic airline lounges have now reopened and we have started delivering magazines
Most hotels are open with many reporting solid bookings for Oct and beyond

*please note that this article was updated on 13th October and includes information available at the time.