Leaving for Greece April 5th.

Last night CNN held another Town Hall with Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Dr. Fauci. Dr. Fauci answered people's questions. Someone asked him if he would travel for pleasure right now. He said he absolutely would NOT travel for pleasure now.

Have you gone to your airline's website? It is possible your flight could be cancelled, if not now, but in the near future.

I have to cancel a trip to France soon as we are scheduled to depart on April 10 to visit our daughter and grandchildren. I am heartbroken. Last year I canceled a trip to Croatia because of medical issues. Luckily, I was able to reschedule for last September. We will try to reschedule our upcoming trip to France.

Can you reschedule your trip to Greece? Right now Greece does not have as many confirmed cases as other countries, but this changes daily. You should also keep abreast of the U.S. flight restrictions from Europe.

And one more important consideration: The CDC has issued a Level 3 travel advisory for most of Europe, including Greece.

I have a friend who lives in Greece. She wrote me that all schools are closed. Are the historic sites open?
If I were planning a trip to anywhere in the world, I would cancel it now.

The government has announced today that they are closing all museums and sites until the 30th March. I think only a real optimist would believe they will reopen then.

The Greek paper Kathimerini are reporting that the government has also announced the closure of all bars, cafes and food outlets except for home deliveries. I’ve not seen this anywhere else. If I get confirmation I’ll post it.

I’m due to go on Tuesday and am having serious doubts. It’s obviously a balance everybody is going to have to draw for themselves.

Alan

‘This is Athens’ is reporting the following:

“The safety of all residents and visitors to Athens is paramount. Subsequently, due to global developments around the coronavirus COVID-19, the City of Athens is following the decisions and directions of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Culture, and the National Health Organisation.

These combined actions will be in effect for 15 days (from 12-27 March) and are as follows:

Cultural sites, libraries, theatres and creative learning centres remain closed. Additionally, cinemas, gyms, sporting facilities, nightclubs and playgrounds are suspended from operation.
Museums and archaeological sites will remain closed until March 30.
Bars, cafés and restaurants will remain closed until further notice.”

The State Dept. issued a statement several days ago advising against foreign travel at this time.

You should consider how you might return home if flights are limited, canceled, or grounded.

You should consider what you might do if the government in the place you travel places people under quarantine or other restrictions to which you would be subject.

You should also carefully think about the state of medical care you would receive where ever you will be traveling.

Our government has put the information out there: CDC, State Dept., NIH.

I was scheduled to travel with my family of 4 to Greece from April 1 through April 17. I live in Washington state which is having quite a few new cases of COVID-19 each day. While we feel healthy, we have decided to cancel our trip. I do not want to potentially spread the virus in our travels. We have been planning this trip for several years to celebrate our 20th anniversary. About a month ago, I was insistent that I would not cancel but I have been following the situation in Italy closely and it is devastating. We will reschedule our trip in the future once the risk of spreading the virus is over.

I'd cancel

In order to stop the spread of Covid-19 we all need to practice social distancing. No large gatherings, no movies, avoid crowds, eat at home, work from home if possible, no parties, and cease all non- essential travel, etc.

To clarify Stepb's statement:

Global Level 3 Health Advisory – Reconsider Travel

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to reconsider travel abroad due to the global impact of COVID-19. Many areas throughout the world are now experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and taking action that may limit traveler mobility, including quarantines and border restrictions. Even countries, jurisdictions, or areas where cases have not been reported may restrict travel without notice.

For the latest information regarding COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website.

Keeping workplaces, homes, schools, or commercial establishments safe.

You are encouraged to visit travel.state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security. Please also visit the website of the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate to see information on entry restrictions, foreign quarantine policies, and urgent health information provided by local governments.

Travelers are urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. The Department uses these Alerts to convey information about terrorist threats, security incidents, planned demonstrations, natural disasters, etc. In an emergency, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate or call the following numbers: 1(888) 407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1 (202) 501-4444 from other countries or jurisdictions.

If you decide to travel abroad:

Review and follow the CDC’s guidelines for the prevention of coronavirus.
Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit travel.state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security.
Visit our Embassy webpages on COVID-19 for information on conditions in each country or jurisdiction.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.

rc, you will be returning after the stated goal of limiting the Schengen area travel to 30 days. I wouldnt count on it not being extended. If it is extended you will have to self quarantine for two weeks when you return - or maybe something greater. My flight out is a few days after the ban is "supposed" to expire. So hopefully I have time to react. I would also suggest, that sounds like an amazing trip, but you may find yourself on deserted streets most of the time. For that sort of trip with that sort of cash outlay, I would be inclined to delay it. Me? I have a different situation where I am going so really cant have a bad time ...... unless I get sick.

Diane, "eat at home"? NOOOOOOO (my cooking will kill me for sure)

The cure is simple. Everyone in the world self quarantine for two weeks. But then the death rate over the next few years as a result of the destroyed world economies I am afraid would far out strip what the flu could kill first hand. The truth, the real solution, is someplace in the middle. Since "reaction" is so simple and so human nature, I am afraid it will reign supreme. I think good healthy push back, conversation, debate and world view science is essential.

Thank you to all for your input and information!

We have cancelled our trip, losing mostly airfare.
Oddly our domestic leg with United was totally refunded (as a future credit).
Emirates refunded about 20% for future travel.
Sky express and Volotea kept it all, as did the three ferry rides.
Car, hotels and Air B&B all were 100% forgiving.

All in all, minimal loss as compared to the alternative.

Stat safe and healthy!!