CORONAVIRUS Q&A

Today Nick Trend, our Travel Editor answers your questions.

Samira Sharif

My 11-year-old daughter is due to travel by ferry to Rouen in France the week after next. I was hoping the school would postpone, but it says the trip will continue unless the Government imposes a ban on travel . Should I allow her to go?

If she were my daughter, I would let her go. I don’t think she is at any greater risk in France than at school in the UK. But obviously things might change in the next couple of weeks. If she does travel, make sure she is covered by a decent travel insurance policy.

Linda Saint

My son has been travelling around Asia and Australia since November and is now in the Philippines. He’s due back in April – what are the implications for him travelling back and once he gets back to the UK?

If he is young and fit and showing no symptoms then he should probably travel back as planned. If there is a major coronavirus outbreak in the Philippines, he may have to self-isolate when he gets home, but currently there are a lot more cases in the UK than in the Philippines. There is always a risk that his flight home is cancelled – but that’s a long way down the line and he should probably just continue to enjoy his trip.

Mark Howell

I am getting married in Croatia in August. Lots of guests have booked flights. What are my options if we move it back a year?

If you postpone now, your guests will almost certainly lose the money they have paid for their air fares. However, August is a long way away and, hopefully, we will be well past the worst by then. So I would hold tight for a few weeks yet before making a decision – though you might want to quietly advise guests who haven’t yet booked, to wait for a while before committing.

Joanne Bailey

I am travelling to the USA in May. Will hospital bills be covered under travel insurance if I get coronavirus while in America? Not sure as it’s a new virus and I don’t fancy an American hospital bill.

The fact that it is a new virus won’t make any difference to a travel insurance claim for hospital treatment and nearly all travel insurance policies will cover that. Do look carefully at the policy and exclusions, however, to make sure it covers everything that you expect, and talk to the insurer if you are worried.

Ceris Llewellyn Davies

I’m due to travel to the Italian lakes at the beginning of May. Is it possible to get a full refund if the FCO advises against travel to northern Italy? I booked a package through BA holidays – it has cancelled my original outbound flight and booked me on one a day later with no rebate.

First, you should definitely get a rebate from BA Holidays if your trip has been shortened. You have a clear and obvious case for them refunding the cost of one night in the hotel. If the FCO advises against all but essential travel to northern Italy then you have a right to cancel and claim a full refund. Otherwise, I’m afraid you will lose your money unless BA agrees to allow you to postpone.

If you have any coronavirus questions relating to your consumer rights, submit them via telegraph.co.uk/ yourstory by lunchtime on Monday