Top Cruise Ship Companies Agree To Temporary Halt To Trips From The U.S.

WASHINGTON (AP) —  Four major cruise ship companies have agreed to suspend trips from the U.S. for 30 days, effective at midnight.

Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and MSC Cruises all agreed to the suspensions. He said the cruise line industry is a “great and important industry – it will be kept that way!”

The U.S. State Department advised Sunday against any travel on cruise ships, particularly for those with underlying health conditions. The advisory said the CDC has noted an “increased risk of infection of COVID-19 in a cruise ship environment.

The cruise industry has taken a beating in the stock market since the coronavirus began to spread, and reports of people falling ill and being quarantined on ships surfaced.

Carnival had already suspended its Princess line of cruises for nearly two months. It said 18 ships that had cruises scheduled between March 12 and May 10 would be canceled.

Royal Caribbean announced the “voluntary” suspension earlier Friday, saying it would reach out to people who had already booked cruises.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, said it was suspending all cruise voyages embarking between March 13 and April 11.

MSC said it was canceling all its Caribbean cruises from Miami from March 14 through April 30.

Cruise industry leaders met over the weekend with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Vice President Mike Pence and were asked to devise and fund ways to transport any passengers found to carry the virus. Cruise line heads agreed to enhance entry and exit screenings and establish shipboard testing, along with new quarantine standards. Some of the new protocols were expected to start taking effect early this week.

On Friday, shares of Carnival Corp. and Norwegian Cruise Lines posted double-digit gains. Still, Carnival’s shares lost more than half their value and Norwegian shares a third of theirs over the course of the week. Their losses for the year to date are even steeper.

The cruise industry provided 1.2 million jobs and paid $50.24 billion in wages and salaries in 2018, providing an estimated $150 billion in global economic impact, according to Cruise Lines International Association, a Washington-based group that represents more than 95% of global cruise capacity.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Coronavirus, What You Need To Know.

On January 21, 2020, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) became a named event, which affects the travel insurance coverage available for new policies purchased.

For those purchasing travel insurance AFTER 1/21/2020 (exceptions may apply if traveling to a country with a Travel Health Notice issued by the CDC) benefits included in comprehensive coverage may apply in the following unforeseen scenarios:

• Emergency Medical Coverage: a sick traveler must see a doctor and/or go to the hospital during a trip.
• Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage: in rare cases, a sick traveler requires an emergency medical evacuation to the nearest appropriate hospital or back home for recuperation.
• Trip Interruption: an extremely sick traveler cannot continue with a trip and must return home.
• Cancel for Any Reason: Currently, if you are looking for trip cancellation coverage because you are concerned about the coronavirus, you will now need to purchase a plan that includes Cancel For Any Reason since the travel warnings are now foreseen. This benefit is time-sensitive and has other eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

Some plans may exclude epidemics/pandemics and may not provide coverage for related issues. Please be sure to read the plan details carefully before purchasing.

Remember that travel insurance helps to cover unexpected events. Similar to a weather event, once an event becomes a "known" event, it may not be a covered reason for cancellation if a traveler purchases insurance after that date.

For travelers who purchased a policy BEFORE 1/21/20 and need to make a claim or have questions about how your existing policy will cover you, please reach out to your insurance provider. Travelers can read further on how to file a travel insurance claim here.

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call us for help. Our Customer Care representatives can be reached by dialing toll-free at 800-487-4722 Monday - Friday 7:00am to 12:00am EST and Saturday - Sunday 9:00am to 9:00pm EST.

Which Countries are Affected by the Coronavirus Outbreak?

There are confirmed cases of the coronavirus reported all across the world. The virus originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a global health emergency. Because of this, many countries have begun implementing strict screening procedures in order to prevent the spread of the virus. In the United States, the Department of State’s Travel Advisory for China is currently a Level 4- Do Not Travel to China. A Presidential Proclamation went into effect on February 2, 2020, barring entry to the U.S. of most foreign nationals who traveled to China within the past 14 days. U.S. citizens traveling by cruise ship to or within Asia are being asked to reconsider their travel plans. U.S. citizens planning travel by cruise ship elsewhere should be aware that this is a dynamic situation and they may be impacted by travel restrictions affecting their itineraries or ability to disembark, or may be subject to quarantine procedures implemented by the local authorities. Travel Health Notices have also been issued by the CDC for Italy, Iran, Japan, and South Korea.

How is Coronavirus Spread?

How the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads is currently unconfirmed. Based on knowledge about similar coronaviruses, it is believed that this coronavirus is spread mainly from person to person. The virus (SARS-CoV-2) becomes airborne when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and can travel up to six feet. It is also believed that the virus can be spread through contact with infected surfaces or objects. A person can get the disease (COVID-19) by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. This information is changing as more is learned about the virus so travelers are encouraged to check the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.

Why is Coronavirus Dangerous?

The coronavirus, sometimes written as "corona virus," is a highly contagious, pneumonia-causing illness that infects the respiratory system. Symptoms can include a fever and cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia, which causes shortness of breath and difficulties breathing. Symptoms of this disease may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure. The situation is evolving as more information becomes available. For the latest information, refer to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Is There a Coronavirus Vaccine for Humans?

There are currently no vaccines available. Being proactive is the best method of prevention - wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands, and avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, prevent the spread of illness by staying home, avoiding contact with others, cleaning surfaces and objects with disinfectant, and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Refer to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the latest information on prevention.

Coronavirus & Cruises - Common Traveler Questions

If I get sick and quarantined on a cruise ship, does travel insurance cover me?

Possibly. Companies have different requirements for what is considered "quarantined", so it is important to read your policy or call to clarify coverage.

If I'm not sick and quarantined on a cruise ship, does travel insurance cover me?

Possibly. Like cruisers who get sick and are quarantined, those who are not sick but are still quarantined are subject to the same guidelines as defined by the provider and policy.

If I get sick with coronavirus on a cruise ship, will travel insurance help evacuate me?

It is extremely rare for travel assistance companies to arrange for evacuation off of a cruise ship. Typically, you have to be hospitalized first and the assistance company will work with the attending physician to arrange transportation to another hospital, or back home if required.

If I get sick with coronavirus on a cruise ship, who pays my medical bills?

If a traveler gets sick on a cruise ship and requires medical care, he or she may be able to file a claim with their travel insurance company to request reimbursement. It is important to keep all receipts and detailed documentation related to medical care received while on your trip.

If my cruise line cancels a cruise due to coronavirus, does travel insurance cover me?

Cancel For Any Reason selected, they may be able to be refunded a portion (typically 50-75%) of their insured pre-paid non-refundable trip cost if the cruise line cancels the cruise prior to departure and they decide to cancel their entire trip. Cancel For Any Reason is a time-sensitive benefit with some eligibility requirements, and you must cancel at least 2 days prior to departure.

What if I'm afraid to go on an upcoming cruise due to coronavirus?

Coverage is very limited, as typical travel insurance policies don't cover fear of travel. If the traveler has purchased a plan with optional Cancel For Any Reason selected, they may be able to be refunded a portion (typically 50-75%) of their insured pre-paid non-refundable trip cost if there is fear of traveling due to coronavirus prior to departure. Cancel For Any Reason is a time-sensitive benefit with some eligibility requirements, and you must cancel at least 2 days prior to departure.

Additional Travel Advice for Coronavirus

Stay informed of the latest information on the Novel Coronavirus by referring to:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Center for Disease Control & Prevention
• U.S. State Department

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions, and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.

Source: https://www.insuremytrip.com/

Travel Insurance Alert: Novel Coronavirus Virus

Travel Insurance Alert: Novel Coronavirus Virus

   On Tuesday January 21st, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first U.S. case of a mysterious coronavirus that has already killed several people and sickened hundreds of others in China. Rising international concern has also led authorities to expand health screenings at US airports to help prevent further outbreaks. InsureMyTrip is monitoring the development of this situation and its potential travel impact.  

Summary:

• CDC raises alert level for an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan, China identified to be caused by coronavirus. Situation evolving with once confirmed U.S. case
• San Francisco (SFO), New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Atlanta (ATL) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) airports to screen travelers from Wuhan to the United States for symptoms  
• InsureMyTrip anticipates a call volume increase from concerned travelers due to the latest developments

When it comes to public health threats, travel insurance benefits may apply in the following scenarios:

Trip Cancellation: a traveler gets ill and must cancel a trip or a traveler must cancel a trip because a travel companion or family member gets ill.

Emergency Medical Coverage: a sick traveler must see a doctor and/or go to the hospital during a trip.

Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage: in rare cases, a sick traveler requires an emergency medical evacuation to the nearest appropriate hospital or back home for recuperation. 

Trip Interruption: an extremely sick traveler cannot continue with a trip and must return home.

All claims must be supported by a doctor.

In the event a person is afraid to travel due to health risks, consider a travel insurance policy with the optional time-sensitive Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) included. For more, visit InsureMyTrip.com.

Media Contact:
Meghan Walch
news@insuremytrip.com

For additional information on novel coronavirus, please see:

• Novel Coronavirus 2019, Wuhan, China
• Health Alert Notice, Outbreak of Pneumonia of Unknown Etiology (PUE) in Wuhan, China
• WHO, Coronavirus

About InsureMyTrip

It's simple. InsureMyTrip finds you the right travel insurance plan, every time. InsureMyTrip is the authority on travel insurance. We are committed to empowering travelers to make the best possible insurance decisions by leveraging our technology, data intelligence, and expertise. InsureMyTrip is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau.

Travelore News: CDC To Screen At Three US Airports For Signs Of New Virus From China

(CNN)More than 100 staffers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are being deployed to three US airports to check passengers arriving from Wuhan, China, for fever and other symptoms of a mysterious new virus that's killed two and infected dozens in China, the CDC announced Friday.

A second person has died from a new SARS-like virus in China

It's a highly unusual step. The last time the CDC did routine passenger health screening was during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, according to Dr. Martin Cetron, director of the CDC's division of global migration and quarantine.

"I've been here since 1996, and that's the only other time we've ever done this -- for Ebola," Cetron said.

The screenings at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport will start tonight, and screenings at San Francisco International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport will begin Saturday. The CDC will look for symptoms such as coughing and difficulty breathing and check temperatures of each passenger with an infrared thermometer.

The CDC took these steps after travelers from Wuhan recently arrived in Thailand and Japan infected with the new virus. There have been two cases in Thailand and one in Japan.

"Considering global travel patterns, additional cases in other countries are likely," the World Health Organization stated in a press release Thursday.

Last year, more than 60,000 passengers flew into the United States from Wuhan, a city 700 miles south of Beijing. The vast majority flew into the three airports where the checks will take place, according to the CDC.

January is the peak travel season from China to the United States because of the Chinese Lunar New Year, Cetron said.

Cetron described the airport screenings as part of a set "proactive preparedness precautions."

"We believe the current risk to this virus is low," Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said at a press conference on Friday. "For families sitting around the dinner table tonight, this is not something they need to worry about."

At this point, it appears most people caught the virus directly from animals, and the infection does not spread very easily from person to person.

The risk of a global pandemic is growing -- and the world isn't ready, experts say

"This is not a time for people to freak out and be overly concerned," Cetron said. "This is a time for vigilance and awareness."

He added that much more common illnesses, such as the flu, are "much bigger threats" to Americans than the new virus from China.

"I'm fully aware that the unknown is more of a source of anxiety than that which is already defined," he said. "But we should not freak out."

What we know about the new virus

So far, two people in China have died from this new virus, officially called the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. Some 45 people in China have become infected. Some have developed pneumonia.

Coronaviruses, such as SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, are common in many species of animals, including camels and bats. Sometimes -- but rarely -- they evolve and infect humans as well.

China's new SARS-like virus has spread to Japan, but we still know very little about it

Chinese health authorities have reported that most of the patients in Wuhan had visited a large seafood and animal market. However, some patients in the outbreak reportedly had not been to animal markets, which suggests that "some limited person-to-person spread may be occurring," according to the CDC.

At least for now, that spread appears to be quite limited. Cetron said it's "reassuring" that Chinese authorities report that no health care workers who've cared for the patients have become infected, and that some 700 other contacts of patients have also not become ill.

"This isn't anywhere near in the same category as measles or flu," Cetron said. Those two infections spread easily from person to person.

SARS Fast Facts

To learn more about this new virus, health authorities are taking a close look at SARS.

In 2003, SARS spread to more than two dozen countries in Asia, Europe, North America and South America. Worldwide, more than 8,000 people became sick and 774 died. In the United States, there were 29 SARS cases and no deaths, according to the CDC.

SARS did spread person to person through close contact such as kissing, sharing utensils or talking to someone within 3 feet.

Cetron emphasized that this new virus may be different from its cousin and behave in unexpected ways.

"We have to have humility and appreciate that it may be different. We can't just assume that what we know from previous viruses will always apply," he said.

New screening procedures

Cetron said he expects that "the vast majority" of passengers arriving from Wuhan will be healthy. CDC will give them information in English and Mandarin about what symptoms to look for over the next two weeks.

After further investigation, travelers that are symptomatic will be sent to local hospitals that work with the CDC.

Cetron said the symptoms of the new virus are so common that he expects the screenings will catch many more people with the flu or other winter viruses than with the new coronavirus.

If it turns out someone does have the new virus, they'll be isolated in the hospital.

He added that while there are still many questions about this new virus -- its incubation period, for example, or how easily it spreads from person to person -- the progress on it in such a short time has been impressive, including a sequencing of the virus' genome.

"It's quite remarkable to me that from a cluster of pneumonia detected just a little over a month ago in Wuhan, China, we have fully sequenced the virus and have some diagnostic capability to test for it," he said.

By Elizabeth Cohen, Senior Medical Correspondent

Updated 2:24 PM ET, Fri January 17, 2020

What Every Traveler Needs To Know About Zika This Summer

Tom/Flickr

The INSIDER Summary:

• Officials in Brazil have announced the Zika crisis has ended in the country.
• Even though it's gone in Brazil, Zika is present in Florida and Texas, and some public health officials have already begun bracing for the spread of the virus.
• The CDC recommends visitors in areas with Zika wear long-sleeved clothing, apply mosquito repellent, and use a mosquito net at night.

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Officials from Brazil announced last week that the crisis over the Zika virus had ended in the country: The number of cases of Zika in Brazil this year dropped by 95 percent between January and April compared to the same period in 2016, and no deaths were reported, compared to eight deaths last year.

But while Zika is declining in Brazil, that doesn't mean it's going away, particularly as we head into summer, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Transmission from Latin America

Brazil was at the epicenter of this latest epidemic that began in 2015, and last week's announcement was seen as a major victory. This upcoming summer will be a crucial moment in fighting Zika's spread, however, as the damp, muggy climates — particularly along the Gulf Coast of the U.S. — offer the right environment for the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

“This summer will depend on what’s going on in countries like Brazil because Zika is not endemic here,” Janet McAllister, an entomology researcher with the CDC, told Travel + Leisure. We’re going to see it brought into the country again, and we are already seeing travelers returning with Zika.”

The virus is relatively harmless to most people, and only about 1 in 5 who contract it experience flu-like symptoms. However, Zika be extremely dangerous for pregnant women, symptoms or not, and has been linked to microcephaly in the unborn child, a condition in which the infant's head is abnormally small and brain is underdeveloped.

Zika quickly spread across Latin America and into the Caribbean islands in 2015 and 2016 before making its way up to parts of the southern U.S., where populations of the Aedes aegyptimosquito have started to rebound, according to McAllister.

Multiple factors for viral spread

If people travel to or from Zika-prone countries in South America and return with the virus to cities like New Orleans where Aedes aegypti are present, the local mosquitos can begin to carry it. If high rates of transmission are then coupled with heavy rainfall, the spread of the disease could be rapid, McAllister said.

“You have to have that combination,” she noted.

Zika is present in Florida and Texas, and some public health officials have already begun bracing for the spread of the virus. The Gulf coast is particularly susceptible to the virus and should be more closely monitored, according to researchers.

“Our analyses indicate that the health and economic burden of even low attack rates of Zika in the continental U.S. would be both substantial and enduring,” wrote researchers from Baylor College of Medicine in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.

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The number of confirmed cases in the U.S. may go up this summer, but that does not necessarily mean that the virus is spreading more rapidly: The CDC issued new guidelines for doctors, recommending tests for Zika for a greater number of people, as well as more frequent testing of pregnant women, meaning older cases could also be identified.

How to protect yourself

Travelers to regions affected by Zika can take precautions to prevent contracting the disease by protecting themselves against mosquitos. The CDC recommends visitors to areas with Zika wear long-sleeved clothing, apply mosquito repellant, and use a mosquito net at night.

They can also avoid places with standing water where mosquitos often breed. The disease is sexually transmitted, and public health officials recommend not having sex with people who might be infected, or using protection.

• Jess McHugh, Travel + Leisure

Read the original article on Travel + Leisure. Copyright 2017. Follow Travel + Leisure on Twitter.

CDC Warns Pregnant Women To Avoid South Beach In Miami, Florida.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The Latest on Zika infections in Florida (all times local):

1:45 p.m.

U.S. health officials are warning pregnant women to avoid Miami Beach, where Florida officials say mosquitoes have spread the Zika virus to five people.

In a statement Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said pregnant women should avoid travel to the South Beach area, which has been identified as an infection zone.

The CDC said pregnant women also should continue to avoid travel to Miami's Wynwood arts district. That neighborhood was the first site on the U.S. mainland where health officials determined mosquitoes were transmitting Zika.

The CDC also said pregnant women and their partners may want to consider postponing nonessential travel to all of Miami-Dade County if they're concerned about potential exposure to the virus.

In the agency's statement, CDC Director Tom Frieden said it's "difficult to predict how long active transmission will continue."

___

12:45 p.m.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott says officials have identified a second area of Zika transmission on the U.S. mainland.

Scott told reporters Friday that five Zika infections have been linked to an area that encompasses most of tourist-friendly South Beach.

Florida Department of health spokeswoman Mara Gambineri says officials believe the cases were transmitted by mosquitoes.

Another infection zone was previously identified in Miami's Wynwood arts district.

Scott says two of the Miami Beach cases involved Miami-Dade County residents, and three involved tourists from New York, Texas and Taiwan.

Scott says the county has begun an aggressive mosquito-eradication plan in Miami Beach.

___

10:45 a.m.

The city manager of Miami Beach has told local officials that two Zika cases are linked to the community.

In an email Thursday morning to the mayor and city commissioners, Jimmy Morales said his office had been in "constant communication" with Florida's Department of Health, and he had been informed of two local Zika cases.

Morales said one case involved a tourist who visited Miami Beach about two weeks ago, while the other involved a resident who works in the city. He did not say whether mosquito bites caused the infections.

The Miami Herald first reported the email.

In a statement late Thursday, Morales said Florida's Department of Health was investigating Zika cases in Miami Beach but no infections were confirmed.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott scheduled a news conference Friday in Miami about the Zika investigations.

___

8:30 a.m.

A Miami Beach official says there's been no confirmation that mosquitoes have spread the Zika virus in the tourism-dependent city.

In a statement emailed late Thursday, City Manager Jimmy Morales said Florida's Department of Health is investigating Zika cases in Miami Beach, but none have been confirmed.

Morales said the city has been "proactively focused on the elimination of potential breeding sites for months." He said the city is working with Miami-Dade County on mosquito control efforts such as targeted pesticide spraying and cleaning up areas where the insects could breed.

In a separate statement Thursday, Florida health officials said they believe active Zika transmissions remain limited to a previously identified zone encompassing Miami's Wynwood neighborhood. However, the department also is investigating over six other infections outside that area.