Coronavirus (COVID-19) Respiratory illness - Effect on Travel

[33kft]

Wouldn't it be fairly easy to get some sort of positive/negative confirmation on this simply by enquiring with a few OTAs? Of course I could try that just as easily as anyone else and don't have the inclination to do so but I have to think that if the balance of TAs were avoiding booking on said airlines it would start to become clear pretty quickly as customers ask why their airline is not being quoted.

On the other hand, how many TAs are busy quoting flights at this point in time anyway?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Being quoted across multiple sites. It is not guessing

Travel Agents Asked to Put Hold on Ticket Sales From Nine Different Airlines

No tickets can be sold or issued until further notice

www.travelpulse.com

Who are all quoting one blog which refuses to release any details or sources.

 

[serfty]

Being quoted across multiple sites. It is not guessing
...

At this stage, it is guessing!

The rumour appears to have originated with www.godsavethepoints.com and these other 'travel blogger' sites copy each other and just all pile on with the same stuff.

The publisher of "GodSaveThePoints" won't substantiate their source.

More in this thread:

Virgin Australia Financially Secure? [Now in Voluntary Administration]

A legitimate question. I’m not scaremongering! In light of Covid19, the impact on travel numbers and Virgins overseas ownership, how are we feeling about having stores of Velocity Points?

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[exceladdict]

This is the sort of thing that is putting me off all travel:

'Inappropriate': Man flies from Australia to NZ while waiting for coronavirus test results

New Zealand's health chief says he is "disappointed" by a coronavirus-infected man who travelled into the country from Australia after he developed symptoms.

www.abc.net.au

 

[amaroo]

Another day another 368 reported deaths in Italy, Spain deaths doubled in a day.

Italian death rate >7%

Italy reports 368 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours: Latest updates

Over 1,800 killed so far in Italy, the worst-hit country after China, with total number of cases hitting nearly 25,000.

www.google.com.au

Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

 

[drron]

CDC is now advising all meetings over 50 should be cancelled or postponed.

Communities, Schools, Workplaces, & Events

Cleaning and Disinfecting: Everyday steps, when someone is sick, and considerations for employers.

www.cdc.gov

And MGM shutting all their Vegas casinos.

All Las Vegas MGM casinos, hotels to temporarily close

MGM Resorts International announced Sunday it is temporarily suspending operations at all Las Vegas properties “until further notice,” effective Tuesday.

www.reviewjournal.com

 

[lovetravellingoz]

CDC is now advising all meetings over 50 should be cancelled or postponed.

Yes when that came out this morning it made me take some business decisions that had been old hold, but which I know were coming. It has been a busy afternoon for me.

The only upside for myself is that the IMPOSSIBILITY clause in some contracts is now getting triggered meaning things are less painful.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Just a quick update on my experience of the new quarantine experience.

There was some commentary in the PM etc press conference yesterday about a mandatory stat dec for incoming travellers, but this wasn't in place in SYD this morning and I doubt if it's practicable to have immigration compelling people signing stat decs. When I boarded lin BKKK last night this is all home affairs' website had to say

15 March 2020:The Australian Government announced ... all travellers to Australia will be required to self-isolate for 14 days ... a ban on cruise liners from foreign ports arriving at Australian ports for 30 days

So, other than that it was totally unclear what was now required, as the press conference announcement was all about new and stricter measures, such as the mandatory aspect. News reports of isolating "immediately on entering Australia" weren't helpful. Its taken a lot of searching to find the right fact sheet.

When we arrived in SYD there was a delay of about 20 minutes before we could disembark while an AQIS guy wandered (with some difficulty) through the aisles of a 747 full of people ready to get off - it was probably the fullest flight I'd been on in the last month. He handed out this pamphlet about the new restrictions.

There was an impressive immigration queue as the smartgates had all been turned off. At the beginning of the queue a Customs guy was announcing about the 14 days quarantine, and that if you wanted to return you should go back to international transfers. There were very few people in there so didn't look like many were taking his advice. Presumably once you enter you are locked in to the 14 days, and I'm not sure whether people were aware of that or understood what was going on.

The pamphlet has this to say about domestic connections and layovers;

If you need to transit domestically, you may complete this transit and then begin your precautionary 14 day self isolation period. If you have a layover, you must remain in the airport or self-isolate in your accommodation for the transit period.

Health's website has quickly become a mess. the "advice for travellers" page doesn't link to the new fact sheet. It's buried under the CoVID resources link. Home Affairs website still has nothing much to say about all this other than the above.

Cheers skip

 

[jase05]

I have to commend the Saudi’s.
Have suspended all International flights for 2 weeks and have closed all parks, cafes, restaurants and malls.

 

[Pushka]

Just a quick update on my experience of the new quarantine experience.

There was some commentary in the PM etc press conference yesterday about a mandatory stat dec for incoming travellers, but this wasn't in place in SYD this morning and I doubt if it's practicable to have immigration compelling people signing stat decs. When I boarded lin BKKK last night this is all home affairs' website had to say

So, other than that it was totally unclear what was now required, as the press conference announcement was all about new and stricter measures, such as the mandatory aspect. News reports of isolating "immediately on entering Australia" weren't helpful. Its taken a lot of searching to find the right fact sheet.

When we arrived in SYD there was a delay of about 20 minutes before we could disembark while an AQIS guy wandered (with some difficulty) through the aisles of a 747 full of people ready to get off - it was probably the fullest flight I'd been on in the last month. He handed out this pamphlet about the new restrictions.

There was an impressive immigration queue as the smartgates had all been turned off. At the beginning of the queue a Customs guy was announcing about the 14 days quarantine, and that if you wanted to return you should go back to international transfers. There were very few people in there so didn't look like many were taking his advice. Presumably once you enter you are locked in to the 14 days, and I'm not sure whether people were aware of that or understood what was going on.

The pamphlet has this to say about domestic connections and layovers;


Health's website has quickly become a mess. the "advice for travellers" page doesn't link to the new fact sheet. It's buried under the CoVID resources link. Home Affairs website still has nothing much to say about all this other than the above.

Cheers skip

RooFlyer seems to have had a much better experience today in Adelaide.

 

[Denali]

Some good news for my wallet overnight, all accommodation have allowed 15mth postponements so fingers crossed they're still in business next March.

Airlines are going to allow changes but I don't hold much hope SSA and Kenyan will still be around by then but can hope.

Will work on changing my SQ flights in a couple of weeks, no need to rush.

 

[Denali]

Costa Rica just closed their borders... my friend who was making her way to Cocos Island just got turned back

 

[Cossie]

Costa Rica just closed their borders... my friend who was making her way to Cocos Island just got turned back

Do you know where they were turned back?

 

[Denali]

Do you know where they were turned back?

Not sure where she is at the moment/when she found out but she flew Sydney>Dallas on Sunday so I wonder how shes going to get home/can she avoid the US.

Another friend headed for her cruise to Antarctica on Sunday as well and it was cancelled. She made it all the way to Ushuia.

I said on Sunday I wonder if they follow FFer forums as they were so confident it was going ahead.

 

[PineappleSkip]

RooFlyer seems to have had a much better experience today in Adelaide.

Mrs Pineapple flew in QF from Singapore to BNE this morning and said it was much more organised. There was an announcement in flight that AQIS would board, but as it turned out the forms (info sheet and guarantee of isolation) were handed out at the top of the airbridge. Smart gates working again and signed guarantee (that you would isolate) taken with the arrival cards. Total time from plane to exit about 30 mins, during the morning rush hour.

cheers skip

 

[RooFlyer]

There was some commentary in the PM etc press conference yesterday about a mandatory stat dec for incoming travellers,

RooFlyer seems to have had a much better experience today in Adelaide.

Yes the sounds like it took a day to organise ( no surprise there).

No stat Dec for me yesterday.

ADL and MEL airports quiet this morning, but far from deserted. I'm one of the few wearing a mask.

 

[Denali]

Friend in the Philipines just posted, looks like we are going to try to get out of Ticao and then the Philippines ASAP. Government closing country totally in 72 hours. Now to change flight.

Hes with about a dozen friends on a scuba trip

 

[Lynda2475]

Ditto Intrepid. All tours running. Cancel 31 days out to get 50% back and 50% credit. Under that and you lose 50%. That's sorta ok, if they still pay all their pre booked hotels, but I suspect they won't.

This is not correct, I checked Intrepid over the weekend and it has been updated again today:

* Only australian tours are currently running - At this stage selected tours will continue in Australia, whilst others will be suspended due to logistical restraints. If your trip is suspended, you will be notified and the above conditions will apply. Along with our operating partner we are monitoring the situation closely.

* All international tours until 30th April are cancelled - If you have booked a tour departing between 16 March 2020 and 30 April 2020 you will receive a credit of 110% to put towards an alternative tour with a departure date before 30 April 2022 (excluding flights and insurance). This travel credit will be automatically applied to your Intrepid booking.

* Tours departing from 1 May 2020 - If you cancel your tour departing from 1 May 2020, you will receive a credit of monies paid to use towards an alternative tour with a departure date before 30 April 2022. For future travel full payment is due 21 days prior to the departure of your trip.

My tour departs 7th June, i dont have to make final payment until 16th May - so am waiting to see what happens. Best caase they cancel my tour in which case I will insist on a full refund, as the terms when I booked my tour were option of a full refund if Intrepid cancel a departure guarnateed tour. They are an Aussie company so subject to Australian consumer law. Further their tours require you to be insured to join a tour, and if insurer wont cover you anymore they cant insist it is pssible for you to join the tour.

Their site doesnt say how far in advance you can cancel and get the credit - need to find that out i.e. can one wait til 1 week before departure giving moving pieces re flighst and entry restrictions.

However, if you didnt book direct with Intrepid then it is likely FC or other TA endorcing the old 50% cancellation rules. Thsi is why you should always book direct with operator/provider if possible rather than by a 3rd party.

 

[Cossie]

Not sure where she is at the moment/when she found out but she flew Sydney>Dallas on Sunday so I wonder how shes going to get home/can she avoid the US.

Another friend headed for her cruise to Antarctica on Sunday as well and it was cancelled. She made it all the way to Ushuia.

I said on Sunday I wonder if they follow FFer forums as they were so confident it was going ahead.

Ahh, my mistake, wrong Cocos Island! I didn't know there was another one.

 

[RooFlyer]

This is not correct, I checked Intrepid over the weekend and it has been updated again today:

OK, thanks, that's an updated since their email of 6 March.