India and its oxygen crisis
India has been for a while been hit with lack of oxygen supply after the Coronavirus wave that has swept the country. Many had not been vaccinated as did not experiencing any major crisis last year. Since the widely publicised wave that has swept the need and demand for medical oxygen is high.
Ludhiana, which being the biggest district with a maximum population of over 3.5-million passed through a harrowing time during the deadly second Covid wave, has built a strong medical oxygen infrastructure to meet the anticipated high demand of the life-saving gas during the possible third virus wave, the government has confirmed.
Besides accumulating maximum cylinders, the district has also acquired the highest number of oxygen concentrators in the state, the official figures have revealed.
6,165 oxygen cylinders made available
The data compiled by the Health and Family Welfare Department, which is available with The Tribune, showed that Ludhiana has made available 6,165 oxygen cylinders, including 4,774 D-type cylinders, 4,158 in private and 616 in government hospitals, and 1,391 B-type cylinders, including 855 in private and 536 in government institutions.
Reference: Tribune News Service
UK travellers get amber light
Quarantine-free travel to resume on 19 July for fully vaccinated passengers returning from amber list countries.
For UK travellers if you are fully vaccinated it seems there will be a lift on the quarantine restriction for amber countries. This will open up a lot more travel into Europe and elsewhere for UK tourists. A summer holiday will become a bit more realistic for those who have had both vaccinations and do not mind taking the PCR tests.
If you are now planning your holiday and requirement organising medical oxygen supply - our team at OxygenWorldwide are here to help!
Medical oxygen saves lives
Oxygen therapy has always been a vital need for many but the recent global pandemic has highlighted its use and heightened demands for its supply over the last year. Many countries have faced huge pressures to with low or limited supplies especially in less developed areas of the world.
Many COVID-19 patients in India have sadly died due to the shortage of medical oxygen, bringing this critical medical need into the spotlight. As the world tries to help one another get to grips on lowering the need for medical oxygen we will now have more demand as part of the after effects of patients needing oxygen long-term. Please do read more of our articles to understand how you can cope and still remain active especially travelling.
For over 20 years OxygenWorldwide has been helping oxygen needs be delivered across the world in a travel capacity. Read more here for a request.
Balearic Islands now open (to UK)
This week we have seen the travel doors given the green light for UK to arrive in the Balearic Islands. Travellers have the good news that fully vaccinated or negative test will allow entry onto the islands. There is growing concern and pressure to open up travel corridors and also tourism but also with Covid cases on the increase to also be very careful on regulations and guidelines.
Ibiza, Menorca, Majorca and Formentera will be hot destinations to travel to for English Tourists looking to get some summer sun.
The announcement also includes other destinations such as the
Caribbean islands that are going on the green list are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Coping with a lung condition
Lung conditions such as COPD, asthma or bronchitis all have varying levels but all patients can help to cope to make daily life more manageable.
Remember that with anything you must always have someone to talk to; this can be a family member, neighbour, work colleague or your nurse but talking really helps to understand and resolve any problems or worries. Joining a group that are also experiencing the same journey will help as you can all relate, help and support one another.
If you have breathlessness learn the breathing techniques from your doctor or support group to understand how to easily control your airways.
Also remember to always make time for yourself; whether this is reading, walking, travelling or another favourite hobby; always do activities that make your happy and give you a sense of enjoyment.
Destination: Portugal
This weekend for those in the United Kingdom and EU looking to travel this summer had the current news that if you want to travel and visit Portugal the mandatory requirement of a PCR test upon arrival is now not in place.
It was announced that those wishing to travel can now use lateral flow tests in place. This is good news especially to UK travellers as these carry no additional charge just 24 hours prior to departure.
Although for UK residents Portugal was on the Green List those now arriving from Portugal to the UK will require a period of self-isolation as Portugal was moved to Amber List.
Please do see the official website for updates and information as regulations can change frequently.
If you are planning to a trip to Portugal please do contact us for all your medical oxygen travel needs.
Where is Spain now?
Spain has been in a state of alarm with the Covid-19 pandemic but just under a month ago many of these restrictions were lifted. The people of Spain had curfews, limited meeting up with others and now the states have all got new regulations. Many had lifted guidance from May 8th unless in a very high risk zone. But for some states such as Valencia they are still awaiting 2 more days until their rules will change so they can enjoy from June 8th:
- Diners at tables are, however, limited to 10.
- Nightlife can reopen from next week with closing time at 2am, and a capacity restriction of 50% inside, but 100% outside.
- There are no longer capacity limits in places of worship.
Whereas in Madrid, there is no curfew nor any lockdown in place in the region. Hospitality venues can open from 6am to 1am, with eight diners permitted at tables outside and six inside. People can meet in their homes, but the government advises against this. Capacity in bars and restaurants is at 50% inside and 75% outside. Consumption at the bar is prohibited, and capacity in malls, cinemas and theatres at 75%.
For the people of the Balearic Islands The Supreme Court has annulled the night-time curfew and limits on social meetings in the region. The Balearics is currently not requiring coronavirus tests from vaccinated Spanish tourists, nor from domestic visitors traveling from regions with an incidence below 60 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over 14 days. Hospitality venues on Mallorca and Ibiza cannot open their indoor spaces, while outdoor areas are limited to four people – Menorca and Formentera are permitting four inside and six outside. Bars and restaurants must close at 10.30pm.
The next few weeks will allow Spain to get back to a new normal. Summer is an important time for Spain but with no tourists just yet we will see what happens over the next few weeks.
Source: https://english.elpais.com/
Green country rules for travel explained...
There are now a published list for travel in UK but what are the rules? It can be confusing to understand the ever-changing rules, regulations and do's and don'ts and before travel you want to be certain you are following the regulations.
To summarise:
If travelling to England you must:
- take a COVID-19 test
- book a day 2 COVID-19 test to be taken after arrival in England
- complete a passenger locator form
On arrival in England:
- You must take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 after you arrive. If it is positive then you will be required to quarantine.
- With the NHS Test & Trace app if you are informed that you travelled to England with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 then you may also be required to quarantine.
To keep up to date with UK travel lists and changes please check out the government website here.
Green, Amber, Red - where can I travel right now...
Lockdown is easing within the UK. Travel is now back on the map but what is the traffic light system, how does it work and where can I go?
The new traffic light system is divided into green, amber and red which all have different rules and regulations on quarantine, testing and entry requirements.
As of May 17th 2021
Green:
A test is required up to 72 hours before returning to the UK
One PCR test on or before day two of arrival in England or Wales
No quarantine unless a test is positive.
The countries at time of this article are:
Portugal
Israel
Singapore
Australia
New Zealand
Brunei
Iceland
Gibraltar
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
St Helena, Tristan de Cunha, Ascension Island
Amber:
One pre-departure test.
Quarantine at home for 10 days on arrival in England or Wales
PCR test required on days two and eight of quarantine
Amber countries include:
Spain
Greece
France, and many more in Europe
Red:
One pre-departure test
On arrival, passengers must quarantine in a hotel for 10 days
PCR test required on days two and eight of quarantine
These countries include:
Maldives
Turkey
Nepal
Brazil
South Africa
India
For more information please visit the Government website
For medical oxygen users you will still require to plan in advance and the earlier the better to make sure your requirement for supplementary oxygen can be arranged, organised and agreed. The OxygenWorldwide team can take all your details and send a proposal over to you. Any queries when travelling with medical oxygen can be asked with our teams.
Contact our team here for your medical oxygen travel needs and up to date information. As we are aware the rules and regulations will change as well as the traffic light system and its countries within it.
Spain emerging once again
Spain has experienced long and extended lockdowns, curfews and regulations due to the global pandemic for coronavirus over the last 14 months. Beginning on 14th March 2020 there was "estado de alarma" which was not a complete lockdown but six months after this was repeated six times with their second announcement in October 2020 which ended this week with known street parties in celebration a couple of days ago. With Covid-19 rates decreasing the states of Spain could start to relax.
This now means that people can now travel for the first time in 6 months and enjoy fiestas and drinks at the beach. There are still restrictions between numbers of households meeting in restaurants with limited and distance seating at table within hospitality establishments. But for most this will be a huge relief and meeting loved ones in other states for the first time in a long while.
Spain has seen one of the largest fatality rates and levels of infection and has been very hard hitting for all living in the country.
It has been a long and difficult time for all and we hope to be able to make up for lost time, memories and re-connect.
