Anyone else re-thinking overseas travel?

A couple of months ago I was considering a trip to HK in 2020 given the cheaper flights & accommodation, even with the protests, glad I didn't book it.

Heading to Denmark / Norway later in the year, no plans to change at this stage (flights and most accommodation already booked anyway), but arranging some masks for the flight if it seems necessary at the time.

I guess we will play it by ear, but may steer clear of any heavily touristed spots if it seems like a risk.

 

I am traveling to Europe in May. I am not re-thinking it.

 

I may be summonsed to NZ in the near future. Think I'll be wearing a mask in the airport and on the flight. Maybe I'm paranoid ...

The thing with cruise ships, when something like this goes wrong (think gastro outbreaks) then it goes really really wrong

 

There was once a "cruise" ship named Titanic. That cruise went really really wrong too.

 

I was travelling to Shanghai on the 27th of march, luckily Qantas cancelled the flights and refunded me without hesitation. However now i have a week off and nowhere overseas to go..

 

I have a walk planned on the South Island in NZ by myself in less then 14 days..

Not that worried about the walking but thinking the way the air filter system work on the trip over as it a direct Brisbane to Queenstown flight just over three hours that may be a worry..

Would anyone know what the best mask is too use?..,

i was thinking of wearing my Stoney Creek full face balaclava with built in snow mask but i don't think i would get out of Brisbane with that on..

 

We have a cruise booked, Copenhagen to Boston via Norway, Iceland and Greenland in August.

Planned to book airfares around now, but waiting a month or two to see how things pan out, and what connections to avoid (Hong Kong?). Only paid deposit on cruise, no more to pay until end of May so time is in our favour.

Meanwhile, cruise booked end March, South Pacific islands round trip from Sydney. Balcony cabin. Not concerned, Princess banning anyone who has been in HK or mainland China in the last 14 days before sail date. Since flights now banned, that should not affect anyone.

Daughter is a nurse, said face masks useless unless full filtered breathing included. Said surgical masks offer no protection, but get them if it makes us feel better! Apparently they are designed to stop the wearer spreading THEIR germs to others.

 

My main concern would be travel insurance exclusion... Most seem to have declared exclusions for new policies so your only safety net is in countries with reciprical health care...

Also noting that many policies have wholesale exclusion for pandemic.... Read the fine print !

One point with masks was that they help you avoid touching your face....

 

I just flew back 48 hours ago from Bangkok via Singapore and the airports are significantly less busy than usual. I wouldn't hesitate to go again tomorrow if need be...but maybe i am stupid

 

Well, they don't name Isolation Wards that for no reason. Not designed to protect patients from us but us from them.

 

Here's a few tips for travellers

 

refer to this.......First world problems 2020

 

Apparently the old Contiki Tours now includes Coronavirus and STD checks upon boarding.

 

Funnily enough before any outbreaks occurred, when I went back to Asia I always wondered at the back of my head what if an outbreak occurred with people literally living on top of each other.

Now with 3 kids in tow, initially I was planning a trip to Thailand and back to the ole country in Vietnam for our biannual visits but that is now obviously canned. One door closes another opens I guess, Australian cities now suddenly becomes more attractive with the fewer people and crowds.

 

Planned a family trip to Bali in April and solo trip to America in August. Hope the virus is contained by then.

 

Tickets bought for:
- early March to Western USA
- mid May to Northern China.

I am really at a loss on what we should do. Paid a lot of money for the tickets and if the Airline doesnt refund, we will be out-of-pocket a lot of money....

Interesting....