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Coronavirus - Unforeseen Events!
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Well, I never saw this coming! When we began planning our journey to Japan and Thailand, none of us foresaw a widespread virus sweeping the region. I have travelled to many parts of Asia in the past and never been hindered by plague, pestilence or natural disaster, all of my trips here went without a hitch. The only time I was prevented from flying was in 2010, when Darrell and I were due to fly to Australia, but were stopped by the eruption of the famous Eyjafjallajökull Icelandic volcano, spewing an ash cloud across Europe, grounding flights for six days. In the event we decided not to fly and Darrell went to Australia a week later!
The Coronavirus has just begun its rampage across the World, four months before we are due to fly to China, at the beginning of our trip and naturally I am concerned about the implications of this new, mutating virus which is only just taking hold in China. Darrell, my Aunt and I are not spending any time in the Peoples Republic, but we are flying to Japan and Thailand, two countries that are already suffering from the effects of the disease. By the time we leave at the end of May, it is likely the virus will be at its height and the Foreign Office may well advise us not to travel at all.
Up until a few days ago we were busy booking accommodation and flights for our stay and had gone a long way in finalising our itinerary, before this deadly virus was brought to the attention of the World. Today we have stopped booking and like everyone else I am waiting for further instructions from the authorities here in Britain. At the moment we have literally had to put our plans on hold, until we know just how bad this virus will be. After speaking to my Aunt and Darrell this morning, we are clear about not taking risks that could be hazardous to our health and following any advice to the letter.
At the moment we are not sure whether we are covered by insurance, should the worse happen, and we are advised not to travel. In 2010, after the Icelandic volcano erupted, we were able to arrange a full refund of our flights, this situation is very different. The fact we are flying China Airways could also cause us some difficulties when flying to Japan via Beijing, especially as there is talk of interconnecting flights to the country from China being banned, so we have to quickly look at alternatives, for now at least we are fearing the worst!
UPDATE: I have just got off the phone from my travel insurance company where I have finally been given an update. The gentleman I spoke to was helpful and polite and was able to offer me some much-needed reassurance. Because I had taken out my insurance before booking any flights or accommodation, I am insured for any cancellation of my holiday before the 23rd of January. We luckily booked our last flight on the 16th January and have arranged nothing since. This has indeed put my mind at rest somewhat; if the worst case scenario happens and I have to cancel my trip, I will get a full refund and compensation. He did stress that this will only happen however, if the Foreign Office advises that we do not travel to the areas we are visiting!
I never would have believed this type of disaster would have played a role in my next visit to Asia. Looking at the news bulletins on television you could be forgiven for thinking the end of the World is nigh. This is a virus that has the potential to spiral out of control; only by waiting, will we know what happens next. My concerns are about a loss of holiday, whereas other people are losing their lives. Having visited this part of the World before, I understand the practices that may have contributed to this latest crisis and it is for China to clear its act up. These hybrid viruses always seem to start in Chinese or Asian nations and as such, these countries need to review outdated, appalling practices that have no place in the modern World.
I remain positive for the future and hope the Chinese Government will succeed in containing this deadly virus. Until then, I will remain a spectator like everyone else, looking in at a disaster of monumental proportions. This is a difficult time for all those caught up in the crisis, I can only pray for an optimistic ending and hope for a pragmatic solution to this terror of our times!
The Coronavirus has just begun its rampage across the World, four months before we are due to fly to China, at the beginning of our trip and naturally I am concerned about the implications of this new, mutating virus which is only just taking hold in China. Darrell, my Aunt and I are not spending any time in the Peoples Republic, but we are flying to Japan and Thailand, two countries that are already suffering from the effects of the disease. By the time we leave at the end of May, it is likely the virus will be at its height and the Foreign Office may well advise us not to travel at all.
Up until a few days ago we were busy booking accommodation and flights for our stay and had gone a long way in finalising our itinerary, before this deadly virus was brought to the attention of the World. Today we have stopped booking and like everyone else I am waiting for further instructions from the authorities here in Britain. At the moment we have literally had to put our plans on hold, until we know just how bad this virus will be. After speaking to my Aunt and Darrell this morning, we are clear about not taking risks that could be hazardous to our health and following any advice to the letter.
At the moment we are not sure whether we are covered by insurance, should the worse happen, and we are advised not to travel. In 2010, after the Icelandic volcano erupted, we were able to arrange a full refund of our flights, this situation is very different. The fact we are flying China Airways could also cause us some difficulties when flying to Japan via Beijing, especially as there is talk of interconnecting flights to the country from China being banned, so we have to quickly look at alternatives, for now at least we are fearing the worst!
UPDATE: I have just got off the phone from my travel insurance company where I have finally been given an update. The gentleman I spoke to was helpful and polite and was able to offer me some much-needed reassurance. Because I had taken out my insurance before booking any flights or accommodation, I am insured for any cancellation of my holiday before the 23rd of January. We luckily booked our last flight on the 16th January and have arranged nothing since. This has indeed put my mind at rest somewhat; if the worst case scenario happens and I have to cancel my trip, I will get a full refund and compensation. He did stress that this will only happen however, if the Foreign Office advises that we do not travel to the areas we are visiting!
I never would have believed this type of disaster would have played a role in my next visit to Asia. Looking at the news bulletins on television you could be forgiven for thinking the end of the World is nigh. This is a virus that has the potential to spiral out of control; only by waiting, will we know what happens next. My concerns are about a loss of holiday, whereas other people are losing their lives. Having visited this part of the World before, I understand the practices that may have contributed to this latest crisis and it is for China to clear its act up. These hybrid viruses always seem to start in Chinese or Asian nations and as such, these countries need to review outdated, appalling practices that have no place in the modern World.
I remain positive for the future and hope the Chinese Government will succeed in containing this deadly virus. Until then, I will remain a spectator like everyone else, looking in at a disaster of monumental proportions. This is a difficult time for all those caught up in the crisis, I can only pray for an optimistic ending and hope for a pragmatic solution to this terror of our times!
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