Coronavirus Travel Advisory: Countries You Should Avoid Visiting To Be Safe From Coronavirus
As of now, these are the countries which you should ideally be avoiding to reduce the chances of contracting the novel coronavirus and have a hassle-free journey.
The coronavirus outbreak has literally brought the entire world to a halt. Claiming more lives than the SARS epidemic of 2002-2003, major events like the MWC have gotten cancelled and with the virus spreading further, more and more people are getting scared to travel.
The coronavirus is spreading like crazy not just in China but several other parts of the world.
We strongly recommend that you hold on to your travel plans as flying around, even to countries without cases of Coronavirus is a risky affair. However, if you still wish to step out, always keep a track of the number of cases in specific countries using Here Maps who¡¯re constantly updating the numbers in real-time.
Here Maps
As of now, these are the countries which you should ideally be avoiding to reduce the chances of contracting the novel coronavirus and have a hassle-free journey.
China
It all started here. And even though global authorities strictly warn travellers from entering the Hubei province in China (as it was the epicentre of the outbreak), other areas in China are equally dangerous. Guangdong has over 1340 confirmed cases, Henan has over 1100 confirmed cases and the list just goes on.
The safest thing you can do is avoid China entirely from your travel plans as its not just risky to contract the virus, but several countries aren¡¯t allowing people coming from China enter. Some are even putting them under a 14-day quarantine after entering.
Reuters
Hong Kong and Macau
Hong Kong is one of the popular tourist destinations in Asia and it is also the most easily accessible by Chinese citizens. Hong Kong has 91 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, whereas Macau -- another tourist destination that people from Hong Kong usually travel to -- has 10 confirmed cases.
South Korea
After China, South Korea has seen a considerable spike in the number of people getting infected from the novel coronavirus, with over 1200 confirmed cases as the situation only gets worsened with every passing day. 12 people in South Korea have died due to infections.
Of the 1,261 confirmed cases, 710 were linked to Daegu and 317 to North Gyeongsang Province, which includes Cheongdo, as per South Korean authorities. In case you wish to travel to South Korea, it is strongly advised that you avoid going to the aforementioned cities.
Reuters
Japan
Another unexpected spike in the number of cases has been witnessed in Japan 853 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of February 25th. Moreover, authorities have cancelled major events for a two-week period to avoid large gathering of people and spreading of the coronavirus.
Major hotspots for the coronavirus outbreak in Japan are Hokkaido, Tokyo and Aichi prefectures, followed by some cases in Saitama, Kanagawa, Wakayama as well as Okinawa.
Singapore
Singapore is a tourist destination like no other. However, as of now has a total of 93 cases have been confirmed here. Authorities are on a lookout for people coming from China and other hotspots and urged those citizens to not step out of their homes and stay under self-quarantine since February 18. People who have breached this notice have gotten their PR visas terminated.
Reuters
Italy
Italy is the newest country on the list to see a considerable spike in the number of cases of COVID-19. As of yesterday, around 11 people have died of the coronavirus with over 300 confirmed cases. The country has announced a lockdown on 12 towns.
Most infections have come from regions Lombardy and Veneto from Northern Italy which include popular tourist destinations Milan and Venice.
Iran
Outside of China, Iran is one of the top three hotspots for the novel coronavirus with 140 confirmed cases including Iran¡¯s deputy health minister and an MP. It has also claimed 15 lives in Iran as of now.
In the end, we strongly recommend that you hold on to your travel plans as flying around, even to countries without cases of Coronavirus is a risky affair. If you still wish to step out, always keep a track of the number of cases in specific cases using Here Maps who¡¯re constantly updating the numbers in real-time.
