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Corona Virus - COVID-19: As of 0500 PT, 02 March - there were 89,197 cases of Corona Virus identified, of which 45,175 have been identified as cured. The number of deaths from the virus is 2,803. When we first highlighted the COVID-19 outbreak on 02 January, there were four cases in Wuhan, China. Now 69 countries have at least one case of confirmed COVID-19, with China, South Korea, Italy and Iran having large outbreaks. Many countries have issued edicts limiting the size of large gathers.
International travel has been disrupted. No assumption should be made that your flight/train/ship into or out of an afflicted area will be operating as expected. Keep close tabs on your itinerary.
Read: COVID-19 Prep for U.S. Government Employees and Contractors which discusses business continuity, conventions/events and travel.
Cruise travel is also being disrupted with fear, uncertainty and doubt causing multiple ports of call to cancel permission to dock to a variety of cruise lines.
For example, the MSC Meraviglia was denied access to three Caribbean ports when it was revealed two on board had influenze. The Braemar and Carnival Fascination were both turned away as well. Meanwhile in Reunion Island, protesters met the Sun Princess, throwing stones at crew members as they tried to dock. Riot police were dispatched as citizens were fearful that the ship was carrying COVID-19. Instances such as these can be expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
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United States - As testing begins to ramp up within the United States, an increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases is expected. Currently there are 86 cases in the U.S. Two deaths attributed to the virus have occurred in Kirkland, WA, both individuals had underlying chronic health conditions. Read Securely Travel’s COVID-19 update for travel to and from the United States. .
South Korea - The number of cases continues to increase by the hundreds every day. Travel warnings to defer travel have been issued, with DO NOT TRAVEL warnings issued for two cities at the center of the outbreak. Travelers who have been in South Korea within the last 14 days may be denied entry into many countries or subjected to medical screening and subsequent quarantine. Read Securely Travel’s COVID-19 South Korea for resources in South Korea.
Italy - Two northern Italy provinces are at the center of the outbreak of COVID-19 in that country. The United States has issued a DO NOT TRAVEL to these provinces. Travel to and from Milan has been disrupted. Travelers who have been in Italy within the last 14 days may be denied entry into many countries or subjected to medical screening. Read Securely Travel’s COVID-19 Italy for resource in Italy.
Iran - Iran’s international reporting has been both problematic and uneven. While the U.S. has had a DO NOT TRAVEL warning in place prior to the COVID-19 and has added the virus to the reasons not to travel to Iran.
Fear has manifested itself in Iran with respect to COVID 19, as evidenced by the burning of a clinic by incensed neighbors as it was believed the clinic was treating those with COVID-19.
Travelers who have been in Iran within the last 14 days may be denied entry into many countries, including the United States.
China - The rise in the number of COVID-19 cases has begun to diminish, as has the number of new case positive identification. The Chinese have closed the temporary hospital in Wuhan which was built expressly to address the COVID-19 outbreak. That said, flights in and out of China are limited, with many countries declining to allow entry to anyone who has traveled to China within the last 14 days. The US Department of State continues to list China as a DO NOT TRAVEL country.
Saudi Arabia - The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has banned foreign travelers from participating in the Umrah pilgrimage.
United States - Shigella - San Diego County health officials announced that the ongoing outbreak of shigella now stands at 41 confirmed and seven probable cases,
Read all the global alerts from the US, UK, Canada - International Advisories Page
