How does Corona-virus (COVID-19) affect travel plans, and how can we feel safe from it?
Planning a trip abroad? It’s important to stay safe. The U.S. Department of State issues travel advisories intended to help travelers understand the risks involved in visiting certain countries. Experts say there are resources potential travelers should consider when deciding whether to call off a trip, including Travel advice and situation reports from the World Health Organization, advisories from the State Department — which often contain detailed information about specific regions within a country — and notices from the CDC. As of Monday, the health agency warned people to avoid nonessential travel to China, Iran, South Korea and Italy and to enhance precautions in Japan because of the corona-virus.
As you know that Coronavirus was first discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, within the Hubei province of China. The World Health Organization announced on Feb. 12 that the official name for the specific strain of coronavirus is Covid-19.
Traveling
It’s always advisable to avoid travel if you’re sick. But no stay home directive is sustainable for long periods, and urgent life events will overlap with this outbreak. So, guidance about this will be targeted, and ideally informed by easy screening and testing that can advise people with the sniffles whether they are fine to get on a plane or should urgently self-quarantine.
How are airlines responding to coronavirus?
Airlines around the world have halted service to mainland China amid warnings from the World Health Organization.
Most recently, American Airlines announced that it will waive fees for passengers changing their flights due to the outbreak. Specifically, the airline will waive change fees for up to 14 days prior to travel for customers who purchase flights between March 1 and March 16.
JetBlue announced that they are suspending change and cancel fees for all new flight bookings made between Feb. 27, 2020 and March 11, 2020 for travel through June 1, 2020.
Meanwhile, Delta announced that they have also reduced the number of weekly flights between the U.S. and South Korea.
In a statement, Lufthansa Group (including Austrian Airlines and Swiss) said they will not accept new bookings to China through the end of February, however the airlines will continue to operate flights to Hong Kong.
British Airways announced an “immediate” suspension of flights to mainland China.
Instructions for Airlines Employees
Airlines are also looking out for their employees. Flight attendants on Cathay Pacific were first told to wear masks while working and have now been asked to take three weeks of unpaid leave between March 1 and the end of June, due to a “significant” drop in demand for flights.
Airlines are also looking out for their employees. Flight attendants on Cathay Pacific were first told to wear masks while working and have now been asked to take three weeks of unpaid leave between March 1 and the end of June, due to a “significant” drop in demand for flights.
Earlier this week, the U.S. State Department issued a level 4 — its highest level — warning, notifying Americans that they should not travel to China. The CDC also issued a warning against all nonessential travel to China. However, this does not include Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan.
Travel warnings for Italy and South Korea were increased from a Level 3 to a Level 4 on Saturday, advising Americans not to travel to infected areas.
To feel secure about any upcoming travel plans, communicate with your hotel and airline directly, and monitor updates and alerts for the current information in your destination.
If you are planning to go for Dubai or UAE, you can directly call to your hotel or airline and ask the necessary updates about the situation. You can avoid embassy offices and apply Dubai Visa online.
Stay healthy while travelling
Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. COVID-19 is still affecting mostly people in China with some outbreaks in other countries.
By following some basic steps, you can help reduce your risk and do your part to protect others.Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following:
How to Prepare for the Corona virus?
By following some basic steps, you can help reduce your risk, and do your part to protect others, if your community is affected.
Here’s what you can do:
- Keep your hands clean, and keep your distance from sick people
- Unless you are already infected, face masks won’t help you
- Stock up on home supplies, medicine and resources
- Prepare your family, and communicate your plan
- With your children, keep calm and carry on — and get the flu shot
- About to go on vacation? Consider your destination and how you feel about risk
- Take a deep breath when thinking about the stock market
The virus’s spread in the country is inevitable. That means it’s time to prepare your home and family in case your community is affected.
Most important: Do not panic. While the outbreak is a serious public health concern, the majority of those who contract the coronavirus do not become seriously ill, and only a small percentage require intensive care.
Source:
https://www.cdc.gov/
