I traveled on Amtrak from Washington DC to New York City and back over the 4th of July weekend. The current Amtrak policy on masking is posted on its website:
While Amtrak passengers and employees are no longer required to wear masks while on board trains or at stations, masks are welcome and remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19. Anyone who needs or chooses to wear one is encouraged to do so.
Based on our experience, and like other forms of travel, this policy is mostly adhered to in the breach. Very few travelers wore masks in either Union Station or the new Moynihan Terminal in New York City. A large majority of travelers on both our Acela trains were also maskless.
I draw attention to this reality not to argue for or against masking, but to caution travel advisors to remain vigilant in informing travelers of the realities of travel at this time. COVID-19 has not gone away. The Center for Disease Control, while reducing the scope of its reporting to weekdays, still showed 169,430 new cases in the United States on July 5.
Given the prevalence of home tests, the results of which are often not reported to health authorities regardless of the outcome, the actual number of new cases is likely far higher. While the death rate is significantly lower than the last peak in early February 2022, new admissions bottomed out in early April 2022 and are rising again.
Community spread data are also available. Customers can research this on their own, but travel advisors should assume otherwise.
The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that coronavirus cases have tripled across Europe in the past six weeks, accounting for almost half of all infections globally. Hospital admission rates have also doubled, although intensive care admissions have remained low.
Yogi Berra famously said, “It ain’t over till it’s over,” and led his team to the division title in an extraordinary comeback season. His malapropism unfortunately applies to COVID-19. Americans are weary of COVID-related restrictions, although the threat remains, especially for some particularly vulnerable groups. It is therefore particularly important for travel advisors to remain aware of and communicate the reality of travel as formal restrictions give way to the desire for “normality.” This is especially true for all clients in these vulnerable groups. Wearing masks and social distancing is “out”.
There is more. On top of the mask/no mask/vulnerability issue, recent developments have added another sensitive touchpoint for travel advisors. Regardless of your beliefs on climate change, the news of the current weather affecting the UK, among many other globally spread destinations, is cause for serious concern for many travellers. Among the many articles on the subject, this one describes the spread and the danger well.
Serious threats from high ambient heat can affect even young and healthy individuals if they have failed to hydrate and take other precautions. Many travelers may not be aware of their vulnerability or will not take the risk seriously. Even Amtrak is reporting heat-related impacts on the train service between New York and Philadelphia.
It seems a little crazy, but a related risk is the risk of wildfires that have occurred around Europe. For travelers going into the countryside or forested areas, it is entirely appropriate, and probably wisest, for travel advisors to make them aware of the dangers. As with previous days when terrorist threats seemed higher, travelers should have a plan of action if unexpected threats arise.
It is difficult to be aware of the greater risks for some travelers because it can necessitate matters that many people consider very personal and private. However, advisors can inform travelers of essential risk-related information without intruding on private health information. You just want to make sure the reality of the travel environment is understood. You do not need to know the details of the client’s health situation. Keep a record of what you told each client. As always, memories can be short when trouble strikes the unprepared.
Finally, to clear up a common misconception about health information. During the height of the pandemic, it was common to see people making many erroneous claims about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA. You can see a good summary of HIPAA here.
The bottom line is that HIPAA does not prevent a travel advisor from asking for health information, although for obvious reasons great care should be taken when doing so. HIPPA also does not prevent individuals from voluntarily disclosing personal health information if they choose to do so.
The bottom line: reveal the reality of travel conditions as best as can be determined and let the customer decide what to do. You don’t have to paint an apocalyptic picture. Simply provide relevant information about the conditions that the traveler should be prepared for given current conditions. Be helpful but not pushy.
