Coronavirus Travel Advice
Coronavirus continues to cause disruption in business, most prominently for the tourism and aviation sectors. The novel virus spread from a ‘wet market’ in Wuhan, China quickly, affecting 15 countries today and causing global panic. The virus doesn’t seem to have a high mortality rate; but puts the elderly and those with existing health conditions in danger.
How does coronavirus affect your travel?
Currently, China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, France and Germany have reported the most cases. Some airline companies are cancelling flights to these destinations.
For example, British Airways has cancelled dozens of its flights between Heathrow Airport and destinations in Italy, France, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland and JFK Airport, New York.
They have also cancelled flights to and from Gatwick airport and Italy, France, and Albania, and connection flights to Germany and Italy from London City airport. Ryanair has also reduced its short-haul flight schedule and EasyJet cancelled flights in and out of their North Italian destinations.
The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to Hubei Province, in China and all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China. Also, against all travel to the cities of Daegu, Cheongdo and Gyeongsan in South Korea and against all but essential travel to Italy.
Symptoms of Coronavirus
- Fever and tiredness
- Dry cough
- Breathing difficulties
- Muscle pain
If you are in the UK and you feel unwell, don’t go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Self-quarantine yourself, call 111 to ask for advice and information. You might have to be tested according to the severity of your symptoms.
How to protect yourself and others from coronavirus?
- Wash hands for 20 seconds, making sure you clean all parts including top of the hands, around your nails and in between your fingers
- Wash hands regularly, especially after spending time in public spaces or touching public surfaces
- Carry an alcohol-based hand gel
- Sneeze or cough into a tissue and bin it, use your sleeve if you don’t have a tissue and clean your hands
- Avoid touching anywhere on your face with unwashed hands
- Stand at least a meter away from people who feel unwell
- Self-isolate for 2 weeks if you’ve travelled to affected areas
The World Health Organisation doesn’t recommend wearing a mask unless you have respiratory issues.
Should you cancel your flight?
Plane travel can expose you to the virus, but mainly because you are in a condensed space with people and you might end up touching infected surfaces. However, unless someone sitting close to you is ill, you are not more likely to get infected.
Despite the common belief that airplanes have ‘stale air’, the air quality on a plane is filtered and is actually considered better than in an average office. If you are already ill, have a chronic disease or older than 60, you could postpone your travel just to be safe. However, it’s still considered safe to travel to countries who have contained the virus so far, as long as you take precautions.
If you’ve booked your holiday with us, contact us on (0208) 661 1805 for more information about how Coronavirus might affect your flight, refunds or postponing your holiday.