Is Coronavirus affecting your travel plans?

[TLSnell1981]

This one has been thoroughly discussed online, and so everyone has their own thoughts. It is dangerously false to claim a simple 1:1 association between viral activity and warm climate. What is known is that virus is sensitive to temperature, humidity, and sunlight. The biggest of those being sunlight because it is the UV that slows it down. The virus can still survive on hard surfaces for up to 4-5 days at ~70 F, though not anywhere near the severity as the first hour.
And we are still seeing quick growth in Australia.




The ban from Europe applies only to foreign nationals. You will still be allowed back if you are a US citizen, but you would have to be quarantined.

BTW, Wuhan completely locked down their region to any movement when they had ~500 cases reported (very likely underreported since it was novel and they didn’t have the necessary tests. We are only starting to have semi-lockdown in NYC and public gathering cancellations all over, and the EU foreigner ban. This is starting to only happen now when we are at well over 1,000 cases (similarly, likely to be underreported due to test deficiencies).

Note: If anyone has any flu-like symptoms, especially a fever and/or cough, keep yourself at home for about a week. It’s hard to tell if it’s regular flu or COVID-19 in the beginning since symptoms overlap. If it makes you feel at ease, go ask for a test. Just know that testing is still not widely available yet everywhere. Those showing severe flu symptoms are definitely tested. If you feel any shortness of breath at any time, definitely go to get it checked out immediately. Looking at patient cases, if symptoms don’t get better by the end of a week, pneumonia symptoms seem to come on suddenly and severely starting at about 7-8 days from onset of first symptoms. This happens in about 10-20% of positively identified cases for us.

You should be tested for the flu first (rapid test). They will know very quickly if it's necessary to test for covid-19.

 

[godisney14]

You should be tested for the flu first (rapid test). They will know very quickly if it's necessary to test for covid-19.

True, but just know that RIDTs on average have a sensitivity of only 50-70%. You could still likely end up with a false negative, worse a false positive. You need to run assays or RT-PCRs to get a better accuracy (still not 100%, no such test with 100% sensitivity and specificity). But, those cost more money and take more time. Not many doctors willing to run those when there’s a line in the ER. Unless severe, they usually make a call based on clinical characteristics. Although that practice has changed a bit due to the current situation.

 

[DoraBA]

FYI our TA canceled our reservations both at WDW and USO, *no cancellation fees*. I still need to verify the money's refunded but I assume it will be ok.

 

[disykat]

We reached the point where we had to pull the plug on our Hawaii trip. I spent about 8 hours on the phone, but it all canceled, most of it with refunds. I still have to pay most of the airbnb, but can apply it if I stay there when/if we rebook our vacation. Not as bad as I thought it might be. I had booked air through expedia with travel insurance.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Well, looks like anyone going to or from Europe will n the next 30 days is impacted

It excludes the UK.

Yes it does. I would include them thou. I guess we can't but I don't know why.

I was just saying it in the interest of accuracy--UK is in Europe so when saying all of Europe it's not fully accurate. It's not against the PP because all the news stories are saying that in the headlines. You have to read the articles to see it said "all of Europe, UK not affected" kind of thing.

In terms of DISers there are a decent amount of UK ones here on the Boards too.

The UK is like us currently: not completely prepared and fighting amongst themselves if this is just a flu.

I wouldn’t leave the country. You might not be able to get back in. Very little lead time was given with this travel ban. I’m sure Americans will be stranded in Europe for a month. They didn’t really think that one through.

Be careful which news sources you read, as some are not reporting it accurately. The travel ban specifies the Schengen area of Europe, the 26 countries of central Europe which have open borders. The ban does not include The UK as The UK is not part of the Schengen area and implies that it also does not include Ireland. Ireland is also not in the Schengen area and the island of Ireland is the only country NOT connected by a land border.

Also the travel ban does not consider the Eurostar and Channel Tunnel, which connects The UK to the Schengen area.

And then the ban states that it does not apply to US citizens, so how is that going to work? What about the thousand of US citizens currently in Europe for all sorts of reasons? They are just as much a risk of being carriers and spreaders as French or Germans. So the US citizens who may be infected can travel back to USA but French people who are completely clear are stopped from travelling to USA???

These are the countries in the Schengen area which are affected by the ban

1. Austria
2. Belguim
3. Czech Republic
4. Denmark
5. Estonia
6. Finland
7. France
8. Germany
9. Greece
10. Hungry
11. Iceland
12. Italy
13. Latvia
14. Liechtenstein
15. Lithuania
16. Luxemburg
17. Malta
18. Netherlands
19. Norway
20. Poland
21. Portugal
22. Slovakia
23. Slovenia
24. Spain
25. Sweden
26. Switzerland

 

[osufeth24]

My sister is in Destin. Apparently people on the beach this week aren’t stressing about the Coronavirus. It can wait until they get home.

As someone who lived in Destin area for 20 years, that doesn't surprise me. Majority of people there don't think bad things can happen to America

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

So far Dh’s work said no international travel unless approved by the VP of the company. Nothing has been said about domestic travel. Dh said a coworker just went on a cruise so I guess he got that approved

DH's company issued an alert last week, telling their employees if they traveled to any other country or to any area with a breakout, to not come to the office and to self quarantine for 14 days. They have also cancelled a lot of travel plans, and are moving the work from those who were supposed to travel there back to the people in that area.

DH got the ok yesterday to start working from home on Monday. We don't have any cases in our particular county, but there was one case in the county where he works; a guy from NY who came down to hit Daytona bike week, and brought the illness with him.

 

[JodyLynC]

My daughters' trips are in mid-April. One is going to Europe. One is going to WDW. We are assuming the European trip will be cancelled. Even though the ban is for 30 days, we expect it will be extended. (Her trip is from Apr 9 through 18). The WDW trip is still being planned in the hopes that things will be better by then. (Personally, I am not optimistic.)

In other bad news, the musical my daughters have been rehearsing for since December was just cancelled. Tonight was to have been opening night. I was at the school last evening to help feed and support the kids during their tech week. (final rehearsals before the show) I announced to the students that we would have the cast party at my house. Kids I knew and kids I didn't know were hugging me with joy. One hour later we received news that all after school activities were cancelled. Those same kids were sobbing in my arms.

 

[Paddy Pat]

Like everyone else that has reservations, my concern is my dvc points. If I cancel my 3/31-4/6 reservation my points go into holding and who knows what will occur between now and August when they expire. Most likely they will be lost. Flights booked on points will be refunded obviously, my A/P will not be effected. I just may have to wait on Disney to shut down in hopes they will allow the points to be banked. I will say that if Disney is sill open during my travel dates i will need to make a last minute decision on my travel. A lot can happen good and bad within 3 weeks.

 

[wisblue]

Our arrival is scheduled for March 21. Cancelling would probably cause us to lose the DVC points in holding, get us SW travel credits that we might not be able to use before they expire, and reduce the value we would get out of APs that we purchased largely for this trip.

But, as of today, it’s hard to imagine going on the trip and really being able to enjoy it. I also think that avoiding travel to a melting pot like WDW and then returning home, possibly carrying the virus, is the responsible thing to do, even if we wouldn’t get seriously ill ourselves.

I am also wondering if there might be some additional flexibility from Disney and Southwest in the form of extending the time to use credits for trips cancelled under these circumstances. I wouldn’t expect or need refunds, but might need at least a few more months to use credits. I will at least be asking after the dust settles a little; all they can do is say no.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

Our arrival is scheduled for March 21. Cancelling would probably cause us to lose the DVC points in holding, get us SW travel credits that we might not be able to use before they expire, and reduce the value we would get out of APs that we purchased largely for this trip.

But, as of today, it’s hard to imagine going on the trip and really being able to enjoy it. I also think that avoiding travel to a melting pot like WDW and then returning home, possibly carrying the virus, is the responsible thing to do, even if we wouldn’t get seriously ill ourselves.

I am also wondering if there might be some additional flexibility from Disney and Southwest in the form of extending the time to use credits for trips cancelled under these circumstances. I wouldn’t expect or need refunds, but might need at least a few more months to use credits. I will at least be asking after the dust settles a little; all they can do is say no.

To the bolded:

Realizing this is not an easy decision for you to come to, and with the possibility that the community you are trying to protect might be the very same community that I call home, I just wanted to thank you and your family for your selfless act of consideration for those around you. Here’s hoping the sacrifices you are making, and the possible monetary loss you might be made to bear will come back to you in the near future in one form or another. Thank you.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Be careful which news sources you read, as some are not reporting it accurately.

What was said live by our President on tv, what was initially reported via articles, and what was officially put out by the government were updated quickly and clarified. I don't think anyone was getting things from poor sources in this instance so keep that in mind.

 

[disneyjr77]

Yes My work has just announced a travel limit of 50 miles from the workplace and if we go outside those 50 miles we may be required to self quarantine for 14 days when we get back. We've had to cancel a camping trip we had for the end of the month.

They updated the policy! It now says no out of state travel, so our end of month camping trip is back on and makes life so much more easier that makes so much more sense than the 50 mile thing. As of now, we also don't have to worry about the wedding since it's in state. They said they're continually looking at it and adjusting as needed.

 

[Moliphino]

They updated the policy! It now says no out of state travel, so our end of month camping trip is back on and makes life so much more easier that makes so much more sense than the 50 mile thing. As of now, we also don't have to worry about the wedding since it's in state. They said they're continually looking at it and adjusting as needed.

If my work did that I couldn't go home.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

If my work did that I couldn't go home.

I was just thinking that.

It's common for people here in our metro to live on one side of the state line and commute to the other. The metro is split nearly evenly in the number of counties between the two states.

Maybe the PP's work means more non-work related travel but still that just wouldn't work for our area. That means we couldn't visit sister-in-law, she would have to come to us. My father-in-law used to live on the other side of the state line. Several DISers that we get together with live on the other side of the state line. And as for exposure them visiting us seems hardly productive for that lol.

In all honesty the 50mile rule previously stated for the PP would have actually worked better in my exact area rather than no out of state travel (not that I'm agreeing with the 50mile thing either).

 

[wvjules]

No out of state travel doesn't make much sense either. lol

 

[disneyjr77]

If my work did that I couldn't go home.

I was just thinking that.

It's common for people here in our metro to live on one side of the state line and commute to the other. The metro is split nearly evenly in the number of counties between the two states.

Maybe the PP's work means more non-work related travel but still that just wouldn't work for our area. That means we couldn't visit sister-in-law, she would have to come to us. My father-in-law used to live on the other side of the state line. Several DISers that we get together with live on the other side of the state line. And as for exposure them visiting us seems hardly productive for that lol.

In all honesty the 50mile rule previously stated for the PP would have actually worked better in my exact area rather than no out of state travel (not that I'm agreeing with the 50mile thing either).

Regular, everyday commute travel is fine.

 

[Julie's Haircut]

DW is getting panicky and wants to cancel our trip to Key West in late April. I don't think it's necessary yet. We're driving, so no airfare involved. The two night deposit on the hotel can be refunded up to five days in advance.

Someone already cancelled their week for my Jersey Shore rental house in July.

 

[Colleen27]

I was just thinking that.

It's common for people here in our metro to live on one side of the state line and commute to the other. The metro is split nearly evenly in the number of counties between the two states.

I'd assume that in cases like that, the company would take geography into account in setting their policy. DH's boss doesn't want him going out of state, but they aren't implementing a corporate recommendation to require self-quarantine for any employee who has been out of the country because they have a few employees who commute from Canada - his main plant is practically at the foot of the Detroit-to-Windsor bridge - so making them self-quarantine because they went home at night wouldn't make a whole lot of sense.

 

[mommafett89]

Same. We are scheduled to fly in 9 days and am torn on what to do. Waiting it out for now.

It's so tough. We are driving so the fact that I don't have a flight scheduled is helping me not be extremely worried in sense of refunds and such. I feel like if Disney is open, I'm going. I also feel like right now is the small window of travel for big groups like this that I will feel safe. Catch me going on a vacation in 50+ days....nope. But....I will go in the next 30 and feel a little better. It's tough. Will make decision the week of leaving I guess.