Coronavirus impact grows

SMARTRAVELLER has upgraded its level of advice for China to “reconsider your need to travel”, due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

The updated warning also carries with it a “do not travel” alert for the Hubei province, which is where the outbreak originated, with no planes or trains going to or from the capital Wuhan (TD Thu).

The Department of Health is including additional questions on the “traveller with illness” checklist for biosecurity officers to administer to arriving pax.

Hong Kong’s government has also worked to limit travel to and from mainland China, including reducing flights, and halting or reducing trains, buses and ferries.

A Smartraveller update noted that arriving passengers may undergo temperature screenings and residents and travellers from Hubei would not be permitted to enter Hong Kong until further notice.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office has also warned against “all but essential” travel to China, with Virgin Atlantic advising that passengers wishing to cancel or rebook can access a refund, despite flights to Shanghai continuing.

A number of All Nippon Airways pax are also eligible for a refund - CLICK HERE for full details.

Globus told TD it would allow any guests travelling with its family of brands until 31 Mar to rebook to an alternate date in 2020 or 2021, with the value of the original land portion to be applied to the new booking.

Collette said it would not operate tours to China through to 31 Mar while Wendy Wu Tours said it was making contact with agents and their customers travelling in Feb.