Coronavirus update: Increased travel restrictions, mandatory quarantine and the latest reactions

Each day new information becomes available regarding the new Novel Wuhan Coronavirus and new measures are being taken to avoid a global epidemic. The latest information as of 5pm CST January 31:

•  The World Health Organization (WHO) declares global health emergency
• Singapore and Pakistan banned all travelers who have visited mainland China.
• Countries across the world have stepped up efforts to evacuate citizens from China
• Russia and UK report first cases and Thailand reported first person-to-person transmission
• There have been 9,800 cases in Wuhan surpassing SARS outbreak in 2003
• 7th case confirmed in U.S
• The U.S. declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency.
• U.S. banned foreign nationals returning to the U.S. from China: Any foreign national who has traveled within China in the last 14 days and aren't immediate family members of U.S. citizens or permanent residents will not be allowed to enter the United States, according to a proclamation from President Trump. 
• The U.S. embassy and consulates in China are canceling all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments the week of Feb. 3.
• Quarantine: Anyone traveling into the U.S. who has been in China's Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak, in the last two weeks will be quarantined for two weeks, and anyone traveling to the U.S. from elsewhere in China will have to undergo two weeks of self-monitored quarantine. This is the first government ordered quarantine in 50 years.
• All incoming flights from China will be restricted to seven airports to consolidate passenger screening and evaluation: John F. Kennedy International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.
• The policies will take effect Sunday, February 2nd at 5PM ET.
• American, Delta and United Airlines suspended flights to and from China. The State Department has warned Americans to avoid all travel to China due to the "rapidly spreading" outbreak.

Here are a few actions global mobility teams can consider:

• Keep hiring managers and recruiters educated on travel restrictions and delays in visa processing and the impact on their expatriate assignments and relocations, particularly those that have employees and activities in the areas where the virus is most active. Help managers and mobile talent scheduled to head to the APAC region to develop new/revised timelines and be prepared to continue to adjust activities based on updated information.
• Consider delaying start dates into and out of the APAC region.  Many are using February 10 as a possible new date for rescheduled start dates, but because the situation has changed each day, effort will need to be made to monitor and re-evaluate as that date approaches.
• Understand there may be many unique situations and that the normal approach to exceptions may need to be reconsidered.
• Allow those on home leave that would be returning to the APAC region to delay their return.
• Create an email alias to funnel requests to a team (internal and vendor partners like your RMC/global emergency provider) that can respond quickly to the needs and questions of mobile employees.
• Implement (even more) flexible working arrangement plans in the APAC region.
• Reinforce good hygiene: Stock up and provide hygiene materials at work – disinfectants, paper towels, hand sanitizers, alcohol wipes, gloves, no-touch thermometers, maybe even masks.
• Work with internal resources to consider increasing the cleaning (disinfecting) schedule of offices in the region.
• Start having conversations about the “what ifs” with the novel coronavirus, particularly with local offices that may later be more impacted by the spread of the virus. Develop a response plan and share with those offices.

Lastly, as we move forward to support people that are experiencing stress and anxiety, Psychology Today reminds us that it is important to put the risk into perspective. "The Coronavirus does not appear any worse than the annual flu.  The key difference is that there is no vaccine, and one will likely take months to develop...It’s frightening to watch the news reports of health officials in China wearing rubber gloves, surgical masks, goggles, and hazmat suits as they treat patients. But these images need to be tempered with reality." Seek and share quality trusted information and make yourself available to people to talk through their feelings.

We will continue monitoring the situation and share ongoing updates. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns directly at ConsultingServices@plusrelocation.com

Additional resources:

• The State Department issued the travel advisory
• Trump imposes travel restrictions, mandatory quarantines over coronavirus outbreak
• U.S. declares public health emergency over coronavirus
• How is the new Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) impacting mobile employees and global mobility programs?