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-adviceWHAT 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 BARRELLWHAT 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-coronavirusWILL 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 assistwith 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-outbreakWHAT 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.HOT TOPICTRAVEL GEEKS
May/Jun 2020 143