Coronavirus: Riskline updates its latest travel advice for business travellers
In light of the ever-developing Covid-19 outbreak and the resulting travel disruptions, travel risk intelligence agency Riskline has identified China, Iran and Italy as ‘Extreme Risk’ locations
With a global total of over 169,380 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 6,513 deaths, Riskline has updated its advice for travel managers and business travellers, detailing risk levels around the world, and what to expect when travelling.
Riskline has advised travellers to defer non-essential travel to the ‘Extreme Risk’ locations of China, Italy and Iran until further notice, where Covid-19 confirmed case numbers sit at 81,020, 24,747 and 13,938 respectively. It notes that these locations have severely restricted inbound, outbound and internal travel, near-complete disruptions to services and other activities and have widespread ongoing transmission.
Israel, Kuwait, Mongolia, Slovakia, South Korea, Metro Manila in the Philippines, Qatif governate in Saudi Arabia and West Bank in West Bank and Gaza have been classed as ‘High Risk’. Riskline urges travellers to reconsider their need to travel to these places until further notice.
In ‘Medium Risk’ locations, including the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hong Kong, Iraq, Japan and Norway, Riskline advises travellers to ‘exercise caution’.
Riskline also noted that during travel to any destination and for up to 14 days after returning, individuals should monitor themselves for any flu-like symptoms – especially fever or shortness of breath.
In terms of what to expect when travelling, Riskline asserts that travellers should expect temperature screening measures to be implemented at most airports around the world and that they may be required to fill out health declaration forms with their contact details, to allow for a proper risk assessment and a possible contact tracing of incoming travellers. “Furthermore, a growing number of countries have restricted entry for passengers who have recently been to coronavirus-affected destinations, so this is something travellers need to be aware of in advance of travel,” the firm wrote.
Preventative measures
Riskline says that although there is currently no vaccine to prevent Covid-19, a number of everyday preventative actions can be taken to help protect from respiratory illness. In addition to general recommendations for personal hygiene, cough etiquette and social distancing (3.2 feet from people showing symptoms), Riskline recommends:
- Perform hand hygiene (washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or with an alcohol-based rub) frequently, particularly after contact with respiratory secretions.
- Cover the nose and mouth with a flexed elbow (or paper tissue) when coughing or sneezing and refrain from touching the face.
- Avoid all contact with the blood and body fluids of infected people.
- Wear a face mask in public if travelling in locations with significant community transmission of the virus (‘Extreme Risk’ and ‘High Risk’ locations).
- Seek immediate medical attention if displaying any of the possible symptoms (fever, diarrhoea, shortness of breath and cough) within 14 days of’ Extreme Risk’ areas or after coming in contact with infected individuals.
- Monitor health while travelling and upon returning to home countries and seek medical attention immediately if any symptoms arise. Be sure to tell healthcare providers after travelling to a region where the Covid-19 virus disease was present and tell them about the activities participated in and their location.
- Follow all initiatives and directives outlined by each country’s Ministry of Health as well as guidelines issued by the WHO and the CDC.
See Riskline’s latest special report on travel advice here.