Department Of State Suggesting Travelers Cancel Trips Abroad During Coronavirus Outbreak
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Travelers thinking of going abroad should probably put those plans on hold, according to the Department of State.
With how much COIVD-19 has spread, they are limiting travel, and in some cases, have border restrictions and quarantines in place.
The State Department is urging travelers that do still want or need to travel abroad to follow the CDC's guidelines.
Those can be found on their website.
Meanwhile, a local travel agency says there haven't been this many cancellations or worries regarding travel since 9/11. A lot of people are canceling trips to Italy; specifically, a country that has been hit hard with COVID-19.
For people who have trips planned months from now, agencies are suggesting they wait before changing plans.
"Younger, middle-aged type people that are going four or five months from now, we're encouraging them not to cancel at this point but to wait and see what the situation is like within the month or two before they travel," said Joe Weigler, of Shadyside Travel.
The agency, however, also said there is concern among travelers for even domestic travel.
At Pittsburgh International Airport, many travelers are showing concerns.
With a mask strapped tightly to his face, Tim Ruff, who is catching a flight to Chicago before heading to Alaska to see his grandfather, says it's better to be safe than sorry.
"I have some concerns about plane cleanliness, but I imagine some of it's in my head," said Ruff.
He's just one of many that were spotted wearing a mask at the Pittsburgh International Airport.
"I heard there are a few cases here," said Chenghan Pan.
Pan is being extra cautious as well after finding out there are more than a dozen cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania.
He says he's flying out to India despite the Department of State advising people to not travel abroad at this time.
More information on the Coronavirus pandemic: