Coronavirus and Travel Fears

Due to the spread of coronavirus, travel has become a big concern. Many people have canceled their flight bookings and are keeping away from affected countries for a while. People are afraid to travel locally too.

However, if you have booked a ticket several months ago and are determined to make that trip, or you are taking advantage of the low travel costs these days, or simply because there is an emergency. You have to travel; then, there are certain precautions that you should keep in mind.

How to Keep Yourself Safe During Travels

While these things are not full-proof and will not guarantee that you do not get infected with the coronavirus, it will help to make the possibility less.

• Wash your hands frequently with soap for 20-30 seconds. If you do not have access to soap and water, rub your hands and wrists with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Do not touch your face with unwashed hands because the virus can live on surfaces for several hours. You could quickly transfer it to your eyes or mouth.
• Watch everyone around you. If you see someone sneezing and coughing, stay at least one meter away from that person. Airborne respiratory droplets can infect you.
• Clean the objects that you frequently touch with good spray and wipes. Keep everything clean, especially if you stay in a hostel.
• Avoid crowded places, especially if the enclosure is a small one.
• Wear a mask and seek medical help immediately if you have any symptoms like fever, cough, cold, and respiratory difficulties.

Will Travel Insurance Cover You?

Travel Health Insurance will cover you for doctor’s visits, emergency services, and prescription drugs.

However, Travel Health Insurance will cover you in case you get infected with the coronavirus. It will happen if you arrived in a country before there was a coronavirus outbreak. If travel advisories have warned you not to travel to a particular country and you have moved there despite the warnings, Travel Health Insurance will not cover any of the costs of treatment if you get coronavirus.

Can You Cancel a Trip?

Many airlines and cruise lines are banning and reducing global trips. They are even offering full refunds to anyone who needs to cancel their flights.

Some Countries That Have Banned Travel So Far

• The EU is suspending all non-essential travel to the country for 30 days.
• The government has suspended all flights to Albania and Slovenia.
• There are no direct flights between Austria and the UK. There will be no direct connection between Austria and Italy, France, Spain, and Switzerland.
• Some countries like Greece and Ireland have advised self-quarantine for 14 days.

Is it Wise to Travel During this Period?

No, it isn’t wise to travel during this period. Instead, you can use this time to prepare for your next trip. Putting a pause on your travel plans can help to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The decision is yours to make. However, it is a known fact that personal contact is the root cause of the range of the disease.