Norway: Norwegian Air cancels flights between Europe and US cities March 5 /update 1

Event

Norwegian Air announced on Thursday, March 5, that it will be canceling 22 flights between Europe and several US cities from Saturday, March 28 to Tuesday, May 5, due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The main routes affected by the cancellations are between Rome, Los Angeles, Boston, and New York, as well as reduced services between London and New York.

Separately, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has continued to suspend flights to Northern Italy and China amidst lower demand as of Tuesday, March 3.

As of Thursday, March 5, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) has confirmed 56 cases of the virus in the country. None of the affected individuals are seriously ill and have all been placed under home quarantine.

Further international spread of the virus is expected in the coming days and weeks.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On February 28, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the risk of spread and the risk of impact of the virus is "very high" at the global level.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Potentially impacted travelers are advised to monitor the situation, confirm travel itineraries, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments. To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures: 

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands. 
• If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider.

In the case that symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness emerge either during or after travel, travelers are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their health care provider. Travelers returning from China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran who develop symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.