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(CNN) — Travelers are increasingly on edge as the coronavirus pandemic grips the globe, prompting travel restrictions, cancellations and suspensions.
Americans and US permanent residents will still be allowed to fly to Europe and be allowed back into the US during this 30-day period.
Returning travelers will be screened prior to entering the US and asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.
However, it is not clear whether airlines will still fly the routes if passenger demand from European nationals dries up because of the ban.
The area includes Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
US issues new worldwide travel advisory
“The Department of State advises US 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,” the statement said.
This announcement follows an advisory issued by the State Department on Sunday warning against cruise travel.
“US citizens, particularly travelers with underlying health conditions, should not travel by cruise ship,” the warning reads.
“Older adults and travelers with underlying health issues should avoid situations that put them at increased risk for more severe disease. This entails avoiding crowded places, avoiding non-essential travel such as long plane trips, and especially avoiding embarking on cruise ships,” the advisory says.
All travelers should be aware of the virus, pay close attention to travel advisories and health guidance, steer clear of heavily impacted areas and exercise preventive measures.
Here’s what else travelers should know about the virus outbreak:
Flight cancellations and increased flexibility
Delta is among many airlines that have scaled back service and offered more flexibility to travelers.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images North America
Airlines were scrambling following President Trump’s announcement Wednesday to adapt operations to the new ban on travelers from much of Europe.
“At this point, all I can say is that we will comply with the administration’s announcement,” United Airlines spokesman Frank Benenati told CNN.
Airlines all over the world have already slashed flights amid the outbreak, with many suspending or vastly reducing service to hard-hit countries such as China and Italy. They’ve also cut domestic service and other routes following a precipitous drop in demand.
Delta has extended its suspension of flights between the United States and China through May 31. Service to Japan, Italy and South Korea has also been impacted, and waivers have been issued for various destinations heavily impacted by the outbreak.
Travelers with upcoming plans should check with their airlines and look for advisories posted on carriers’ websites.
Airline cleaning efforts and traveler hygiene
Fogging is being performed on all trans-Pacific flights arriving into the US, the airline said, and those procedures are being expanded.
Some US airports have implemented health screenings for travelers arriving from affected areas.
David McNew/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
While disinfecting is helpful, frequent hand washing is among a traveler’s best defenses, infectious disease experts say.
“Even if there is virus in the inanimate environment, it’s not going to jump off the seat and bite you in the ankle,” says Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of medicine in Vanderbilt University’s division of infectious diseases.
“You’ve got to touch it, and then touch your nose or your mouth. So it’s those hands we have that are the important intermediary. And that’s where I would put the emphasis,” he said.
Wash or sanitize your hands after touching surfaces in airports and planes.
“Hand sanitizers are great. So are antiseptic hand wipes, which you can also use to wipe down armrests, remote controls at your seat and your tray table,” said travel medicine specialist Dr. Richard Dawood.
The CDC advises washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be used when soap and water are not available.
The CDC has issued guidance saying that older adults and people with serious, chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease should “stay home as much as possible.”
Cruise line cases and precautions
The measure comes in the wake of the government cruise warning and the infection and quarantine of passengers from two Princess ships.
Virgin Voyages has postponed the maiden voyage of its first cruise ship, Scarlet Lady, until August.
Before the more drastic measures, cruise lines had recently instituted flexible rebooking policies.
Carnival Cruise Line recently sent letters to guests booked through May 31 offering options to reschedule and onboard credits for those who proceed with their plans. Other cruise lines have extended similar offers.
CLIA members are to “deny boarding to all persons who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in South Korea, Iran, China, including Hong Kong and Macau, and any municipality in Italy subject to lockdown (quarantine) measures by the Italian Government … within 14 days prior to embarkation,” one of the organization’s guidelines reads.
Denied boarding for anyone who has had close contact with anyone suspected to have coronavirus and pre-boarding illness screening and temperature checks are also outlined.
Individual cruise lines also have their own policies, screening procedures and sanitation measures to guard against introducing the illness.
Traveler screening procedures
President Trump announced additional screening of travelers from “designated high risk countries” in a tweet on March 1.
Vice President Mike Pence said that anyone traveling to the United States on a flight from Italy and South Korea will receive multiple screenings before arriving in the United States. His comments were made during a coronavirus briefing at the White House on March 2.
The new ban issued on March 11 means a drastic drop in arrivals from Italy for the next 30 days.
Foreign nationals who have visited China or Iran in the past 14 days are barred from entering the US.
The US isn’t the only country to put restrictions in place for travelers arriving from heavily impacted areas. Make sure that your destination has not restricted your arrival before embarking on an international trip.
Hand washing is a strong defense; masks are not
Dr. Schaffner has received a lot of questions about whether people should be wearing masks to avoid infection.
He realizes it’s culturally very common in Asia, but he says the CDC doesn’t recommend it for the general public because “the scientific basis showing that people in the community wearing masks actually has any benefit is very thin and questionable.”
More fitted respirator masks may be used in medical settings, but are generally impractical for the general public, Schaffner says.
Good hand hygiene is a better defense.
Travel advisories
An increasing number of travel advisories have been issued by countries around the world, urging caution for select destinations, and discouraging travel to others.
All travelers should avoid contact with sick people and clean their hands frequently.
Attractions closed and events canceled
A tourist pulls her luggage along the colonnades of the Vatican’s Saint Peter’s Square on March 11.
Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty Images
Some museums in South Korea, Japan and elsewhere have closed temporarily to stem the spread of the virus.
Disney parks in Asia are closed, as is Universal Studios Japan, and some of Japan’s crowd-pleasing cherry blossom festivals have been called off.
Most travel insurance is unlikely to cover this situation
“For those who purchased a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) optional upgrade, however, some measure of trip cancellation protection may be available,” according to Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com.
Those holding existing policies should contact their providers to see if their plans offer any coverage.
CNN’s Chris Isidore, Jeremy Diamond, Jason Hoffman, Hollie Silverman, Francesca Street, Katia Hetter, Jennifer Hansler and Stacey Lastoe contributed to this story.
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