[custom_adv] The international travel industry faces a widespread shutdown over coronavirus fears after airlines announced new flight reductions and more countries introduced travel bans and isolation requirements. [custom_adv] Travel businesses were hit with multiple doses of bad news on Saturday and Sunday, with the US expanding its Europe travel ban to include the UK and Ireland, a number of South American countries bringing in flight restrictions and Australia joining New Zealand in requiring all people entering the country to self-isolate for 14 days. [custom_adv] American Airlines, the second biggest in the world, said on Saturday that it would start implementing a phased suspension of nearly all long-haul international flights from Monday, amid reduced demand and travel restrictions due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. [custom_adv] The cruise industry also suffered another setback when two ships were placed in quarantine in Chile after an elderly British man aboard one of them tested positive for the coronavirus, the health ministry announced on Saturday. [custom_adv] Travel restrictions have become more serious and widespread over the past few days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has now categorized about 30 countries as Warning Level 3 and is requiring anyone entering from those places to stay home for 14 days. President Trump shut down most travel from Europe to the United States beginning March 13. [custom_adv] Still, many people need to travel internationally and domestically, whether they are coming home from closing colleges, returning from vacation or going on urgent trips. Those travelers are likely to come into contact with many high-touch objects such as self check-in kiosks, escalator handrails and tray tables, so airports and airlines are making changes aimed at reducing the potential for what’s called community transmission. [custom_adv] They are working in concert with the C.D.C., the World Health Organization and local public health officials to come up with the best policies and procedures, with changes made as new information comes in.
