Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Kelly Fontenelle

Advising Clients in a Maskless Travel World

by Paul Ruden / April 20, 2022
Masks Not Required Airport Airplanes Travel

The new federal mask rules are now in effect. Photo: Shutterstock.com


By now everyone in travel is likely aware that a federal District Court has declared invalid the “mask mandate” for travel. While it remains possible that the Biden administration will appeal the decision, the briefing, argument, and opinion drafting will take considerable time. In the meantime, the District Court’s opinion stands, and travelers are no longer required to wear masks in airports and on aircraft.

This news will be welcomed by some and viewed with disdain by others. Some travelers may elect to cancel or defer their travel plans rather than take what they regard as unnecessary risks as COVID cases are now rising once again in many communities.

It also is possible that the new environment will change somewhat the questions that travelers have of their advisors. Before the decision, the question was “do I have to wear a mask?” and the correct answer was “yes.” Now travelers may expand the zone, so to speak, and start asking for more specific advice. If so, advisors need to be very careful about what they say. 

Travel advisors are not doctors or infectious disease experts and should avoid giving medical advice or risk-based advice about medical issues. On April 12, Dr. Leana Wen, a regular contributor to the Washington Post regarding COVID policy, argued against cities reinstating indoor mask mandates.

Her position was based on the fact that “Less than two months ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention laid out new masking recommendations that changed the primary measurement from cases to hospitalizations and hospital capacity.” That change was based in part on the effects of vaccination among the population and the availability of new treatments that have limited the harmful impacts of COVID-19 on many people.

At the same time, COVID remains a threat to some classes of people, particularly those with compromised immune systems or other particular vulnerabilities to COVID. The generally accepted path forward now is based on individual decision-making about risk tolerance. That is a uniquely individual decision and one on which travel advisors should not engage.

The best advice, I believe, is to tell inquiring travelers that, considering the reality that many, perhaps most, travelers around them will be unmasked, they must decide about their personal level of comfort in traveling in such an environment. That decision should be made in consultation with their medical advisor(s) and their families.

If the client has already booked travel and wants to defer in light of the new ruling, certainly the advisor should try to assist in making changes while being sure the client understands the risks, including that pricing may change. I would hope that the airlines and other travel suppliers who have been lobbying for this change in national health policy, will be flexible and understanding if some travelers are no longer comfortable with previously made arrangements. As in the past, always be alert, and advise accordingly, regarding the uncertainty that refunds will be forthcoming promptly, as they should if flight plans are canceled completely.

Finally, as indicated in Travel Market Report’s summary of airline announcements on April 18, international travel is still affected by the rules of other countries. The court decision, therefore, has probably complicated the state of things rather than simplifying it. Travel advisors will remain critically important counselors for consumers trying to navigate the changing state of affairs inspired by COVID.

  44
  2
explora
Related Articles
CDC Ups Dominican Republic COVID-19 Advisory to ‘High’
Two More Airlines Join TSA PreCheck
The TSA Hits Its Highest Checkpoint Volume Since February 2020
Bahamas Eliminates Travel Health Visa, But COVID Test Requirement Remains
Travel Advisors Breath Sigh of Relief over End of Inbound COVID-19 Testing
Japan Could Boot Tourists Who Disobey COVID-19 Rules
U.S. CDC Ups Monkeypox Alert to Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions
CDC Adds Three Caribbean Destinations to “High-Risk” COVID-19 List
The CDC Issues a Travel Warning for Monkeypox
The Bahamas is Now a “High” Risk Destination for COVID, According to the CDC

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand
  2. European Countries Will Soon Start Requiring Inbound Travelers Pay a Fee Prior to Travel
  3. Travel to Italy Is Officially Back to Normal
  4. Viking Drops Onboard & Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Testing
  5. Three Cruise Lines Bring Masks Back in Alaska
  6. How Travel Advisors Can Cope With Chaos in Air Travel

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. Travel to Italy Is Officially Back to Normal
  2. Report: U.S. to End COVID-19 Air Travel Testing Requirement
  3. European Countries Will Soon Start Requiring Inbound Travelers Pay a Fee Prior to Travel
  4. A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand
  5. Japan Could Boot Tourists Who Disobey COVID-19 Rules
  6. Viking Drops Onboard & Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Testing
explora
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

TMR Recommendations
Daniel Zim
Zim Travel Law, PLLC. Demystifying Complexity with Down to Earth Advice. Attorney Advertising.
hbar
Rodney Gould
Rodney E. Gould concentrates in travel and tour-operator litigation and regularly counsels travel-related entities worldwide.
hbar
Tom Carpenter
Carpenter Law Office - Representing clients in the travel and tourism industries. Attorney Advertising.
hbar
Top Stories
Headquarter Happenings: Travel Leaders Network Is Optimistic Amid Surging Demand, Tight Labor Market, Supply Issues
Headquarter Happenings: Travel Leaders Network Is Optimistic Amid Surging Demand, Tight Labor Market, Supply Issues

“It was that sense of relief and optimism and brighter days are here, and they’re only going to get brighter.”

Read...
How to Pick a Niche
How to Pick a Niche

"It’s a big world out there. If you’re not focused on a particular area of the world, a particular product or a particular hobby, you’re going to struggle.”

Read...
What You Need to Know About LGBTQ+ Travelers
What You Need to Know About LGBTQ+ Travelers

The LGBTQ+ travel market is a market the travel advisor community can’t afford to ignore.

Read...
Travel Advisors Discuss Challenges – and Solutions – at TMP East 2022
Travel Advisors Discuss Challenges – and Solutions – at TMP East 2022

Advisors traded challenges and solutions during a peer-to-peer session at TMP East in Toronto.

Read...
Staffing Remains the Biggest Issue for the Travel Industry
Staffing Remains the Biggest Issue for the Travel Industry

Almost every single service sector worldwide is struggling with staffing issues and the travel industry is no exception.

Read...
Marketing, Engagement, & Partnerships Lead Discussions as TMP East Opens
Marketing, Engagement, & Partnerships Lead Discussions as TMP East Opens

The two-day conference provides attendees a packed schedule of general sessions, TED-style talks, panel discussions, a packed trade show floor and more.

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
CP White Paper
Multi-Gen Outlook
Distribution Outlook (1)
New to Cruise Outlook
Expedition 2020
River Cruise Outlook 2019
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/H2Hju1tFuk0/0.jpg
Selling the Caribbean
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2022 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy