2019 Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year is a traditional holiday celebrated in China and other East Asian countries. The Lunar New Year celebration is known as well as the Spring Festival. It traditionally runs from Lunar New Year’s Eve through the Lantern Festival, for a period of approximately 14 days. See below the anticipated celebration dates for the next three years.

• 2019 Spring Festival – February 4 through February 10.  The Year of the Pig
• 2020 Spring Festival – January 24 through January 30.  The Year of the Rat.
• 2021 Spring Festival – February 11 through February 17.  The Year of the Ox.

If you will travel to celebrate the Lunar New Year, consider the following recommendations from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC and International Risk and Safety.

Research your destination

• Review country information for information on safety and security risks, passport, visa and vaccination requirements, local laws, money matters, and health, safety and security.  If not a U.S. citizen check directly with the country’s consulate in the U.S. for visa information.
• Monitor Travel Health Notices and review health information for health and medical risks.
• Review ISOS medical, travel, and road risk ratings.
• Learn about the Embassy of China (Washington, DC) Visa Application Center Holidays.

If traveling on behalf of UT Dallas, additionally:

• Request a trip review to obtain tailored safety and security advise for your trip.
• Determine if your destination requires risk authorization, and request it if needed.

Health

• Talk to your doctor about vaccines and medicines recommended for your destination.
• Verify you have overseas medical insurance and repatriation / evacuation insurance. 

If traveling on behalf of UT Dallas, additionally:

• Review insurance information

Get ready to go

• Expect significant travel congestion. Many people are traveling during this time.
• Make photocopies of your itinerary and travel documents, including your passport, visa, itinerary, hotel confirmation, airline ticket, driver’s license and credit cards.
• Pack Smart. Pack light, make sure you are not carrying banned items or substances, and have vital documents within reach.
• Pack a travel health kit.

If traveling on behalf of UT Dallas, additionally:

• Follow the Traveler Guidelines to meet UT Dallas international travel requirements.

During your trip

• Be transportation smart. Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.
• Reduce exposure to illness. Check the Stay Healthy and Safe section at the CDC webpage for your destination.
• Prevent mosquito bites. Visit the CDC Avoid Bug Bites page.
• Follow food and water safety guidelines. Visit the CDC Food and Water Safety page.
• Avoid touching birds, pigs and other animals. Avoid farms and poultry markets.
• Read the CDC H7N9 and H5N1 advisories for health recommendations to reduce your risk of infection from these bird flu strains that have been seen in China.
• Follow the CDC Healthy Occasions for Holiday Health and Safety Tips
• If traveling to cold climates, follow guidelines for cold climates. Visit the CDC Travel to Cold Climates
• Follow the U.S. Department of State Road Safety recommendations.
• Follow the CDC advise when Traveling Abroad for the Holidays
• Follow the CDC advise for Travel to Mass Gatherings.

If traveling on behalf of UT Dallas, additionally:

• If you feel sick, or need travel assistance contact ISOS 24/7

After your trip

• The CDC’s getting sick after travel webpage lists some of the common health issues travelers might experience after returning home.
• If you feel sick, visit your doctor and let them know about your trip.

The risk information in this report is retrieved from official sources as listed. It provides general guidance for UT Dallas travelers. Please note the publication date of this post, and go to the direct sources listed above for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this post may change without prior notice.