Coronavirus and Its Impact on Tourism

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that causes an illness with the symptoms ranging from the common cold to severe respiratory disorders such as the Middle East respiratory syndrome MERS-CoV and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome SARS-CoV. Coronavirus disease COVID-19, discovered in the year 2019, is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. Common signs of infection from this virus include respiratory symptoms, breathing difficulties, and shortness of breath, high fever and dry cough. In more severe cases, symptoms detected are pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.

Coronavirus update in India marks the case count reaching 500 marks. Fresh 47 cases have been added to the existing list since Friday. As the number is on a rapid increase, the government has decided to change the testing criteria for COVID-19. Now, it is to include all pneumonia cases irrespective of the traveling or the contact history. In India, coronavirus is spreading across different states and Maharashtra tops the list of the states affected, having 90 cases. Kerala alone has 52 number of positive COVID-19 cases. Delhi has been reported with 26 positive cases and UP with 24 cases.

Standard recommendations to avoid the spread of COVID-19 include instructions:-

• Frequent cleaning of hands using alcohol-based hand rub, soap or water.
• Covering the nose and mouth with the flexed elbow or disposable tissue when coughing or sneezing
• Avoiding close contact with anyone with the symptoms of the virus or high fever and cough.

While the Do’s include WHO guidelines in addition to avoiding spreading rumors, the list of Don’t include the following:-

• Do not touch your face, mouth or nose repeatedly
• Avoid unnecessary traveling
• Get yourself screened on landing
• Avoid public transport like metro and buses
• Avoid crowding at places
• Do not stockpile on masks
• Don’t believe everything that flashes on your mobile and internet
• Do not seek alternative treatments
• Do not rely on antibiotics
• Skip the flu shot
• Do not panic

Besides following basic personal hygiene, make sure to encourage others to follow the precautions and keep updated only through reliable information sources.

Self-isolation is when the person, maybe having symptoms and does not want to infect other people, separate him or herself from others. In the case of COVID- 19, self-isolation is to last for about 14 days. This is the period enough for any potential symptoms to manifest in an environment where the virus cannot infect other people. Self-isolation and self-Quarantine that appears like social distancing are the ways for preventing corona virus breakout out.

Unnecessary traveling and gathering in the public spaces at the public events like gyms, restaurants, concerts, celebrations, tours, camping, cinema halls, markets, malls, increases the risk of spreading coronavirus covid19 the disease as it is highly contagious. These places are where you can catch an infection immediately.

To fight back the outbreak, Janata curfew, on 22 March 2020, Sunday is to be observed from 7 a.m. to 9:00 p.m, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced and appeal for the same on Thursday. Prime minister has pitched for social distance distancing and has urged people not to get out of their home, except those involved in essential services. This is the call on citizens to be prepared to combat challenges posed by a viral breakout. The curfew emphasizes the need for social distancing. Thereby Prime Minister has appeal to every citizen to stay inside the home during the curfew hours to resolve and restrain this pandemic. Prime minister has called this as a litmus test for us to check how prepared India is to fight a global pandemic like coronavirus.

One of the worst-hit sectors by the spread of the corona virus pandemic in India and across the world is the tourism industry. According to the reports, the impact on India could run into thousands of crores of rupees, especially with the government suspending all visas. This is considered one of the worst crises that ever hit the Indian tourism industry as it has impacted all its geographical segments including inbound, outbound and domestic airlines, tourism verticals including adventure, Heritage, Leisure, MICE, Cruise, corporate and niche segments. The full chain of businesses associated with tourism such as hotels, travel agents, tour operators, trekking, camping, climbing, expedition, taxi, theatres, destinations, family entertainment venues, and restaurants have all been impacted greatly by Coronavirus Covid19.

All the non-essential travel should be suspended to the European Union for at least 30 days. Various flights have been suspended to Albania and Slovenia. Borders have been closed by various countries for international flights including India which had banned landing of International flights on its airports. If traveling is must then follow the precautions and the guidelines issued. Local travel within cities, district, states is not allowed after lockdown. Only emergency travel is allowed for travelers.