Travel During COVID-19 Pandemic: Can You Safely Travel Now?
Many are probably itching to go outside and enjoy the scenery after months of staying at home due to the current health crisis.
But is it advisable to travel even with the increasing number of confirmed coronavirus cases in different parts of the world?
Experts said if you are planning to spend your vacation someplace, it is advisable that you spend it in a facility with not too many people. Do outdoor activities and do not go indoor, such as gathering inside restaurants or bars.
Medical director of the University Hospitals Roe Green Center for Travel Medicine & Global Health in Cleveland, Dr. Keith Armitage, noted that being outdoors has a much lower risk, unless you're on a packed outdoor restaurant deck or bars.
"I think people can enjoy hiking, swimming, boating, camping, or whatever outdoor activities and sightseeing. It's being indoors with unmasked strangers that people have to avoid," Armitage was quoted in a report.
But are airplanes safe at the moment? Armitage said planes have good air circulation and filters. He noted that the virus will not easily spread, but the risk would be the people a couple of rows around you.
But if everyone wears a mask, the risk is really low, according to Armitage.
The doctor also said plane travel is not high risk and the risk can be reduced by wearing masks. He added that planes are much safer than bars or restaurants.
Travel Industry Appeals For Aid
U.S travel industry leaders have submitted a new series of proposed measures to Congress. This was aimed to help employers to combat the latest wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that caused re-closures.
The U.S. Travel Association (USTA) has already sent an appeal to Congress and the administration on July 17, asking to be included in the next coronavirus relief package.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the travel industry has employed one in 10 Americans. But since the outbreak, over half of the 15.8 million jobs disappeared. Without the federal assistance, the travel sector will remain depressed even after the overall economic rebound begins.
"Travel businesses could not possibly have prepared for this level of catastrophe, and there's no telling how many of the eight million jobs we've lost so far will remain gone for good without aggressive federal intervention to keep the industry on life support," USTA President and CEO Roger Dow was quoted in a statement.
Some countries have incentivised foreign travel for tourists.
Travel Special Offers During COVID-19
Many governments across the world have started easing border restrictions in hopes to kick-start international travel to revive the pandemic-hit tourism industry.
The Uzbekistan government has promised to pay $3,000 to any tourist, who will be infected with COVID-19 while visiting the country. The amount will cover the whole cost of medical treatment and is part of the government's strategy to welcome visitors back to Uzbekistan.
The Italian island of Sicily has announced in April that it would cover half of flight costs and a third of hotel expenses for foreign visitors planning to travel the country. Sicily reported loss of more than 1 billion euros in tourism-related revenue due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan also launched its "Go To" campaign to increase domestic travel after its tourism industry was also struck by the pandemic. The campaign provides up to 50 percent on all domestic travel spending, which includes accommodation and shopping within Japan.
Mexico also offers visitors two free nights of accommodation for every two nights they pay for as part of the "Come to Cancun" campaign. Travellers will also receive a refund for one additional plane ticket, aiming to encourage them to bring a companion for their beach vacation.
Check these out:
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