With all the recent news reports, travelers are on edge about booking new destinations and have many questions about how their travel plans can be affected. We put together some received questions and information cited from the World Health Organization. Hope this provides some clarity for your upcoming trips.
Question: What are the chances I will get coronavirus when traveling?
The situation and risk level change daily. Check trusted sources like CDC.gov to provide accurate, up-to-date information.
If you have pre-existing conditions or other health concerns, consult your doctor to determine if you should be traveling.
Question: I have a trip booked to ________ for November. Should I cancel it now?
Travel suppliers and government authorities are ultimately in control of flights, cruises, and entry into destinations. If there is a serious risk at the time of travel, the supplier will cancel or postpone the flight or itinerary.
Think about and discus with your travel agent or travel insurance provider the potential cost of pre-emptively canceling your trip versus waiting for the airline or supplier to potentially cancel or postpone.
Question: I have a trip planned for outside of the U.S. Should I rearrange my plans and take a vacation somewhere domestically?
The reality is that taking a flight somewhere abroad is not riskier than taking a road trip to visit somewhere in the U.S.
If you don't feel comfortable with their original travel plans, work with your travel agent to determine what you do feel comfortable with based on what is known at this time.
Question: I am traveling soon and my company has recently made an announcement that anyone traveling will be placed on mandatory quarantine when they return. What should I do?
Consult your employer's company handbook and speak with your Human Resources department about your options.
Chinese citizens got creative and turned fruits/vegetables, maxi pads, bras, and water bottles into makeshift Coronavirus protective masks 😷🤣.
Question: How should I protect myself while traveling? Not like this 👆🏾!
Wash your hands frequently. Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain social distancing. Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
Practice respiratory hygiene. Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider. Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.
Safe Travels!
