If you’ve got plans to go on your
trip of a lifetime this spring or summer, there’s no doubt news of the
uninvited Coronavirus has crossed your path. As an expert in the Travel
Industry, I am well aware that Coronavirus (CoV) has spurred some chatter.

There is no doubt that some people
are rearranging itineraries or cancelling trips. Regardless, if you’re
wondering whether you should travel abroad during this time, here are six
things you should keep in mind:

Stay Healthy and
Happy

The Coronavirus has been most dangerous to elderly people with
pre-existing medical conditions. If you have pre-existing health conditions
and/or concerns about traveling abroad at this time, seek advice from your
doctor.

How Coronavirus
Spreads

According to the World Health
Organization (WHO), Coronavius can
be transmitted between animals and people and seems to spread through coming in
contact with the virus directly – via sneezing or coughing of an infected person – or indirectly – via touching a countertop that an
infected person has sneezed/coughed on. 

The best ways to protect yourself
from the virus include:

• maintaining
  a safe distance of three feet from others to avoid coming in contact with
  infected coughs and sneezes.
• Avoiding
  touching your face or mouth.
• Washing your hands thoroughly and frequently with
  soap and water.

If you have more questions about
Coronavirus, you can review the WHO Coronavirus Q&A section.

Travel
Restrictions 

Various countries are placing
travel restrictions and quarantines strictly based on where people have
traveled. You may be able to travel outside of the U.S., but if cases worsen,
getting back in may require a 14-day quarantine.

In my opinion, quarantine is
another term for 14 days to spend alone doing whatever I would like. I recently
picked up crocheting and a quarantine would give me ample time to work on my
new skill.

Flight
Cancellations

If flight changes are made due to
Coronavirus, (for example, some flights in and out of Hong Kong have been
cancelled) some airlines will not notify passengers until two weeks before the flights
scheduled departure.

If you have international flights
scheduled, call the airline you’ve planned to fly with at least four weeks in advance
so that you can have extra time to make itinerary changes if needed.

Flight Rerouting

Delta has reported that Seattle is
no longer receiving flights from South Korea as an effort to reduce the spread
of Coronavirus. As a result, some flights are being redirected to Detroit,
Michigan.

Trip Insurance

At Alpenwild, we always recommend trip insurance. Most people assume that trip
insurance will cover any and all trip cancellations, but that is incorrect.

Most trip insurance companies will
only refund trip costs due to trip provider cancellations, severe illnesses,
and death. They usually do not cover instances in which people decide not to go
– even if due to a virus
infestation in their destination.

As always, I recommend trip
insurance but be sure to read and research various policies so that you are
aware of your insurance benefits and holes in coverage.

Despite the Coronavirus outbreak,
I still plan to hike in Switzerland this summer. Will I be taking
precautions to wash my hands, call the airlines, and buy trip insurance? You
bet! However, I am also crossing my fingers that the peak-season travel crowds
will be smaller this year.

If you’ve got travel planned for this
summer, consult with your physician, stay updated and informed on the latest travel news and as always, have happy travels!

What are your thoughts on this?
Will you sit tight as the Coronavirus spreads or continue to travel as you are
able? We’d love to hear your thoughts below.