Over the last couple of months, coronavirus has spread from a district in China all around the world, resulting in 81,000 cases across 40 countries.
However, while only 15 people in the UK have been confirmed to have developed the illness, more and more people are worrying about the spread of the virus, particularly with regards to how it might affect their holiday plans.
So far, the number of cases in Britain has remained low; however, Italy has experienced 400 coronavirus patients and holidaymakers staying at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel in Tenerife have contracted the illness, putting the entire building on lockdown.
As a result, those with trips to Italy and Tenerife are particularly concerned they might pick up the flu-like condition if they go ahead with their travels, or that their holidays might be cancelled before they step foot on the plane.
Italy travel advice
Earlier this week (February 25th), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued new guidelines for those who are considering travelling to northern Italy, advising against “all but essential travel to ten small towns in Lombardy and one in Veneto which have been isolated by the Italian authorities”.
These include Codogno, Castiglione d’Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano in Lombardy, and Vo’ Euganeo in Veneto.
While this might affect those who have holidays booked for these specific small locales in northern Italy, the FCO has not advised against travel to the rest of the country.
Therefore, those who have tickets to Rome, Milan, Sicily or Naples can still book Gatwick airport taxi services to go ahead with their trips.
Tenerife travel advice
When it comes to Tenerife, the FCO has not changed its guidelines regarding visiting the largest Canary Island.
It simply says: “There is an on-going outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in China and elsewhere, including Spain. The Spanish authorities are dealing with confirmed cases of coronavirus in the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel in Tenerife. If you’re in this hotel, you should follow the advice of the local authorities.”
While hundreds of people staying at the hotel have been asked to quarantine themselves, there is no indication, as yet, that the virus has spread beyond the resort
Therefore, those with a trip booked to Tenerife has not been advised against travelling there.
China
As China is where coronavirus all began, there are stricter rules for travelling to and from the country. The FCO has advised against all travel to Hubei Province, where the first cases in Wuhan were reported.
It has also advised against all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China, not including Macao and Hong Kong, due to there having been 78,514 cases within the country and 2,747 deaths.
While as many as 32,842 people have recovered within China and there is now a declining trend of new cases, it is still not wise to visit the country to the high risk.
Indeed, the FCO warns those within China who are able to leave to do so, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions and the elderly, as they are more vulnerable to contracting the virus.
Worldwide travel advice
Brits are understandably panicked about the rapid spread of the virus, with confirmed cases now in Greece, Georgia, North Macedonia, Pakistan, France, Austria, Croatia, Switzerland and Brazil, as well as China, Italy and Spain.
However, the FCO has not ruled out travelling to these countries, and Brits have been warned that unless the FCO changes its advice or the travel operator cancels the trip, they could be left out of pocket by bailing on their holiday plans.
Unless the FCO advises against travelling to the destination, holidaymakers will not be entitled to compensation. For those with trips planned in the future, it is impossible to say whether the FCO guidelines will change in weeks or months to come, so they might want to hold on to their tickets to see what the outcome will be closer to the time.
Get travel insurance
Having travel insurance is essential for any holiday, but even more so now, as it may allow you to claim for non-refundable expenses, depending on the policy.
Mark Shepherd, head of general insurance at the Association of British Insurers, was quoted by Sky News as saying to look closely at the cancellation and travel disruption sections on the policies.
However, he noted that this would not cover those who were aware that they might be unable to travel at the time of their booking.
“Travel insurance policies do differ, but in general, cancellation cover or travel disruption cover is linked to the FCO’s advice. In any case, airlines or travel providers should be the first port of call for refunds. Travel insurance is for non-refundable losses,” Mr Shepherd advised.
