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

[Pushka]

Chloroquine phosphate, Chinese are claiming much quicker reduction of viral load, expanded trials in progress

Interesting. Plaquenil is chloroquine sulphate and both are antimalarials and plaquenil is used for treatment of rheumatic illnesses and which are auto immune in nature.

 

[tgh]

viral news ( moves fast.. )

Growing lack of confidence in authorities
By Kasra Naji, BBC Persian

There are fears in Iran that the government, unsure of how to handle the outbreak, is covering up the extent of the spread of the new coronavirus disease.

Now, a tally of figures reported by BBC Persian's sources in several hospitals suggests at least 210 people had died across the country as of Thursday night.

The highest number of deaths were said to be in Tehran, where a disproportionately high number of officials have reportedly tested positive for Covid-19, including a vice-president, a deputy minister, and at least two MPs.

Friday prayers in Tehran and 22 other cities were cancelled, and schools and universities closed.

Thousands of Iranians have also been stranded inside and outside the country as many flights have been stopped to and from Iran.

Also tough on the voicless

Chinese residents have reportedly been warned to get rid of their pets or face having them culled over concerns they could contract coronavirus. Local authorities across a number of provinces have supposedly taken the drastic step after coming under pressure from higher-ups to do more to tackle the epidemic. Villagers in Hubei were urged to ‘deal with’ furry companions within five days, while residents in Shanxi were handed notices asking them to ‘consider the overall situation’ and dispose of cats and dogs immediately. China’s top infectious diseases expert warned pets would need to be quarantined if exposed to patients, but the World Health Organisation claims it has seen no evidence animals can catch it.


Read more: Chinese residents 'ordered to cull pets amid fears they may spread coronavirus'

Twitter: Metro (@MetroUK) | Twitter | Facebook: Metro

One neighbourhood in Wuhan – the epicentre of the virus which has so far killed 259 and infected around 12,000 – residents have reportedly been banned from letting animals leave their homes. They have also been warned by officials that any spotted outside would be caught, killed and buried on the spot. Animal welfare group Humane Society International (HSI) claim similar warnings have been issued in other provinces across the country, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Hebei and Shanghai.


Read more: Chinese residents 'ordered to cull pets amid fears they may spread coronavirus'

Twitter: Metro (@MetroUK) | Twitter | Facebook: Metro

Earlier this week Professor Li Lanjuan, a senior expert in China’s National Health Commission, issued a warning that coronavirus ‘spreads between mammals’. She told state broadcaster CCTV that ‘pet owners should strengthen their management of their pets’ and advised animals ‘should be put in quarantine’ if they come into contact with anyone infected. An online vendor based in Beijing told MailOnline sales for special face masks for dogs had skyrocketed ten-fold since the outbreak.


Read more: Chinese residents 'ordered to cull pets amid fears they may spread coronavirus'

Twitter: Metro (@MetroUK) | Twitter | Facebook: Metro

 

[lovetravellingoz]

With respect to Covid 19, Iran easily tops the list of countries that I do not wish to be in at present.

Their weather at present is also not helpful.

 

[tgh]

Iran easily tops the list of countries that I do not wish to be in at present

really ??
Even when North Korea with it's perfect solution will now have not one single (live ) case..
I would rather tuck my recently purchased Quran under my arm and look humble in Iran than risk a temp check in North Korea..
ymmv….

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Iran easily tops the list of countries that I do not wish to be in at present

really ??
Even when North Korea with it's perfect solution will now have not one single (live ) case..
I would rather tuck my recently purchased Quran under my arm and look humble in Iran than risk a temp check in North Korea..
ymmv….

Yes. In North Korea the dictatorship has the ability to clamp down more. Both have third world living conditions though.

Iran looks to be out of control. When many members of the government are infected you know that you have a real problem.

 

[zenyattamondatta]

In South Korea (1,700+ cases) Reuters has reported that the Mayor of Daegu has died

Since you don't seem in any hurry to clear it up, allow me to just note that the Mayor of Daegu is not dead, and that Reuters did not report that he died, that's merely their way of stating the source.

 

[Denali]

........
We have had this cruise booked for 18months, and if we transferred there is no suitable date on the horizon (eg rest of 2020/2021. We are too late now to cancel being less than a month out, and would lnot get a refund. So we have agreed to get on with it and enjoy the adventure without looking over our shoulders (while taking sensible precautions).

We're transiting Singapore April 29th - provided our flights are not cancelled we too just want to get on with it as well.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

What the USA has online - updated regularly.

COVID-19 and Travel

CDC travel recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

www.cdc.gov

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I would also expect that in places like Bali, that are overwhelmingly reliant on tourism dollars, that the attraction of hiding anything for as long as possible is an understandable practice. But all this is short term - let's revisit the Bali situation in a couple of weeks and see what has actually been happening there

They are (reliant on tourist $$). Last week in Bali it was very quiet, they usually get 5000 Chinese tourists a day arriving. However... there are currently 3000 Chinese tourists in Bali that have decided to stay and ride out the worst of the virus 'back home'. Their visas have been extended. So the effect has been mitigated a little for the local economy. And then there's the Aussies - still plenty of them arriving, and lots of Russians.

At least for now it might well be true that Bali is a little isolated from the spread of the virus. But I guess all it takes is a local hotel worker or massage therapist to get infected and they could spread it

 

[get me outta here]

This should help clear out a few more flyers

 

[p--and--t]

This should help clear out a few more flyers

Ah, another carefully crafted non-inflammatory front page of a responsible media outlet - Not!

 

[Denali]

One of the safaris we paid for about 8mths ago - I see theyre promoting 20 to 30% discounts.

Must. Stop. Looking. at their social media

 

[get me outta here]

If it gets cheaper, what’s the change penalty to you?

One of the safaris we paid for about 8mths ago - I see theyre promoting 20 to 30% discounts.

Must. Stop. Looking. at their social media

 

[p--and--t]

If it gets cheaper, what’s the change penalty to you?

Good question for a lot of people I suspect.

We had paid non-refundable deposits on 3 tours months ago. Between deposit and final payment time, two of the tours had specials on them, so we cancelled the tours and re-booked the exact same tour. Even though we "lost " the deposits, saved many hundreds of $$$.

 

[Denali]

Re travel insurance and people buying after late Jan not being covered. I guess thats where credit card insurance will cover them if they meet the criteria prior to Jan 2020.

I know most here dont buy travel insurance as they utilise credit cards but for the newbies and people like me that tend to be over insured.

 

[get me outta here]

Apparently a beautician on the Gold Coast has possibly infected 40 customers. Up to 40 possibly exposed to coronavirus at Gold Coast beauty salon

 

[Sabot]

With respect to Covid 19, Iran easily tops the list of countries that I do not wish to be in at present.

Their weather at present is also not helpful.

You mean all the aircraft debris?

 

[amaroo]

..

Re travel insurance and people buying after late Jan not being covered. I guess thats where credit card insurance will cover them if they meet the criteria prior to Jan 2020.

I know most here dont buy travel insurance as they utilise credit cards but for the newbies and people like me that tend to be over insured.

Depends on the timing, but that's where an annual multi trip policy is a winner.

 

[amaroo]

NZ has it's first case. Person flew EK from Tehran > Bali > Auckland.

 

[amaroo]

The deadly combo of COVID 19 and the various sanctions is going to devastate Iran.

Six charts that show how hard US sanctions have hit Iran

Iran's leaders have stayed defiant in the face of the sanctions, but their substantial impact is clear.

www.bbc.com