Coronavirus Updates
Coronavirus Updates
FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL UPDATES: Travel.state.gov is managed by the U.S. Department of State and offers a wealth of information. From Covid 19 Country specific information, information about U.S. embassies or consulates, CDC updates for cruise travel, student foreign exchange recommendations, U.S. Passport and Visas information and more. Go to Travel.state.gov or Click Here for International Travel information. This site also provides a page to Check current Travel Advisories Also inform clients about the STEP Program: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, to receive updates about their destination while traveling. World Health Organization (WHO) WHO Travel Advice European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) FOR DOMESTIC TRAVEL UPDATES: These are some websites that offer current updates for U.S. individual state policies and restrictions: COVID-19 state-level travel restrictions: This handy map from Wanderlog tells you what kind of restrictions and quarantine you can expect to endure. The tool lets you pick which state you’re traveling from and see what the restrictions are in the state you’re going to. Find it here. Coronavirus reopening: This map tool from USA Today is especially easy to read, and the list of state-level restrictions that follow are detailed and clear. Find it here. KFF maps and data: This page from the Kaiser Family Foundation is a wealth of information on state policies and infection rates. A color-coded interactive map lets you see where each state stands on a variety of policies, including large gatherings, bar closures, mask requirements, and reopening plans. Find it here. United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) CLIA Coronavirus FAQs CLIA Public Health and Medical Policy
Try to get your clients to agree not to cancel their trips this week as most tour and cruise companies are working on modifying their policies to relax cancellation clauses and allow postponement of trips. Getting clients to wait for a few days before making decisions about their future travel may allow your agency to hold onto more bookings and stop the bleeding of cancellations. MAST Coronavirus Updates – Member Call (March 10) Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity – COVID-19 Impact Survey. Assist in evaluating a request for an economic injury disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration. COVID-19 Resource Center: Stay updated with the most recent information from suppliers, CDC, WHO, and more. Advice on Advising Clients on Coronavirus Learn Why You Shouldn’t Let Coronavirus Stop You From Traveling Wall St. Journal – Questions you may be asked about the Virus
Click Here for more Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act CARES Act Flow Chart of Information
Financial Assistance Resources by State Illinois Governor JB Pritzker Press Release (March 19) https://disasterloan.sba.gov The Illinois Department of Commence Site Coronavirus Page Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb Press Release https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer Press Release (march 19) MEDC’s website https://sbdcmichigan.org/small-business-covid19/ Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers Press Release (March 18) Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Iowa COVID-19: Iowa Business Recovery Assistance (March 24) Governor Reynolds Press Release (March 24) Iowa Economic Development Authority Website Missouri Governor Michael Parson Press Release (March 18) Missouri Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus page Minnesota Agencies can email The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development at Deed.mnsbao@state.mn.us for information and they will be emailed back when it becomes available.
ASTA Updates – ASTA.org/COVID19 Tell Congress and the White House to Act Now to Save Travel Advisors ATTENTION: Advisors in specific counties in California, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island may now apply online for SBA Economic Disaster Relief Loans. Apply Now: https://
Supplier Updates AIC Hotel Group – Policy Updates (March 13) COVID-19: Hotel Updates & Additional Support (March 23) AIG Travel – Coronavirus Advisory AmaWaterways – Updated Policy changes do to COVID-19 (March 2) Delays Start of European Season Until April (March 13) Updated Policies on Suspended Sailings and Cancellations (March 25) Season Opening Pushed to August (May 6) American Airlines Vacations – Peace of Mind Policy (April 14) AAV COVID-19 Policy (March 16) AAV Policy on Website (March 25) COVID-19 Policy Update (April 13) American Cruise Lines – Cruise with Comfort Program (March 13) AMResorts – Updated Temporary Closures Caribbean & Latin America (April 27) A Message from AMResorts President Regarding COVID 19 (March 18) Amtrak Vacations – new cancellation and rescheduling policy (March 5) Apple Leisure Group – 25% Bonus Future Travel Credit Offer Extended (May 11) EVNF Flight Cancel Information thru May (March 21) ALG’s Self Help Guide for TA’s (March 14) Updated Policies and Promotions do to Coronavirus (March 11) Introduces Self-Service Rebooking for Agents, Updates Cancellation and Reward Policy (March 19) Recent Communications from Apple Leisure Group (March 20) Avalon – flexible cancellation and rescheduling policy (March 13) Avanti Destinations – Consolidation of Communications (March 23) Travel update through April 30 (March 13) Avanti Cancellation Fees – COVID 19 Update (March 16) COVID-19 Update: Booking Cancellations & Future Travel Credits (March 18) COVID-19 (March 30) COVID-19 Update (April 6) COVID-19 Update; Land & Air FTC Options (May 6) Azamara – 100% Cruise Protection for Any Reason (March 11) Cruise with Confidence (March 13) 100% Cruise Protection for Any Reason Extended Through May 2020 (April 30) Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation – Statement on COVID-19 (March 6) Bedsonline – Coronavirus outbreak, Italy Update (March 6) Click Here for Italy Waivers (March 6) Call Center and Operations Important Update (March 19) COVID-19 Update (March 24) Recent Update (March 27) Global Incident Alert: COVID19 Update (March 31) COVID 19 Update (April 2) Extension of Global Force Majeure Policy Extended to May 31st (April 27) Extension of Global Force Majeure Policy Extended to June 15th (May 19) Bermuda Tourism Authority – Important Travel Alert (March 20) Boscolo Tours – Policy Update (April 21) Updated Policy Regard COVID-9 Cancellations (March 9) Celebrity Cruises – 30 Day Sailing Stoppage (March 14) Cruise with Confidence (March 13) Cruise with Confidence Updated (March 27) Extended Voluntary Global Suspension of Cruising (June 2) Celestyal Cruises – Peace of Mind Policy Launched (March 10) Extends Suspension Of Cruise Operations Until June 29 (April 10) Centrav – FAQ’s Regarding Travel During the Coronavirus Outbreak (March 2) 72 Hour Rule (March 16) EU Travel Ban Does Not Apply to U.S. Citizens (March 12) New Process for Changing Bookings (March 10) New Airline Refund Rules (March 23) Airline Rule Change Explained (March 24) CIE Tours – Operation Suspensions and Flexible Rebooking Policies (May 11) Travel Update (March 24) Club Med – Extend Temporary Suspension of Operations (May 12) Cancellation & Revision Policy Update (March 26) Collette – A letter from the CEO & President (March 30) Partner Communication Update (March 24) Tour Cancellations and Policy Updates (March 12) Contiki – Temporary Policy Updates (March 2) Buy with Confidence (March 11) Responding to COVID-19 (March 24) Cunard – 48-hour cancellation policy (March 13) Extends Pause of Operations Until July 31st (April 30) Disney Cruise Line and Theme Parks- Suspending Operations, Impacted guests a future cruise credit or a full refund and travel advisor commissions will protected for those reservations (March 13) Temporary Suspensions (April 27) Down Under Answers – New Zealand Travel Advice (March 14) Enterprise Holdings – General Partner Communication Update (March 23) G Adventures – Suspends Tours Through August COVID-19 Partner Communication (May 20) COVID-19 Agency Partner Update: MAST (April 23) Policy update (April 14) Final Payment Date Extended (April 3) Suspending Tours through April 2020 (March 13) Coronavirus Travel FAQ (March 4) Globus family of brands – Updated Statement and Travel Policy (March 1) Suspends Through April 30 & Launches Peace of Mind Plan (March 13) Most Current Safety and Security Updates (March 23) Video message from Paula Hayes, Vice President of Sales (March 23) Great Safaris – A personal message from the President and CEO (March 25) Hawaii Tourism United States – Hawaii Mandates 14-Day Quarantine (March 24) 14-Day Quarantine Extended through 6/30 (May 20) Holland America Line – Extending pause of cruise operations and cancelling all Alaska, Europe and Canada/New England cruises for 2020 (May 7) Compensation Options and Extended Sailing Suspensions (April 14) Information Update (April 7) FAQ’s Updated (April 2) Update from Orlando Ashford (March 30) Policy Updates (March 23) HAL COVID 19 Update from Judy Hall (March 17) Update/Info for Cruises Scheduled to Depart through April 14 (March 14) Policy updates from President Orlando Ashford (March 6) Hurtigruten – Temporary suspension of our operations on the Norwegian Coast until 15 June (May 12) Updated Rebooking Policy (March 14) COVID-19 Update (March 19) Important Info on Cancellations (April 6) Important Info on Cancellations and Changes in Rebooking Policy (April 21) Cancelled Sailings (May 5) Canceled Sailings Update (May 25) Cancellation of Expeditions (June 19) Hyatt – Sets Reopening Plan for Caribbean All-Inclusives Iberostar Hotels & Resorts – 24 Hour Cancellation & Revision Policy (March 17) Destination and Resort Updates (March 24) Resort Operational Updates (March 24) Insight Vacations – Coronavirus Travel Update (March 5) Current Updates (March 23) Suspended Departure Updates (May 21) Israel Ministry of Tourism – Latest Update Regarding Coronavirus and Israel (March 9) Mayflower Cruises & Tours – canceled its trips to China for entire year (Feb 27) MSC Cruises – Extends Sailing Suspension through July (June 4) News Update (March 30) Midwest News Update (March 23) Cruise Cancellation Updates (March 13) Temporary Cancellation Policy Update (March 9) MSC’s Cruise Assurance Program (March 10) Norwegian Cruise Line – Operational Update (May 20) Latest Press Release (May 7) Cruise Voyages Suspended Through June 30th (April 24) Important Operational Update (April 13) Relaunching embarkations May 11 (March 30) The Weekly Wave Updates (March 23) Operational Update (March 18) NCL’s Latest Updates (March 15) 30-Day Sailing Stoppage (March 15) Revised Policy Updates (March 6) Oceania Cruises – 30 Day Volunteer Stoppage (March 13) Travelers Assurance Program (March 13) Travelers Assurance Program FAQ’s (March 13) Operational Update (March 16) Pause to Vessel Operations FAQ (March 31) Travelers Assurance April FAQ (March 31) Suspension of Voyages Through June 30th (April 24) Newly Suspended Voyages (May 20) Palladium Hotel Group – Temporary Closure of Hotels’ Operation due to COVID-19 (March 20) New System of Health and Safety Protocols (May 6) Paul Gauguin Cruises – Policy Update: Final Payment (March 3) Cancellation Policy Updates (April 30th) Perillo Tours – Coronavirus Policy Update Escorted Tours (March 3) Playa Hotels & Resorts – COVID 19 Update and Booking Incentive (April 15) Pleasant Holidays/Journese – Update from Director of National Accounts, Chanda Vudmaska (March 19) $250 Rebooking Offer Extended (March 25) Policy Update Effective April 1 (April 1) Posadas – COVID 19 Update from COO (March 13) Update regarding cancellations (March 18) Princess Cruises – Cruise with Confidence Policy Extended (June 2) Pause of Operations Through Summer Season (May 6) Pause of global ship operations extended thru June 30th (April 14) Voluntary 60 Day Pause of Global Ship Operations, FAQ’s and Compensation Form (March 13) Princess Vacation Protection Railbookers – new cancellation and rescheduling policy (March 5) Rail Europe – Statement & Policy Regarding Cover-19 (March 6) COVID 19 Update (March 13) Regent Seven Seas Cruises – Important Update Regarding Voyages (April 24) 48-hour cancellations (March 7) New Regent Reassurance Policy (March 6) Rocky Mountaineer – Temporary Rebooking & Cancellation Retail Terms and Conditions (March 19) Departures Suspended (April 1) Travel Season Suspended Until July 31st (May 14) Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. – Cruise with Confidence Policy Update (March 23) Cruise with Confidence (March 13) Updated Travel Policy (March 9) Message from CEO, Richard Fain (March 13) Royal Caribbean International – Policy Update (June 2) FCC Options Extended (March 21) Important Travel Requirements (March 13) Suspension Update (May 20 Sandals Resorts – Official Statement re COVID-19 (March 3) Important Update Including Closures (March 21) Enhances Industry Leading Health and Safety Measures (May 5) Seabourn – Updates to Seabourn’s Book with Confidence Policy (March 13) SITA World Tours – Policy Updates (March 23) Tauck – COVID-19 Tauck Policy Update (March 5) Tauck’s Policies (March 19) Travel Policy Update for Guest (April 15) The Moorings – Policy Change (March 13) Coronavirus Update – Cancellations (March 20) Travelex – COVID-19 FAQS Updated (April 16) Continuity Assurance (March 20) Cancel for any Reason Suspension (March 17) COVID 19 Coverage (March 12) Travel Impressions – New Travel Protection Plus Options (June 2) Rebook Now. Recharge Later. Extended Through July 31st (May 11) ALG Self Help Guide for TA’s (March 14) Universal Studios – Operations Suspended Through May 31st (April 10) Uniworld Boutique River Cruises – reschedule and cancellation policy (March 12) Updated Commission Policy (March 13) Viking – Coronavirus Policy Update (March 2) Suspending Operations Temporarily (March 11) Ya’lla Tours USA – Coronavirus Policy (March 5)
Airline Updates ARC Airline Refund and Exchange Information American Airlines – Travel Alerts and change fee waivers Austrian Airlines – Suspend Flight Operations (March 18) Brussels Airlines – Suspending Operations Through Mid-April (March 18) EL AL Israel Airlines – Constant Policy Updates Delta Airlines – issued a broad change fee waiver, allowing passengers with tickets to any destination in March and April to change or cancel flights without any penalties. Coronavirus News Updates Southwest Airlines – Coronavirus Update and FAQ’s Policy Updates (March 20) United Airlines – Waiving change fees when you book select flights Further reduction of domestic and international travel (March 18) WestJet – Statement on operations and network (March 18) Lufthansa Group – loosened rebooking policies for Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Air Dolomiti. Lufthansa Rebooking Options (May 12)
Fact Sheet: DHS Notice of Arrival Restrictions on China, Iran and Certain Countries of Europe For frequently asked questions and information regarding the Coronavirus, please visit the following websites: World Health Organization (WHO) WHO Travel Advice United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) CLIA Coronavirus FAQs CLIA Public Health and Medical Policy
