What happens if you catch COVID whilst overseas?

[Zanzara]

What happens if, despite being vaccinated, you catch COVID whilst overseas? QF announced today that you need a negative test to board?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

What happens if, despite being vaccinated, you catch COVID whilst overseas? QF announced today that you need a negative test to board?

At the moment you will need to make arrangements - perhaps up to 14 days - to wait for covid to clear your system and you are able to get a negative (or 'recovered from') result.

Depending on your circumstances you might want to find travel insurance that provides cover for the additional hotel/meals/disruption.

Down the track negative PCR tests may no longer be a requirement.

 

[Zanzara]

At the moment you will need to make arrangements - perhaps up to 14 days - to wait for covid to clear your system and you are able to get a negative (or 'recovered from') result.

Depending on your circumstances you might want to find travel insurance that provides cover for the additional hotel/meals/disruption.

Down the track negative PCR tests may no longer be a requirement.

Thanks for the speedy reply.

Guess there will be a plethora of Insurance companies making $ and providing cover in the future. When NSW & VIC open up for travel…. Looks interesting that EK provide free COVID insurance cover for tixs purchased through them. Wonder if that covers QF codeshares or Skyawards redemptions?

 

[Pushka]

What happens if, despite being vaccinated, you catch COVID whilst overseas? QF announced today that you need a negative test to board?

If UK you isolate yourself from family etc at home for 10-14 days. That's all. Don't have to test again.

 

[Zanzara]

If UK you isolate yourself from family etc at home for 10-14 days. That's all. Don't have to test again.

I was thinking when returning to oz mainly but thanks for the info

 

[jrfsp]

Found on the QF website:

"If you have received a positive COVID-19 PCR result prior to your flight you will be unable to travel and subject to and public health orders in your state.

You need to contact Qantas to discuss your options.

Through our Fly Flexible policy, with your international booking you will also have the flexibility to make fee free date changes for travel until 31 December 2022 (a fare difference may apply)."

Sounds like youll get a free "change" subject to a different fare......

You'll want comprehensive insurance!

 

[drron]

On Cruise Critic there have been a few reports of Americans testing positive when overseas.They need a negative test to return.Usually spend 14 days in a hotel isolating.Some cruise lines will pay for that.

 

[Pushka]

I was thinking when returning to oz mainly but thanks for the info

Then the usual requirement applies. A negative PCR test before arrival.

 

[Scarlett]

What happens if, despite being vaccinated, you catch COVID whilst overseas? QF announced today that you need a negative test to board?

I would suggest that practically, most people won't bother getting tested.

Until they have to, for something like a flight requirement...
...and then they'll go to Vasily at tests R us.co.br and get a guaranteed negative! (payments in bitcoin gladly accepted)

Are QF mandating where they'll accept a test from? Surely they realise that the weakest link in any process will be exploited quicker than you can say mistake fare on ozbargain.

The 'responsible' responses had already been given above.

 

[Pushka]

I would suggest that practically, most people won't bother getting tested.

Until they have to, for something like a flight requirement...
...and then they'll go to Vasily at tests R us.co.br and get a guaranteed negative! (payments in bitcoin gladly accepted)

Are QF mandating where they'll accept a test from? Surely they realise that the weakest link in any process will be exploited quicker than you can say mistake fare on ozbargain.

The 'responsible' responses had already been given above.

People will likely only get tested if they are concerned about infecting other family members who can't be vaccinated. Eg under 12's and aged people in any case.

 

[andye]

People will likely only get tested if they are concerned about infecting other family members who can't be vaccinated. Eg under 12's and aged people in any case.

I'm not so sure. One of the things I've noticed is that the majority of people do the right thing. It's the minority who the most noise gets made about (for obvious reasons)

 

[justinbrett]

You can come back with a positive test after 14 days but you need a medical certificate:

Your medical certificate must clearly state that:

• at least 14 days have passed since the onset of symptoms or initial positive PCR if asymptomatic; and
• there has been clinical resolution of fever and respiratory symptoms of the acute illness for the previous 72 hours; and
• you have had COVID-19 before but are now recovered and not considered to be infectious.

That's the Australian government policy. Unsure if Qantas is more restrictive, but you'd think they'd apply the same standard.

 

[Seat0B]

Travel insurance at the moment seems to be a bit hit and miss.

NoCookies | The Australian

www.theaustralian.com.au

Seems like most will cover direct medical costs (which presumably would include accommodation costs if you have COVID and can't fly), but not delays associated with travel bans.
"Most travel insurance policies exclude cancellation costs arising from government travel bans, as it is impossible for insurers to price the risk associated with (them),”

 

[kelvedon]

JAL also offer free covid cover to passengers (including reward seats) which includes medical and accommodation costs whilst overseas. Currently it covers pax departing between 23 Dec to Jan 10th but this appears to be a rolling date offer.

JAL Covid-19 Cover - JAPAN AIRLINES (JAL)

Until March 31, 2022. Taking safety and security to the next level. All customers traveling on JAL international flights are eligible for JAL Covid-19 Cover, which provides complimentary COVID-19 support.

www.jal.co.jp

 

[Anna]

Not all places OS allow you to stay in your hotel if you or a travel companion tests positive. I read in the Guardian the other day about a British family on holiday in Rhodes in a resort. One of the kids got sick and tested positive and the whole family was forced to leave the resort and was put in quarantine in a govt-run hostel until they could fly home. No refund on the resort holiday either.

 

[Brissy1]

You can come back with a positive test after 14 days but you need a medical certificate:

Your medical certificate must clearly state that:

• at least 14 days have passed since the onset of symptoms or initial positive PCR if asymptomatic; and
• there has been clinical resolution of fever and respiratory symptoms of the acute illness for the previous 72 hours; and
• you have had COVID-19 before but are now recovered and not considered to be infectious.

That's the Australian government policy. Unsure if Qantas is more restrictive, but you'd think they'd apply the same standard.

Gee, I still wouldn't want to be sitting next to them for hours!

 

[PineappleSkip]

I would suggest that practically, most people won't bother getting tested.

Until they have to, for something like a flight requirement...

Generally they have to before checking in for their flight.

Smarttraveller in partnership with CHOICE has a guide to buying COVID flight insurance
CHOICE travel insurance buying guide: COVID-19 edition

Cheers skip

 

[Duncan]

Currently in this position in Canada, my results are due tomorrow. They are pretty switched on and if my result is Positive then the time is back dated to when I was notified of being a close contact ( last Friday ) so that helps with the time frame. The were proactive in the letter of Contagine in regard to the article my experience has been more the American example rather than the Canadian. Things are extremely fluid rules are changing constantly especially 8f you fly the plague flights with QF metal. 14 hours and not once after take off were reminders or instructions given to passengers to fix their masks properly. Of 3 airlines flown so far QF was the slackest by far.

 

[hossein_au]

Thanks for the speedy reply.

Guess there will be a plethora of Insurance companies making $ and providing cover in the future. When NSW & VIC open up for travel…. Looks interesting that EK provide free COVID insurance cover for tixs purchased through them. Wonder if that covers QF codeshares or Skyawards redemptions?

I believe EY also provides COVID insurance cover. I. booked a rewards seat and they sent me confirmation of the cover "Up to 100 [Euros] per day quarantine cost cover".

Reading the fine print a bit further: "If you are diagnosed...while you are traveling... outside your home country...we will cover any medical costs related to the treatment of COVID-19. Limit: 150,000 Euros"... "...we will cover your accommodation costs. Limit: 100 Euros per day for a maximum of 14 days."

They also cover actual repatriation costs if it is medically required.

 

[Ade]

14 hours and not once after take off were reminders or instructions given to passengers to fix their masks properly

IMHO, if people still needed reminders/instructions to fix their masks 2 years into the pandemic, then I guess something is exceptionally wrong with us

On a serious note though - I flew a few domestic flights during the course of the pandemic and explicit announcements re masks happened only at the beginning before the safety briefing, never anytime after that. So guess may be same pattern is being followed for international?