Coronavirus concerns
Discussion
OP - We're off to Japan on the 15th March returning 29th March. We have rebooked several of our hotels as the prices have dropped enough to make it worthwhile. We're still going to go unless the government advice is not to travel.
It might be worthwhile checking your travel insurance policy. Our original policy for the trip did not cover cancellation in the event the government advises avoiding all but essential travel. Given that is the most likely reason we won't end up going I've taken out a new policy that does cover cancellation for that reason.
It might be worthwhile checking your travel insurance policy. Our original policy for the trip did not cover cancellation in the event the government advises avoiding all but essential travel. Given that is the most likely reason we won't end up going I've taken out a new policy that does cover cancellation for that reason.
Edited by Snails on Tuesday 25th February 13:49
We're out at our home on Lake Como (Lombardy). No lockdown or reports of infection here as yet but bars & restaurants closing at 6PM due to some half-baked instruction from the Lombardy governors. Panic buying at the supermarkets....... 
.The Italians are VERY cautious and are predisposed to high levels of hypochondria.
Our 1st Airbnb arrival of the season is imminent however we fully expect a knock-on effect and cancellations.
Life goes on...
.The Italians are VERY cautious and are predisposed to high levels of hypochondria. Our 1st Airbnb arrival of the season is imminent however we fully expect a knock-on effect and cancellations.
Life goes on...
I travel a lot with work, including to Singapore. In the process of arranging a couple of trips for the coming weeks. My work track the risk and impact well. At the moment it seems to be ok to travel, statistically the risk is low, and travel is still possible, indeed I'm seeing deals making my next trip ~£15% cheaper with my usual flights and hotels.
If it is declared a pandemic, then a lot of restrictions will flow down through companies, travel providers, borders, etc that will have a large impact on any travel (business or pleasure). However, it is no uncommon for T&Cs to include a pandemic clause, or it can often be argued that a pandemic is force majeure which means some non-flex travel bookings could be cancelled or refunded - check your T&Cs.
The trigger for declaring a pandemic seems to be whether Italy can establish the source path of their outbreak, which they have a couple of days to do. I would, personally, advise that anyone looking to make imminent travel bookings to travel during the next 6 months waits until Friday. If no official pandemic declaration then crack on, but if it get declared, then hold off.
If it is declared a pandemic, then a lot of restrictions will flow down through companies, travel providers, borders, etc that will have a large impact on any travel (business or pleasure). However, it is no uncommon for T&Cs to include a pandemic clause, or it can often be argued that a pandemic is force majeure which means some non-flex travel bookings could be cancelled or refunded - check your T&Cs.
The trigger for declaring a pandemic seems to be whether Italy can establish the source path of their outbreak, which they have a couple of days to do. I would, personally, advise that anyone looking to make imminent travel bookings to travel during the next 6 months waits until Friday. If no official pandemic declaration then crack on, but if it get declared, then hold off.
Snails said:
OP - We're off to Japan on the 15th March returning 29th March. We have rebooked several of our hotels as the prices have dropped enough to make it worthwhile. We're still going to go unless the government advice is not to travel.
It might be worthwhile checking your travel insurance policy. Our original policy for the trip did not cover cancellation in the event the government advises avoiding all but essential travel. Given that is the most likely reason we won't end up going I've taken out a new policy that does cover cancellation for that reason.
We're going the day before you and returning the day before you. We're looking into our insurance policy for the same thing. Not massively concerned as yet, from what I understand the next week or so maybe key into how it develops.It might be worthwhile checking your travel insurance policy. Our original policy for the trip did not cover cancellation in the event the government advises avoiding all but essential travel. Given that is the most likely reason we won't end up going I've taken out a new policy that does cover cancellation for that reason.
Edited by Snails on Tuesday 25th February 13:49
A few weeks ago I started to make plans for a euro road trip in late spring, on noticing the direction things are going I've now abandoned those plans and will stick to doing something in the UK.
If the virus continues to spread then I think we'll start to see many places impose tight restrictions. Travelling/holidaying, although a big part of the economy for many places, will likely become frowned up on for the sake of keeping the locals safe.
On top of that, I don't fancy the idea that either of us may catch the virus whilst on holiday and have to spend the time in hospital/isolation/quarantine etc.
And if you think about it, I'm not sure many of us would feel comfortable using places and equipment that many others from around the world have just used before you (given that there is a potential that people are carrying and spreading the virus without showing symptoms) - ie. hotel beds, sinks, toilets, ferries, airplanes, door handles, cutlery, fuel pumps etc.
I do wonder also if travel insurance would pay out for any compensation in the event of becoming ill knowing that there was a pandemic in process?
If the virus continues to spread then I think we'll start to see many places impose tight restrictions. Travelling/holidaying, although a big part of the economy for many places, will likely become frowned up on for the sake of keeping the locals safe.
On top of that, I don't fancy the idea that either of us may catch the virus whilst on holiday and have to spend the time in hospital/isolation/quarantine etc.
And if you think about it, I'm not sure many of us would feel comfortable using places and equipment that many others from around the world have just used before you (given that there is a potential that people are carrying and spreading the virus without showing symptoms) - ie. hotel beds, sinks, toilets, ferries, airplanes, door handles, cutlery, fuel pumps etc.
I do wonder also if travel insurance would pay out for any compensation in the event of becoming ill knowing that there was a pandemic in process?
I want to road trip to Italy in May but luckily I don't need to book anything yet so can wait to see if any travel
restrictions are put in place ,would be passing through France ,Belgium ,Lux ,Germany and Austria.
I don't stay in hotels so no worries there and would only mix with people at events I want to go to or buying
food in the supermarket.
restrictions are put in place ,would be passing through France ,Belgium ,Lux ,Germany and Austria.
I don't stay in hotels so no worries there and would only mix with people at events I want to go to or buying
food in the supermarket.
Got a 2 week roadtrip booked - leaving on 6th March - France and Spain. Not concerned about week 1, but week 2 is 8 nights in Valencia for the Fallas festival. This consists of several thousand people packing into the main square for a firework barrage - twice a day, every day for two weeks - with a ceremonial burning on the last night. It's the large number of tightly packed people that concerns me.
All of this was booked independently and - if the festival is cancelled - I will be left with 8 somewhat expensive nights in a hotel in Valencia when there's not much going on.
All of this was booked independently and - if the festival is cancelled - I will be left with 8 somewhat expensive nights in a hotel in Valencia when there's not much going on.
omniflow said:
Got a 2 week roadtrip booked - leaving on 6th March - France and Spain. Not concerned about week 1, but week 2 is 8 nights in Valencia for the Fallas festival. This consists of several thousand people packing into the main square for a firework barrage - twice a day, every day for two weeks - with a ceremonial burning on the last night. It's the large number of tightly packed people that concerns me.
All of this was booked independently and - if the festival is cancelled - I will be left with 8 somewhat expensive nights in a hotel in Valencia when there's not much going on.
...ask if you can transfer the booking to next year? All of this was booked independently and - if the festival is cancelled - I will be left with 8 somewhat expensive nights in a hotel in Valencia when there's not much going on.
Old Merc said:
We have a holiday in Lanzarote booked and paid for the last week in March. With the latest case in Tenerife should we be worried? If we just cancel I take we won't be able to claim a thing from travel insurance.
I think the only thing you can do is wait and see. Best case, there is no issue and you have a great time. If the FCO travel advice changes to say it is not recommended to visit Lanzarote then I think you can claim on your holiday insurance (if you have it).
My son is due to go to Rome with Sixth Form a week on Thursday. I think it’s 50:50 whether it will go ahead.
School assure us insurance will pay out if FCO advise against all but essential travel. We’ll see...
Pericoloso said:
Rome is much further south than the problem areas of Lombardy and the Veneto but Italy have said that anyone with symptoms who have been north of Pisa should be concerned.
Understand. The news this morning isn’t great though, with three further European countries declaring their first cases. We’ve not seen the worst of this yet!
I’m flying to Bangkok next weekend for work for a week. I was supposed to then go on Tokyo for a week but my employer cancelled that extension yesterday due to Coronavirus concerns.
We then go to Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe at the end of March for 12 days or so of holiday.
I’m then scheduled to travel to Malaysia on 16th April for work for a week. I expect this one will get pulled as it’s for an international expo.
I’m not massively concerned but may look to get some extra travel insurance in case the Africa trip needs to be changed / cancelled.
We then go to Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe at the end of March for 12 days or so of holiday.
I’m then scheduled to travel to Malaysia on 16th April for work for a week. I expect this one will get pulled as it’s for an international expo.
I’m not massively concerned but may look to get some extra travel insurance in case the Africa trip needs to be changed / cancelled.
Edited by schmalex on Wednesday 26th February 06:48
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