NationalGeographicTravellerUKMayJune2020

WHAT IS THE CURRENT FCO ADVICE?

The UK Foreign & Commonwealth

Office (FCO) is advising against all

but essential foreign travel. The

ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19)

pandemic has seen a number of

countries impose unprecedented

international border closures and

other restrictions. For travellers

already in a foreign destination,

it’s important to remember that

all countries may restrict travel

without notice. For FCO updates,

go to: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

WHAT DO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
LOOK LIKE?
In an effort to contain and
delay the spread of the virus, an
increasing number of countries
are closing their borders and
many airlines have reduced their
services or grounded their fleets.
Numerous borders and transport
hubs have introduced screening
measures and entry restrictions,
including temperature checks
and questions on travel and
health history. If you’ve recently
been to a country affected
IMAGE: GETTYby the coronavirus, entry or

• While we’re still
  learning more
  about how the virus
  behaves, it’s most
  likely spread through
  respiratory droplets.


• Covid-19 can cause
  symptoms similar to
  pneumonia. The most
  common signs are a
  new, continuous cough
  and a fever of 37.8C
  or higher. People who
  have fallen ill have also
  reported breathing
  difficulties.


• People of all ages can
  be infected. Older
  people and those with
  pre-existing medical
  conditions (such as
  asthma, diabetes or
  heart disease) may be
  more vulnerable to
  serious complications.


• According to the WHO,
  the fatality rate for
  Covid-19 is around 3.4%
  — higher than seasonal
  flu (0.1%) but lower than
  SARS (9.6%).

WHAT ARE THE

RECOMMENDED

PROTECTIVE MEASURES?

Keep clean: Wash hands

regularly, for at least

20 seconds, with soap

and water, then rinse

thoroughly and dry

with disposable paper

towel where possible.

If soap and water aren’t

available, use an alcohol-

based hand sanitiser.

Avoid touching eyes,

nose and mouth as this

can transfer the virus.

Keep your distance:

Cover your face when you

cough or sneeze, avoid

crowded areas and keep

6ft away from others.

Stay at home if you begin

to feel unwell.

HOW IS COVID-19 AFFECTING TRAVEL?

WE ROUND UP THE FACTS AND FIGURES TO HELP YOU EVALUATE

YOUR TRAVELS DURING THE GLOBAL CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK.

WORDS: SARAH BARRELL

WHAT DO WE KNOW

ABOUT THE VIRUS?

transit to certain regions may

be problematic and you may

be required to enter a period of

quarantine. The World Health

Organization (WHO) has regular

updates on recorded virus cases

at: who.int/emergencies/diseases

/novel-coronavirus-2019

For UK government travel advice,

go to: gov.uk/guidance/travel-

advice-novel-coronavirus

WILL TRAVEL INSURANCE

COVER CANCELLED TRIPS?

This will depend on where you’re

travelling to, when you booked

and what the official FCO advice

is for that destination. If the

FCO has advised against all but

essential travel to the area, you

may be able to make a claim, but,

as always, it’ll depend on your

specific insurance policy. Many

insurers are restricting cover for

new agreements. As ever, make

sure your policy includes medical

evacuation and repatriation, in

case you fall ill while travelling.

If you’ve booked a package

holiday, your tour operator and

/or insurer should be able to assist

with rebooking travel and covering

costs. Check for a ‘disruption to

travel’ clause, which could also

come into play if you find yourself

having to enter quarantine while

travelling. Your rights can depend

on airline choice and policy small

print, so read carefully. ABTA, the

UK’s largest travel association, has

regular updates for those travelling

with its member operators. For

more details, see: abta.com/news/

coronavirus-outbreak

WHAT ABOUT REBOOKING FLIGHTS

AND HOTELS?

Some airlines are waiving the

usual rebooking fee and allowing

customers to rebook flights

to and from certain affected

destinations. Many hotels

are allowing rebookings, too,

although reservations terms make

some bookings non-refundable,

particularly if done through a

third-party operator. It’s always

worth contacting the hotel

directly to see if they can assist.

WHAT IF MY AIRLINE

GOES BANKRUPT?

Times are tough for the aviation

industry, and the International Air

Transport Association (IATA) has

warned that Covid-19 could cause

airlines to suffer a loss of up to

$113bn (£87bn) this year. After the

recent collapse of Flybe, it seems

other airlines may follow suit.

If your flight booking has ATOL

protection (mostly applicable to

package trips or linked hotel-

and-flight bookings), you’ll be

refunded if your airline collapses

and offered an alternative if

stranded abroad.

Airline failure is rarely covered

by insurance policies. However,

if you’ve brought flights worth

more than £100 on a credit card

directly from an airline, you

should be able to claim a refund

under section 75 of the Consumer

Credit Act. This advice was correct

at the time of going to press.

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May/Jun 2020 143