When the coronavirus was first discovered, it was first thought to be a disease that could be easily contained and kept to a small section of Wuhan, China where it started. But with the modern-day ease of worldwide travel, it has proven to be a disease that has greater far-reaching danger than first expected. As of today, February 5, 2020 the number of coronavirus cases worldwide rose to 24,324, creating a wave of new restrictions and concerns for the travel industry to navigate. The spread of the disease in mainland China and to 27 countries and regions beyond is alarming health experts.
What is the Coronavirus?
The origin of the virus is believed to have originated in a food market in Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife. Health experts think it may have originated in bats and then passed to humans, possibly via another species. The coronavirus family of viruses includes the common cold and more serious diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
Many of those with the new virus, who have died, had pre-existing medical conditions or were elderly, those with weakened immune systems. Coronavirus infections have a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough and breathing difficulties.
The virus can be transmitted via droplets when an infected person breathes out, coughs or sneezes, and can also spread via contaminated surfaces such as door handles. Experts have said it is more easily transmitted than the SARS virus. The incubation period is up to 14 days. People may be able to infect others before symptoms appear. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that people frequently wash hands, cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and avoid close contact with those who are sick.
Is there any vaccine available?
There is no vaccine yet. Fortunately, Chinese scientists were able to identify the genetic sequence of the new coronavirus and shared it publicly. Drugmakers around the globe expect to begin testing experimental vaccines on humans in about three months.
How has coronavirus affected travel?
Airlines - The United States announced this week a temporary ban on foreign nationals who have traveled in China within the last two weeks, to fly to the US. Any Americans in China returning to the US and who have been in China within the last 14 days, will face screening. Passengers will be routed to one of seven major airports where they can be screened. The airports include JFK, New York; Chicago-O’Hare; San Francisco International; Seattle-Tacoma , Seattle; Daniel K. Inouye International, Hawaii; LAX; and Hartsfield-Jackson, Atlanta. Passengers will be then required to perform self-screening for the next two weeks.
Three of the biggest US airlines have temporarily suspended all flights to China. American Airlines’ suspension takes place immediately and will last until March 28th. United will suspend service starting on February 6th, and expects it to resume operations on March 28th. Delta began its temporary suspension on February 2nd, and will resume operations April 30th.
International carriers have also taken action as well suspending flights to mainland China. Air New Zealand through March 29th; Chinese carriers China Eastern Airlines and Hainan Airlines have suspended some flights to the US. China Eastern flights from Shanghai to Los Angeles and New York will be canceled through February 10th. The service to San Francisco will be canceled on February 6th and to Chicago on February 8th. Service to Honolulu is suspended until March 27th.
China Eastern will also suspend flights from Kunming to Vancouver via Nanjing and to San Francisco via Qingdao. Its route from Chengdu to Los Angeles via Nanjing will be suspended beginning February 4th.
Other carriers that have also suspended flights to mainland China include - Air Canada, British Airways, Air Asia, Cathay Pacific, Air India, IndiGo, Lufthansa, Finnair, KLM, Air France and Qatar Airways.
Hotels - Many of the major chains are waiving any modification and cancellation fees due to the coronavirus outbreak in mainland China and some of the surrounding areas affected by this disease. These included but not limited to Hilton, Marriott, Accor, Hyatt, IHG, and Wyndham through February 29th.
Cruise Lines - The cruise lines have also been greatly impacted as well. Many of the lines have suspended crew movements from mainland China and are denying boarding to anyone, guest or crew, who has traveled from or through mainland China in the last two weeks. Azamara Cruises and Celebrity Cruises have canceled China sailings through mid February at a minimum, and this could be extended. MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Silversea have canceled all of their China sails until further notice. Cunard, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, and Crystal have replaced China and Hong Kong stops and will go to other ports instead.
Princess Cruises announced that it placed 3,700 passengers and crew under mandatory quarantine after 10 people aboard the Princess Diamond in the Japanese port of Yokohama tested positive for coronavirus.
I have travel insurance, I’ll just go ahead and cancel due to the virus
The coronavirus fears have travelers rethinking their trips and feel that since they have travel insurance it will protect them from cancelling their scheduled trip. But you better read the fine print on your policy. Otherwise, you could be out any nonrefundable deposits or final payments. Fear of traveling due to coronavirus is not a covered reason to cancel a trip on a typical comprehensive travel insurance policy. On most standard travel insurance policies there is limited cancellation coverage. Virus outbreaks do not fall under the standard cancellation reasons on most travel insurance policies.
So what are my options?
If you have already purchased travel insurance, you could contact the company to see if you could upgrade that policy that would include a ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ provision. If you have not purchased travel insurance, you could look into a policy that does carry a ‘Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage.’ There are eligibility requirements and reimbursement is typically up to 75% of pre-paid, nonrefundable trip cost.
On the flip side and this is the bad part, if a person who has travel insurance contracts the virus before their departure, they may be covered to cancel their trip entirely under a standard policy. In addition, if a traveler falls ill with the coronavirus while on their trip, they can be refunded for medical expenses and, if medically necessary, be covered to end their trip early and return home.
The coronavirus has certainly put a crimp in travel plans if you are planning to travel to Asia and its surrounding areas. If you are scheduled to travel in the next few months, consider all of your options and costs to you that will be incurred. If you are not scheduled to travel until the end of the year or next, then you may have time until all of the problems surrounding this disease have been brought under control.