Should I stay or should I go?
Already booked – or planning a trip? As the coronavirus crisis grows, our crucial guide to the question every traveller’s asking...
cancellations to restricted areas, alterations to schedules, and far more stringent screening of all passengers when boarding and disembarking.
Currently, sailings to mainland China and east Asia are the only ones that have been cancelled.
A spokesperson from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the governing body, says: ‘Onboard, cruise ship crew are very experienced in sanitation protocols, and hand sanitisers are located in various locations throughout the ship which guests and crew use frequently.
‘Cruise ships have strict protocols to clean, disinfect and decontaminate during and after each cruise.’ Some, such as Saga and Fred Olsen, are removing cancellation fees on new bookings.
Q
WHAT IF I END UP IN QUARANTINE?
YOU will have to follow the rules of local authorities, which will probably involve a 14- day quarantine. It is unclear who will cover the cost of your journey home: either the UK Government could arrange a rescue flight or your travel insurance could cover your return.
Most insurance policies will cover medical costs should you become ill onboard, but make sure you check the small print.
If you’ve booked and simply don’t want to travel because you’re worried, you won’t have grounds for compensation.
Q
SHOULD I BOOK MY HOLIDAY NOW?
It’S up to you. If you’re medically vulnerable, you may be at higher risk and not wish to fly.
If you’re under 50 and healthy, you should remain positive about a well- deserved break. Summer holidays are still four months away, but it’s worth remembering that if you feel less keen nearer departure, you could lose your trip and money if your destination isn’t on the FCO list.
Q
IS THERE ANY SILVER LINING?
POSSIBLY. Given that bookings for holidays have stagnated, cheaper tour operator packages and flights are likely later in the year, rather than now. According to TravelSupermarket.
com, ‘Package holiday prices are holding steady, overall’ but they are ‘seeing discounts across longhaul destinations such as thailand, St Lucia, Mauritius, Barbados and the Maldives’.
ten nights at a four-star resort in Phuket, thailand in June, including flights from Gatwick, costs from £ 449 pp, room only ( travelsupermarket.com). First Choice ( firstchoice.co.uk) has some good savings, too, with a week in tenerife in May, including flights and half-board accommodation, from £429pp, down from £672pp.
Q
WHAT ABOUT THE FLYBE COLLAPSE?
PASSENGERS won’t get an automatic refund if they booked directly with FlyBe as the airline is not covered by ATOL, although passengers whose flights were part of an ATOL package holiday should be entitled to a full refund.
Passengers who have travel insurance with a ‘scheduled airline failure’ clause should also be covered.
Anyone who booked using a credit card may be entitled to a refund under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. those who paid on debit card can request a refund from their bank under socalled charge back rules, although this is not guaranteed.
Q
HOW SAFE ARE OTHER AIRLINES?
THE tipping point for FlyBe was said to be a drop in demand thanks to the coronavirus.
And, with experts predicting a lull in people flying for fear of catching it, the aviation industry stands to lose more than £80 billion, which means we could see other carriers collapse in the coming weeks.
rumours are swirling around Alitalia, with others said to follow.
QSHOULD
I BE SCARED OF FLYING?
MOST commercial aircraft have HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters to remove airborne contaminants.
David Powell, a medical adviser to IATA ( International Air transport Association), says: ‘the virus can’t survive long on seats or armrests, so physical contact with another person carries the greatest risk of infection on a flight.
‘Masks and gloves do a better job of spreading bugs than stopping them.’