State Department Ups Global Health Advisory to Level 4: Do Not Travel
“The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.”
Wednesday, March 18th, 2020
Reports are coming in that anglers without travel insurance that is upgraded to “Cancel for any reason” are being denied claims due to coronavirus bans or fear of travel. If you are traveling, be sure to purchase insurance and upgrade to allow for cancellation reimbursements.
Tuesday, March 17th, 2020
President Donald Trump has recommended that “discretionary’’ or unnecessary travel be reconsidered for the next 15 days as part of new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Vice president Pence later added that in regards to domestic travel bans that, “We think that hopefully, we won’t have to do that. But it’s certainly something we talk about every day. We haven’t made that decision.”
Also at this time the U.S. Department of State raised the alarm level for international travel to Level 3:Reconsider Travel, stating:
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to reconsider travel abroad due to the global impact of COVID-19. Many areas throughout the world are now experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and taking action that may limit traveler mobility, including quarantines and border restrictions. Even countries, jurisdictions, or areas where cases have not been reported may restrict travel without notice.
Friday, March 13th, 2020
For many people across the world, the coronavirus scare is becoming all too real. The mix of travel bans and cancellations will no doubt play a large role in the spring season for many lodges and outfitters as well. The swarm of cancellations are currently swamping airlines and booking agents, and wait times can be expected all around. In times like these is hard to see the forest for the trees, so it helps to have a trusted source of information so you can make an educated decision on whether or not to pull the plug on your travel plans.
Should you stay or should you go? Whatever you decide, please consider the following press release from the CDC before making any hasty decisions:
CDC does not generally issue advisories or restrictions for travel within the United States. However, cases of COVID-19 have been reported in many states, and some areas are experiencing community spread of the disease. Crowded travel settings, like airports, may increase your risk of exposure to COVID-19, if there are other travelers with COVID-19. There are several things you should consider when deciding whether it is safe for you to travel.
Things to consider before travel:
- Is COVID-19 spreading where you’re going?
If COVID-19 is spreading at your destination, but not where you live, you may be at higher risk of exposure if you travel there. - Will you or your travel companion(s) be in close contact with others during your trip?
Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded settings, particularly closed-in settings with little air circulation, if there are people in the crowd who are sick. This may include settings such as conferences, public events (like concerts and sporting events), religious gatherings, public spaces (like movie theatres and shopping malls), and public transportation (like buses, metro, trains). - Are you or your travel companion(s) at higher risk of severe illness if you do get COVID-19?
People at higher risk for severe disease are older adults and people of any age with serious chronic medical conditions (such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes). CDC recommends that travelers at higher risk for COVID-19 complications avoid all cruise travel and nonessential air travel. - Do you have a plan for taking time off from work or school, in case you get exposed to, or are sick with, COVID-19?
If you have close contact with someone with COVID-19 during travel, you may be asked to stay home to self-monitor and avoid contact with others for up to 14 days after travel. If you become sick with COVID-19, you may be unable to go to work or school until you’re considered noninfectious. You will be asked to avoid contact with others (including being in public places) during this period of infectiousness. - Do you live with someone who is older or has a severe chronic health condition?
If you get sick with COVID-19 upon your return from travel, your household contacts may be at risk of infection. Household contacts who are older adults or have severe chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. - Is COVID-19 spreading where you live?
Consider the risk of passing COVID-19 to others during travel, particularly if you will be in close contact with people who are older adults or have severe chronic health condition These people are at higher risk of getting very sick. If your symptoms are mild or you don’t have a fever, you may not realize you are infectious.
Depending on your unique circumstances, you may choose to delay or cancel your plans. If you do decide to travel, be sure to practice precautions to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases during travel. For the most up-to-date COVID-19 travel information, visit CDC COVID-19 Travel page.
Our friends at Global Rescue have also released a series of updates and bulletins regarding information on Covid-19 and best travel practices. They add to the aforementioned CDC bulletins by adding that, “Dr. Carmen Dolea, Head International Health Regulations Secretariat of the World Health Organization, recommends etiquette similar to the flu or any respiratory infection. Dolea’s recommendations include screenings, testing and washing your hands often.”
“Other health and safety experts suggest social distancing, avoiding contact with sick people, working from home and self-quarantining to help reduce virus exposure.”
Read the full bulletin at https://www.globalrescue.com/common/blog/detail/Is-it-safe-to-travel-coronavirus/ and stay up-to-date with daily news on Coronavirus at https://www.globalrescue.com/common/blog/detail/Coronavirus-Travel-Updates/.
Safe travels, and be sure to send us a report regarding and travel complications that you may experience. And, as always, let us know how the fishing was, by sending an report to our editor, Seth Fields at [email protected] or by submitting them at https://www.anglingreport.com/file-a-trip-report/.
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