Coronavirus Update
April 27, 2020

See Which US States Are Reopening and Which Are Still Shut Down
After weeks of shutdown, the nation is beginning to slowly, cautiously re-emerge. Here is a look at which states are reopening, and how soon. Read More.

Human Trial of Potential COVID-19 Vaccine Kicks off at Oxford
In the global scramble for a COVID-19 vaccine, a select number of human trials are now under way, but it's scientists from England's University of Oxford who appear most confident that they're onto a cure. They believe their vaccine has an "80% chance" of success, and could be available for wide use by the public as soon as September. Read More.

China's Domestic Business Travel Slowly Waking Up

Business travel slowly is recovering in China under tight government control and mostly at a domestic level. The country's strategy, which will attempt to restart what previously was the biggest business travel market in the world, could offer a glimpse of how business travel will recover in the future. Read More.

Travel Restrictions Relaxed in Some Countries
The world continues to see the impact of coronavirus. In some cases, we are witnessing governments relax their lockdowns, to varying degrees. 

• Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria are among the European countries starting to end lockdowns
• Italy will begin to ease coronavirus lockdowns starting on May 4
• Both the Netherlands and France plan to re-open primary schools beginning in May
• New Zealand will move from "level 4" lockdown to "level 3" on April 27

A more comprehensive list of countries that have eased, extended, or strengthened lockdowns is available here (current as of April 20). 

How to Reduce Your Risk of Infection
The World Health Organization recommends the following as precautions to reduce your risk of infection:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
• When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough
• If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider
• When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals
• The consumption of raw or under-cooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.

For more information on the coronavirus, please visit the Centers For Disease Control and the World Health Organization.  

World Travel, Inc. is monitoring the situation closely and will advise of any updates or changes.