Posted on March 18, 2020June 8, 2023 by guida Posted in Rail News Key notes: The recently implemented travel bans between US and Canada only bars non essential traffic. Business and trade will continue. COVID-19 can survive up to 28 days on surfaces. Use disinfectant to keep high traffic areas clean. Wash your hands often and avoid touching your face. Older populations are more at risk. The WHO have Declared the COVID-19 a Pandemic According to the latest John Hopkins report the total number of cases stand at 204,227. The virus has killed approximately 8,246 people while 82,091 have recovered. Countries with older populations, such as Italy, are more at risk. To combat the risk they have closed schools, restricted travel and ordered their citizens to remain at their homes. While some countries are being proactive, the WHO has been critical of the responses by other less proactive countries. Many have failed to inform their citizens of the virus or risks. Some avoided taking a proactive stance on containment. Several used the virus as a means to further their political agenda. “We don’t have any time. The numbers are showing that there has been a significant growth in infections, people in intensive care and deaths,” “Our habits have to change right now. We must give things up for Italy.” – Giuseppe Conte, Italian Prime Minister While the majority of the cases are still located in China, the COVID-19 has quickly made it’s way across borders and has made Europe the new epicenter for the virus. How long can the COVID-19 last on surfaces? Coronaviruses are known to be resilient and can survive on most surfaces anywhere from nine to twenty-eight days. To render them “inactive” it is recommended to wipe surfaces with disinfectants containing 62-71% ethanol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite. Since the COVID-19 is spread via droplets it is recommended to wash your hands and avoid touching your face. Incubation time, time before symptoms appear, can vary person to person but can be between two to ten days. North American Travel Restrictions United States of America A ban is in place for all foreign nationals from; Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom. The travel ban also affects anyone who has visited these countries within 14 days prior to their trip to the US. The exemptions are as follows; U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. Members of the U.S. armed forces, their spouses and children Foreign spouses and children of citizens and lawful permanent residents Foreign parents and legal guardians of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who is unmarried and under the age of 21 Unmarried foreign siblings of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents under the age of 21 Foster children or ward of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and prospective adoptees entering under IR-4 or IH-4 visas Air and sea crew members traveling as nonimmigrants on C-1, D cor C-1/D visas Diplomats and other foreign government officials, their spouses and children Foreigners traveling to the U.S. at the invitation of the government for a purpose related to the containment of the virus Canada Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister, announced that he was closing the country’s border to non citizens. In a joint agreement with the United States both countries will suspend non-essential travel. Despite this, business and trade will continue. “I don’t want to say that, but we are discussing things with Canada and we’re discussing things with Mexico, quite honestly, and again, the relationship is outstanding with both, outstanding. We just signed our deal, the USMCA, and the relationship is very strong.” – Donald J. Trump. POTUS Mexico At this time Mexico has no restrictions in place.
