If you've been keeping an eye on the news, or even if you haven't been, it would be pretty tough to avoid updates about the Coronavirus right now. The Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, first rose to mainstream attention at the end of 2019, as cases were hitting China.
Now there are cases in many parts of the world, and if you watch the news for even a few minutes you'll see images of what looks like people in hazmat suits dealing with global cases.
As a traveler, what should you know?
Coronavirus Basics
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted from person-to-person. It was initially identified during an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
If you are a close contact of someone with the virus, you're at a higher risk of getting it than the average population. Close contact is usually within around six feet of someone with the illness.
You could potentially get the virus from touching a surface that is contaminated and then touching your face or eyes, but that's believed to be a less common form of transmission.
The first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on January 21, 2020, or at least that's when it was reported.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and the most common are fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
Covid-19 is believed to be primarily an infection of the lower respiratory system, so it can induce some gastrointestinal symptoms as well.
Certain areas of the world are more hard-hit by Coronavirus than others right now, such as Korea and Italy.
If you have traveled from an area affected heavily by the virus, you may be required to self-quarantine for around 14 days.
The disease is mild in around 80% of cases, but it can be deadly for people who are 65 and older or who have chronic, underlying health issues.
If you have a tripped planned, the following are important things to know right now.
Should You Cancel Plans?
What a lot of people are having a hard time with right now aside from anxiety about a virus with no current cure or vaccine, is that they may have to change their plans because of it, including travel plans.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation as of right now is that if you are elderly or you have an underlying health condition, you avoid traveling to areas with Coronavirus outbreaks.
Local transmissions are occurring in China, South Korean, Japan, Italy, and other European countries.
Countries have their own warnings about travel in place right now. For example, the U.S. travel advice is warning against visiting all of China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran unless necessary.
For travel to China, the U.S. State Department issued a level 4 warning, which is the highest warning against traveling to China.
Travel warnings for Italy and South Korea recently went from a Level 3 to a Level 4.
Factors to Consider
One of the main factors you might consider as you decide whether or not to travel right now is your own health and the likelihood you would catch the virus, but there are other things to think about too.
One is the quality of health care in the destination where you're planning on traveling.
If you did become ill overseas, would you be able to receive quality care?
Another issue is quarantines. Depending on where you're traveling to, could you become part of a quarantine? If you travel now you could end up getting stuck somewhere.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning against cruises in particular right now, especially if they are going to or traveling within Asia.
The Diamond Princess cruise liner was quarantined off Japan's coast in February, and there were several deaths and hundreds of infections.
Something else to think about is the potential that your flight could be disrupted because other people aren't traveling.
Many people are canceling their plans, and airlines are waiving change fees, so that's likely to continue. Many airlines are also giving crew time off during the virus outbreak and are canceling flights because they won't be fully enough. Is there a chance your flight could be delayed or canceled?
American Airlines was one of the most recent airlines to announce they would waive change fees for passengers who wanted to alter their flights because of the virus. JetBlue suspended change and cancel fees for new flight bookings made between February 27, 2020, and March 11, 2020, and Delta announced that it would be decreasing its service to Japan.
United, American, and Delta Airlines all suspended service to China because they said the demand was low. Delta suspended mainland China service until April 30.
Many airlines say they're having their flight attendants wear masks while working, and some airlines are also spraying cabins with disinfectant after every flight.
Cruise lines are taking their own precautions.
For example, according to Cruise Lines International Association, there is a suspension of member and crew movement from China, and they say they will deny boarding to anyone guest or crew who's gone through or come from mainland China in the past 14 days.
For the cruise lines that have canceled cruises, you should have the ability to receive a full refund.
How Can You Protect Yourself If You Do Travel?
If you do decide to travel, what can you do to protect yourself?
Current guidance is similar to what you see during a regular flu season.
The CDC is advising that you cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw it out right away. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched and avoid close contact with sick individuals.
Try to avoid touching your eyes or face with unwashed hands and wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
If you can't wash your hands with soap and water, use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
