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

[p--and--t]

ABC just reconfirmed those being evacuated from Wuhan will be charged for the flight and also interviewed Insurance council rep who said Insurers may or may not refund the cost of "ticket" - read the PDS and ring your insurer for advice.

Also recommended going here to find an insurer that may cover you for an upcoming trip during the current situation.

 

[Melburnian1]

This article is about 5J that as a low cost airline flies to SYD and MEL but also a lot around Asia. Last time I checked it annually carried a similar number of passengers to what VA does, so it isn't tiny.

NB what the CEO projects about load figures to and from mainland China, how most who were booked there are requesting refunds and not rebooking and his thoughts on what other routes it will affect:

Coronavirus scare takes toll on Cebu Pacific

The country’s biggest budget airline, Cebu Pacific Air, yesterday warned that it was bracing for a substantial adverse impact in terms of passenger volumes due to a sharp downtrend in travel caused

business.inquirer.net

5J at 13 per cent almost certainly sees a much bigger share of passenger revenue from mainland China flights than does QF (with only PVG, and soon to be discontinued PEK, although many would transit via HKG), but analysts UBS recently said QFi could take a hit of A$200 million. Time will tell.

 

[DC3]

... My Uncle came back from WW2 with an infectious disease - spent more than 2 weeks at the Quarantine Station in Sydney in very uncomfortable surroundings (apart from a good view). My grandfather came back from WW1 and wasn't even allowed off the boat ...

Yes, many of our family members have suffered from both World Wars.

Although, expectations have dramatically increased in the decades since 1914-18 and 1939-45.

 

[DC3]

And it’s free?. Wonder if ScoMo will impose a daily “resort fee”?

Don’t give them any ideas.

 

[dajop]

5J at 13 per cent almost certainly sees a much bigger share of passenger revenue from mainland China flights than does QF (with only PVG, and soon to be discontinued PEK, although many would transit via HKG),

From various reports, people I think will be deferring travel to Asia per se, so that covers most of QFi's routes. Then no doubt because of proximity of Australia to Asia, the US routes to Australia probably will be affected as well.

 

[p--and--t]

Is the detention centre a big step down from a caravan ark with shared facilities? Somehow I doubt, and yet thousands of Australians cope with caravan parks each year. I get he whole "detention centre" label is meant to point at a different issue, but I doubt it is all that bad.
My Uncle came back from WW2 with an infectious disease - spent more than 2 weeks at the Quarantine Station in Sydney in very uncomfortable surroundings (apart from a good view). My grandfather came back from WW1 and wasn't even allowed off the boat, which was moored off the quarantine station. He kept carbon copies of the daily lists he was required to compile of the sick and dying. Those returning from Wuhan look like they will get a much better deal than our war heroes.

Perhaps a few things have changed in 75 years and comparisons largely irrelevant.

Suggest people try take a helicopter view and how they might feel being trapped in a city for an indeterminate period of time where 10'000s are infected, and it is illegal to use your car to go to the shops, medical supplies exhausted, hospitals overrun and unable to cope and some 8,000 km from home. What will happen to my health, will I lose my job, I've run out of money to stay where I am etc etc etc etc etc.

 

[Isochronous]

$1,000 per seat seems fair to me given the likely costs of putting on the flight.

 

[dajop]

I’m passing on this one as it’s not in the Playground.

Fair call.

But apoltically, I would fully expect Dept of Health to have a plan in place, irrespective of who the "boss" is (and it would seem they do).

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Perhaps a few things have changed in 75 years and comparisons largely irrelevant.

Suggest people try take a helicopter view and how they might feel being trapped in a city for an indeterminate period of time where 10'000s are infected, and it is illegal to use your car to go to the shops, medical supplies exhausted, hospitals overrun and unable to cope and some 8,000 km from home. What will happen to my health, will I lose my job, I've run out of money to stay where I am etc etc etc etc etc.

This is all true and I would be desparate to leave.
However I would be very reluctant to put myself into a detention centre under Peter Dutton's control.
I would have no confidence about the level of medical care, the way I would be treated, or when I would be released.
It really is a catch 22.

 

[Melburnian1]

This is all true and I would be desparate to leave.
However I would be very reluctant to put myself into a detention centre under Peter Dutton's control.
I would have no confidence about the level of medical care, the way I would be treated, or when I would be released.
It really is a catch 22.

That belongs in the AFFer playground or similar. I will refrain from commenting here.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Anyone would think it's a concentration camp.

Get a grip

 

[p--and--t]

Details still extremely vague but looks like NZ Gov is offering to fly aussies from Wuhan to NZ.

There was no talk of detention centres (self isolation for 14 days expected) and no talk of a payment for a ticket.

Update: Official statement from NZ: "Those who do take a seat on the plane will be required to pay a fee, but Peters said the Government will absorb most of the cost of the charter flight. "

 

[Astro]

I start my year of flying again this weekend. What is it like on VA & QF domestically. Is everyone wearing masks yet?

 

[Pushka]

From various reports, people I think will be deferring travel to Asia per se, so that covers most of QFi's routes. Then no doubt because of proximity of Australia to Asia, the US routes to Australia probably will be affected as well.

Hells Bells. Dubai might get back in favour then.

 

[amaroo]

I‘m not sure that it will be only 14 days though. Watch this space, perhaps?

If things have turned pair shape within the 14 days I suspect many will be thinking - why did they bring them here....

Apparently the WHO is against anyone being airlifted / relocated / moved from the affected area, maybe the Gov should abort the plan and let the Chinese handle it.

 

[DC3]

I start my year of flying again this weekend. What is it like on VA & QF domestically. Is everyone wearing masks yet?

The masks are practically sold out in Adelaide apparently. Elsewhere, you are probably okay if you get in and buy now, just in case.

 

[OATEK]

The masks are practically sold out in Adelaide apparently. Elsewhere, you are probably okay if you get in and buy now, just in case.

Probably as rare as hand sanitiser in Sydney (flown off the shelves apparently).

 

[Astro]

The masks are practically sold out in Adelaide apparently. Elsewhere, you are probably okay if you get in and buy now, just in case.

Don't worry - I'm not that paranoid (yet)...

I don't want to be the only passenger not on a guided tour of Australia to be wearing a mask. I could just imagine the looks I'd get.

 

[DC3]

So, who will be running the Christmas Island Centre security? To ensure that residents of the Centre stay within it’s confines.

Edit: Island population of about 2,000

 

[amaroo]

Probably as rare as hand sanitiser in Sydney (flown off the shelves apparently).

Walked pass boxes and boxes of masks at a hardware store earlier today .... QLD'ers don't seem that interested