Coronavirus Travel Updates

Updated July 17, 2020

B&B Travel is monitoring the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the impact on travelers. The health and welfare of our customers is our top priority, and that’s why we want to make sure we keep you informed of important updates. The situation is changing daily, but we’re on top of it, and we are here for you now more than ever!

Here is some important information and guidance to help you confidently make decisions regarding upcoming and potential travel:

Presidential Announcement Regarding European Travel

On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, President Trump announced a travel ban from continental Europe. This suspension applies to all foreign nationals physically present in the Schengen Area of Europe in the 14-day period prior to attempted entry into the U.S. This DOES NOT apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, their children or spouses

Canceling or Modifying Travel Plans

We are available to assist you, should you have questions regarding your upcoming travel, and they are just a phone call away—easily accessible with no hold times. Most of our hotel partners, cruise line partners, tour operator partners, and all major airlines have introduced new flexible change and cancellation policies regarding upcoming trips. Each trip is unique and each has its own policies that you need to be aware of, so please contact us if you have an upcoming booking that you would like to discuss.

Insurance Coverage

We always encourage customers to purchase travel insurance, regardless of the circumstance. Each travel insurance policy is different and can have exclusions in the case of an epidemic, such as COVID-19. There are policies in the market that will protect customers for cancellation for “any reason” or “any time,” and these policies have a broader range of reasons a customer can cancel and receive a percentage of their trip’s cost back. It is critically important that as a traveler you understand the exclusions of the policies you are buying; most plans, including Cancel Anytime plans, contain general exclusions from coverage for any loss directly or indirectly due to any loss, condition, or event that was known or foreseeable when the plan was purchased, or due to an epidemic.

The rapid and vast spread of the virus will likely trigger new travel disruptions and policy changes as governments and airlines take extraordinary steps to limit the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to monitor the situation daily and provide you with periodic updates.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about travel. These are unique and uncertain times for travelers, but you can find peace of mind knowing that your dedicated travel professional is standing by to provide you with expert advice and support.

If you are thinking about traveling away from your local community, ask:

Is COVID-19 spreading where you’re going?
You can get infected while traveling.
Is COVID-19 spreading in your community?
Even if you don’t have symptoms, you can spread COVID-19 to others while traveling.
Will you or those you are traveling with be within 6 feet of others during or after your trip?
Being within 6 feet of others increases your chances of getting infected and infecting others.
Are you or those you are traveling with more likely to get very ill from COVID-19?
Individuals who have an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should limit their travel.
Do you live with someone who is more likely to get very ill from COVID-19?
If you get infected while traveling you can spread COVID-19 to loved ones when you return, even if you don’t have symptoms.
Does the state or local government where you live or at your destination require you to stay home for 14 days after traveling?
Some state and local governments may require people who have recently traveled to stay home for 14 days.
If you get sick with COVID-19, will you have to miss work or school?
Do not travel if you are sick, or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Do not travel with someone who is sick.

If you Travel

Protect yourself and others during your trip:

Clean your hands often.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, after touching surfaces frequently touched by others, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, and before touching your face or eating.
- If soap and water are not available, bring and use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Avoid close contact with others.
- Keep 6 feet of physical distance from others.
Wear a cloth face covering in public.
Cover coughs and sneezes.
Pick up food at drive-throughs, curbside restaurant service, or stores.

Considerations for Types of Travel

Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. We don’t know if one type of travel is safer than others; however, airports, bus stations, train stations, and rest stops are all places travelers can be exposed to the virus in the air and on surfaces. These are also places where it can be hard to social distance (keep 6 feet apart from other people).

Consider the following risks for getting or spreading COVID-19, depending on how you travel:

Air Travel:

Air travel requires spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces. Most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes. However, social distancing is difficult on crowded flights, and you may have to sit near others (within 6 feet), sometimes for hours. This may increase your risk for exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.

Bus or Train Travel:

Traveling on buses and trains for any length of time can involve sitting or standing within 6 feet of others.

Car Travel:

Making stops along the way for gas, food, or bathroom breaks can put you and your traveling companions in close contact with other people and surfaces.

RV Travel:

You may have to stop less often for food or bathroom breaks, but RV travel typically means staying at RV parks overnight and getting gas and supplies at other public places. These stops may put you and those with you in the RV in close contact with others.

Anticipate Travel Needs

Bring enough of your medicine to last you for the entire trip.
Pack enough alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) and keep it within easy to reach.
Bring a cloth face covering to wear in public places.
Prepare food and water for your trip. Pack non-perishable food in case restaurants and stores are closed.
Take steps to protect yourself from COVID-19 when booking accommodations or planning an overnight stay.
If you are considering cleaning your travel lodgings, see CDC’s guidance on how to clean and disinfect.

State and Local Travel Restrictions

Follow state and local travel restrictions. For up-to-date information and travel guidance, check the state or local health department where you are, along your route, and at your planned destination. While you are traveling, it is possible a state or local government may put into place travel restrictions, such as stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders, mandated quarantines upon arrival, or even state border closures. Plan to keep checking for updates as you travel.

Additional Resources

World Health Organization's (WHO)
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
WorldAware's Covid-19 Risk Intelligence and Resource Center

Coronavirus.gov

Department of Homeland Security

Whitehouse Corona Virus Guidelines