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Local travel agents seeing minimal travel cancellations due to coronavirus

Posted at 5:24 PM, Feb 25, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-28 20:53:45-05
Local travel agents seeing minimal travel cancellations due to coronavirus

According to San Luis Obispo County Public Health officials, there should be no reason to cancel travel plans to countries without any coronavirus alerts.

Health officials are encouraging travelers to continue with typical precautions like washing your hands and visiting your doctor before your trip to know what vaccines and medications are recommended.

While the Centers for Disease Control has issued various travel notices for countries like Iran, Italy, and Japan that are experiencing higher levels of coronavirus transmission, local travel agents say they're still busy.

"Of course they are calling with concerns and those concerns need to be addressed," said Bob Kocher, owner of In This Life Travel, LLC.

Local agents say the coronavirus has impacted travel plans for those who were visiting certain Asian countries but that alternative options are always available.

Kocher says now is a great time to book your next trip as prices are lower than usual.

"I've noticed prices dropping in air, cruises, and land packages which means they are enticing people that would be free to make the choice to go ahead and do this, not being so worried about the virus, to take advantage of the low rates," Kocher said.

Public health officials say people of all ages can be infected by the coronavirus, but the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, emphysema, diabetes, and heart disease are more susceptible.

The CDC is still recommending people avoid all non-essential travel to China and South Korea.