9 Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling, Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

January 31, 2020

Coronavirus is all over the news: Airlines are reducing flights to China or grounding flights coming from Wuhan (where the virus originated); Asia trade shows are being postponed; and on Jan. 30, the World Health Organization officially declared the virus outbreak a global health emergency.

It’s nearly impossible for event professionals to avoid travel during this time, making it important to take extra precautions to stay well as world health experts work to contain the virus. Here’s what you need to know.

How Coronavirus Is Transmitted

For the most part, the virus was transmitted directly from animals to humans, but there have been reports of person-to-person transmission, says Robert Citronberg, M.D., director of infectious diseases at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Niles, Illinois. And on Jan. 30, the first person-to-person transmission in the U.S. was confirmed in Chicago, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Symptoms of Coronavirus to Watch Out For

It’s very important to stay vigilant for potential symptoms even if you haven’t recently traveled to China. Similar to those of the common cold, coronavirus symptoms range from minimal respiratory issues like mild cough and congestion, to severe symptoms including fever, pneumonia and respiratory failure, says Dr. Citronberg.

Another thing to note is that the incubation period (i.e., how long the virus is in your body before you exhibit symptoms) for this strain of coronavirus is up to 14 days, so travelers may not notice they are sick until days after returning from a trip, says Mary Jacobson, M.D., chief medical director at Alpha Medical in Palo Alto, California.

How to Prevent Risk of Coronavirus

The usual methods of infection prevention are highly recommended, says Dr. Citronberg. While these may seem obvious, let this list serve as a reminder to keep you aware of what you’re touching, especially when traveling. 

·      Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds

·      Use alcohol hand sanitizer with at least 70 percent ethanol (check the label on your bottle — most sanitizers given out as freebies at events, or from higher-end lotion and body care brands, are less than 70 percent and be less effective than those with higher alcohol content)

·      Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

·      Avoid close contact with people who are sick

·      Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes with unwashed hands

·      Onboard an aircraft, keep the air vents above your seat open for ventilation

·      Wipe down airplane armrests and tray table with sanitary wipes

·      Use tissues to open restroom doors

·      Avoid traveling if you are sick

 Precautions shouldn’t be limited to air travel. Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft carry high volumes of passengers entering the country. “Someone taking an Uber from the airport might just cough on the seat belt and leave germs behind for the next rider, since viruses can remain infectious on surfaces for up to 48 hours,” says Dr. Jacobson.

Despite all the photos around the Internet of travelers wearing masks, even people who are immunocompromised do not need to wear masks at this time unless otherwise instructed by their physician, says Dr. Citronberg.

And even amid the WHO announcement, there’s no cause to panic over coronavirus in the U.S. currently. “By following standard best practices for washing your hands regularly after exposure in public places, and disinfecting armrests and surfaces around you when possible (including rideshare cars, taxis, and public transit), you’re on track to stay protected from picking up [the virus],” adds Dr. Jacobson.

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.