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This is a question worth 570 billion USD: “When will it be considered safe to travel again?” is currently being hotly debated by experts.
When is it safe to travel?
One thing is certain for this question: it will be when the whole world is free from the Covid-19 pandemic, when the globe ensures absolute safety from infection by this disease that has no treatment or vaccine. But when will the pandemic end, and what are the signs that it has ended is not something everyone is clear about.
According to UsaToday, here are 3 things that must happen before travelers can freely and comfortably board planes, land on distant shores, and enjoy life in luxurious, expensive hotels:
1. The State Department must lift the travel advisory level 4
On March 19, the government issued a warning to avoid all international travel due to Covid-19. This means the government needs to cancel the warning for travelers so that anyone feels comfortable and safe when booking any type of trip.
2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Ministry of Health of Vietnam must issue clear announcements
The CDC usually does not provide advice or restrictions on travel in the U.S., and this can increase the risk of virus transmission in the community. But once there is an announcement regarding travel advice, travelers can continue to plan their summer vacations.
In our country, without an official announcement from the Ministry of Health, traveling domestically or internationally is something people should not do at this time. Especially when we are in a period of implementing social distancing, it is even more necessary to adhere strictly. When it is safe, the official announcement from the Ministry of Health is a key point that Vietnamese citizens cannot overlook.
3. The World Health Organization (WHO) needs to provide specific opinions on when it is safe to travel
The meaning of the warnings from WHO is very clear: Stay home. Monitor the WHO website for continuous updates. When you see WHO easing travel restrictions, it may be time to plan your next trip.
However, do not forget that just one of these three conditions having a safety recommendation for travel is not enough. To ensure absolute safety, you need announcements from all three organizations for a truly comfortable and smooth trip.
When schools resume and you can comfortably sit in restaurants again, everything seems to have returned to normal, and you can safely travel.
Other signs that you will be “fine” when traveling
Schools and businesses reopen
When schools resume and you can comfortably sit in restaurants again, everything seems to have returned to normal, and you can safely travel. China has done this, and at this time, Italy has planned to reopen its tourist spots in early April.
“Once all of this is in place, life will continue normally, and travel will be safe again,” said Chantelle Kern, CEO of The Italian On Tour, a Canadian tour operator.
Travel agents start announcing flights
Travel advisors will do most things for you, but more than anything, they want you to have an absolutely safe trip. “The health and safety of our customers is our biggest concern,” said Betsy Ballco, founder of Euro Travel Coach. She is obsessed with the Covid-19 outbreak map from Johns Hopkins University. And so far, she is not ready to start booking again. “It will take quite a while before people can travel safely again,” she said.
Travel advisors will do most things for you, but more than anything, they want you to have an absolutely safe trip.
When you can buy travel insurance
Many travel insurance companies have stopped selling policies after the Covid-19 outbreak. Some have introduced new restrictions, especially regarding the “cancel for any reason” policy, said Phil Sylvester, a spokesperson for World Nomads, a travel insurance company. When travel insurance providers continue to allow the purchase of contracts, it means it is safe to travel.
When will all of this happen?
At least 3 months from now, according to predictive models developed by the travel risk assessment group of G1G.com, a technology insurance company based in San Jose, California. “We are telling our customers to avoid non-essential travel at this time,” said spokesperson Rachel Coen.
Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com, said that purchasing insurance could also be a reliable bellwether. “We are seeing clear benefits of purchasing insurance primarily for trips after August 1, and many insurance policies are geared towards travel in 2021,” he said.
At least 3 months from now, perhaps that is the time when you can safely travel as predicted by the models.
Signs of Unsafe Travel in the Near Future
Reopening Tourist Destinations
“This is more related to the economy and concerns about profit than safety,” said Courtney Kansler, a senior health intelligence analyst at WorldAware, a risk management company based in Annapolis, Maryland. Although these events may be welcomed with fanfare, it does not mean there is no risk of infection.
No New Covid-19 Cases
Even if a specific country reports no new infections, travelers still pass through airports with thousands of others, and the risk of infection cannot be ruled out.
When Politicians Assess
Instead of listening to this type of information, pay attention to the words of health officials. “They are the experts. When they feel it is safe, they will lift the restrictions on international travel,” said Alison Hickey, president of Kensington Tours.
