COVID-19 updates


STATEMENT FROM Global Travel Plus

To our valued Customers:
 
Your safety and well-being is always our priority. During this pandemic, our global team is engaged to continually assess and monitor its impact, to be available as a trusted resource and to continue to deliver global emergency assistance services to the customers who find themselves away from home.

Global Travel Plus is closely monitoring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization’s (WHO) statements regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and is following guidelines set forth by these agencies as well as other health agencies worldwide.

To assist customers directly or indirectly affected by the pandemic, Global Travel Plus has adapted its global emergency assistance offering and provides the following services and resources:  
 
  • Access to 24/7 Operations Center: Global Travel Plus’ 24/7 Operations Center remains fully operational and is available to service you if you face a medical or non-medical emergency while away from home.
  • Testing Site Referral: Our Operations Center is staffed by trained, multilingual assistance personnel who can locate testing facilities near your location. Access to testing facilities will vary by location, provider and assessment of symptoms, pre-existing conditions and exposure to the virus.
  • Medical Monitoring: If you have COVID-19, Global Travel Plus will monitor your medical condition through the quarantine process and liaise with your health insurance.
  • Prescription Assistance: If you are running out of medication, Global Travel Plus can help refill the prescription by contacting your doctor and sourcing the prescription at a pharmacy you’re your location. 
  • Return of Mortal Remains: If a customer passes away while away from home, we will provide guidance to the family and arrange and pay for the required documents, remains preparation and transport to bring the remains to a funeral home near the customer's place of residence. Our assistance coordinators are trained to follow the requirements and instructions set forth by local authorities and the CDC. Transportation time may vary depending on current COVID-19 travel restrictions and bans.
  • Stranded Traveler Assistance: If you become stranded while traveling due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, our experienced travel assistance coordinators will help you make travel arrangements to return home, when legally permissible.
  • Dedicated COVID-19 Webpage: Global Travel Plus has implemented a dedicated COVID-19 landing page, available on our website and Mobile App. From health and prevention tips, to best practices videos, latest news and a map of COVID-19 testing sites in the U.S., the page is intended to be a go-to resource to learn more about the virus.
The full description of our services is available at www.globaltravelplus.com/ServicesPlease contact our operations center for further information using our Mobile App for iPhone and Android or via phone at +1 (609) 986-1212.

Sincerely,
Your Global Travel Plus Team
 

Our Team will regularly update the documents below and make other helpful materials available as needed: 

COVID-19 Symptoms & Prevention Measures

COVID-19 Quarantine Tips

 

FDA authorizes booster dose of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine for people 65 and older
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/22/health/fda-authorizes-covid-booster-bn/index.html
The US Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday it would grant emergency use authorization for a booster dose of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine in people 65 and older, people at high risk of severe disease and people whose jobs put them at risk of infection.

European Travel Restrictions: Country by Country Guide
https://www.travelpulse.com/gallery/impacting-travel/european-travel-restrictions-country-by-country-guide.html?image=1
Here's a comprehensive list of all of the countries in Europe and their current travel restrictions and entry requirements. As always, make sure to visit the State Department at travel.state.gov to learn more about country-specific safety and entry information.

CDC Increases Travel Advisory for Two Popular Cruise Destinations
https://www.cruisehive.com/cdc-increases-travel-advisory-for-two-popular-cruise-destinations/55154
The CDC has made several changes to its travel advisories over the last few days, including those regarding the two popular cruise destinations of the Bahamas and St. Maarten. Both now have a rating from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of Level 4: Very High Level of COVID-19.

I went on Royal Caribbean's 7-Day Vaccinated Cruise to the Bahamas
https://www.businessinsider.com/royal-caribbean-vaccinated-cruise-safe-pandemic-hurt-tourism-2021-7
I went on Royal Caribbean's 7-day cruise to the Bahamas. I felt completely safe, but my heart broke seeing how hurt the tourism industry is.

Olympics will ban spectators after Japan declares state of emergency
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/08/japan-olympics-committee-bans-spectators-following-state-of-emergency.html
Olympics organizers are banning all spectators from the games this year after Japan declared a state of emergency that’s meant to curb a wave of new Covid-19 infections.

TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. Clear
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/tsa-precheck-vs-global-entry-vs-clear-airport-security/?ftag=CAD-03-10abf2a
Planning a post-pandemic vacation? Learn how these three programs can help you avoid long lines at airport security.

Air Travel Returns To 75% Of Pre-Pandemic Levels Over Memorial Day Weekend
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/06/01/memorial-day-weekend-travel-returns-to-nearly-75-of-pre-pandemic-level
A sign of the country’s steps toward normalcy, air travel reached a new pandemic record over the Memorial Day weekend, according to data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), with the surge of Americans taking to the skies for the holiday closing in on pre-coronavirus levels.

What you should know about getting the COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant
https://www.cnet.com/health/getting-covid-vaccine-while-pregnant/
Early research shows it might protect both you and your baby. We talked to an expert about the benefits and risks.

How to Carry Your Vaccination Card on Your Phone
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-carry-your-vaccination-card-on-your-phone?utm_source=edit&utm_medium=notification
With mask restrictions changing, you might have to pull out proof of vaccination. But the official vaccine card doesn't fit easily in a wallet. Here's how to keep it handy on your phone.

COVID-19 vaccine boosters might be needed before the year's end
https://www.cnet.com/health/covid-19-vaccine-boosters-might-be-needed-before-the-years-end/
The CEOs of Moderna and Pfizer are talking about September for some people.

Masks are still required for now when traveling, CDC director says
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-pandemic-vaccine-updates-05-13-21/h_ea5ce524b8cb5292d820dcd4b02d6de3
"Right now, we still have the requirement to wear masks when you travel on buses, trains and other forms of public transportation ... as well as airports and stations," Dr. Rochelle Walensky said.

Vaccinated people don't need masks indoors, says CDC
https://www.cnet.com/health/16-important-dos-and-donts-for-getting-your-covid-19-vaccine/?ftag=CAD-03-10acb0d
The agency also updated its outdoor guidance for fully vaccinated Americans, stating it's safe even in crowded outdoor settings.

16 important do's and don'ts for getting your COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.cnet.com/health/16-important-dos-and-donts-for-getting-your-covid-19-vaccine/?ftag=CAD-03-10acb0d
How to be a rockstar at your upcoming coronavirus vaccination appointment.

US FDA authorizes Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine for use in people ages 12 to 15
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/10/health/pfizer-vaccine-eua-12-15-teens/index.html
This is the first Covid-19 vaccine in the United States authorized for use in younger teens and adolescents; the vaccine had previously been authorized for people age 16 and older. Covid-19 vaccines from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are authorized for use in people age 18 and older.

What to do if you lose your vaccination card
https://www.cnet.com/health/dont-lose-your-covid-19-vaccine-card-youll-need-it-in-these-situations/
If something happens to your vaccine card or you lose it, you should first contact the site where you were vaccinated and ask for a replacement. Wherever you were vaccinated -- even if it's a pharmacy or drive-thru vaccination site -- will have your records on file. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends reaching out to your state's immunization information system if you're having trouble getting a replacement card.

Pfizer seeks full FDA approval of COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.cnet.com/health/pfizer-pushes-for-full-fda-approval-of-covid-19-vaccine/
It's currently being administered in the US under an emergency use authorization.

Why it's important to get the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.cnet.com/health/why-its-important-to-get-the-second-dose-of-the-covid-19-vaccine/
Experts explain why, exactly, it's important to got both doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

CDC issues new outdoor mask guidance for fully vaccinated people
https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/27/health/cdc-mask-guidance-fully-vaccinated-bn/index.html
Fully vaccinated people can now unmask at small outdoor gatherings, or when dining outside with friends from multiple households. The CDC is telling unvaccinated people that they still need to wear a mask at such gatherings.

How to Protect Your COVID-19 Vaccination Card, and Where to Use It
https://www.consumerreports.org/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination-card-how-to-protect-where-to-use/
Paper cards are being supplemented by digital records, but laminating your card is still a good idea.

The Weirdest “Side Effect” of the Coronavirus Vaccine
https://slate.com/human-interest/2021/03/vaccine-side-effects-modern-coronavirus-guilt.html
I was assigned a nurse, who poked me in the shoulder and gave me a vaccine swag bag, with information on how to report significant side effects and a sticker that said “I Got the Shot!” Suddenly, I had my first of two doses of the Moderna shot, and I was one step closer to putting COVID behind me forever.

Why COVID-19 Is Surging In New Jersey But Flat In New York
https://gothamist.com/news/why-covid-19-surging-new-jersey-flat-new-york   
This rate and the pace of COVID deaths in the Big Apple continue to decline, though some elected officials and public health experts worry the variants may stymie this progress as businesses reopen in April.

Fearmongering Vaccine Stories Go Viral Online
https://www.npr.org/2021/03/25/980035707/lying-through-truth-misleading-facts-fuel-vaccine-misinformation  
The odds of dying after getting a COVID-19 vaccine are virtually nonexistent. According to recent data from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, you're three times more likely to get struck by lightning. But you might not know that from looking at your social media feed.

Hang on to that COVID-19 vaccination card -- it’s important
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/hang-covid-19-vaccination-card-important/story?id=76606459  
Photos that display the COVID-19 vaccination card like a badge of honor have been making the rounds on social media for months, but the card is more than fodder for selfies, it could be your ticket to freedom in the coming months -- so it should be protected as such.

How Iceland clamped down to conquer coronavirus
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56412790    
Yes, Iceland is a remote island in the North Atlantic, with just one international airport. And yes, it is home to fewer than half a million people. So it would be fair to assume that it has luck to thank for becoming the first country in Europe to virtually rid itself of Covid.

The U.S. Is Edging Toward Normal, Alarming Some Officials
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/03/01/world/covid-19-coronavirus  
Across the country, the first day of March brought a wave of reopening and liftings of pandemic restrictions, signs that more Americans were tentatively emerging from months of isolation, even if not everyone agrees that the time is ripe.

The Covid-19 Baby Bust Is Here
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-covid-19-baby-bust-is-here-11614853803  
A combination of health and economic crises is prompting many people to delay or abandon plans to have children. Demographers warn the dip is unlikely to be temporary, especially if the pandemic and its economic consequences drag on.

EU regulator reviewing Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.foxnews.com/health/european-regulator-reviewing-russias-covid-19-vaccine
Europe’s regulatory agency on Thursday announced it started a rolling review of Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine ahead of a submitted application. The review was spurred by data from laboratory and clinical studies, which found the vaccine induced an immune response against the virus, which could help protect against disease.

Covid-19 Vaccine Is Found Effective, Boosting National Efforts
https://www.wsj.com/articles/indias-covid-19-vaccine-is-found-effective-boosting-national-efforts-11614787370
India’s Bharat Biotech said its Covid-19 vaccine has proved 81% effective at protecting people in a large clinical trial, a report that could invigorate India’s inoculation drive and vaccine-diplomacy efforts.

COVID-19: 5 blood proteins predict critical illness and death
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-5-blood-proteins-predict-critical-illness-and-death   
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 81% of people with COVID-19 develop only mild or moderate symptoms. In a new study, researchers at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, CT, showed that levels of five protein biomarkers in the blood of COVID-19 patients in the hospital strongly predict who will become critically ill.

Texas becomes biggest US state to lift COVID-19 mask mandate
https://newjersey.news12.com/texas-becomes-biggest-us-state-to-lift-covid-19-mask-mandate  
Texas is lifting its mask mandate, making it the largest state to end an order intended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus that has killed more than 42,000 Texans. The Republican governor has faced sharp criticism from his party over the mandate, which was imposed eight months ago, and other COVID-19 restrictions.

Biden says US will have vaccines for every American adult by end of May
https://www.cnet.com/health/biden-says-us-will-have-vaccines-for-every-american-adult-by-end-of-may/   
The US is now on track to have enough doses of COVID-19 vaccine for every adult in America by the end of May, President Joe Biden said Tuesday. The news advances the administration's previous goal of obtaining enough vaccine supply for all Americans by the end of July.

Covid vaccine: Germany urged to back AstraZeneca jab for over-65s
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56227171    
In a BBC interview, Carsten Watzl, head of the German Society for Immunology, predicted regulators would have to reverse their decision to not recommend the jab for older people. He urged Angela Merkel to have the vaccine live on TV to prove it is safe. Germany's vaccine commission is currently reviewing its recommendation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides updated information as it becomes available regarding health and travel during the Coronavirus pandemic. Find more information at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

World Health Organization has an emergency page dedicated to the Coronavirus disease and updated information about public health measures. Read more: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019.

John Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering are tracking the COVID-19 spread in real-time on their interactive dashboard with data available for download and to view on desktop or mobile. View their interactive map at: https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is an agency of the European Union that strengthens Europe’s defense against infectious diseases and provides many updates about the spread of COVID-19: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/rapid-risk-assessment-novel-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-pandemic-increased.

The Department of Health from the Republic of Philippines advises about coronavirus cases in the country and has daily updates about the cases: https://www.doh.gov.ph/2019-nCoV.

Government of Canada has a disease and conditions page dedicated to the Coronavirus disease and shares advice on preventative measures: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html/.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India has regular travel advisories and updates the number of people they have screened for the virus: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/.

United States Department of Health also offers valuable advice and updated information about the novel coronavirus: https://www.state.gov/coronavirus/.