Coronavirus Causes Travel Dip But No Cancellations In Tampa Bay

TALLAHASSEE, FL — An elderly man from Santa Rosa County in the Panhandle has contracted the fourth case of coronavirus reported in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday.

The man, who is in his 70s, tested “presumptive positive" for the virus. The man has traveled internationally and has "severe underlying conditions" that would make him susceptible to a virus, according to DeSantis.

“He’s not in shape to fully answer all the questions, so there is an investigation ongoing,” DeSantis said.

He said five other Floridians who traveled to China, the source of the coronavirus, have been isolated in other states after being detained by federal officials upon their return.

“They’re not going to be released from quarantine until they test negative, so we don’t anticipate that having impact on the people in Florida,” DeSantis said.

Another 69 tests of Florida residents are pending and the Florida Department of Health is monitoring 248 people in all. Thirty-one people have received negative test results.

DeSantis said the lag time in getting test results is due to a delay by the federal government in shipping testing kits and the fact that there are only three labs — in Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville — that can perform the tests.

So far, the state has identified one other case and two presumptive positive cases of coronavirus in Florida residents, including a Hillsborough County woman in her early 20s who traveled to northern Italy. Another woman who traveled with her and passed through Tampa International Airport on her way home also tested positive. Both women remain in isolation. The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County has also quarantined six of the women’s close contacts.

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Despite issuing an executive order Monday directing the state health officer to declare a public health emergency, DeSantis maintained that the risk of contracting the virus remains low.

“I have been working with federal partners and our Department of Health to ensure that communities are ready to handle the challenges presented by COVID-19," he said. "The dedicated professionals at our county health departments, as well as those working at local medical providers, are well-equipped to address these and future cases. State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees has taken appropriate, decisive action to help affect the best possible outcomes, and I will continue directing our state agencies to do whatever is necessary to prioritize the health and well-being of Florida residents.”

Travel Concerns

As of now, Port Tampa, the largest port in the state and a major cruise line terminal, has not canceled any cruises due to the virus.

"Well before the presumed confirmed positive case of COVID-19 in Hillsborough County, each cruise line implemented procedures for monitoring passengers and reducing risk," said Lisa Wolf-Chason, director of communications for Port Tampa Bay. "Screenings will continue to ensure passenger well-being and safety. The screening process has been smooth and wait times have not been impacted. There are no plans to close Port Tampa Bay and cruise and cargo operations will continue, as usual.

As the U.S. restricts inbound travel from China, Tampa International Airport officials say they are staying in close contact with the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to make sure they have the latest updates on the spread of the virus and any potential impacts to the area.

Officials said the airport is also working closely with its employees, tenants and airline partners to reduce the risk including stepping up cleaning and sanitation efforts, particularly in all high-traffic, high-touch areas. The airport has also placed additional hand sanitizers the facilities.

At this time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health has deemed the airport a “low risk” of passing or spreading the coronavirus and airport officials said passengers should not expect any delays or procedural changes.

The CDC and U.S. Department of State websites are providing travelers with updates and advisories.

The Leading Travel Index, the predictive component of the U.S. Travel Association's Travel Trends Index, projects international inbound travel to the U.S. to fall 6 percent over the next three months as the coronavirus outbreak continues to impact the global economy.

The 6 percent drop compared to travel in 2019 is the sharpest in the five-year history of TTI and represents the largest decline in international inbound travel since the 2007-08 financial crisis.

"There is a lot of uncertainty around coronavirus, and it is pretty clear that it is having an effect on travel demand—not just from China, and not just internationally, but for domestic business and leisure travel as well," said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow.

"A big part of the coronavirus narrative is about whether it's safe to travel," Dow said. "But it's important to keep in mind that the restrictions and warnings are highly specific to countries where there have been pronounced outbreaks. Right now there is absolutely no official guidance that people need to be reconsidering travel in the U.S."

This is bad news for Tampa Bay businesses, which are anticipating a throng of visitors during spring break and for several major upcoming events including Major League Baseball, spring training games, the Firestone Grand Prix in St. Petersburg March 13-15, the 36th annual WrestleMania in Tampa April 5, the PGA Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Golf Club in Palm Harbor March 15-23, the Tampa Bay Blues Festival April 3-5 and the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival in Clearwater April 10-26.

Dow said people shouldn't allow fears about the virus to change their plans to travel within the United States.

"Obviously, the traveling public should be exercising caution just as they would for the average flu season," Dow said. "But for the many of us who have upcoming plans to attend a convention or meeting or go on a family vacation, public health officials have repeatedly said there is no cause to alter those U.S.-based plans at the moment."