VIRUS IS SET TO PEAK AT EASTER, SO WHAT ABOUT YOUR HOLIDAY?

THE coronavirus epidemic is expected to peak at Easter – throwing holiday plans for hundreds of thousands of families into chaos.

Professor Peter Piot, a leading microbiologist who discovered the Ebola virus, has warned the outbreak will be at its height in Britain in around five weeks’ time.

The virus is likely to wreck much Easter weekend holiday travel. Good Friday is traditionally one of the busiest travel days of the year, with more than 100,000 people flying from Heathrow.

Here is a quick guide to how your travel plans might be affected.

Will my flight be cancelled?

It’s possible. British Airways and Ryana i r a r e a mong a i r l i n e s that have already cancelled hundreds of flights as demand for air travel plummets.

If you booked directly with an airline, you are eligible for a refund or to rebook free of charge, although you may have to pay the difference incurred for any new ticket. But those who have booked independently are still likely to be left out of pocket if they have also booked hotels and car hire.

If you booked with a travel agent, you will need to contact them to find out your options.

Will I get my money back if I cancel my holiday?

Unless the Foreign Office has declared that the country you are travelling is off- limits, do not expect compensation if you cancel. So far, only China and parts of South Korea and Northern Italy are completely off-limits.

If your i nsurance i ncludes cancellation cover ( and about 90 per cent of policies do), you should get a refund if you fall ill or are quarantined before you go and can’t travel.

What if I am too scared to travel?

Travel insurance does not cover so-called ‘disinclination to travel’. Many airlines are, however, being flexible and allowing bookings to be changed free of charge. Some holiday firms are also currently being generous in refunding trips from customers worried about travelling to Italy or Asia. That could, however, change as the crisis escalates.

What happens if I catch coronavirus abroad?

You will have to follow the quarantine rules of the local authorities. As long as you don’t travel against Foreign Office advice, medical bills and any repatriation costs should be covered.

Should I book my summer holiday?

Many people are understandably delaying making holiday bookings. If you do choose to book a package deal, make a careful note of the date up to which you can cancel and still get all or some of your money back.

And hunt for hotels and car hire firms with 100 per cent cancellation rights.