Travelers’ Coronavirus Questions Answered

Ever since the coronavirus outbreak (officially known as COVID-19) landed on our collective radar a little more than a month ago, it’s been an emotional roller coaster ride to say the least. At first, it seemed like it might be contained to China. But as clusters of cases emerged in South Korea, Italy, Iran, the United States, and elsewhere throughout the world, it became clear to us, to global markets, and to travelers that this is an international health crisis.

We reached out to readers via social media and our email newsletter to see what questions you have as you look toward your year of travel. At AFAR we still believe wholeheartedly in the power of travel and travel as a force for good, and by the flood of comments and questions we received, we know that you do too.

To get a sense of how we at AFAR are proceeding with our travel plans amid the coronavirus outbreak, I polled our staff on Slack to see who was sticking with their spring travel plans and who was changing or canceling their spring trips. Twenty-seven AFAR staffers responded, and all 27 said they were sticking with their plans, including upcoming trips to Mexico, Europe, South Africa, the Caribbean, and throughout the United States.

As for your questions, a determined love of travel combined with a desire to get at the facts was a common thread throughout. It was also apparent that many of you are worried and uncertain about what to do. We feel your pain, we really do. We have tried to address as many submissions as we could, and those that were the most representative of the kinds of questions and concerns many of you were likely to have. We hope that these responses will help you in making decisions.

What should travelers know about quarantines?

What rights do you have if placed into quarantine? (via Facebook)

Currently, the only travel-related quarantines in the United States are for Americans returning from the Hubei province, the center of the coronavirus outbreak, and for those who returned from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, which experienced an outbreak onboard. Those returning from elsewhere in China are being allowed to self-monitor their condition, as are travelers returning from other destinations where there have been coronavirus cases.

Given the ever-changing nature of this outbreak, there is no way to know whether there will be additional quarantine measures instituted by the government, but quarantines are not taken lightly or instituted unless deemed absolutely necessary.

Those who are quarantined in the United States in order to prevent the spread of communicable diseases are required to comply by law, “for the benefit of society,” according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Breaking a federal quarantine order is punishable by fines and prison time.

Is there a standard protocol for the initial screening of travelers, and standard protocols for quarantine, treatment, hospitalization, and emergency travel? Do these protocols apply worldwide, and will the U.S. follow them? (via email)

According to Kristin Bratton Nelson, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Emory University, there is no universal protocol for traveler screenings or quarantines.

However, the International Health Regulations (IHR) was created in 2005 and agreed upon by 196 countries, with its stated purpose being “to prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease.” And it does establish some international guidelines for quarantines.

The 74-page IHR document has a section about the treatment of travelers, noting that participating countries should respect the dignity, human rights, and fundamental freedoms of travelers and should provide travelers who are quarantined for public health purposes with adequate food and water, appropriate accommodation and clothing, protection for their baggage and other possessions, appropriate medical treatment, means of necessary communication in a language that they can understand, and other appropriate assistance for travelers.

“Ultimately it is up to each country to establish their own set of rules and procedures,” said Nelson.

The rules and procedures that are applied in the United States are developed by the CDC and can often change in response to the level of risk. To get the latest on how the CDC is responding to the coronavirus, you can head to the agency’s coronavirus landing page devoted specifically to travel.

Should I be worried about traveling on airplanes and in airports?

I am traveling from Chicago to Singapore next week and would like to know the best way to prevent against coronavirus on long-haul flights and in airports? (via email)

According to our recent story on the safety of airports and airplanes during an outbreak, there’s no reason to avoid flying altogether as long as you take all the same precautions you would to avoid getting the flu or any other communicable illnesses. Wash your hands regularly and disinfect surfaces (such as armrests and tray tables) before you come into contact with them. And of course, try to avoid contact with anyone who appears sick or is coughing or sneezing.

Infectious disease experts quoted in the piece said that except for those seated close to you, a sick passenger elsewhere on the plane isn’t a threat due to the vertical circulation of air on airplanes. The bigger risk comes from crowding, such as the person-on-person pileups at the boarding gate.

I plan on going to Mongolia this summer. My Air China flights connect through Beijing. The flights are still operating now. My question is how safe is it to connect through Beijing? (via email)