NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Coronavirus outbreak is now raising safety concerns for other people about to embark on upcoming trips.
Alan Whitt is a travel agent and founder of Allure Quest. He says he has heard concern about potential exposure if guests take a cruise.
"You don't know where all the customers are coming from because cruising is a worldwide vacation," Whitt said.
This month passengers aboard the Diamond Princess were quarantined due to the detection of Coronavirus. Whitt says before you board a cruise, passengers are asked to fill out a form and it's important to answer it honestly.
"When you get on cruise ship, they ask you if you had flu like symptoms, be honest because you're putting everyone at risk," Whitt said.
Cruise ships also taking measures to make sure everyone is safe. On Norwegian cruise line, any guest or crew members holding a Chinese, Hong Kong, or Macau passport will not be able to board. Also any guests who have visited airports in those areas within 30 days of their voyage date will not be allowed to board as well.
But precautions don't end with the cruise line. Doctors suggest taking preventative measures while on the ship.
"Practice good hand hygiene constantly and avoid persons coughing and sneezing," Dr. William Schaffner, infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt, said.
If you're feeling unsettled booking a trip, you can always get travel insurance to protect your plans, should something unexpected come up without being penalized.
Since late December, tens of thousands of people have been infected with the Coronavirus. While this sounds alarming, Dr. Schnaffner says the overwhelming majority of Coronavirus cases are within mainland China. He explains you really only have to worry about Coronavirus if you've been to China or have come into contact with someone who has been there recently.
