Should I Cancel My Trip Due to Coronavirus?
If you are thinking about canceling travel plans due to the spread of the coronavirus, there are three questions to ask yourself:
- Am I planning to travel to a high-risk area?
- Am I at an increased risk of contracting coronavirus?
- Am I feeling good now, or am I sleep deprived, exhausting, or struggling with a mistake?
Dr. Manish Trivedi , Director of Infectious Diseases at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, invites anxious travelers to start by checking out the CDC’s Coronavirus Travel Center , which includes a limited list of travelers. The CDC currently recommends avoiding travel to China, Iran, South Korea, and Italy, and possibly avoiding travel to Japan if you are an elderly person or have a chronic medical condition.
But what if you are planning to take a different trip? “International travel to countries that do not report widespread transmission of the coronavirus is probably still at low risk for most travelers,” Dr. Trivedi told me. “I know that some of my patients are postponing overseas travel simply for peace of mind, and it was the right decision for them.”
Domestic travel, on the other hand – well, it depends on your health and where you intend to travel. “Domestic travel is still low-risk,” Trivedi explained. “But those traveling to the west coast should be extra careful. Again, if the traveler is older or suffers from chronic lung disease, I would advise him to talk to his doctor before traveling. “
If you decide to continue your travels, be sure to do your part to protect yourself from both coronavirus and other infectious diseases: make sure you wash your hands properly, don’t touch your face, and consider wiping your plane seat. seat belt and tray table.
Dr. Trivedi has another piece of advice: “If you feel sick, stay at home.” This will not only help you recover from what you are currently struggling with (without the risk of contracting the coronavirus), but it will also protect everyone else from getting infected with what you have. Trivedi also encourages everyone to strengthen their immune systems by getting enough sleep, so whether you stay at home or fly away to your hotel, try to prioritize relaxation and health as much as possible.