Outbreak has many weighing travel plans
With March Break across Ontario just a few days away, Sarah Hupalo — owner/agent of Goliger’s Travelplus in Windsor — was among those at ground zero Thursday as hundreds of local families reconsider travel plans in the face of the ongoing spread of COVID-19.
“I have over 3,000 messages in my inbox,” she said. “I expect to be here until after midnight.
“Hug a travel agent.”
Most families seemingly just wanted reassurance to proceed with planned trips next week when kids across the province have a week off from school.
“I would say a lot of people are still travelling because the Caribbean and Mexico only has a few (coronavirus) cases,” Hupalo said. “Jamaica so far only has two, the Dominican Republic has five.
“So the risk for a lot of people is still very low.”
But others are taking no chances — especially if they had a cruise booked for next week or a trip to destinations such as the Southern U.S. They have been attempting to reschedule for later this year, while some just wanted to cancel due to the growing coronavirus threat.
For those who booked with a local travel agency there is an advantage since at the very least local agents are picking up the phone. Waits to speak with any airlines or online booking services this week are extremely long, according to those on social media.
“People are tending to call us right now for information to either be reassured or whether they shouldn’t go,” Hupalo said. “In a lot of cases, we are a sounding board.
“They have to make their own decision, but we do say they should look at the facts of things versus social media.”
The level of refunds or penalties people are facing due to last-minute travel cancellations depends on the terms and conditions of the company with which their trip has been booked, Hupalo said.
“People in some cases are facing a full penalty, so they are weighing whether they want to be out thousands of dollars or take a chance,” she said. “Some companies have been good about rebooking a trip for later — especially cruises.
“I can’t advise people on what to do. It’s their own personal decision.”
Jennifer Ibrahim of Windsor is among those who cancelled a family trip just over a week ago due to COVID-19. She was scheduled to go on a weeklong Caribbean cruise with her husband and two teenage children.
“We booked the trip back in September,” she said. “We were supposed to leave (Thursday) on a flight to Fort Lauderdale, stay at a hotel, then depart on Saturday.”
When news broke about coronavirus, the family remained unconcerned since the spread was primarily occurring in China. News then broke about a cruise ship in Japan being quarantined.
“We still were not too concerned,” Ibrahim said.
But then another cruise with dozens of Canadians on board was quarantined for a length of time off the shores of California. That was the breaking point that led to cancelling the long-awaited family cruise, which also had been a Christmas present for her kids.
“They kind of feel Christmas got cancelled, but they also understand at their age what’s going on,” Ibrahim said.
“Of course, everyone’s disappointed, but eventually we will go on the cruise.”
Watching the news and seeing the spread of COVID-19 escalate the last couple days, the family realizes they made the best decision to cancel, she said.
“Even if we had gone and everything turned out all right, given there would have been an increased risk that would not have been the relaxing vacation that we all envisioned,” Ibrahim said.
“Everybody would have been on edge and not enjoying themselves.”
She said the family was able to recoup all costs through either reimbursement or company credits from Holland America cruise line, Delta airline and a hotel in Fort Lauderdale.
CAA offers one of the largest travel booking options. A spokeswoman on Thursday would not comment on the level of cancellations pertaining to March Break due to coronavirus.
“As the COVID-19 situation is a fluid issue changing from minute to minute, we are not able to speak to numbers or trends,” said Nadia
Matos, spokeswoman for CAA.
The Government of Canada has already advised Canadians to avoid all travel on cruise ships due to the ongoing COVID -19 outbreak until further notice.
Canadians should be aware of possible quarantines should an on-board outbreak occur. Also, anyone who chooses to voyage on a cruise ship should be aware they may not be offered an opportunity to return to Canada on a government-organized repatriation flight or may be responsible for the costs of repatriation travel.
Among high-risk nations listed by the Canadian government pertaining to coronavirus and travel presently are China, Italy, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iran, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Spain.
For anyone who has travelled or is planning an upcoming trip, during the first 14 days after your return if you develop symptoms of COVID-19, the government is asking people to quickly isolate themselves at home and call their appropriate public health authority.
The Canadian government’s upto-date travel advisories, which lists all current threats, including coronavirus, can be found online at travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.
Government of Canada’s COVID -19 information phone line is 1-833-784-4397.
CAA has offered the following tips for those planning to travel in the coming days:
Travel with all necessary travel documentation, including health insurance cards.
Pack an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 per cent alcohol and disinfecting wipes.
Pack any extra supplies you may need, including additional doses of medication, in the event your return trip is delayed.
Get travel insurance — ensure that you have the right travel insurance coverage to suit your travel destination, travel activities and medical needs. Review your travel insurance policy in full to make yourself aware of coverage and eligibility, including limitations and exclusions.
Know the location and contact information of Canadian Embassies and Consulates for your intended destination.
People in some cases are facing a full penalty, so they are weighing whether they want to be out thousands of dollars or take a chance.