Would you travel to China...

[ChinaThwarted]

We have a holiday (no DC) planned to China for two weeks in March.

Our flights have not been cancelled at present - but I’m increasingly unsure as to what to do.

Other than all flights being cancelled up till 29/02, the FCO now advising all Brits to leave the country, and no clear view on what might happen with Coronavirus...

Do I accept now its a 100% no, and write off the flights as a loss (if they aren’t actually cancelled, I can’t claim any money back), or am I being paranoid and all of this may have blown over in six weeks?

I think I probably know the answer, but am currently in denial about it...

There's a high chance your flights will be cancelled but either way I wouldn't be going.

Nope.

No.

Because the Foreign Office has advised again all but essential travel.

If you go there will be no consular assistance and insurance is null and void if you travel against the Foreign Offices advice.

I'd go - China is a big place!

I'm so sorry as I bet this was a long planned holiday of a lifetime but I would assume you're not going given that it's being predicted this will last many many weeks and hasn't even plateaued yet. See if you can get a new destination with the same airline maybe? Thailand etc. I know there are a few cases there but its one or two rather than the 20 000 in China currently(if the ccp are even telling us the truth)

Err, no way would I go

No way. This outbreak won't even be close to being over in 6 weeks.

No. My friend is in Hong Kong and her children are off school for a month.

I think you will find your flights will be cancelled and you will get your money back anyway.

Nope.

Oh we won’t go if the FCO are still saying no travel - I mean, that would be crazy. I’m more imagining the travel ban would have just been lifted / government advice returned to normal.

Thanks Tipsey, yes it is due to be a big trip - thankfully I haven’t spent too much beyond the flights yet, but hard to know if I should just cut my losses (and as you say, book to go elsewhere).

Definitely book to go elsewhere.

This virus will be around in China for at least another three to four months.

If you go against FCO advice your travel insurance policies will be invalidated. And you should not expect the FCO to repatriate you.

If the virus spreads in significant numbers to other regions of China you risk being locked down for weeks if the Chinese government decide to lockdown another area.

Why not try Latin America instead?