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17 Sep, 2020

Fodor’s and WebMD Launch E-book to Help Travelers Decide Whether, When, and Where to Travel in the Age of COVID-19

NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — As millions of people look forward to a return to travel, a new e-book, launched today from Fodor’s and WebMD, can help travelers navigate the ‘new normal’ in the age of Covid-19.

Fodor’s Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel: Practical Tips and Information for the Age of COVID-19 and Other Pandemics, written in collaboration with the medical experts at WebMD, provides information and tips on how best to safely and confidently travel when COVID-19 restrictions ease, and to assess travel with regard to other health issues that currently exist or may emerge in specific countries or regions.

Additionally, a new printable packing checklist can help people get ready for their trip. 

Click here for e-book:  http://www.fodors.com/safetravel

Click here for packing checklist: http://www.fodors.com/covidpacking

Regarding COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is still advising against all non-essential travel in the U.S., and both the CDC and the State Department recommend against all global travel.  International travelers may also be subject to additional requirements upon arrival, including mandatory testing and quarantine. 

Once restrictions are eased, people will still need to consider personal risks, the feasibility of a possible 14-day post-trip self-isolation or quarantine, and other factors that are likely to continue to define the ‘new normal’ of travel, including social distancing, face coverings, hand hygiene and other health practices.

“Millions of people, including so many of our readers, miss travel greatly and are longing to resume,” said Douglas Stallings, Print Editorial Director, Fodor’s.  “We want to support them in doing so safely and with confidence, using our travel insights and the health expertise from WebMD.” 

The e-book is rich in resources to guide travelers throughout the process:  From initial decision-making, to destination considerations, lodging and dining, how best to prepare and pack, and what to expect in different regions and countries. It will be updated as needed, as local and regional restrictions, requirements, and new insights on COVID-19 health guidance develop.

The publication also features reliable, science-based information on the virus, transmission, risk groups, and symptoms to watch for.

“While we are still learning about the virus, we do know that the older you are, the higher your risk. Anyone with certain health problems is also at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection,” said Michael Smith, MD, Chief Medical Director, WebMD.  “If you, someone you are traveling with, or someone you are visiting have any of these risk factors then you want to think carefully about whether to travel, and how to do it safely.”   

“Traveling is among life’s most rewarding and enjoyable activities,” said Stallings. “It opens us to new perspectives and ways of understanding our world.  While the ‘new normal’ may be somewhat challenging at first, we believe that travelers will adapt quickly, and we wrote our Guide to make that process easier.”