MISSION, Kan. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising people not to travel to areas affected by the coronavirus.
The CDC has issued Level 3 travel health notices for Italy, China, Iran and South Korea, as well as a Level 2 travel health notice for Japan.
A Level 3 travel health notice warning is issued when the CDC recommends travelers avoid all nonessential travel to a certain area. The World Health Organization is advising travelers who are sick to delay or avoid affected areas, specifically elderly travelers and people with chronic diseases or underlying health conditions.
JoAnne Weeks, who has worked as a travel agent with Acendas Travel in Mission, Kansas, for nearly 25 years, said during her time in the industry, she has seen it all.
"It's a matter of stay calm, don't panic, absolutely have concern," Weeks said. "We're not encouraging people to cancel. we're not encouraging people to travel. It's a matter of giving them the information. That's what we're here for as travel professionals."
Weeks reminded travelers to put the coronavirus into perspective.
"I do think it's something we'll get through," Weeks said. "I think, initially, it was the uncertainty of how it was transmitted."
Weeks said she has received a lot of questions about travel recently – specifically, travel insurance.
"I think for people that don't ever get insurance that have the, 'Oh, it will never happen to me,' kind of mentality, this is having people stop and think," Weeks said.
In order for someone to be covered if they were to cancel a flight because they are afraid to travel, cancel-for-any-reason insurance is needed. It will be more expensive, but provides flexibility that standard travel insurance does not.
"A lot of people think it's just for canceling while you're traveling," Weeks said, "but if you get ill while you're traveling, most of our medical coverage that we have here in the United States isn't covered overseas."
Weeks said it is probably too late for travelers to add cancel-for-any-reason insurance if they are within a few weeks of their trip, but she hopes travelers will consider it in the future.
