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The Coronavirus: What Travelers Need to Know The Coronavirus: What Travelers Need to Know
(about 5 hours later)
The death toll from a novel coronavirus has now reached more than 100 people, with most of the over 4,000 cases reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the disease. At least 12 other countries have also reported cases, and five people in the United States have been diagnosed; all had recently returned from China. The death toll from a novel coronavirus has now reached more than 100 people, with most of the over 4,500 cases reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the disease. At least 12 other countries have also reported cases, and five people in the United States have been diagnosed; all had recently returned from China.
On Monday, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised avoiding all nonessential travel to China. On Monday, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised avoiding all nonessential travel to China. Hong Kong has suspended high-speed train service and curtailed flights to and from mainland China.
Here’s what travelers making their way to or from China can expect.Here’s what travelers making their way to or from China can expect.
The outbreak of the deadly coronavirus is centered in Wuhan, a city of 11 million and the capital of Hubei Province in China. Wuhan is a major manufacturing center, but not known as a tourist destination.The outbreak of the deadly coronavirus is centered in Wuhan, a city of 11 million and the capital of Hubei Province in China. Wuhan is a major manufacturing center, but not known as a tourist destination.
Travelers to Wuhan are likely visiting friends and family, or are business travelers connected to that city’s manufacturing industry. Most business travelers will have already returned home as the factories recently closed for the Lunar New Year — as is tradition. Last week, the Chinese authorities imposed a blanket travel ban on Wuhan and surrounding cities in Hubei Province, a population of 35 million people. No planes, trains or buses are going in and out.Travelers to Wuhan are likely visiting friends and family, or are business travelers connected to that city’s manufacturing industry. Most business travelers will have already returned home as the factories recently closed for the Lunar New Year — as is tradition. Last week, the Chinese authorities imposed a blanket travel ban on Wuhan and surrounding cities in Hubei Province, a population of 35 million people. No planes, trains or buses are going in and out.
All flights in and out of Wuhan have been suspended, and airlines worldwide have announced that they will allow passengers who are traveling to, from or through Beijing or Shanghai to rebook their itineraries without a change fee. There are restrictions, however. All flights in and out of Wuhan have been suspended, and airlines worldwide have announced that they will allow passengers who are traveling to, from or through Beijing or Shanghai to rebook their itineraries without a change fee. There are restrictions, however. Passengers are advised to contact their flight carrier.
In a first since the SARS crisis in 2002 and 2003, Cathay Pacific is permitting its crew and staff to wear surgical masks at work. Likewise, American Airlines: “While it is not medically recommended, American will allow flight attendants to wear masks on flights to and from Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong,” said Curtis Blessing, an American spokesman, in a statement. The masks are ubiquitous across Asia, but not common in North America.In a first since the SARS crisis in 2002 and 2003, Cathay Pacific is permitting its crew and staff to wear surgical masks at work. Likewise, American Airlines: “While it is not medically recommended, American will allow flight attendants to wear masks on flights to and from Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong,” said Curtis Blessing, an American spokesman, in a statement. The masks are ubiquitous across Asia, but not common in North America.
American, United and Delta are providing additional hand-sanitizing wipes for flights between the United States and China.American, United and Delta are providing additional hand-sanitizing wipes for flights between the United States and China.
Dr. Paulo Alves, the global medical director at MedAire, a Phoenix provider of in-flight, virtual medical care to airlines and their passengers worldwide, said masks are meant to contain to the droplets that someone emits when sneezing or coughing. Passengers are not being issued surgical masks by airlines.Dr. Paulo Alves, the global medical director at MedAire, a Phoenix provider of in-flight, virtual medical care to airlines and their passengers worldwide, said masks are meant to contain to the droplets that someone emits when sneezing or coughing. Passengers are not being issued surgical masks by airlines.
Foreign and domestic airlines operate dozens of daily flights from the United States to China, primarily to Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. China Southern operated direct flights between Kennedy Airport, San Francisco International and Wuhan. Before the travel lockdown, passengers could have connected in China to Wuhan through code-share partners such as Cathay Pacific, Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines.Foreign and domestic airlines operate dozens of daily flights from the United States to China, primarily to Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. China Southern operated direct flights between Kennedy Airport, San Francisco International and Wuhan. Before the travel lockdown, passengers could have connected in China to Wuhan through code-share partners such as Cathay Pacific, Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines.
The decision behind which American airports screen passengers is made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a statement last week, the C.D.C. said it is establishing protocols and procedures for screening passengers. Other than Kennedy, the four other domestic airports that are screening passengers for signs of infection are San Francisco, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, Los Angeles International and Atlanta.The decision behind which American airports screen passengers is made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a statement last week, the C.D.C. said it is establishing protocols and procedures for screening passengers. Other than Kennedy, the four other domestic airports that are screening passengers for signs of infection are San Francisco, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, Los Angeles International and Atlanta.
However, Delta Air Lines said in a statement that other airports in the United States may also be screening passengers who recently traveled through Wuhan.However, Delta Air Lines said in a statement that other airports in the United States may also be screening passengers who recently traveled through Wuhan.
In Asia and the United States, passengers are scanned with thermal devices to measure their temperature. Passengers with symptoms such as high fever may undergo additional screening, and even off-site monitoring at specialized facilities.In Asia and the United States, passengers are scanned with thermal devices to measure their temperature. Passengers with symptoms such as high fever may undergo additional screening, and even off-site monitoring at specialized facilities.
On Monday, the C.D.C. said that Americans should avoid all nonessential travel to China.On Monday, the C.D.C. said that Americans should avoid all nonessential travel to China.
“Chinese officials have closed transport within and out of Wuhan and other cities in Hubei Province, including buses, subways, trains and the international airport,” it said in an updated notice. “Additional restrictions and cancellations of events may occur.”“Chinese officials have closed transport within and out of Wuhan and other cities in Hubei Province, including buses, subways, trains and the international airport,” it said in an updated notice. “Additional restrictions and cancellations of events may occur.”
“There is limited access to adequate medical care in affected areas,” it added.“There is limited access to adequate medical care in affected areas,” it added.
The agency maintains a website that travelers can check to get the latest recommendations.The agency maintains a website that travelers can check to get the latest recommendations.
Some of the most popular tourist destinations, including the National Museum of China and the Forbidden City (both in Beijing), were closed over the weekend.Some of the most popular tourist destinations, including the National Museum of China and the Forbidden City (both in Beijing), were closed over the weekend.
The Badaling section of the Great Wall of China, a popular attraction located around 40 miles outside of Beijing, was also closed, as were the Shanghai Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland Park (the hotels at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort remain open). No date has been announced for reopening any of these sites. In addition, multiday celebrations for the Lunar New Year have been canceled in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.The Badaling section of the Great Wall of China, a popular attraction located around 40 miles outside of Beijing, was also closed, as were the Shanghai Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland Park (the hotels at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort remain open). No date has been announced for reopening any of these sites. In addition, multiday celebrations for the Lunar New Year have been canceled in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Wuhan, at the center of the outbreak, lies on the Yangtze River. The river is a popular multinight cruise route that includes visits to the Three Gorges Dam, which is in Hubei Province. No official announcements on the status of these river cruises have been announced, so travelers who have booked cruises should contact their travel agenciesWuhan, at the center of the outbreak, lies on the Yangtze River. The river is a popular multinight cruise route that includes visits to the Three Gorges Dam, which is in Hubei Province. No official announcements on the status of these river cruises have been announced, so travelers who have booked cruises should contact their travel agencies
“Those universal things like washing your hands are always recommended,” Dr. Alves said. He also suggested passengers avoid touching their faces, practice coughing etiquette and not cough into the environment.“Those universal things like washing your hands are always recommended,” Dr. Alves said. He also suggested passengers avoid touching their faces, practice coughing etiquette and not cough into the environment.
“Keep some distance from people who are obviously sick and maintain good personal hygiene,” he added.“Keep some distance from people who are obviously sick and maintain good personal hygiene,” he added.
The advice mirrors that given to travelers during cold and flu season. While seat backs and tray tables on long-haul aircraft like those flying to China from the United States are individually wiped down by ground crew between flights, passengers may wish to bring their own wipes for a second pass.The advice mirrors that given to travelers during cold and flu season. While seat backs and tray tables on long-haul aircraft like those flying to China from the United States are individually wiped down by ground crew between flights, passengers may wish to bring their own wipes for a second pass.