Travel Update: COVID – 19

This week’s Travel Update: COVID – 19 brings another week of sweeping change.

The travel world is experiencing dramatic shutdowns. And even our private lives have changed with recommended quarantines for our homes and businesses.

Cruise lines are sending their employees home to work with notebook computers.  And sadly, we’re beginning to see a wave of temporary layoffs as the travel community comes to a complete standstill.

We moved Carol’s 91-year-old father into our house last weekend, and we have decided to self-quarantine for at least two weeks.

However, this will not affect our weekday workflow as we have all been working from home offices from day one. Our phone system is Internet-based, and with cloud networking, we can work together as if we were in the same office space.

Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel Internationally

One of the most significant announcements this week came from the U.S. Department of State (link). Here is a quote from their statement:

“The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.  In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for an immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.  U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel.  Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice.  Airlines have canceled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or canceled trips.  If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe.”

So, now what?  Keep in mind; this is temporary.  As international travel again becomes safe, these travel warnings will lift.  For now, it appears that the world is going to come to a standstill for a while.  

It is quite surreal, isn’t it? 

What to Do About the COVID-19 Coronavirus

• Be calm. For those of you who have international travel booked in June and beyond, stand fast. We are several months away and a lot can change between now and then.  If this advice doesn’t sit well, you likely now have a complimentary “cancel for any reason” option added to your travel booking. If you like, let’s talk about rebooking your travel into 2021. Having said that, if you have travel booked in the fall, sit pat.  Many believe this will be in the review mirror by then.
• Stay informed. This situation is very fluid. For now, the footprint of the virus is rapidly growing around the world. This is causing world governments to shutdown international shipping ports and restricting travel coming into their airports from abroad.  Further, every travel brand has a logistical nightmare on their hands as they prudently shut down travel to protect their crew and guests. We expect to see the suspension of travel start to drift into the month of May.  If and when that happens, we will send updates.
• Avoid hysteria. We limit ourselves to one hour of television news each day.  Thirty minutes in the morning and thirty minutes in the evening can let us know what we need to know.  The endless banter of our 24/7 news media has stirred this situation beyond practical and we even hear of foreign governments using social media to disinform.  After all, do we really all need to run out and buy 100 rolls of toilet paper?

You know, I don’t know where this will all end.  It seems that if we are all diligent, practice social-distancing, and hunker down for a few weeks, then perhaps we can come out of this as quickly as we went in.

Our U.S. economy was the strongest it’s ever been heading into this. And it seems that this virus is going to put us in a recession.  However, together, if we all take this seriously, we can have the v-shape recession that is being bantered around.  If so, we can all begin traveling, perhaps, in a few months.

This can only happen if we collectively all do our part.  So, wash your hands. Practice social-distancing.  And consider a self-quarantine for a couple of weeks.

Lastly, the vast majority of you have been very kind and considerate when you’ve called our office. For many of you, the first words out of your mouth have been, “how are you doing”?

That touches our hearts.  Thank you!

Carol and I have managed the finances of our company very conservatively.  We have many months of reserves and we’ll be just fine.

However, many in our country are going to struggle to get through this rapid downturn. So, if you are financially blessed, consider joining Carol and me with a donation to your local food bank or homeless shelter.  These agencies are going to need your help in the coming weeks and months.

Thank you for your patronage, and thank you for your trust.  The Roaming Boomers team will continue to work hard on your behalf.

This Too Will Pass

As I said last week, at some point, the COVID-19 Coronavirus will be in the rearview mirror.

Therefore, our travel prescription of the day is to rebook your March and April overseas travel plans and start dreaming about where you want to visit later this year or next.

For more information about our services, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here), and we’ll reach out to you.

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