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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Coronavirus: Aibu to worry about our pre-booked holiday to Singapore & Australia in July?

7 replies

bringandbuy · 23/02/2020 15:15

We've booked a long-saved-for post-GCSE holiday to Singapore (3 days) and Australia (1 week in Sydney, 1 week in Cairns) in July/August. The flights and most of the accommodation were booked before the Coronavirus outbreak hit the news, though we still need to book accommodation for the final week. Under normal circumstances I'd have finalised those details before now, but I'm paralysed by the feeling that the virus outbreak is only going to get worse. If we hadn't already booked I probably would be looking at other destinations instead.

Both my husband and DC2 (13) have asthma, and are susceptible to chest infections. I realise that by July they might be just as likely to catch it here in London than in Singapore, but I still have a huge sense of trepidation. Australia already has strict border controls in place for anyone travelling from Singapore, so even if we don't catch anything I'm worried that my son's asthmatic cough might be mistaken for virus symptoms, leading to us being quarantined.

We do have travel insurance in place, but I don't think it would cover cancellation unless the government advises people not to travel. The Singapore Airlines flights aren't flexible, so I think it would cost a hefty amount to change them if we wanted to skip the Singapore leg of the trip.

Is anyone else in similar circumstances? There must be loads of people doing similar trips even now, so it would be helpful to hear about your experiences.

OP posts:
ZorbaTheHoarder · 23/02/2020 15:47

In your shoes, I would cancel the trip. It's really not worth the risk and the virus seems to be spreading all the time.

Have you checked the Foreign Office website for their advice yet?

As your husband and son are at a higher risk, why take a chance? Is a holiday worth potential major illness or worse?

Not trying to catastrophise, but I think that the situation is getting quite serious.

VivaLeBeaver · 23/02/2020 15:51

I don't think you're being unreasonable. Adult dd reckons she's off to Japan in July, though hasn't booked yet. She's adament it'll be fine. She's immunocomptimised and I hope she doesn't go.

Samcarpy92 · 23/02/2020 16:18

Do you people not do anything in the winter months when the flu is going around the UK?

Aridane · 23/02/2020 16:26

I am in a similar position, OP, and am closely following government advice and that of the countries I am going to.

It is a question of watch and wait as i) insurance will not respond unless FCO advises against travel (and so far only China is in that category), and ii) airlines will not refund.

BA is being very good on China, not just with cancelled flights (a refund) but also with flights routed via Hong Kong. So, for example, a long haul flight via Hong Kong - for flights up to 3rd April - they will reroute you to your destination with another airline at not extra cost!

Sit tight

Aridane · 23/02/2020 16:27

(I mean airlines will not refund just because there are cases of Coronavirus in Thailand, Italy, Israel etc and you've changed your mind about going)

bringandbuy · 23/02/2020 17:00

@samcarpy92 Do you people not do anything in the winter months when the flu is going around the UK?

Yes, "we people" get vaccinated against flu every year. It's recommended and free for everyone with asthma or other health conditions, and I pay to get it for myself and DS1 too. But there is currently no vaccine for coronavirus.

OP posts:
Aragog · 23/02/2020 17:03

If you cancel now you'll have to foot the cost yourself. Insurance won't pay out as there's nothing official to say you can't go.

I'd keep planning to go for now, and only change those plans if there is a directive to say I can't go. Just take your own precautions - good hand washing hygiene, keeping up with any medical advice, etc.

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