Planning to travel? Etihad’s new interactive map shows coronavirus risk levels of global destinations

The map is continuously updated using data from the World Health Organisation, public health departments and local news sources

As travel slowly opens up and more countries ease movement restrictions, Etihad Airways has introduced a new interactive map to help advise travellers who are considering booking a flight.

Designed to help people keep up to date with endless travel updates, the interactive map details what restrictions are in place and where.

It’s available for anyone to use on Etihad’s website and is updated continuously to ensure information is as accurate as possible.

Etihad's new interactive map can help travellers planning to book flights. Courtesy Etihad

Clicking on a country brings up detailed information about the destination during the pandemic. This includes policies on entry restrictions, airport and transport information, social distancing rules and information on what tourism activities are currently allowed.

Each country also has a Covid-19 assessment gauge, with an arrow that rises or falls to reflect the current coronavirus situation in a particular destination. This follows a traffic light colour system, with red representing countries with high rates of infection and green for destinations where the pandemic seems to be under control.

It also lists the number of current active cases per 100,000 of each country's population. Where there is a lack of information available, the map warns users that a destination is "showing irregular reporting".

The map is powered by Sitata, a Canadian travel risk management company that specialises in using computer algorithms to detect travel disruption around the world.

“Since the beginning of the outbreak, our customer support lines have been inundated with questions from travellers asking if they should travel or not and what their risk might be,” said Sitata on its website. "We realised that, despite all of our collective efforts, some individuals are still going to travel if they can, and so we assembled this tool to try to highlight the associated risks and keep people informed as best we can."

Travellers should also check country regulations

The map is continuously updated using data from the World Health Organisation, Johns Hopkins CSSE, ProMed, government public health departments and local news sources, however accuracy cannot be fully guaranteed.

Etihad's Wellness Ambassadors are on hand to assist travellers flying with the Abu Dhabi airline during the pandemic. Courtesy Etihad

Etihad advises travellers to check rules and regulations issued by countries around the world. "It’s really important that you read these guidelines before you travel, and follow them at all times," explains the airline on its website.

"If you’re flying with any of our codeshare partner airlines, always check their regulations before you fly," concludes the advice.

Wondering where you can book a holiday this summer? Greece has reopened to travellers from Dubai. (Pictures courtesy Unsplash unless specified)

A summertime visit to Cyprus could be an option.

Turkey has lifted most of its Covid-19 related travel restrictions.

The tourism industry accounts for 20% of Jamaica economic output, making the nation stand out with a loss of 11% in GDP in a moderate scenario, due to the coronavirus impact on the tourism sector globally.

Zanzibar and Tanzania are open to travellers. Courtesy The Residence Zanzibar

Serbia's Nis is open for visiting and it's very much business as usual in the city.

Ireland is open to all travellers, with 14-day quarantine rules in place.

The UK now accepts direct flights from the UAE but mandatory 10 day quarantine in a hotel is needed, plus negative Covid-19 tests upon release. Unsplash

South Korea is open to visit, but travellers must self-quarantine for 14 days.

Slovenia requires 10 days quarantine, with the option of early release on day 5 with a negative Covid test. Unsplash

Summer can be an amazing time to visit Ukraine with sunny days and cooler nights. All you need is a negative PCR test within 72hrs of arrival and no quarantine is needed. Pxhere

The Seychelles is open to private jets and luxury yachts, with 14-day quarantine rules in place. Courtesy Constance Hotels and Resorts

Tunisia plans to reopen land, sea and air borders on Saturday, June 27. Unsplash

Ancient history and stunning coastlines await travellers in Egypt when international travel resumes on July 1.

The Maldives will open to travellers in July, with no quarantine rules.

Georgia will open to international tourists from Wednesday, July 1.

Perfectly blue Caribbean waters await in the Bahamas.

Lebanon's Beirut airport will resume commercial flights from Wednesday, July 1.

Malta will reopen to UAE travellers on July 15. Unsplash

The map is the latest tool introduced by the Abu Dhabi airline to assist people considering travel. It previously introduced an AI-powered self assessment tool to help passengers determine their probability of having contracted coronavirus.

Etihad has also implemented upgraded hygiene and safety standards on all flights, including introducing Wellness Ambassadors on flights as a first point of contact for travellers flying during the pandemic.