Travel in the time of coronavirus

TALI FEINBERG

“My kids and I had booked to go to Bali over the Pesach break. We thought we’d combine an island family holiday with maybe finding a Chabad seder or if not, doing our own. We cancelled it in February when the virus broke [out],” says a member of the South African Jewish community who asked to remain anonymous.

“We felt it was just too risky, and also that international travel would be a nightmare with extra security and health checks on us and our luggage, adding to flight delays and frustration,” she says. “We managed to hold over payment for our flights to next year, and will rebook when things are clearer. We have lost about 30% of our accommodation payment, but decided to cut our losses in the interest of family health.”

Professor Amanda Weltman cancelled an upcoming trip to Singapore and Thailand. “To some extent, it was out of our hands because we were going to a conference, and yesterday [2 March] they decided to cancel it,” she says. “I also have a conference next week in Nairobi that isn’t cancelled, but it’s more than 1 000 people so I’m simply not going. Maybe I’m being conservative.”

So, should you cancel that Pesach holiday, business trip, or Rosh Hashanah getaway? “I don’t think international travel per se needs to be avoided at this time,” says Dr Barry Schoub, the professor emeritus of virology at the University of the Witwatersrand and the founding director of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. “Obviously, I would avoid travel to countries where there have been significant outbreaks such as China, Italy, Korea, and Iran.”

Asked if he thinks people with plans to travel later this year should cancel, he responds, “The situation is still very fluid, and circumstances can change and sometimes change rapidly. But, I couldn’t imagine that there would be a worldwide ban on travelling. I wouldn’t cancel travel plans. We are booked to travel to the United Kingdom in June, and I’m certainly not cancelling those plans.”

If someone is travelling, how can they protect themselves as much as possible from the virus? “Protective measures are essentially those of good hygiene practice. Distance yourself from any traveller or person at airports and so on who may be coughing or sneezing – by at least six feet [1.8m],” says Schoub. “Practice good cough/sneeze hygiene -– into the crook of the elbow or a tissue which is then properly disposed. Good hand washing practice is important: wash thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds.”

Meanwhile, the travel industry is already feeling the effects. “Guiding Jewish tourists in Israel, Jordan, Greece, and Berlin were all on my agenda for March through to 1 June. They have all cancelled. No work at all for the coming three months except for one family in mid-April,” says Julian Resnick, who guides international tourists in Israel and globally. His independent company, Journeys Making Meaning, focuses on Jewish history around the world and its relevance today.

“The stories of the Jews of Saloniki, the Jews of Berlin, and Moses’ final moments on Mount Nebo in Jordan will remain untold for a while,” says Resnick, who grew up in South Africa and lives in Israel.

“My clients from Northern California, New York City, and Birmingham Alabama are staying home. Why? Well, apparently there are two epidemics right now. One is coronavirus – apparently we should be fearful – and the other epidemic is called ‘panic caused by populism’. We are in an era where populist politicians are using every possible means to build their image as the ‘strong father who will protect us all from danger’. Will we get through this okay? One of my favourite sayings in Hebrew is, ‘If we got through Pharaoh, we can get through this.’”

Andrea Bonalumi owns Visa Box, assisting outbound visa applicants with the administrative side of their application process. “We have had a few of our clients cancel or postpone their travel due to the virus, and one had theirs cancelled by the cruise company itself,” she says. “We are concerned about the two to three months leading up to the June/July school holidays as this is the busiest time for travel other than December [generally it’s busier, as it’s summer in Europe]. We assume there will be a massive decline in travellers, especially those with kids and elderly co-travellers. Italy has always been a main travel destination for this period, and I now doubt it will even feature.

“I know of many independent travel agents who are having to facilitate many cancellations for their clients and for a lot of them, this is going to be a tough few months going forward unless something improves quickly. It’s hitting so many sectors hard including airlines, visa agents, travel agents, tour operators, accommodation services … the list goes on!”