Travel Tips During Coronavirus Outbreak
This situation with Coronavirus affecting travel is still very fluid, but I wanted to share some travel tips to consider during this outbreak for travelers to be safe and prepared. I’m not one to give into fear and hysteria, but there are practical and sensible tips to remember during the Coronavirus outbreak. I shared these travel tips with CBS 8 San Diego and have been making the rounds lately on several news segments. I have very little to fear during this hectic time as a relatively healthy young male. But, I have been receiving a lot of questions from travelers with trips planned around the world. The most common question is: Should I cancel my travels during Coronavirus outbreak?
Update March 10, 2020
American Airlines offers travelers no change fee on flights ticketed by March 31. Delta is doing the same thing and has an informative news site to keep travelers informed. United is waiving change fees on original travel dates of March 9 through April 30. Airlines are reducing their schedule. Double check with airline to see if your flight has been cancelled or changed.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is the country’s leading experts on infectious diseases. He told reporters at a White House press conference, ” “If you are a healthy young person, there is no reason if you want to go on a cruise ship, go on a cruise ship.”
The whole country of Italy is on complete lockdown. Everything has come to a complete halt. The prime minister has told everyone to stay home. Even St. Peters Basilica & Square is closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Israel will now require a 14 day mandatory quarantine for all travelers entering the country. This news comes from the Prime Minister even though Israel has only 40 reported cases of COVID-19 infections.
Frommers has a whole resource page to various cancellation policies for hotels, cruise lines and hotels. It’s helpful for finding a quick link to your travel provider’s policy.
Please continue to monitor the CDC and WHO for travel tip updates during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Follow the advice of the CDC and WHO
The CDC recommends avoiding vacations and non-essential travel to mainland China, South Korea and Iran. With Airlines halting operations to those countries, it will be difficult to get there anyway. Double check the map from the CDC and you will see areas like the Caribbean that have not been affected by the Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19). The WHO website is an excellent site for up to date information of the reported cases worldwide so you can find out whether there is a risk or confirm your peace of mind.
American Airlines & Delta are allowing travelers to make changes without penalties and fees to certain areas. Both airlines, along with others, are currently suspending flights to Milan. I always like to double check the website of the airline I’m flying on for any trip, but now this is a top travel tip during the Coronavirus outbreak that every traveler should utilize. Also, Vice President Pence announced yesterday that there will be new and/or increased screenings on several flights returning from certain countries.
Allow more time at the airport because Transportation Security Administration has ordered a temporary freeze on hiring and overtime pay for its security screeners. This has nothing to do with the Coronavirus outbreak, but it’s terrible timing and may cause delays during Spring Break and Summer travel seasons.
Should you cancel your travels due to COVID-19?
At the moment, cancelling travel could be very costly. Very few tour operators, cruise lines and travel insurance companies will offer you a full refund If you cancel. According to Frommers, “Cancellation insurance does not cover a ‘fear of travel,’ and that’s the category you’ll be assigned if you try to cancel a trip headed anywhere but China right now.” See also the Coronavirus update from Allianz.
When it comes to travel insurance, so-called Cancel For Any Reason policies are the best option. They’re also very expensive and tend to cover only 50 to 75 percent of your trip. Travel Insurance through credit cards have exclusions for pandemics and epidemics. For more information on Allianz Global Assistance and the policies offered for travelers, please visit: http://www.allianztravelinsurance.com.
Purchase medical travel insurance, in particular, a primary-coverage plan that substitutes for your existing United States health insurance while you’re abroad.
How do you avoid getting sick while traveling during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak?
Make basic health and hygiene a bigger priority while traveling.
If you choose to keep on traveling, like me, you’ll want to keep yourself healthy. Also, healthy travel habits are steps we can can all take as responsible travelers to avoid spreading the virus. Follow CDC advice, advice of doctors and, of course, your Mom. Wash your hands. A LOT. Wash your hands for at least 20-30 seconds. At the airport, wash and sanitize frequently, especially during this time of the coronavirus outbreak.
Basic Travel Tips during Coronavirus Outbreak
- Sanitize your area the plane and bring extra alcohol based hand sanitizer and wipes.
- Keep hydrated on the plane and while traveling. Nuun makes excellent electrolyte and hydration tablets to add to your water.
- Pack plenty of vitamins and zinc.
- Pack extra medication in case of delay.
- Bring energy bars and snacks in case of delays. I like non-GMO & organic bars like GoMacro or RxBars found at grocery stores.
- Get some sleep and plenty of rest.
Pro tip: Put the hotel remote in a ziplock bag. It’s the filthiest thing in the hotel room
Is this a good time to getaway – because others are staying home?
Yes, Spring Break is on and expected to be on the rise this year. This is especially true in the USA. There are no travel restrictions within the United States. Also, most of Europe is a ghost town. In talking to friends who are currently traveling in Europe while the Coronavirus outbreak is happening, they are finding no crowds, grateful locals and excellent service. Italy and most of Europe is a ghost town at the moment. Most of the cases of Coronavirus in Italy are in the far north. So regions like Umbria, Rome, Puglia and Sicily are open for business and ready!
Total cases: 80
Total deaths: 9
States reporting cases: 13
It remains to be seen exactly how, and for how long, European travel will be affected by Coronavirus. So, for now, if you have booked travel for Spring Break or Summer, sit tight and monitor the situation.
In Brazil, where I was just last month, they have only had 2 reported cases. Life in Brazil is joyous and goes on. On my flight home from Brazil, they did poll everyone boarding if they had been to China and they were pulling Chinese nationals from the boarding que. But, there is no COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in the Caribbean except in Dominican Republic with only 1 reported case. Meaning it is still a great place to go during spring break.
The CDC is currently not discouraging travel as an activity. Like many other travelers, I am not canceling the travel plans I have in the coming weeks—and they are extensive, though out the United States, Cambodia, Ireland and now Italy! At this point, I haven’t even thought about cancelling. I like to stay positive and hope to make all my trips. If things change between now and then, I’ll abide by the directives set out by the CDC & WHO.
Stacey
So interesting to glimpse a snapshot in time and see how things have were. I came back from the Women’s Travel Fest in NYC on March 9th– seeing this same kind of information regarding travel before I set out the week before. One week later and I would not have gone or advised anyone else to travel either.
Angel
Yeah girl, completely agree. Even though that post is 3 weeks old so much has changed. It is interesting how things are changing. Thank you for your comment!