The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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Newark NJ, United Airlines, citing a steep decline in Covid-19 cases, told staff Thursday that it will allow unvaccinated workers to return to their jobs starting March 28, a shift from a company that had one of the country’s strictest inoculation mandates.
Continue reading TSA Extends Airplane Mask Mandate Through April 18
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Newark NJ, Warnings of a “catastrophic disruption” to the air travel industry have subsided, for now as AT&T and Verizon rolled out their 5G coverage countrywide Wednesday . The 5G coverage however won’t happen near some airports.
Continue reading Thanksgiving is the Busiest Travel Time of the Year, be Safe
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Newark NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today announced the lifting of New Jersey’s travel advisory, which outlined quarantine and testing recommendations for residents and visitors to the state following interstate travel. Effective immediately, the travel advisory is no longer in place for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
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Newark NJ, United Airlines to test all passengers flying from London Heathrow for COVID , in a statement United said, “Beginning December 28, United customers traveling from London Heathrow to Chicago, Newark, Washington Dulles and San Francisco will be required to present proof a negative COVID-19 test taken no later than 72 hours prior to departure. The health and safety of our employees and customers is our highest priority. United has been a leader in enacting new policies and innovations designed to keep employees and passengers safer when traveling including mask mandates and requiring customers to complete a “Ready-to-Fly” checklist before the flight acknowledging they have not been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days and do not have COVID-related symptoms.”
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Newark NJ, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey unveiled new features of the flagship new terminal at Newark Liberty International Airport which incorporate best-in-class arrivals frontage design. This new design creates four distinct areas for taxis, app-based ride-share vehicles, buses, and private passenger vehicles to reduce traffic congestion, ease passenger loading, and dramatically enhance the customer experience. In addition, the new terminal design incorporates state-of-the-art technology and safety features in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The one million square foot new terminal will open, as planned, in late 2022 with cutting edge design changes built into the structure.
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Statement from Governor Murphy on New Jersey Travel Advisory Guidance :
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Newark NJ, according to the CDC, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the United States Government (USG) is innovating and taking a new approach to help keep international air passengers healthy. The new, more effective strategy focuses on the continuum of travel and the individual passenger, including pre-departure and post-arrival education, efforts to develop a potential testing framework with international partners, and illness response. This strategy is consistent with the current phase of the pandemic and more effectively protects the health of the American public.
Continue reading Federal Government Adjusts COVID-19 Entry Strategy for International Air Passengers
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Newark NJ, United Airlines today announced that the carrier will now maximize air flow volume for all mainline aircraft high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems during the entire boarding and deplaning process, helping further reduce the spread of COVID-19. In combination with the HEPA filters, the air conditioning and pressurization system onboard United’s mainline aircraft recirculates the air every 2-3 minutes and removes 99.97% of particles – including viruses and bacteria during both ground and air operations – making the air onboard a plane significantly cleaner than what people typically experience in restaurants, grocery stores, schools or even some hospitals. United pilots and ground staff are working to implement this new procedure for mainline aircraft beginning July 27.
Continue reading United Airlines to Maximize Ventilation System During Boarding and Deplaning
Do you plan to go on a business trip or just enjoy your vacation? In any case, you should be careful. Travelers should prepare for the trip if they want to enjoy the trip. Think of the travel gear you need to take with you depending on where you go and how long you’ll be far away from home. Of course, among must-have items for both men and women are such as the spacious suitcase for your luggage, flight equipment like air pillow and blanket, cute beach travel accessories, and other stuff for comfortable traveling. However, the checklist doesn’t end here.
Continue reading Travelling Security Products: Protect Your Valuables from Thieves
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Newark NJ, United Airlines announced today that, along with other Airlines for America (A4A) members, it will strengthen mandatory mask policies to further mitigate against the spread of COVID-19 and help continue to keep passengers and crew safe. While the overwhelming majority of passengers are complying with United’s mandatory policy, starting on June 18, any passenger that does not comply when onboard a United flight will be placed on an internal travel restriction list. Customers on this list will lose their travel privileges on United for a duration of time to be determined pending a comprehensive incident review.
Continue reading United Airlines Strengthens Onboard Mask Policy
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Newark NJ, Multiple major US airlines announced yesterday that passengers will be required to wear face masks onboard commercial aircraft starting in May. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not mandated mask use for airline passengers or crew, but the airlines themselves made the determination in response to pressure from employees and unions. Several airlines had previously announced face mask policies, but American, Delta, and United Airlines all announced policies yesterday. These represent 3 of the 4 largest airlines in the United States; the second-largest airline, Southwest Airlines, has reportedly not yet announced a mandatory mask use policy.
This ringed-neck snake made an appearance at a TSA checkpoint at Newark Liberty International Airport on Monday, August 19. (TSA photo)
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Newark NJ, It appears that someone left their pet snake at a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at Newark Liberty International Airport last night.
The 15-inch ring-necked snake, a thin black snake with a bright yellow band around the back of its neck, was spotted on the floor of the checkpoint in Terminal C by a youngster who heeded the advice, “If you see something, say something” when she spotted it and notified a TSA officer.
Continue reading Snake Left at Newark Airport Checkpoint
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Ridgewood NJ, The Transportation Security Administration announced today that it has begun verbally advising travelers who present non-compliant licenses of the upcoming REAL ID requirement and enforcement date. Beginning October 1, 2020, each traveler must present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of identification, to fly within the United States. Individuals who are unable to verify their identity will not be permitted to enter the TSA checkpoint and will not be allowed to fly.
Continue reading TSA begins verbal advisements of REAL ID requirements
There are many places to see in Portugal, a country with good weather almost all year round, an exquisite and varied cuisine, renowned wines, charming cities and towns and miles of beaches bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, which make it one of the most recommendable countries in the world.
Being so close to Spain, also with a similar culture and lifestyle, we sometimes look for more distant and different places and we are sure that if you give it a chance, you will surely be delighted and repeat until you see all its wonders.
In our case, we have visited Portugal several times and based on our experience and the future trips we have prepared, we have made a selection of what we believe are the 4 places to see in Portugal essential. We are listing down 4 things to do in Portugal.
1. Lisbon
Lisbon, the city of fado, the seven hills or the delicious pastries of Belem, is one of the cities to see in Portugal more essential, you’ll want to return from minute one.
One of our favorite places to visit in Lisbon is the neighborhood of Alfama, full of old and deteriorated houses, narrow streets, balconies with hanging clothes, neighborhood shops, and handicrafts, and where walking, you will find the true essence of the city.
After getting lost in Alfama you can enjoy the incredible views of Lisbon from the spectacular viewpoints scattered around the city, get on an old tram, get close to the Belem neighborhood, with its famous monastery, listen to fado in a neighborhood tavern or have a drink in the Barrio Alto or Chiado, among many other things to do in Lisbon .
A good option if it is your first time in the city is to book this guided tour in Spanish to better know its history and all its corners and also, not to miss anything.
For more information about this city, you can consult this post of advice to travel to Lisbon essential.
2. Algarve
The Algarve, located in the south of Portugal, stands out for its beaches and spectacular coves in a privileged natural environment that makes it an ideal place to spend a few days of vacation in a big way.
Its kilometer-long coastline hides sand beaches and turquoise waters, between cliffs of steep rock, which place them among the most beautiful in Europe such as Praia da Marinha, Praia de Dona Ana or Praia da Rocha.
Its old villages of white fishermen’s houses and narrow streets are ideal for tasting the fresh fish based cuisine and visiting the old town of Faro, the capital of the Algarve, getting lost in the village of Tavira, having a good time in the enchanting Lagos or seeing the sunset in Cabo de San Vicente, are other essentials of the Algarve .
The best way to get to the Algarve is by plane, taking into account that in high season there are direct flights from Barcelona and Madrid to Faro, or by car if you live in the south of Spain.
3. Guimaraes
On our trip to Oporto in 4 days, we made a little getaway to the beautiful medieval village of Guimaraes, known for being the “cradle of Portugal”. Its historic center surrounded by walls, declared a World Heritage Site, stands out for its cobbled streets such as Rua Santa María, its squares with tranquil terraces, its churches, palaces and typical buildings of Portuguese architecture.
Some of the essentials of the city are the Castle of Guimaraes, the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, the Churches of Our Lady of Oliveira and the Consolation, the Plaza de Oliveira and the Penha Sanctuary by cable car with magnificent views from the city.
You can arrive by train to Guimaraes in one hour from the beautiful Sao Bento station in Porto or book this day trip with a guide in Spanish that also includes the historic city of Braga.
4. Madeira
Madeira, located to the west of the Moroccan coast in the Atlantic Ocean, is an island with unique vegetation and landscapes, as well as a pleasant climate that allows you to enjoy its beaches and coves throughout the year. Tremendously mountainous due to its volcanic origin, with some of the highest cliffs in Europe and laurel forests, a type of laurel forest almost extinct in Europe and which on this island are huge and leafy, Madeira is an island with an enormous number of landscapes that will delight all travelers.
Another feature of the island is its incredible hiking trails, where the levadas, ancient irrigation channels of the island, will serve as a guide so you do not get lost.
Madeira is just over 2 hours by plane from Spain and the best way to enjoy the island is to rent a car with which you feel free to stop at all the viewpoints to the sea and nature. Without any doubt, visiting Madeira is one of the best things to do in Portugal.
