Where to go this summer
The new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes the disease known as Covid-19, continues to spread across the planet and has already infected more than 10.1 million people worldwide, while the global death toll exceeds 503,000, and the recovered total is 5.1 million people.
By the end of June, the US had already two and a half million infections and more than129,000 deaths. The US is followed by Brazil with one million cases and 57,000 deaths and Russia with 640,000 infected and a death toll of 9,100 people.
Next in line is India with more than 548,000 infections and the United Kingdom, where there are already more than 313,000 infected. Peru, Chile, Spain, and Italy are each around 250,000 cases, while Iran, Mexico, Pakistan, Turkey, Germany, and Saudi Arabia are approaching the threshold of 200,000 cases.
Other countries, such as France, South Africa, Bangladesh and Canada are above 100,000 infections. China, the original epicenter of the pandemic in December 2019, officially counts 83,500 infected.
As a result of the spread of the virus, more than half of the world population has been subjected to some type of confinement, social distancing and travel ban. In addition, the economies in each country shut down for different varying periods of time causing a severe recession around the world.
Europe seems to have overcome the critical phase of the epidemic and is starting its gradual process of de-escalation, as well as several countries in Asia and Oceania. The focus of the pandemic is now in the US, where infections continue to grow steadily.
The first focus of the outbreak in Europe was in Italy at the end of January(240,436 cases, 34,744 deaths). Its government halted all activity, except for essential activity, for two months. Through June, the Italian government kept its borders closed. They are tracing Covid-19 cases through the ‘Immuni’ mobile application, that will be available to all Italians to “help guard themselves.”
In Spain, (248,970 cases, 28,346 deaths) the first cases were detected in February. The Spanish Government, on March 15, decreed a state of alarm to contain Covid-19. That state of emergency was maintained for nearly 100 days. Immediately following the severe process of confinement, Spain entered the so-called “new normality” on June 21. People gained freedom of movement throughout the territory and borders were opened to travelers from the EU. Of course, hygiene and social distancing measures are maintained to hinder another outbreak.
The United Kingdom has the highest number of deaths and is currently ranked third in the world. While other countries decreed home confinement, the United Kingdom wanted to bet on a strategy based on group immunity and did not order isolation until March 23. Prime Minister Boris Johnson considered the peak of infections to be over and on May 10 and announced the three-phase de-escalation plan that will last until July. It includes a mandatory quarantine for travelers entering the country. Britain has more than 43,600 confirmed deaths. Both Johnson and Prince Charles, who have overcome the disease, were among the infected.
The US is currently the most severely affected country worldwide. The Trump administration has implemented various measures to curb the virus: declared a national emergency in April, suspended flights from Europe for a month, and abolished the temporary issuance of residence permits for at least 60 days. It was the first country to register an increase of more than 2,000 COVID deaths in a single day on April 10. Just two weeks later, protests occurred in several states against the confinement. In an effort to regain economic activity, in late May, beaches reopened across the country, including those in New York and New Jersey (two of the states most affected by the pandemic), Florida, and California.
Nevertheless, the US could be surpassed by Brazil, currently ranked second in the world with cases and deaths. It has already surpassed the US in the number of daily deaths and is only the second country to exceed one million cases. Its president, Jair Bolsonaro, has chosen to minimize the relevance of the effects of the pandemic and has encouraged people to continue working. His approach was contrary to his collaborators, including the Minister of Health, who was terminated and whose replacement also resigned a month after being named.
The high numbers come at a time when several regional and municipal governments launched gradual de-escalation processes. The easing is criticized by scientists and specialists, who believe that the country has not yet reached the peak of the curve, which is projected for July 2020.
What about traveling this summer?
For SoCal residents, the easiest vacation this summer is to travel within California or stay within the borders of the US.
Recently the EU published a list of non-EU countries considered “safe” to reenter the European zone beginning on July 1. The list excludes the United States, Russia, and Brazil, but authorizes travelers from Australia, Algeria, Canada, China, South Korea, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Serbia, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, and Rwanda.
The US has temporarily limited inbound land border crossings from Canada and Mexico to “essential travel.” This action does not prevent U.S. citizens from returning home, and the restrictions are temporary. They went into effect on March 21 and will remain in effect until July 21. For more information regarding this subject you can visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/from-other-countries.html
Presidential proclamations have also established restrictions on the entry of certain travelers into the US. Banned countries include China, Iran, the EU Schengen area; Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican, UK, Ireland and Brazil.
US citizens and lawful permanent residents, who have been in one of the banned countries in the past 14 days, will be allowed to enter the United States through the following airports:
- Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS), Massachusetts
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Michigan
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Hawaii
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Florida
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Texas
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
- Los Angeles International Airport, (LAX), California
- Miami International Airport (MIA), Florida
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Washington
After arrival from one of these countries, the Centers for Disease Control recommends that travelers stay home and monitor their health for 14 days. More information about what to do after arriving to the US is available on CDC’s www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html