LONDON (Reuters) – Should travelers avoid parts of the world near coronavirus hotspots? Or go – but then walk carefully? The official advice they receive may depend on their domicile in Amsterdam, Helsinki, Madrid or Lagos.
A tourist wearing a protective mask takes a selfie along the Spanish March in Rome, Italy, February 25, 2020. REUTERS / Remo Casilli
As the new coronavirus spreads from China, travel guidelines issued by governments around the world all express growing caution. But they do contain subtle differences on where to avoid, how to behave and what to do after a trip.
With few exceptions, the advice of national authorities is to avoid Hubei Province – the epicenter of an epidemic that has now infected 80,000 people around the world – and to reduce Chinese travel to a minimum.
Once inside China, Swiss travelers, for example, are urged by their governments to avoid large gatherings and “cough or sneeze into a tissue, or use the crook of your arm”. France tells its nationals not to eat raw meat or to visit animal markets.
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also advises against contact with animals in China and suggests that you stay at least one meter from the next person.
For travelers to Italy – the country hardest hit by the virus in Europe – the Dutch government advises its citizens to avoid areas already closed by local authorities and not to go to parts of the wider Lombard region around closed cities only if necessary. The advice of the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Italy is simply to “take special care”.
There are also differences in travel advice when returning from an affected area.
The main German authority on infectious diseases tells those who return with symptoms from epidemic regions in Italy to consult a doctor and to call before their visit. But France asks these people not to consult the doctor but to call the emergency services.
Britain urges its nationals to self-isolate at home if they have traveled to areas quarantined by Italy, whether or not they have symptoms. The Danish Health Authority currently has no plans for routine quarantine or isolation of people who have traveled to China or other places affected by the epidemic.
Countries outside Europe have different positions. Turkey advises against any trip except essential in China but has not yet issued a travel advice on Italy.
Nigeria has implemented a two-week voluntary auto-quarantine for all passengers from China or any other country with “a major epidemic”. Advice to returning air passengers says “try to avoid” going out, but wear a mask if you do.
Reports from Reuters offices; compiled by Mark John; Editing by Gareth Jones
