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

[Lawrage]

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.

So you cancelled your South Africa trip?

Heading over there similar time you were planning on going. Every day looks more like I wont be making the wedding I need to go to

 

[Denali]

So you cancelled your South Africa trip?

Heading over there similar time you were planning on going. Every day looks more like I wont be making the wedding I need to go to

Yes, South Africa cancelled. Once SA started announcing closures, limited crowds to 100 ect I was emotionally done plus so much going on at work so working on it happening March 2021.

Although I was looking forward to the 14 day isolation coming back.

 

[flyingfan]

Been on multiple QF flights today with loads slightly down to very down (one-third full). There’s been announcements about hygiene and also to either let crew know if you’re moving into one of the many empty seats, or that you have to stay put. Presumably to trace contacts if someone tests positive.

 

[RooFlyer]

Been on multiple QF flights today with loads slightly down to very down (one-third full). There’s been announcements about hygiene and also to either let crew know if you’re moving into one of the many empty seats, or that you have to stay put. Presumably to trace contacts if someone tests positive.

I took a couple of Qantas flights today, too. Didn't get an announcement about hygiene, but they did say to keep in your allocated seat for t/o and landing 'for trim'. I thought that was because of many empty seats, they didn't want people going crazy, but your reason sounds the go.

J on ADL-MEL full, whY about 2/3; J on MEL-HBA 1/3 full, whY 50%.

 

[flyingfan]

J on ADL-MEL full, whY about 2/3; J on MEL-HBA 1/3 full, whY 50%.

My four flights today (originally an NZ status run that had to be domesticated):
MEL-ADL - one-third full
ADL-DRW - less than half full
DRW-BNE - three-quarters full
BNE-MEL - quarter full

J has been half full at most, in contrast to QF usually successfully filling this cabin. I've always had a shadow and currently have a shadow-row.

 

[suze2000]

We made it home from Thailand with no incident yesterday. There were temp checks to enter departures at BKK, and the airport was considerably busier than it was when we arrived the previous Sunday (though perhaps that's because it was a Monday). Few non-anglos wearing masks, but us whiteys obvs think we're immune or just can't see the point (the latter, in my case, I'm not sold on the utility). SQ lounge in BKK not particularly busy, but NO SPARKLING WINE was a massive downer. Hot change at SIN after again passing an IR temp checkpoint and into an A359 which was about 60% full and comfortably spacious (as opposed to the A359 we flew on the previous leg with thin seats and a claustrophobically close seat in front).

Arrival in MEL was fast and we were at the taxi rank within 20mins of landing. Handed a printout of the self-isolation protocols as we exited the plane. There were also announcements on board about it twice before landing. (But only in English, I think Mandarin and Cantonese might have been worthwhile). E-gates working fine and baggage came about early because of hubby's VA Plat status. Sadly too tired to stop at the duty free counters on the way through. Taxi driver unphased when we asked him if he was going to try to protect himself from exposure to tourists. He was more concerned about the massive downturn in business.

 

[exceladdict]

Many chats on similar topics and I'm not across all of them, but this is a good article I saw on ABC / the conversation:

The shutdown is just the beginning. How we fly will change forever

The airline industry will wear the scars of the coronavirus pandemic for a very long time and it's hard to predict how it will change the way we travel, writes Volodymyr Bilotkach.

www.abc.net.au

 

[PineappleSkip]

South Australia has just announced interstate travellers to SA have to self isolate for 14 days

SA Travel advice

There are some vaguely described exceptions, such as “near border interactions”

cheers skip

 

[Saab34]

Domestic would have to be grounded from Tuesday.

Expect an answer in the morning I guess after all these big talks tonight.

Going to be a billion dollar problem for QF and Virgin. Both will essentially have the balance sheet wiped completely.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Well that's not going to happen, but further reductions would be likely, one would suspect.

 

[p--and--t]

Maybe for the next few months one domestic flight per day or three days a week between state capitals with each airline taking turns and selling each others seats? Possibly more if there is demand between Syd-Mel

 

[OATEK]

Maybe for the next few months one domestic flight per day or three days a week between state capitals with each airline taking turns and selling each others seats? Possibly more if there is demand between Syd-Mel

I assumed that FIFO flights would be needed throughout, and some other similar movements of people (eg Drs doing locums interstate).

 

[p--and--t]

I assumed that FIFO flights would be needed throughout, and some other similar movements of people (eg Drs doing locums interstate).

FIFO & flying doctor are largely not public commercial flights and would obviously be dealt with differently.

I expect Vic to announce border closing by this time tomorrow.

 

[OATEK]

FIFO & flying doctor are largely not public commercial flights and would obviously be dealt with differently.

Why all the hi-viz in airline lounges then?

 

[Must...Fly!]

SA & WA to have mandatory 14 day isolation from 4pm Adelaide time on Tuesday.

Getting serious.

 

[PineappleSkip]

I think the Pilbara is mostly FIFO. SA mentioned in relation to one of its exemptions

fly-in-fly-out workers ... could be exempt from this provision provided they have approved disease control mechanisms in place

However, the States appear to be running all over the place. NSW has just announced a shutdown of non-essential services, and mines are not listed as essential (However, presumably things like coal to fuel power stations would qualify - I'd expect a lot more clarity in due course than the bald statement)

Victoria has announced a ban similar to NSW, but tthe Premier website appears to be in meltdown

WA has also announced a border closure similar to South Australia's. That leaves the only states without border controls as NSW/ACT, Vic and Qld. I don't think Qld will lock itself off, because Gold Coast straddles the borders. But who knows!

Cheers skip

 

[Must...Fly!]

Singapore has just banned transit passengers entirely, effective Monday 23:59.

Coronavirus: All short-term visitors barred from entering or transiting in Singapore from Monday, 11.59pm

Work pass holders and their dependants will be allowed only if they work in sectors that provide essential services. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

 

[drron]

FIFO & flying doctor are largely not public commercial flights and would obviously be dealt with differently.

I expect Vic to announce border closing by this time tomorrow.

Locum doctors do indeed go on commercial flights.I have been doing so for 14 years.

 

[p--and--t]

Locum doctors do indeed go on commercial flights.I have been doing so for 14 years.

That's exactly why I asserted flights would continue; maybe once or twice a day or multi-weekly. I was asserting all flights will not stop. There will be exemptions for any essential travel - I expect it will be a few days before those categories are detailed. They would include anyone medical, emergency services, senior gov etc at the minimum. When I said flying doctor perhaps I should have typed RDFS to be clear on what I was referring to above.

Why all the hi-viz in airline lounges then?

I said "largely" - not all.

The Premier of WA announced today ALL FIFO transport in that state will be charter flights forthwith.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Singapore has just banned transit passengers entirely, effective Monday 23:59.

Coronavirus: All short-term visitors barred from entering or transiting in Singapore from Monday, 11.59pm

Work pass holders and their dependants will be allowed only if they work in sectors that provide essential services. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

Well that should at last cause my MEL - Koh Samui return flights to be cancelled. (Note I was not going, but just waiting for them to cancel rather than myself cancelling).