(CNN) — Countries around the world have imposed sweeping travel bans and advisories to stem the spread of coronavirus within their borders and beyond.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office has also advised against all nonessential international travel for 30 days.
Flights have been drastically reduced and widespread closures of public areas are in effect. Italy, France and Spain are under lockdown, and the residents of several US states, including California and New York, are under stay-at-home orders.
Travel advisories and bans
Travelers are trying to figure out what to do next.
Christof Stache/AFP via Getty Images
The US State Department’s global travel advisory is at its highest level — Level 4: Do Not Travel. Americans are advised to avoid all international travel.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on March 13 told Canadians to curtail nonessential travel outside of the country.
In addition to the United States’ Europe travel ban, the restricted US-Canada and US-Mexico borders and restrictions imposed by the US on arrivals from Iran and China, the European Union has closed its external borders for 30 days.
Many other nations have banned certain arrivals, closed borders or suspended visas.
If you are traveling, make sure that your destination has not restricted your arrival before embarking, keeping in mind that the situation is evolving quickly and new restrictions are likely.
All travelers should avoid contact with sick people and clean their hands frequently.
Flight cancellations and increased flexibility
Delta is among the many airlines that have slashed service globally.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images North America
Airlines have scrambled to adapt operations to travel bans and a staggering drop in global demand.
Globally, airlines have slashed flights amid the outbreak, with many suspending service to hard-hit countries such as China and Italy. They’ve also slashed domestic service and other routes following a precipitous drop in air travel.
Travelers with upcoming bookings should look for advisories and instructions posted on carriers’ websites.
Airline cleaning efforts and traveler hygiene
While disinfecting is helpful, frequent hand washing is among a traveler’s best defenses, infectious disease experts say.
“Even if there is virus in the inanimate environment, it’s not going to jump off the seat and bite you in the ankle,” says Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of medicine in Vanderbilt University’s division of infectious diseases.
“You’ve got to touch it, and then touch your nose or your mouth. So it’s those hands we have that are the important intermediary. And that’s where I would put the emphasis,” he said.
Wash or sanitize your hands after touching surfaces in airports and planes.
“Hand sanitizers are great. So are antiseptic hand wipes, which you can also use to wipe down armrests, remote controls at your seat and your tray table,” said travel medicine specialist Dr. Richard Dawood.
The CDC advises washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be used when soap and water are not available.
Schaffner has received a lot of questions about whether people should be wearing masks to avoid infection.
He realizes it’s culturally very common in Asia, but he says the CDC doesn’t recommend it for the general public because “the scientific basis showing that people in the community wearing masks actually has any benefit is very thin and questionable.”
Good hand hygiene is a better defense.
US airport screening
Foreign nationals who have visited China, Iran and much of Europe in the past 14 days are barred from entering the United States.
Ireland and the United Kingdom and 26 countries in the Schengen Area are affected by the Europe ban.
The 26 Schengen Area countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Enhanced screening is in effect in for American citizens and legal permanent residents returning to the US from the designated high-risk countries and those travelers are required to arrive through the following 13 US airports:
> John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
> Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois
> San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California
> Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Washington
> Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Hawaii
> Los Angeles International Airport, (LAX), California
> Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia
> Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia
> Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey
> Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas
> Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Michigan
> Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
> Miami International Airport (MIA)
Cruise line suspensions
Golden Princess was anchored off New Zealand on Sunday. Some passengers were undergoing health testing.
Mark Baker/AP
Virgin Voyages has postponed the maiden voyage of its first cruise ship, Scarlet Lady, until August.
The US State Department issued an advisory on March 8 warning against cruise travel.
“US citizens, particularly travelers with underlying health conditions, should not travel by cruise ship,” the warning reads.
Vacation rental and hotel booking waivers
All reservations made before March 14, with check-in dates from March 14 through April 14, qualify for penalty-free cancellations. Both hosts and guests may choose to cancel the booking.
Rental company Vrbo has not offered Covid-19-related exceptions but recommends that travelers reach out to homeowners to request fee-free cancellation.
Check with your hotel about modified cancellation and booking policies.
Jen Rose Smith, Francesca Street, Katia Hetter, Maureen O’Hare, Stacey Lastoe and Christina Zdanowicz contributed to this story.
Source : Nbcnewyork
