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How airlines clean airplanes | CNN Travel

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But airplanes are still flying, and travelers still traveling, albeit with extra bottles of hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes in carry-ons.Still, as you board the aircraft and sit in your seat, you might find yourself reconsidering inflight hygiene — and wondering just how thoroughly the aircraft’s actually been cleaned before you boarded.CNN Travel spoke to airlines, airplane companies and medical experts to find out what’s been done to ensure you’re flying in as hygienic an environment as possible, and what passengers can do for extra reassurance.Normal cleaning procedure Christian Rooney is the manager of JetWash Aero, a specialist aviation cleaning company based in the UK that’s tasked with turning around aircraft between flights.Rooney tells CNN Travel that the cleaning process varies depending on the schedule of the aircraft in question.When aircraft downtime is very limited, some of what Rooney calls the “very straightforward cleaning,” such as removing old newspapers and passenger trash, will be done by the cabin crew at the end of the previous flight.”A basic but more thorough cabin clean is usually carried out at night — or when there is more downtime — and it includes the cleaning of toilets, wiping down and disinfecting of trays, cleaning galleys, [overhead bins], seats etc. This may take up to an hour or longer,” explains Rooney.”An airline will also always schedule a ‘deep interior clean’ every month or six weeks. This clean takes several hours and is extremely thorough.”Cleaning products and disinfectants are approved by aircraft manufacturers, says Rooney.”Some of the disinfectants we use are effective against a wide range of pathogens and are known to inactivate complex viruses with similar properties to SARS, E. coli, avian flu, MRSA etc,” he adds.These offer antimicrobial protection for up to 10 days, he says.Stephanie Biron, a recently retired flight attendant who used to work for American Airlines, tells CNN Travel that, in her experience, standards of aircraft cleaning would vary.”A lot of times you come on and it’s not terribly satisfactory, but you have to rely on the individuals doing their jobs, because that’s what they’ve been paid to do,” she says.”Sometimes you come on and you have to go out and tell the agent, ‘look, the plane looks terrible. We need somebody to come on and redo it.’ It just varies all the time. Sometimes you come on in the morning and they deep cleaned the whole thing, or at least they told you they have.”On January 20, a masked traveler arrives in Kiev after flying in from China. SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty ImagesPassenger personal hygieneSome airlines have requested additional measures due to the current climate, says Rooney.”We have seen an uptick in the requirements and levels of disinfection, spraying and fumigation of the cabin, as the airlines look to address concerns over the coronavirus,” he explains.But Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of medicine in Vanderbilt University’s division of infectious diseases, says that he doesn’t think there’s much more carriers can do to prevent the spread of coronavirus.Because transmission most often occurs person to person, the inanimate environment of the airplane isn’t really the problem, says Schaffner.It’s still wise, he says, to wipe down surfaces — but ultimately it’s handwashing that is the most important preventative step.”Even if there is virus in the inanimate environment, it’s not going to jump off the seat and bite you in the ankle. You’ve got to touch it, and then touch your nose or your mouth,” Schaffner explains. “So it’s those hands we have that are the important intermediary — and that’s where I would put the emphasis. Use those wipes on your hands. That’s the important thing.”Dr Paulo Alves, who is currently attending IATA’s Aviation Resilience Health workshop in Singapore — which is working to address the overall impact of COVID-19 — agrees with Schaffner. “The most effective, simple measure vacationers should implement is to wash hands frequently with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, hand sanitizer should be used,” says Alves. “It seems reasonable to wipe the tray table surface, where it is more likely for droplets to land after someone coughs or sneezes. Travelers should maintain good personal hygiene on board flights, before flights and after flights and avoid touching their face.”Travel medicine specialist Richard Dawood agrees, and says this advice stretches to navigating airports too. “Remain aware of where your hands have been,” he says.Former flight attendant Biron also expresses concern not just for passengers — but for air crew. They’re just as likely to get sick, she points out, or feel pressured to still fly while unwell.Airlines for America, the aviation group that represents North American carriers, says airlines are working closely with federal authorities — and tells CNN Travel that the safety and security of passengers and crew “is — and always will be — the top priority of US carriers.””I really don’t think [airlines] can do very much. They might make the wipes more available to individuals,” says Schaffner.Airline responseAircraft are cleaned on the ground, between flights.Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesSo what are airlines doing differently right now?Brian Parrish, spokesman for Southwest Airlines, tells CNN Travel that Southwest aircraft undergo “regular cleanings between flights and a comprehensive cleaning when aircraft are parked overnight.””Our cleaning program includes the disinfecting of all hard surfaces within the cabin, as well as seat and carpet cleaning,” he says. “Southwest will continue to monitor and follow all guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization regarding the coronavirus and make any adjustments to our procedures, as necessary.”Curtis Blessing, an American Airlines spokesperson, echos Parrish.”Our aircraft, including lavatories, are cleaned on a regular basis, and the depth of the cleaning varies depending on turn times and type of flying,” he says. “Lavatories are cleaned, floors are spot cleaned and visible trash is removed from seat pockets on all flights.”Transcontinental, Hawaii and international flights see a deeper level of cleaning, Blessing adds.Meanwhile, a Qantas spokesperson tells CNN Travel that the airline adopts “the highest standard in cleaning and disinfecting our cabins, seats, galleys and washrooms.”The spokesperson also highlights the HEPA filters which are part of the air conditioning system. “These filters are used in hospital operating theaters, with air in the cabin replaced every three to five minutes. This provides much cleaner air than other public spaces like trains, restaurants, shopping centers and offices.”This echoes the official advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that, due to the way air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, “most viruses and other germs do not spread easily,” but that travelers are still advised to “avoid contact with sick passengers and wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that contains 60%-95% alcohol.”Delta says on its website that it’s been deploying a “fogging technique” since February, using “a highly effective, EPA-registered disinfectant.”Fogging is being used on all trans-Pacific Delta flights arriving into the US, with plans to expand those procedures to more inbound international flights, focusing on flights coming from places with reported coronavirus cases. Fogging has been taking place on all inbound Delta flights from Italy to New York-JFK and Atlanta since February 29.Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific tells CNN Travel that aircraft cabin cleaning is always carried out to “high standards” — but some extra precautions are currently in place.”Out of an abundance of caution, aircraft will be taken out of service to perform extensive additional deep cleaning and supplementary disinfection when a confirmed case of coronavirus has been identified,” says a Cathay Pacific spokesperson.”This includes the replacement of all seat covers, disinfection of all surfaces and galley equipment, detailed cleaning of the lavatories, disinfection of carpets, sterilization of the water system and replacement of air filters in addition to standard cleaning procedures.”Cathay Pacific has also temporarily suspended hot towels, pillows, blankets, magazines and in-flight duty-free on flights to and from destinations in mainland China.Still, Schaffner says panicked passengers shouldn’t feel they need to avoid using in-flight blankets or pillows if they are provided on their flight. There’s “no good data” to support the idea they’re responsible for transmission, he says.”It’s a consideration that comes logically to the mind, but it’s difficult to convince people that they’re really low risk. I always come back to the intermediate vehicle [which is] your hands. Do a lot of good hand-sanitizing.”Alves agrees, pointing out that viruses will be eliminated when blankets and pillows are washed. However, he does clarify that there are “knowledge gaps” about the COVID-19 virus and research is ongoing, so recommendations may change.Staying vigilantSo if you’re boarding a flight soon, stocking up on hand sanitizer is the best move. Is there anything else to be done?Schaffner notes that, from the passengers’ point of view, the ultimate way to avoid infections on aircraft is to stay home. “And there will come a time perhaps — and some of that is happening already — where we are being urged to social distance ourselves,” he says. “People are reconsidering whether they wish to fly at the moment.”Richard Dawood stresses the important of airlines following the CDC’s guidance, but he stresses that travelers should still make up their own mind on whether they should fly: “Perhaps the most important point to keep in mind is that not a single case of COVID-19 has yet been attributed to on-board transmission,” he says.CNN’s Katia Hetter, Channon Hodge and Marnie Hunter contributed to this report

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A woman almost got trampled when she tried to pet a moose in Colorado

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In the video, shot by professional photographer Anna Stonehouse, a woman walks up to a moose by the side of the road in Breckenridge. She reaches out to touch it while all around her, people shout warnings to run away. The moose turns around and tries to kick her.”I thought I was going to witness her getting stomped to death!” Stonehouse wrote on Facebook. When the unidentified woman finally left the moose alone, it wandered over to a bush to nibble some leaves in peace.The woman received a ticket for harassing wildlife, according to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Twitter account. “Oh, do we sound like a broken record? Sorry but we’re not sorry. LEAVE WILDLIFE WILD. DO NOT FEED OR PET,” the organization wrote.That guidance is especially important when it comes to moose.”Each year, more people are attacked by moose than by any other species of wildlife,” District Wildlife Manager Elissa Slezak said in a video on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.The agency explained that curious moose often visit mountain towns and suburbs in Colorado. While other animals typically run away when humans approach, moose will stand their ground and charge if they feel threatened. Especially if humans get in the way of a crunchy snack.

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Tourist attractions closed and events canceled amid coronavirus outbreak

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As the virus spreads around the world, infecting more than 89,000 people globally, major tourist attractions and events that draw visitors from all over the globe are feeling its effects. On March 1, the Louvre in Paris said it would not open that day or in the coming days following more than 100 confirmed cases of coronavirus in France. Staff from the world’s largest art museum met with the Exceptional Health, Safety and Working Conditions Committee on March 2 to discuss reopening.As new coronavirus cases are confirmed daily, more closures and cancellations are expected. For the most up-to-date information on the status of an attraction or event, check the institution’s or event’s main web page. AttractionsOne of South Korea’s most popular tourist attractions, Gyeongbokgung Palace, has suspended all official guided tours “until further notice,” according to the palace’s website. Self-guided tours, however, are permitted. In Milan, where travel in recent days has been restricted, the Milan Duomo reopened to tourists on March 2 “with programmed and organized access to avoid crowds of people.”But the Teatro alla Scala, a popular opera house in the city, has decided to extend its closure amid coronavirus concerns.The Tokyo Skytree, a popular spot for first-time visitors to Japan’s capital city, closed on March 1, with plans to reopen March 15 “out of consideration for the health and safety of our guests and associates,” according to the attraction’s website.Theme parksWhen Shanghai Disney closed on January 24, it did not offer any information on its plans to reopen. With the number of confirmed coronavirus cases — and deaths — higher in China than anywhere else, it’s unclear when Shanghai Disney will resume operations.The resort’s website states the theme park is in close contact with health officials and the local government and will announce the reopening date once they’ve been advised it’s safe to do so.Hong Kong Disneyland is also temporarily closed with no reopening date scheduled, as is the Ocean Park theme park and aquarium.Meanwhile, in Japan, where the outbreak has escalated in recent weeks, both Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea are closed and set to reopen March 16, and Universal Studios has announced it too will close its doors through March 15. Disney-themed parks aren’t the only ones impacting tourists’ travel plans. In Thailand, major theme park Legend Siam announced its closure starting March 3 due to a drop in visitors. If you have travel plans centered around visiting a theme park or resort area, check with the park for the latest information on operations.MuseumsSeveral museums in Milan, Venice and other areas in northern Italy were closed temporarily and will reopen with new safety measures. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, for example, will limit large group gatherings and is asking that visitors “respect the distance of at least one meter between one another.”Museums around China have been forced to temporarily close their doors due to the outbreak. In response, China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) has asked them to stay active on social media and offer their services digitally. These include Beijing’s Palace Museum in the Forbidden City, which has been closed since January 25.Several museums in Japan have temporarily shuttered amid the virus outbreak. The Mori Art Museum, National Museum of Modern Art and the Kyoto National Museum are among the closures, reports ARTnews.In South Korea, the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art are among the country’s national institutions closed until further notice.EventsOne of the world’s largest marathons, the Tokyo Marathon, went off with a major hitch on Sunday. An extremely limited field of elite runners was allowed to run the race as planned. Others were left scrambling to make different arrangements. Following suit, in accordance with the French government’s order that all public gatherings of more than 5,000 people be canceled, Paris announced cancellation of its annual winter half marathon. The 40,000-plus running event was supposed to take place on the city’s streets on March 1.So far, there are no plans to cancel the Olympic Games in Tokyo, which are due to begin on July 24.But Japan’s baseball season got off to a lackluster start with the Giants first two games played in an empty Tokyo Dome. Sumo wrestling is impacted as well. On Sunday, the Japan Sumo Association announced the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, a major event set to begin on March 8, will be held behind closed doors without spectators for the first time in history due to the outbreak. Several major cherry blossom festivals have also been canceled, including Tokyo’s Nakameguro Cherry Blossom Festival. The Thailand Grand Prix announced its postponement, and there’s speculation that the Vietnam Grand Prix will not go on as scheduled on April 5. No cultural corner is immune to the outbreak. Several musical artists have canceled tour dates in Asia, including BTS and Green Day. Green Day’s website indicates that the band plans to resume touring in Moscow this spring.As to whether you should cancel or keep any upcoming travel plans, it’s a personal calculation for each traveler.

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