NEW Border Rules Begin Today, June 1, 2009

Headed to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean?

Here's a tip: Take your passport to avoid a headache coming home. New Border rules require you to have a passport or passport card to enter the US.

Receive up to date and useful country, city, security and health profiles when you purchase a Global Citizen, Travel Gap or Trip Protector international travel insurance policies.

CDC Travel Health Warning for Novel H1N1 Flu in Mexico Removed

CDC’s Travel Health Warning recommending against non-essential travel to Mexico, in effect since April 27, 2009, has now been downgraded to a Travel Health Precaution for Mexico.

Visit www.CDC.gov for more information regarding H1N1 Swine Flu travel warnings.

Border crossings ready for new rules

A new initiative requires everyone entering the country to have specialized documents that prove who they are and where they're ... Read More

It sounds like this will affect travelers crossing the Mexico and Canadian borders. We'll see if it causes longer border crossing wait times or if the new identification system will make crossing more efficient.

If you need more information regarding Visa and ID requirements, then please contact us at info@globalcitizeninsurance.com

Keeping Kids Healthy Away From Home

Sure the swine flu news is making us nervous — very nervous — just when millions of us are planning our much-needed summer vacations. But that doesn’t mean we should grab the kids and huddle under the covers.

We just have to plan — and travel — smart. So far more than 90 cases have been reported in the United States with the first U.S. death reported Wednesday. The World Health Organization, which has upgraded the influenza alert level, says that given the widespread presence of the virus, current focus should be on “mitigation measures” and urges those who are ill to delay international travel and for those developing symptoms after an international trip to seek medical attention.

Of course, if we are smart, we’re going to avoid “nonessential travel” to Mexico, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has now recommended. (For the latest information, visit www.cdc.gov/travel.)

No need to panic if you have already booked a trip to Mexico. The airlines are waiving change fees and cruise lines are temporarily diverting ships. You should be able to either reschedule or get a refund without penalty for your hotel too.

With every resort offering incredible deals this summer, you shouldn’t have trouble finding an alternate destination for some fun in the sun with the kids.

At the same time, it’s unclear if everyone is heeding the advice of health experts. Tim Smith, spokesman for American Airlines, says the airline is continuing to operate its normal schedule of 42 daily flights to Mexico. “No agency has asked us to reduce our schedule, though we obviously will continue to monitor demand.” Smith noted that the volume of calls from customers seeking to change their Mexico itineraries has been far less than during a severe weather event.

The most important thing, of course, is to do all you can to keep the gang healthy wherever you’re going.

“Watch the news, since swine flu is an international problem affecting numerous countries,” urges Dr. David Tayloe, the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (http://www.aap.org/), who has traveled widely with his own four children. Strict hand washing — for at least a minute — is key, Dr. Tayloe adds. “Bring hand sanitizer,” adds Atlanta pediatrician and parenting author Dr. Jennifer Shu, editor of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ book on baby and child health. “Teach kids not to touch their faces and avoid sick people.” “The goal is to avoid crowds and close contact,” says Dr. Meg Fisher, the chairman of the department of pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center and an infectious
disease expert for the Academy of Pediatrics.

If you are flying, use common sense — keep your distance from people who are coughing, sneezing or who appear ill. Check out the Plane Clean Air Filter, a compact gadget that attaches to the passenger’s overhead nozzle that promises to remove viruses and bacteria from the air stream.

At present, the use of masks in airports and other crowded places is not recommended, says Dr. William Schaffner, chief of preventive medicine at
Vanderbilt Medical Center and spokesman for the Infectious Diseases Society of
America. “A sick person could use the mask to reduce the risk of infecting
others,” he explains. “It is unclear whether the use of such surgical masks will
help prevent a person from acquiring infection from others.”

Also, to provide any protection, masks must be used properly. They must cover both the mouth and nose. According to Dr. Fisher, however, young children will probably not take kindly to wearing masks. Adults either, she notes, as many find them uncomfortable.” (via http://www.cnn.com/) by Eileen Ogintz

Now let's take a deep breath and not panic. If you are concerned about getting ill, then let our Travel Gap travel medical insurance plan give you PEACE OF MIND. Receive current travel alerts for your destination and when you travel, know that you have access to quality medical care with a quick telephone call.

Combating Swine Flu: Global Citizen Insurance Offers Tips to Travelers

Over one million American businesspeople, expatriates, students studying abroad and vacationers are already in Mexico. For those travelers, the Global Citizen Insurance offers five basic tips:

Do your homework. Smart travelers should take time to understand the nature of Swine Flu, including its symptoms and transmission. (READ MORE)

Know the hospital emergency rooms in your destination. This is a step that people rarely take the time to consider, but understanding the local healthcare landscape in a city such as Mexico City can be important, especially in an emergency. As a client you have online and mobile resoureces to identify reliable emergency rooms throughout Mexico and in Mexico City neighborhoods typically frequented by U.S. visitors. You don’t want to rely on the hotel concierge for a recommendation on a good doctor or hospital.

Understand what medications are needed. Tamiflu® or Relenza® are the drugs of choice. Tamiflu is not available commercially but has been stockpiled by the government in adequate supplies and is being dispensed via large hospitals. Relenza has been commercially available in Mexico but demand may exceed supply. As a Global Citizen International Health Insurance client you have access to drug translations and interpreters via mobile device, web or 24 hour telephone asssitance.

Know the language, at least a little bit. In an emergency situation, a language barrier can be tragic. If you don’t speak the local language, have a translation tool or resource with you.
Don’t panic. The outbreak of Swine Flu has garnered international media attention. Even though the Centers for Disease Control have advised against non-essential travel to Mexico, stay informed and keep you perspective – you might not have to cancel that trip just yet. Sign up for travel alerts, they can be sent via email or SMS Text Message.

“Knowledge is the great equalizer; everyone who is traveling to Mexico City should immerse themselves in facts and not simply listen to the rumors,” said Angelo Masciantonio, director and CEO, HTH Worldwide. “There are numerous technologies and tools that will help you remain informed about the true nature of this outbreak. If a traveler does encounter swine flu or other issues while abroad, it’s critical that they receive high quality healthcare,

Remember as a Global Citizen Insurance client you have access to a global network of more than 5,000 hospitals and English-speaking doctors in 180 countries. This network includes twenty-one hospitals and 84 doctors in Mexico City alone.