Travel in the Time of Coronavirus

UPDATE 3/12: President Donald Trump has issued a travel ban preventing travelers from the Schengen Zone in Europe from traveling to the United states for 30 days starting midnight Friday March 13, 2020. United states citizens, nationals and legal residents are able to fly into select US airports and will likely undergo additional screening and be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. The UK, Ireland and other non-Schengen countries are unaffected.

UPDATE 3/11: Here is a master list of airline Coronavirus change and cancellation policies for US and Europe.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ve heard all about the Coronavirus and COVID-19, the viral infection that it causes. It’s been all over the news so of course it’s come up in conversations within digital nomad and traveler groups. And for good reason; the first outbreak of the virus was first reported in Wuhan, China on December 1, 2019. Since then, the spread of the virus has been confirmed in 93 countries with 101,927 confirmed cases and 413 deaths.

People’s reactions to the pandemic have ranged from full-on panic to casual nonchalance - and yes, more people die from the flu each year (and any number of other maladies). But the truth of the matter is that scientists still don’t fully understand what this thing is. Which begs the question: what is your responsibility as a digital nomad or professional traveler during this time? The answer straddles both the spheres of personal and social responsibility. Some travelers stand to lose money on non-refundable flights and accomodations, and are choosing to treat this as a time of ‘business as usual’ until further notice. Others prefer to be proactive and are choosing to stay in one location so as to mitigate the spread of the illness along with their own risk of catching it. While traveling to areas with reported outbreaks increases your chances of catching COVID-19, it has also been spreading via local transmission in individuals that have not traveled at all. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t things for you to consider:

• The Coronavirus is an acute respiratory disease that is spread by coming into contact with droplets from an infected person. So it’s very important that you wash your hands regularly with soap (for at least 20 seconds) and disinfect surfaces.

• There is no vaccine and a vaccine may be a year away. And while most cases are mild, it has proven fatal to the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. So even though you might feel confident that you’ll recover, it doesn’t mean your neighbor or fellow passengers will.

• Some major events have been canceled including: SXSW in Austin, Salon Gourmets in Madrid , and ITB in Berlin. More events are expected to be affected globally.

• Keep in mind that some travel insurance is considering Coronavirus a known risk and will NOT cover you should you contract the virus if you choose to go ahead with your travel plans.

• You can gain more perspective by reading first-hand accounts from people that have been affected by the virus. Like Imani Bashir, a Wuhan evacuee. Or THIS ONE from an anonymous source in China.

Most people are drawn to being digital nomads for the professional and personal freedom. But with freedom comes great responsibility. Don’t travel to high risk areas just because you can and consider that unless canceling your trip will cause you great financial burden or put your job at risk, then it may be best to stay put in your current location and work remotely for a while. The digital nomad scene can often be rife with privilege, and considering your circumstances, this might be the perfect opportunity for you to check yours at the gate.