Tag Archives: Tourist

UK imposes ETA on these 83 new countries in 2025!

The UK will require travellers from 83 new countries to register and pay for ETA in 2025! Here is what you need to know…

UK imposes ETA on 83 new countries in 2025!

On Tuesday, 10 September 2024, the UK government expanded the roll-out of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system to 83 new countries in 2025.

The ETA is basically digital permission to travel for visitors who currently do not need a visa for short stays, or do not already have a UK immigration status. You will also need to apply for an ETA if you are only transiting through the UK (even if you are not going through border control).

The United Kingdom launched its ETA system in November 2023, with the pilot phase involving citizens of Qatar. It was then expanded in February 2024 to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan (now cancelled).

The expanded roll-out of the UK’s ETA system in 2025 will be split into two stages involving 49 countries in January, and another 34 European countries in April.

Recommended : Do you now need ETA to travel to the UK?

Who must apply for an ETA?

Travellers from the affected countries who do not have a visa will need an ETA to travel to the UK:

for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study,
for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
for a permitted paid engagement
if transiting through the UK – including if you’re not going through UK border control

How much does UK ETA cost?

Each ETA application will cost £10 (about €12 / US$13 / RM60), and you cannot get a refund after you apply.

Every person travelling to the UK must have an ETA, including babies and children. Each person must apply separately, although you can apply for other people.

How long does UK ETA last?

Every approved UK ETA will last 2 years, and you will be allowed to make multiple visits to the UK during that two-year period, or until the passport it is tied to expires – whichever is sooner.

How soon does it take to get UK ETA?

The UK government says travellers can typically expect to get a decision on their ETA application within 3 working days, although occasionally, it may take longer than 3 working days.

Applications using the UK ETA app may get a quicker decision, according to the British High Commission.

Once your ETA is approved, you will receive an email confirmation. There is no ETA to print or bring with you. The ETA is linked electronically to the passport you applied with. You must therefore travel to the UK using the same passport.

How to apply for UK ETA?

You can apply for your ETA through this UK government application portal, or using the UK ETA mobile app which you can download from the App Store and Google Play Store.

You will need to take and upload a photo of the passport you will use to travel to the UK, and scan your face. You will also need to take and upload a photo of yourself, and answer some questions.

You will then have to pay for your ETA application using a credit card, a debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

Please note that you will need to complete your ETA application within 20 minutes, or it will time out and you will need to start the whole process over again.

UK ETA expands to these 49 countries in January 2025

Citizens of these 49 countries and territories will need to have an ETA to travel to the UK from 8 January 2025 onwards. They will be able to apply and pay for ETA authorisation starting 27 November 2024.

Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British national overseas)
Israel
Japan
Kiribati
Macao Special Administrative Region
Malaysia
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Federated States of Micronesia
Nauru
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Samoa
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Korea
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Taiwan (if you have a passport issued by Taiwan that includes in it the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan)
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
United States
Uruguay

UK ETA expands to European countries in April 2025

Citizens of these 34 European countries will need to have an ETA to travel to the UK without visa from 2 April 2025 onwards. They will be able to apply and pay for ETA authorisation starting 5 March 2025.

Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Vatican City

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Did Leaked Airbnb Email Reveal June 6 Lockdown Plan?!

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Did a leaked Airbnb email reveal large-scale government plans to restrict travel and initiate a lockdown?! Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Leaked Airbnb Email Reveal June 6 Lockdown Plan!

People are claiming or suggesting that a leaked Airbnb email revealed large-scale government plans to restrict travel and initiate a lockdown!

Ariel : A Quick Prep & Step

It is being reported that AirBnB is anticipatiing a large-scale government event that will bring about reinstated lockdowns to begin on June 6, 2024, this is coming from a email.

But ofcourse this is not news to any of you if you have been following this channel over the last few months.

As I have along with “The Judges” forewarned everyone that this will indeed happen. The good news is that just like the last lockdown I expect many to be rounded up and sent straight to Gitmo.

I do not know about any of you but my routine from the last lockdown didn’t change in the slightest. We all know that we are watching the last hand of cards being played from the Cabal.

Atleast we have a date now and can plan accordingly.

Patrick Webb / The General : BREAKING: AirBnB is expecting large-scale government actions and lockdowns to begin on June 6, 2024, according to a newly obtained email.

Shade Level 100.

Santa Surfing : Airbnb is prepping for “Major Disruptive Events” beginning June 6, 2024. 😳💥

Have you all check out Q markers for the first week of June?? They’re BIG! 🔥💥✨💫

JayJay : AIRBNB’S LEAKED EMAIL: LOCKDOWN’S LOOMING JUNE 6, 2024 – SUMMER OF LOVE? HOW WOULD AIRBNB KNOW THIS BEFORE THE FBI AND THE PUBLIC?

Airbnb has updated its Major Disruptive Events policy, anticipating large-scale government actions and lockdowns to begin on June 6, 2024.

This update has sparked a wide range of reactions among users, from curiosity and concern to humorous speculation and skepticism.

The reasons behind Airbnb’s anticipation remain unclear, but the policy change indicates a proactive approach to potential disruptions affecting their services globally.

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Truth : Airbnb Email Did Not Reveal June 6 Lockdown Plan!

This appears to be another example of fake news circulating on social media, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Airbnb Email Did Not Reveal Any Lockdown Plan!

Let me start by quickly pointing out that the viral claims, and the viral screenshot of the leaked AirbnB email, do not reveal any government plan to restrict travel and initiate a lockdown!

The email itself only states that AirbnB was revising its Major Disruptive Events Policy from June 6, 2024 onwards. The email only mentions that the policy will now apply to foreseeable weather events too!

We’re updating our Extenuating Circumstances Policy and changing its name to make it easier to understand.

The revised Major Disruptive Events Policy will apply to all trips and Experiences taking place on or after June 6, 2024, regardless of when they were booked.

What’s changing in the policy?

Foreseeable weather events at the reservation’s location are explicitly eligible for coverage it they result in another covered event, such as a government travel restriction or large scale utility outage.

The policy will only apply to events in the place where the reservation is located. Events that impact a quest’s ability to travel to the reservation are no longer covered.

Your continued use of the Airbnb Platform from June 6, 2024 constitutes acceptance of the updated Major Disruptive Events Policy.

While the email mentioned “government travel restriction”, it was in reference to “weather events”. The email most definitely did not mention a lockdown.

Fact #2 : AirBnb Announced Update In March 2024

The Airbnb email was not “leaked” as claimed, but appears to have been sent to all AirBnb hosts, to alert them of this change. In fact, Airbnb publicly announced its policy update on 28 March 2024!

So, there is nothing secret about what was in the email, and the policy changes were already publicly revealed almost a month earlier!

Fact #3 : Policy Updates Do Not Include Lockdowns

If you read the March 28 Airbnb policy update announcement, you will see that it did not mention anything new about lockdowns.

Here is a summary of what Airbnb changed in its Major Disruptive Events Policy from 6 June 2024 onwards:

The policy will explicitly apply to foreseeable weather events, like a hurricane during hurricane season.
Coverage is limited to large-scale events at the destination location only.
Mid-trip cancellations for such events can be made with guests receiving a refund, without fees or related consequences for hosts.
Hosts are reminded that they’re obligated to cancel reservations if their hosting is uninhabitable, or no longer consistent with what was originally booked by their guests, and they can do so without cancellation fees and related consequences.

As you can see, none of the changes to Airbnb’s Major Disruptive Events Policy even suggest that there is a nefarious government plan to restrict travel, and initiate another lockdown!

Why on Earth would anyone make such a claim??? Unsurprisingly, none of them provided any evidence to back up their claims – the email they shared isn’t even proof of that!

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Do Israelis get free healthcare + faster organ transplants in US?!

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Do Israelis get free healthcare, and faster organ transplants in the US?! Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Israelis Get Free Healthcare + Faster Organ Transplants In US!

People are sharing a video, which claims or suggests that Israelis get free healthcare and faster organ transplants in the US!

Stew Peters : 🚨ALERT: Israelis are fast-tracked to the top of the U.S. ORGAN DONATION list and they get the entire operation for FREE.

Again, American taxpayers are paying for Israelis to come to the US, skip to the top of organ donation list, steal American organs, and have American doctors perform the transplants.

Reconsider becoming an organ donor.

Ryan Dawson : Israelis can get free Healthcare in the US and receive organs ahead of Americans

Jayda Fransen : Well isn’t that a kick in the teeth for every hardworking tax-paying American.

ADAM : Israelis get FREE Healthcare in the US and receive AMERICAN organs ahead of Americans…

Show less

https://www.techarp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Israelis-free-healthcare-and-organ-donations-in-US-video-small.mp4?_=1

Truth : Israelis Do Not Get Free Healthcare / Faster Organ Transplants In US!

This is yet another example of fake news circulating on social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Israelis Do Not Get Free Healthcare In US

Let me start by simply pointing out that Israelis do not get free healthcare in the US, even though they now

After the October 7 attack by Hamas (but unrelated to it), the United States government granted a 90-day visa waiver for Israelis to travel to the US for tourism or business purposes. However, these Israeli visitors do not get free healthcare.

Even though Israelis can travel to the US without visa for medical treatment, they cannot stay longer than 90 days. Hence, the NIH still recommends that travellers obtain a B-2 temporary visitor’s visa for medical treatment.

But the key takeaway point is that Israelis do not get special benefits like free healthcare, or longer visa-free stays, than citizens of other countries in the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Fact #2 : Only Israeli PRs Can Access Medicaid / CHIP

Even Israeli immigrants do not get access to free healthcare in the United States. Only after they become legal permanent residents, or citizens, can they potentially access Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), which offer free or low-cost coverage for those who meet state income and residency requirements.

However, many legal permanent residents are required to wait 5 years after receiving their “qualified immigration status” before they can get Medicaid and CHIP coverage.

To get Medicaid and CHIP coverage, many qualified non-citizens (such as many Lawful Permanent Residents, also known as LPRs or green card holders) have a 5-year waiting period. This means they must wait 5 years after getting “qualified” immigration status before they can get Medicaid and CHIP coverage. There are exceptions. For example, refugees, asylees, or LPRs who used to be refugees or asylees don’t have to wait 5 years.

To be clear – Israelis cannot simply fly to the US and get access to Medicaid or CHIP, even if they are applying for residency in the United States.

Fact #3 : Israel Has Universal Healthcare!

It is illogical for Israelis to fly all the way to the US for free healthcare, when they already get universal healthcare in Israel!

In Israel, all citizens and permanent residents are covered by its National Health Insurance Law, which guarantees them the right to receive healthcare “within a reasonable time and at a reasonable distance from their place of residence”.

This universal healthcare system is funded by Israeli citizens who pay 3% to 5% of their income, while the government funds the rest. Many new Israeli citizens are entitled to free healthcare for six months to a year.

Fact #4 : Israelis Do Not Get Priority In US Organ Transplants

There is no evidence that Israelis get special priority, or are fast tracked for organ transplants in the US. Neither have those making these claims ever provided any evidence.

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), whenever an organ is available, its centralised computer network generates a list of potential transplant candidates who have medical and biologic profiles that are compatible with the donor.

Its system ranks transplant candidates by their biologic information, as well as medical factors, disease severity, and time spent on the waiting list. Those other factors may result in a relatively new candidate receiving an organ earlier than one who spent more time on the waiting list.

However, that does not mean that they are getting fast-tracked, or special priority. It just means that the donor organs may better match them, or they may be prioritised for some other factors like delivery time and distance.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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CNY 2024 : No Highway Tolls + Speed Limit Reduction!

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The Malaysian government just announced two days of toll-free travel and a speed limit reduction for the CNY 2024 holidays!

CNY 2024 : No Highway Tolls On February 8-9!

On Wednesday, 7 February 2024, the Ministry of Works announced that there will be no highway tolls from February 8 to 9, in conjunction with Chinese New Year 2024!

In a short public announcement, the Ministry announced that the toll-free travel would apply to all Class 1 private vehicles for two days, from 12:01 AM on Thursday, February 8, to 11:59 PM on Friday, February 9, on exiting the toll booths.

This toll-free travel will extend to all highways, except at the toll plazas at the national borders:

the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Toll Plaza
the Tanjung Kupang Toll Plaza

The expected financial implication of these two days of toll-free travel is estimated to be about RM42.99 million.

CNY 2024 : Speed Limit Reduction For 6 Days!

In conjunction with the CNY holidays, the Ministry of Works also ordered a reduction in all speed limits on all roads.

For 6 days from 8 to 13 February 2024, the speed limit will be reduced from 90 km/h to 80 km/h, on all federal roads.

This speed reduction are amongst the moves made to improve safety and reduce the risk of accidents during the CNY 2024 festivities.

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Guangzhou Patients Must Be COVID Negative For Admission?!

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Guangzhou appears to have reinstated the Health Code, requiring patients and their caregivers to test negative for COVID-19 before being admitted to a hospital!

Guangzhou Patients Must Be COVID Negative For Admission?!

The city of Guangzhou has apparently reinstated the Chinese COVID-19 Health Code requirements from 2 December 2023 onwards.

In a video translated and posted by Jennifer Zeng (archive), the Deputy Director and Spokesperson for the Guangzhou Health Commission Zhang Yi appears to announce an immediate requirement for patients and their caregivers to present a Green Health Code, in order to enter all types of medical institutions.

Effective immediately, patients visiting all levels and types of medical institutions in Guangzhou City and its districts must present a green health code for entry. Dec 2, Guangzhou, Guangdong.

Zhang Yi : From now on, all levels & types of medical institutions in Guangzhou City & its districts for outpatient and emergency department visits will require a green health code for entry.

Bizarrely, patients and their caregivers are expected to undertake PCR nuclei tests for COVID-19, and show a negative test result within the past 24 hours to gain admission!

Zhang Yi : Newly admitted inpatients and their accompanying personnel must present a negative nucleic acid test result from within the past 24 hours for admission.

Less controversially, she called on fever clinics to operate at their maximum capacity, and conduct nucleic acid (PCR) tests on patients.

Zhang Yi : Fever clinics should operate to their fullest capacity. The role of the previously established 114 standardised fever clinics should be fully utilised.

Strengthen the staffing of medical personnel in fever clinics, optimise the waiting area settings and consultation process.

Conduct nucleic acid testing for visiting patients, and implement graded & categorised diagnosis and treatment.

Not Only Guangzhou Patients Must Be COVID Negative For Admission?

China has been experiencing a surge of respiratory illnesses that have alarmed many people, especially when it appeared to cause pneumonia in many children.

The WHO called on China to provide more information, after health monitoring groups like the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED) reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in north China.

China responded within 24 hours, stating that it has not detected any new or usual pathogens causing this surge of respiratory illness, with clusters of pneumonia being blamed on a bacteria – Mycoplasma pneumoniae which has been circulating since May, as well as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus that have been circulating since October.

While the negative COVID-19 test looks really bizarre, it is possible that the Chinese government has instituted this requirement to prevent these patients, who are already suffering from pneumonia, from being infected with COVID-19 as well.

Even so, Jennifer Zeng reported (archive) that the Chinese Health Code requirement is not just being reactivated in Guangzhou, but for the entire Guangdong province, as well as the Beijing, Sichuan, Fujian, Shaanxi, and Zhejiang provinces!

The health code is a mobile app used by the CCP during the three-year COVID pandemic to control people’s movements. If your health code turns red or yellow, you can’t go anywhere.

But it’s not just Guangzhou. From what we know so far, Beijing, Sichuan, Fujian, Guangdong, Shaanxi, and Zhejiang Province are also implementing it.

So it is possible that the Chinese government at least suspects that some of these cases of respiratory illnesses may be due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

To be clear – this reimplementation of the Chinese Health Code appears to be limited to patients attempting to seek medical assistance in clinics and hospitals. It does not appear that the Health Code is being reimplemented to restrict other types of movement in China.

However, reports of a surge in respiratory illnesses, and this (partial) reimplementation of the Health Code requirement will likely put a damper on the revival of the Chinese tourism industry. The Chinese government recently implemented visa-free travel for 6 new countries in an effort to boost tourism.

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Malaysia Digital Arrival Card Required For Foreign Visitors!

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Foreign visitors are now required to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) prior to arrival in Malaysia! Here is what you need to know…

Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) Requirement

From 1 December 2023 onwards, the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) requires foreign visitors to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) prior to their arrival in Malaysia.

The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) replaces the physical white arrival card that foreign visitors usually complete before or on arrival in Malaysia.

This new rule applies to all foreign visitors, except:

people transiting / transferring through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance,
Malaysian Permanent Resident, and
Malaysian Automated Clearance System (MACS) holders

As an added benefit, foreign visitors from 10 countries can register their fingerprint at the immigration country, and will thereafter be able to use the Autogate (Egate) at Malaysian airports and other ports of entry to quickly get through immigration!

Australia
Brunei
Germany
Japan
South Korea
New Zealand
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
United States
United Kingdom

But please note that the MDAC is not a visa. Neither is it an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) that some countries use to pre-register visitors for multiple entries.

Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) Steps

For The First Time

All foreign visitors (except those who were explicitly exempted above) will need to register for the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) for the first time.

Enrol for the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) at this official link.
Complete and submit the MDAC within three days (3) prior to your arrival in Malaysia.
You will be required to fill in these information:
a) Full name
b) Passport number
c) Nationality
d) Sex
e) Date of Birth
f) Date of Passport Expiry
g) Email address
h) Mobile Number
i) Date of Arrival : Must be within 3 days (including date of submission)
j) Date of Departure
k) Mode of Travel : Air / Land / Sea
l) Last Port of Embarkation
On arrival in Malaysia, you will need to enroll and verify your passport manually at the Malaysian Immigration Department counter.
After that manual enrolment, you will be allowed to use the Egate autogate system when you depart Malaysia.

On Subsequent Visits

On subsequent visits, foreign visitors will need to:

Complete and submit the MDAC within three days (3) prior to your arrival in Malaysia.
Use the Autogate system on arrival and departure

As you can see, the new Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) does more than just eliminate waste and improve efficiency through digital transformation of the physical arrival card. It also streamlines the immigration process for foreign visitors, and allows some of them to breeze through using the Egate system!

But again – please note that you can only submit the MDAC within 3 days of your trip, and this includes the date of submission.

Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) : Other Important Things

Here are other things about the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card that may be important:

You can check the status of your MDAC registration information here.
You can check the visit pass record for the latest 3 months here.
You can check your Egate eligibility status here. *

* Please note that Egate eligibility is only open to business and social travellers from these 10 countries, who have an e-Passport, and will only start after you have enrolled your fingerprints (biometric verification) at the immigration counter.

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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China Visa-Free Travel For 6 Countries Starts Tomorrow!

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From tomorrow onwards, citizens from 6 countries will start enjoying visa-free travel to China for 15 days! Here is what you need to know!

China Offers Visa-Free Travel For 6 New Countries!

China will start offering visa-free travel to 6 additional countries on a trial basis, starting on 1 December 2023.

On Friday, 24 November 2023, China announced that citizens from these 6 countries will enjoy visa-free travel for up to 15 days:

France
Germany
Italy
The Netherlands
Spain
Malaysia

These six countries will join Singapore, Japan, and Brunei, whose citizens already enjoy visa-free travel to China for up to 15 days.

According to Chinese government spokesperson Mao Ning, China has taken this step to help “promote the high-quality development of Chinese and foreign personnel exchanges and high-level opening up to the outside world“.

This visa-free travel for those 6 countries, however, is a trial that will last from 1 December 2023 until 30 November 2024. This trial program may or may not be extended after that.

China Visa-Free Travel To Hopefully Revive Tourism

Travellers to China are generally required to apply for a visa. China is hoping that offering visa-free travel to certain favoured countries will help to revive its tourism industry that has been hard-hit by strict COVID-19 measures in the past 3 years.

China had the world’s strictest COVID-19 measures, maintaining them long after the rest of the world reopened. Even when the Chinese government decided to reopen its borders, it required inbound travellers to quarantine, which discouraged travel

It was only in March 2023 that China began issuing all types of travel visas again, and in July that it restored the 15-day visa-free travel for Singapore, Japan and Brunei. In August, China finally scrapped all COVID-19 test requirements for inbound travellers.

With visa-free travel removing the onerous application for a Chinese travel visa, it is likely that there will be tourists and business visitors who will take opportunity of the one-year trial to visit China. The only question is whether it is a surge, or merely a tiny bump.

After all, potential travellers would need to worry about the lack of access to essential apps like Google Maps, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. as well as popular apps like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube. There is also the risk of being detained in China, and prevented from returning home.

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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China Announces Visa-Free Travel For 6 Countries!

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China just announced that citizens from 6 countries will enjoy visa-free travel for 15 days! Here is what you need to know!

China : Visa-Free Travel For 6 Countries!

On Friday, 24 November 2023, China announced that citizens from these 6 countries will enjoy visa-free travel for up to 15 days:

France
Germany
Italy
The Netherlands
Spain
Malaysia

These six countries will join Singapore, Japan and Brunei, whose citizens already enjoy visa-free travel to China for up to 15 days.

This visa-free travel for those 6 countries, however, is a trial that will last from 1 December 2023 until 30 November 2024. This trial program may or may not be extended after that.

Travellers to China are generally required to apply for a visa. China appears to be trying out this visa-free travel option to revive its tourism industry that has been hard-hit by strict COVID-19 measures in the past 3 years.

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

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Does Penang Bridge Have A Massive Crack?!

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Does a viral video show a massive crack in the second Penang bridge?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : There’s A Massive Crack In Second Penang Bridge!

People are sharing a video clip on WhatsApp, claiming that it shows a massive crack in the second Penang bridge!

WhatsApp : Penang second bridge 😲… Pls take care all driver

WhatsApp : Penang 2nd link. Beware, it is cracking. Lookout

Truth : That’s Not A Massive Crack In Second Penang Bridge!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created / propagated on WhatsApp, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : That Is Not The Second Penang Bridge!

First, I should quickly point out that the bridge shown in the video is not the second Penang bridge!

It is actually the Rio–Niterói Bridge, which is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The second-longest bridge in Latin America, the Rio-Niterói Bridge was officially opened on March 4, 1974 – some 49 years ago!

Fact #2 : The Video Is Many Years Old

First, I should point out that this video originally went viral in 2014, and appears to have been posted on the TV Revolta Facebook group, which is infamous for spreading fake news.

The video appeared to have been shared just before Brazil hosted the 2014 World Cup, with the caption:

Assinante da TV Revolta registers huge crack in Rio Niterói bridge

TV Revolta subscriber records huge crack in Rio Niterói bridge

Fact #3 : That Was An Expansion Joint

Even though the Rio-Niterói Bridge is 49 years old, that video did not show a massive crack in its structure.

That is actually an expansion joint, which was intentionally created during its construction, so parts of the bridge can move and expand without affecting the other parts.

Fact #4 : CCR Clarified Expansion Joint

When the video first went viral in Brazil in 2014, the bridge concessionaire at that time – CCR, confirmed that the crack was really just an expansion joint.

CCR also clarified that a bridge of such size and length requires this kind of opening to prevent actual cracks from forming in the slabs and beams of the bridge.

Fact #5 : Penang Government Refuted Claim

On Sunday, 29 October 2023, the Penang state government refuted claims that the viral video showed a massive crack in the second Penang bridge.

State Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said checks with officials from both Penang bridges showed there was no truth to the viral post.

“Checks showed the video footage which went viral was an old video. The said incident happened outside of Malaysia back in 2014,” he said.

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Are Elderly Tourists Banned From Group Tours In China?!

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Are elderly tourists now banned from joining group tours to China?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Elderly Tourists Banned From Group Tours In China!

This warning has gone viral on WhatsApp, and social media platforms, claiming that elderly tourists are now banned from group tours in China!

New Regulations of the National Tourism Administration

Dear group members, while you are still allowed to travel, take advantage of the opportunity and travel around China! Group tours are no longer allowed after the age of 80.😀😀😀😀😀

The Mainland Tourism Administration has newly regulated the provisional rules for seniors traveling in group tours. According to the “Travel Law of the People’s Republic of China” and “Travel Agency Senior Tour Service Standards”, these rules are formulated:

Article 1: The elderly refer to tourists who are over 60 years old (inclusive) on the date of travel.
Article 2: Aged over 60 years old on the date of travel (including this
Number) – Tourists aged 69 years old should sign a “Safety Responsibility Letter” with the travel agency. The “Safety Responsibility Letter” should state personal health conditions, communication methods, and emergency contact information, and should be signed by the tourist.
Article 3: Aged over 70 years old on the date of travel (including this
Number) -Tourists who are 75 years old, unless signing in accordance with Article 2 of the Rules
The “Safety Responsibility Letter” must also provide a valid health certificate or physical examination report issued by a Class III A hospital within 3 months.
Article 4: For those who are over 75 years old on the date of travel, in addition to signing a “Safety Responsibility Letter” in accordance with Article 2 of the rules and providing a valid health certificate or physical examination report issued by a grade 3A hospital within three months, they must also be elderly Tourist visa for adult immediate family members
If you are traveling in Yu, and are accompanied by adult family members, and if you are over 80 years old on the date of travel (including your age), you are not allowed to register.
Article 5: The person in charge of the company’s business department, sales department, and branch is the person responsible for the rules. If the above rules are violated.

*#Travel agencies are not allowed to accommodate people over 80 years old! *
75-79 years old, accompanied by family members + physical examination certificate!
70-75 years old, physical examination certificate + letter of responsibility!
60-69 years old Sign the safety responsibility letter!

Show less

Truth : Elderly Tourists Are Not Banned From Group Tours In China!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp, and social media platforms, and here are there reasons why…

Fact #1 : Viral Message Circulated Since 2019

First, let me just point out that the viral message isn’t new. It has been circulating since March 2019, if not earlier.

Initially, it started in Chinese social media platforms like Weibo and WeChat groups, but eventually made its way to WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

Fact #2 : National Tourism Administration Ceased In 2018

According to a Chinese fact check, the viral message could not have been issued by the National Tourism Administration of China, as it no longer existed in 2019.

As part of institutional reforms announced by the Chinese State Council in March 2018, it was replaced by the Culture and Tourism Administration of the People’s Republic of China Ministry of Tourism.

Fact #3 : Ministry of Culture and Tourism Has No Such Restrictions

A reporter for Jiefang Daily and Shangguan News checked the official website of the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, but could find no announcement of any restrictions on elderly tourists travelling in group tours.

The reporter also noted that there were no specific restrictions on the “travel age for the elderly” even in previous policy documents.

Fact #4 : Shanghai Tourism Hotline Confirms No Such Restriction

The reporter also called the Shanghai tourism hotline to ask about whether there were new restrictions on elderly tourists planning to join tour groups in China.

The Shanghai tourism staff told the reporter that there is currently no national guidelines that prohibit group tours for those over 80 years old.

They suggested that the requirement that elderly people need to be accompanied by family members and/or have medical certificates may be the “voluntary requirements” of some travel agencies.

In such cases, the staff recommended that elderly tourists should consider some travel agencies in Shanghai that specialise in serving the elderly as they may be more suitable, and may not have such requirements.

Fact #5 : Travel Service Standards For Elderly Do Not Have Age Restrictions

In 2016, China issued its Travel Agency Elderly Tourism Service Standards, which stipulates that if elderly tourists participate in group tours, the travel agency should:

communicate and negotiate with the insurance company on the upper age limit for travel accident insurance,
collect detailed information of the elderly tourists,
ask elderly tourists who are over 75 years old to be accompanies by adult family members, or ask their immediate family members to sign off on their travel,
discuss the potential risks of senior tourism products and the health requirements of senior tourists before traveling, and
provide oral safety reminders and produce a “Safety Notice” to ensure that elderly tourists choose appropriate senior tourism products.

However, the 2016 Travel Agency Elderly Tourism Service Standards do not restrict elderly tourists of any age from travelling in group tours.

Fact #6 : Travel Agencies Refute Claims On Age Limits

The same reporter also reached out to Chinese travel agencies like Ctrip and CYTS on these claims of group tour restrictions on elderly tourists.

The Chinese travel agencies said that there is “no hard and fast age requirement” for seniors travelling in group tours.

They pointed out that different tours have different physical requirements, some of which may require elderly tourists to be accompanied by family members, or produce medical certificates and other documents to assure the travel agencies of their fitness.

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Are Japanese Airports Empty After Chinese Boycott?!

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Are Japanese airports now empty after Chinese tourists boycotted Japan over the release of the radioactive Fukushima waste water?!

Take a look at the viral video, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Japanese Airports Now Empty After Chinese Boycott!

People are sharing a TikTok video which claims that Japanese airports are now empty after Chinese tourists boycott Japan over the release of the radioactive Fukushima waste water!

Chinese tourists start boycotting Japan and Japanese international airport is so empty. 80% tax free stores are shutting down and hundreds employees are losing jobs. Also planned flights are cancelled because of not enough travellers to make airplane take off.

Japanese airports losing Chinese tourists
How desolate is it?
It feels like it’s really getting “cold”!
Flights are almost always late!
There is no huge purchasing power of the Chinese people
For Japan’s airports and tourism industry
It’s basically equivalent to a devastating blow
80% of shops in the airport have been closed
Even go bankrupt
Only a few stores are left to hold on.
Japan’s largest duty-free shop facing the Chinese has closed down
In the past, all the shops in Japanese airports basically spoke Chinese.
Moreover, it is overcrowded and even the checkout line has to wait for half an hour.
Now I can’t even see a ghost
Not a single passenger said anything
You can’t even see the staff
One of the busiest airports in the world
It’s basically cold in Japanese airports now
When I took this video
This should be the busiest time
However, I became the only customer in the whole place
My friend used to work at a Japanese airport
All are now unemployed
Japan is not opening up the country
Estimate Japan’s tourism industry
And the aviation industry is really going to die.

失去中国游客的日本机场
到底凄凉到什么程度？
感觉是真的快要“凉”了!
班航几乎都是欠航欠航欠航!
没有中国人庞大的购买力
对日本机场和旅游业来说
基本上就等同于毁灭性的打击
机场中80%的店铺全部关掉
甚至倒闭
只剩下极个别店铺在硬撑
日本最大的面对中国人的免税店已经倒闭了
之前日本机场的所有店铺都基本讲着中文
而且人满为患甚至结帐排队都要排半小时
现在连个鬼影都看不到
旅客一个没有不说
连工作人员你都看不到
世界上曾经最繁忙的机场之
日本机场现在基本上已经凉了
我拍这段视频的时候
本应该是最繁华的时段
然而我成了全场唯一的顾客
之前我的朋友曾在日本机场打工
现在已经全部失业
日本在不开国
估计日本的旅游业
和航空业真的要完蛋

Show less

Japanese Airports Are Not Empty + There’s No Chinese Boycott!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS surrounding the release of treated waste water from the Fukushima NPS, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : No Evidence Japanese Airports Are Empty

First, let me just point out that the viral video does not actually show any evidence that Japanese airports are now empty because Chinese tourists boycotted Japan over the release of the Fukushima treated waste water.

There are many videos showing empty Japanese airports like Narita and Haneda during the COVID-19 pandemic. The viral TikTok video could easily be a mishmash of those videos.

Unfortunately, the TikTok video creator covered up the video with text too much for me to trace the original videos. But it looks like a compilation of different videos.

Fact #2 : Chinese Account For 10% Of Travellers To Japan

Even if there is an unofficial Chinese travel boycott to Japan, it wouldn’t make Japanese airports empty, or force shops to close.

According to JTB Tourism Research & Consulting Co., Chinese citizens account for 10% of international tourists to Japan in June 2023.

While that makes Chinese tourists the second largest group of foreign tourists to Japan, a complete boycott wouldn’t make Japanese airports look like a ghost town, or force their shops to close down.

Fact #3 : At Least Part Of Video Was Recorded On 12 October

Although the TikTok video creator tried to mask any identifiable features in the video, he/she let something slip.

If you look closely at the date on the flight information display that showed flight cancellations, the date was 12 October.

The year is not listed, but it is only 6 September 2023 today, and the Fukushima-Daiichi NPS only started to release its waste water on 24 August 2023.

Unless the TikTok video creator has a time machine, he/she used at least one video recorded on 12 October from past years. It may not even be as recent as the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021.

For example, many airlines cancelled flights in or out of Japan from 11-13 October 2019, when Super Typhoon Hagibis hit Japan.

Fact #4 : Subtitles Suggest Video Was Before Japan Reopened Borders

On the other hand, the final three Chinese subtitles in the video suggest that the video was recorded before Japan reopened its borders on 11 October 2022.

Japan is not opening up the country
Estimate Japan’s tourism industry
And the aviation industry is really going to die.

日本在不开国
估计日本的旅游业
和航空业真的要完蛋

Fact #5 : No Evidence Of Chinese Travel Boycott

In any case, there is no evidence of any Chinese travel boycott, whether official or unofficial. Many airlines are still flying people from China to Japan.

I checked to see how many flights there are from Chinese cities to a single airport from 11 September to 17 September 2023.

Instead of seeing a dearth of flights since there is a Chinese boycott, I counted no less than 158 flights from Chinese cities to Narita International Airport over 1 week!

That’s an average of 22.5 flights per day from China to Narita International Airport. And that’s just one airport in Japan. What boycott???

Fact #6 : Many Narita Airport Shops Do Not Open 24/7

The viral TikTok video appears to show that the Dior and LEGO stores are shuttered and closed at the Narita International Airport. But did they really close down as the video claims?

The truth is – not all shops inside the Narita or Haneda airports open 24/7. Dior at Narita Airport, for example, opens from 7:30 AM until 9 PM daily. The LEGO Store at Narita Airport only opens from from 9 AM until 7 PM.

If you land late at night, you will be able to record a similar video showing both shops closed. Does that mean that they shut down because of a Chinese boycott? Obviously, not.

Fact #7 : This Is Just Fake News About Fukushima

There is no doubt that Japan is facing a LOT of criticism over its release of the Fukushima waste water, even though IAEA and many experts have endorsed the plan.

However, this is just another example of FAKE NEWS being created around the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster. Here are other examples I fact checked earlier:

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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PSA : You Still Need Physical Driving Licence Overseas!

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Please be warned – you still need a physical driving licence when you are driving overseas! Your digital driving licence is most likely not valid or legal overseas!

Fined Overseas For Not Having Physical Driving Licence!

In May 2023, two Malaysian men were fined for failing to produce their physical driving licences in Thailand.

Both men were stopped by police while riding motorcycles on car lanes in Phuket. When the Thai police officer asked for their driving licence, they showed their digital driving licences using the MyJPJ app.

However, the Thai police officer said that their digital driving licences were not valid, even though the men explained Malaysia adopted the digital driving licence in February 2023.

In the end, both men had to pay a compound at the police station for not having a valid driving licence.

Even though the incident occurred several months ago, the issue only went viral after the men posted their video in Twitter on 3 August 2023.

And lepastu kalau bawa kenderaan ke Thailand, polis sana mintak kita fizikal kad, kalau takde boleh kena saman

Puas aku explain cakap malaysia dah tak pakai physical card, dia kata tak boleh! End up aku dgn @iqbalasyrafff kena saman jugak 😂 https://t.co/rLBuZSSRsZ pic.twitter.com/2BcCQjY7q8

— acapkay (@acapkay) August 3, 2023

PSA : You Still Need Physical Driving Licence Overseas!

Please be warned that even though Malaysia has adopted the digital driving licence (e-LLM) since 10 February 2023, it is only valid in Malaysia, and not overseas!

In the future, other countries will likely accept digital driving licences, but until that happens, you still need to bring and use a physical driving licence while driving overseas.

On 5 August 2023, Malaysia Transport Minister Anthony Loke commented on the two Malaysian men who were fined in Thailand for failing to produce a physical driving licence. He said that the digital licence is only valid in Malaysia.

He pointed out that the matter (of accepting digital licences) was subject to laws in that country, and the ministry has no authority to determine how laws in other countries are enforced.

He also said that the Road Transport Department (JPJ) will continue to issue physical driving licences, so those who wish to drive overseas should apply for one at JPJ branches when renewing their driving licence.

We have no stopped the issuance of physical copies of driving licences, so if they want to drive in a country that requires a physical licence then they can apply for it at RTD counters when renewing their licence.
– Malaysia Transport Minister Anthony Loke

Physical Driving Licence Only Available In JPJ Branches

Truth be told – this was already mentioned when the digital driving licence was adopted in February 2023. This was what I pointed out back then:

JPJ will continue to offer the physical driving licence to motorists who still prefer it, or need one to drive overseas.

But understandably, many of us probably missed that part. Or forgot that foreign governments may not readily accept the new digital driving licence.

While I’m here, I should also point out that the physical driving licence is now available only at JPJ branches. This may be a bit of a hassle, since it used to be available in Pos Malaysia branches too.

But the good news is – you can now renew your driving licence for 10 years, with a 10% discount to boot! So this should be a once-in-a-decade hassle.

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Did Ukrainians Attack Russian Woman With Putin Tattoo?!

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Did Ukrainian tourists attack a Russian woman with a Putin tattoo, only to end up getting beaten up instead?!

Take a look at the viral video, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Ukrainians Attacked Russian Woman With Putin Tattoo!

Pro-Russian propagandists and supporters (vatniks) are promoting a video that claims to show Ukrainian tourists attacking a Russian woman because she had a tattoo of Vladimir Putin, only to get beaten up instead!

❗️A group of Ukrainian tourists attacked a Russian woman holidaying on a Turkish beach who had a tattoo of Vladimir Putin.

😂Unfortunately for the Ukrainians – the Russian woman was a master in combat sambo.

The video, which is about 1 minute and 45 seconds long, is also being shared by pro-CCP netizens, and the Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛) on WhatsApp and Western social media platforms.

Claim : Ukrainians Did Not Attack Russian Woman With Putin Tattoo!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created to diminish support for Ukraine’s fight to defend itself against Russian aggression, and here are there reasons why..

Fact #1 : The Video Was Originally Released On Telegram

First, let me start by pointing out that the original video was released by the Telegram account @BadShofer at 8:40 PM on 25 July 2023.

Fact #2 : The Video Was Recorded In Vladivostok

The video was not recorded in a beach in Turkey, as the viral message claimed. According to @BadShofer, the video was recorded in Vladivostok (Владивосток).

Vladivostok is a Russian city located near China and North Korea, and where the headquarters of the Russian Pacific Fleet is located. Needless to say – you won’t find Ukrainian tourists in Vladivostok!

Fact #3 : The Video Was Edited

The original video was only 53 seconds long. The viral video is much longer, but actually stops playing after 53 seconds.

The original video also had a much taller 9:16 aspect ratio. The viral video was edited to crop out the watermark at the bottom, which makes it look more squarish. This was probably done to make it more difficult for fact checkers to trace the provenance of the video.

You can watch the original clip posted by @BadShofer below, with the watermark intact.

https://www.techarp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Vladivostok-fighting.mp4?_=2

Fact #4 : Table Umbrellas Have Russian Words

Just in case @BadShofer may be lying / mistaken, I took a closer look at the table umbrellas sponsored by Amstel, which have these Russian words printed on them:

C УВАЖЕНИЕМ К ДРУЖБЕ И [unreadable]
С 1870 ГОДА

WITH RESPECT FOR FRIENDSHIP AND [unreadable] SINCE 1870

A red Wall’s umbrella can also be seen with this Russian word:

МОРОЖеНОЕ!

ICE-CREAM!

They help to confirm that the location of this incident was not in Turkey, but in Russia.

Fact #5 : No Evidence Woman Had Putin Tattoo

The video itself shows no evidence that the woman had any Vladimir Putin tattoo. The only thing we can be certain of is that she has tattoos on both arms.

Since the incident occurred in Russia, if the lady was really attacked for having a Vladimir Putin tattoo, that must mean he’s really not very popular in Russia these days!

Regardless of the reason for this fight, it seems certain that no Ukrainian tourists were involved! It appears to be nothing more than a couple of Russian holidayers fighting with each other.

Fact #6 : This Is Just Russian Propaganda

Ultimately, the viral video is yet another example of Russian propaganda, which is shoddy as usual. However, it is being shared and promoted by Chinese netizens, and the Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛).

Here is a selection of Russian and Ukraine War propaganda that have been proven false:

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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