MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) - Travelers making their way in and out of Miami International Airport are taking precautions amid new travel restrictions due to COVID-19.
Alitalia, an Italian based air carrier, have started taking precautionary measures and are prescreening all passengers traveling from Rome to MIA.
Over the weekend, the White House announced increased restrictions on international travel.
“We are urging Americans to not travel to the areas in Italy and the areas in South Korea that are most affected by the coronavirus,” said Vice President Mike Pence.
The travel advisory for Italy and South Korea has been increased to a level four, the highest level.
Starting Monday, foreign nationals will not be allowed to enter the U.S. if they have visited Iran in the last 14 days.
At least one regularly scheduled flight from MIA has been impacted by the new restrictions on Monday.
Passengers are being vigilant when it comes to protecting themselves against the coronavirus.
“I’m really afraid, because I think it’s spreading all around the world,” said Valeria Moreno Sobreno. “I took cover and everything just in case.”
“Truth is I wasn’t concerned at all, because I know the cases here are not out of control,” said Pablo Gallo. “This is my first time traveling with a mask just for prevention.”
Delta Airlines also announced the company would be canceling flights from New York to Milan due to COVID-19.
7News spoke with Marvin and Marsha Gallow after they flew into Miami International Airport from Italy, Saturday.
“All the same, I was glad to get out of there,” said Marvin.
The couple said they cut their vacation to Italy short and immediately drove from Milan to Rome to catch the first flight home once news of the virus spread.
“We were going to take trains and all that, and we went and got a rental car and drove straight south for six hours,” said Marvin.
“We didn’t get any refund on our flight. We had to buy a new one to get home,” said Marsha. “It’s like $1,300 a piece, one way.”
American Airlines also suspended their flights from MIA and John F. Kennedy International Airport to Milan due to “low demand.”
They are the latest of several airlines to suspend or cut back routes to the countries hit hardest by the virus.
Following the confirmation of two cases in Florida, Senator Rick Scott requested additional screenings at Florida’s international airports.
He said in part: “We have to do everything we can to prevent the virus from spreading in our state — and that starts with the thorough screening of travelers.”
Some travelers said they refuse to change their plans amid the outbreak.
“If I’m going to get sick, I’m going to get sick,” said one traveler.
“I have hand sanitizer with me. I have my mask in my bag. I watch what is happening around me,” said another traveler.
At MIA, additional screening is only being done for those returning from China.
Another big concern will be touching down at MIA soon. A big rush of air travelers are expected for the Ultra Music Festival.
The festival is set to be held in Downtown Miami and is only weeks away. Many aspects of how the festival and the city will prepare are still up in the air.
“We’re monitoring it on a day to day basis. Right now, we don’t have any cases in the city or in the county,” said Miami mayor Francis Suarez, “but what makes Ultra different, like I said, is that it is an event that brings people from across the world.”
Electric music fans from more than 100 countries are set to arrive for Ultra, and as the city and county brace for potential cases in South Florida, local leaders said they’re now working with Ultra organizers to prevent a potential outbreak, and the pressure is on.
“We have been preparing for this for approximately two months now,” said Miami Fire Rescue Chief Joseph Zahralban. “This is actually not the first emerging infectious disease that we have dealt with, and typically what we do is just modify those policies and procedures so they are adaptable to the specific virus.”
As the popular event nears, the mayor said, officials at all levels of government are taking steps to prevent people from high risk regions from attending the event.
“The airport and federal government are analyzing whether people can even travel from those countries,” said Suarez, “so respective of whether they have bought a ticket or whether they have any infectious condition or not, they may not be allowed to travel from that country.”
ESPN also released new guidelines for NBA players, and how they interact with fans at stadiums and arenas across the country. They advise players to offer fist bumps instead of high fives, and they do not want players to take basketballs and jerseys to sign autographs.
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