COVID-19 has brought many new challenges
to families vacationing abroad.
Now joining me is Sandra Mclemore,
a travel industry expert
who says once you've secured a flight
to return to the United States
there are still things you need to do
before you go to the airport.
We're gonna talk about that.
And there's a checklist
that the state department recommends to Americans abroad.
And Sandra, let's talk about that.
First, travelers are urged
to enroll in a certain program called STEP.
What is that about?
That's correct, Dr. Phil.
So travelers, whenever you head abroad,
whether it be at this time of year
or any other time,
you're strongly recommended to enroll in STEP.
Now that stands for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
Basically that's the government's way
of being able to contact you
and provide notifications
in the case of an emergency.
It's something you can do for free, online before you leave
and you'll let the government know
where you're going to be traveling
and approximately your dates.
Okay, and so this includes something
if political winds shift, anything that might happen.
There could be a tsunami,
there could be things happening
that affect your travel plans.
The government will let you know.
And you need to have a travel plan
that does not rely on the US government for assistance
because you're responsible, as you said earlier,
to get yourself home, right?
Yeah, that's correct
and I think that that's quite a misconception
that I don't know if we watch too many Blockbuster dramas
of evacuations and extractions
in the middle of the night
but it just doesn't happen in real life.
You need to be prepared
to be able to get yourself home
or at least take the advice that the government gives you
if something was to happen while you're traveling.
Okay, but if you get into extraordinary circumstances
where the world shuts down in a pandemic like this
where flights are canceled, et cetera, et cetera,
I do expect the American government to step up
and provide advice, information, help
to get its citizens home
in an unusual circumstance
and I don't think that's unreasonable expectation.
No, absolutely not
and I 100% agree with you
and there are measures in place
for you to be able to get that help.
So my advice to anybody who is stuck abroad right now,
the first thing you need to do
after you've registered on STEP,
even if didn't do that before you leave,
is to get in contact with your local embassy or consulate
where you are traveling.
So seek shelter in place, stay safe,
follow the local laws and regulations.
The last thing that you want
is to find yourself on the wrong side of the virus
and on the wrong side of the law.
But reach out to the embassy
because the embassy
are your connection to the American government.
They'll be able to update you on evacuation plans
and the options that are available to you.
Also, check with your airline,
cruise line, travel operators,
regarding any updates
because that's changing constantly as well, right?
Oh my goodness, absolutely.
So I think that we've learnt this
here in the United States
that everything changes every day.
It's a very fluid situation.
And the same thing with your travel suppliers.
My hat goes off to the cruise lines
and the airlines and the hotel industry
for consistently every day updating their websites.
And it's really important
that if you're stuck outside the country right now,
that you are checking your airline website,
that you are checking your cruise line website,
your hotel chain website
and just keeping up to date there.
I also want to point out
that you should also be keeping up to date
with the CDC website,
even if you're outside of the country.
Now we know that the CDC is an American authority.
However, there are some great tips there to help you
just in case your not getting that information where you are
to be able to live healthily and stay safer
and prevent COVID-19 as well, that's really important.
Well, listen, that is such great information.
Thank you, I am going to put your number
in my contacts list
so if I go somewhere I'm gonna check with you
to find out what the deal is before I go.
Thank you very much for your information.
You're so welcome.