If you’ve been watching the news, then you know that the coronavirus, or COVID-19, which
is the official name for the virus, continues to spread.
While most of us outside of China have not been affected, the spread of the virus does
affect those who may have travel plans to the region.
Hey, it’s Ernest from Trip Astute.
In this video, I’m going to cover what you should do if you have an upcoming trip that
is affected by the coronavirus and share some general tips to stay healthy while traveling.
First off, I want to express my solidarity with those directly affected by the coronavirus.
I can only imagine how scary and frustrating it must be, and I empathize with those who
are in or close to the epicenter of the outbreak.
Secondly, I want to say that while the coronavirus is spreading and is considered a major health
threat, it’s important to have some perspective on it, especially those of us in areas that
have not seen an outbreak.
According to the CDC, more people are infected every year by the influenza virus, also known
as the flu.
During the 2018 to 2019 flu season, the CDC estimated that 35.5 million people were infected
with the flu and over 34,000 people died.
And it wasn’t even a severe flu season.
I say all this because there is a lot of fear and anxiety generated by all the news of the
coronavirus.
And while I don’t disagree that it is a serious medical threat, it’s important to
understand that the common flu is more likely to cause harm and disrupt your travel.
Of course, it’s what we don’t know about the coronavirus that makes it so scary.
Scientists are learning more about the virus every day, including effective treatments.
But not knowing how the virus is mutating or exactly how it spreads makes many people
uneasy, and I don’t blame them.
So, what if you have a trip planned in the near future to China or other areas experiencing
cases of the coronavirus?
Should you cancel your trip?
Does your credit card or travel insurance cover a disruption caused by an outbreak?
I’m hoping to help answer these questions in this video.
Let’s tackle the first question: Should you cancel a trip to China?
The answer is, yes.
I would avoid a trip to China or even one that routes through an airport in China.
Part of it is because the State Department has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory
for the country.
Secondly, if you do travel to China, you’re likely going to have issues entering other
countries, or even returning back to the US without additional screening and potential
quarantine.
For me, it’s just not worth the risk and hassle.
Some of you might be less risk-averse, but if you want my honest opinion, I don’t think
you should travel to China right now.
If you’re in this situation or even have a trip just a few weeks away, you could wait
to see if the virus is better contained.
Though I suggest contacting the airlines to see what can be done.
Rather than just canceling or forfeiting your trip, you may have to pay a change or cancelation
fee.
Though many of the major airlines have suspended or reduced their flight service to China,
so it’s likely that the airlines will work with you.
You might also consider redirecting your flight somewhere else for now while the outbreak
stabilizes.
Since many of you that watch this channel are avid travel credit card users, you should
be aware that most credit card and travel insurance policies exclude outbreaks.
The general rule when it comes to travel insurance is that they will cover what happens to you,
but not what might happen to you.
American Express and Chase, for example, will not allow you to use the trip cancellation
because you are worried about getting infected.
However, if you can get your physician to document that your trip is not medically advisable,
you may be able to exercise your travel insurance option.
You’ll still have to file a claim and wait for a decision, but from what I have read
online, it seems like your best chance of getting your coverage to kick in.
Now comes the more complicated scenario.
What about surrounding countries that may be experiencing some localized outbreaks.
This is where it gets a lot more confusing.
The answer for this situation is “it depends.”
For example, with new cases being detected in areas like Southeast Asia, I know a lot
of travelers are worried about it.
In fact, just this week, an American passenger from a cruise ship that deboarded in Cambodia
was found to be infected with the coronavirus when attempting to connect to another flight
in Malaysia, meaning that they may have accidentally spread the virus while in the country.
Again, it depends on how risk-averse you are with your travels.
If it were me, I would probably avoid under-developed areas that seem to be experiencing outbreaks.
Most of the developed countries in region have the infrastructure and protocols in place
to screen for the virus and quarantine if necessary.
But I’m less confident about some developing countries that may just lack the infrastructure
and organization to control the situation.
I know the risk of contracting the virus is low, especially if you’re traveling outside
of China.
However, I worry that if an outbreak worsens, then you may have problems reentering your
country of origin or face a quarantine.
That being said, I have a friend right now who is traveling in Japan and doesn’t seem
to be affected at all.
If you decide that you don’t want to travel to your destination, it may be harder to get
a refund on a flight.
Though there is the possibility of changing flights.
Also, keep in mind that you can often cancel flights if your itinerary has changed, especially
if the schedule shifted by more than two hours.
The rules are different for every airline, so you’ll want to research your airline’s
policy and see if others have similar experiences and data points to share online.
Lastly, if you’re scheduled for a cruise, you’re more than likely safe.
There’s a lot of coverage of cruise ships in Asia with infected passengers which might
lead you to believe that cruises are dangerous.
However, when you consider how many people take cruises every year and the number of
cruise ships out there, it’s safe to assume that cruising is safe.
And if you happen to be scheduled for a cruise in Asia, then you might want to contact the
cruise operator to see what precautions are in place.
Cruise companies seem to be well prepared for these types of situations.
Also, since many ports in Asia are turning away cruise ships, I wouldn’t be surprised
if the companies decided to refund or reschedule passengers onto trips elsewhere.
And if you’re still traveling or planning to travel, and wondering how you can reduce
the risk of infection, here are some tips to keep in mind.
1.
Consider booking fully-refundable tickets: While this is usually not the most cost-effective
solution, it might be worth considering if you are planning a trip in the next couple
of months.
I don’t typically recommend booking these types of tickets because of the price, but
in this scenario, it may be worth the extra cost.
And if you happen to be flying business or first-class, you’ll likely have an easier
or less expensive experience trying to change your flight.
It varies by airline, but most major airlines will allow business and first-class passengers
to change their flights for free or a lower price than economy passengers.
It might be something to consider if you’re debating between an economy or a more premium
class seat.
2.
Don’t wait until the last minute to change or cancel plans: If you think you’ll need
to alter your travel itinerary, I would do sooner than later.
You’ll likely find more options available, especially if you decide to reroute your trip
to another destination.
3.
Practice good sick hygiene and sanitation: Airports and airplanes aren’t the cleanest
places in the world, so make sure you wash your hands regularly and cover any coughs
and sneezes.
It probably goes without saying too, but you’ll want to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and
mouth to reduce the chance of infection.
Also, you probably don’t need to wear a face mask.
Most doctors seem to be in agreement that just washing your hands is the most effective
way to reduce infection.
I personally like to also wipe down my tray table, headrest, and armrest with sanitizing
wipes when I get to my airplane seat.
It may be overkill, but I’ve been doing it for years.
I just want to minimize the chance of getting sick when traveling, especially when I’m
using precious vacation time from work.
Also, the wipes come in handy whenever I visit a public bathroom where there isn’t running
water or soap.
4.
Get up-to-date with your immunizations: Again, you’re much more likely to contract the
flu when traveling, so I think it’s a no brainer to get the flu shot every year, especially
if you’re a traveler.
Even if it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be 100% resistant to the current strain, it’s
been shown to help those that contract some version of the influenza virus with their
recovery.
And if you’re traveling to a developing country, make sure you review the recommended
immunizations.
Some of the immunizations require a lead time to be effective, so you’ll want to plan
accordingly.
I recommend visiting the CDC website and seeing what immunizations are necessary and talking
to your doctor about any potential risks.
5.
Sign-up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): Also known as STEP.
This is a free service provided by the State Department that keeps you up-to-date with
any hazards or notices when traveling abroad.
I used it years ago when I was in Southeast Asia and got a notification from the State
Department of a potentially violent protest in the capital of Cambodia due to a political
assassination.
The program can also help the local embassy contact you in case there is an emergency
or situation where you need their help.
I think it’s a great service, and one that you should use if you’re a US citizen.
We actually did a video on it when we first started the channel in 2017, so check it out
for more information.
If anything, you might get a good laugh from how rough the video was compared to where
we are now after years of experience.
I honestly can’t even watch our old videos without cringing.
Again, I don’t to freak anyone out with this video.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen an outbreak affect travel.
Even just a few years ago, a lot of travelers were worried about the zika virus in tropical
locations with mosquitos.
Now it seems like no one is talking about it.
I expect that the coronavirus will eventually be contained as well and that scientists will
find standardized effective treatments for the virus.
Though if you’re someone who has an upcoming trip that is affected by the outbreak, I empathize
with your situation.
But I encourage you to see it as a potential opportunity to travel somewhere where there
is less of a threat.
I know it’s cliche, but traveling isn’t about the destination, but instead the journey.
Ok, I know that was super cheesy.
But it’s true.
Have your travel plans been affected by the spread of the coronavirus or another outbreak?
If so, how are you dealing with the situation?
Please share your experience in the comment section below.
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Until next time, travel safe and travel smart.