Ski trip, go or not?

[Atalune]

We have a family ski trip booked for the French alps next week.

We have been in touch with the travel company and our insurance company. Basically if the travel company/airline etc cancel we are covered.

We are NOT covered if we decide we don’t want to go because I am worried about it.

So....as much as this is a first world problem, I can’t afford really to eat the cost of the holiday and I don’t want to put my children at risk.

I don’t know why I’m posting. I’m just nervous be stressing.

We are all thankfully healthy and fit but even so I don’t want to be stranded in the bloody alps!

Where are you going? We have a long weekend in Megeve coming up in a couple of weeks abc I’m getting antsy about it..

Les Arcs.

It’s in the Savoir Faire region which I think had a confirmed case.

We are self catering so feeling slightly more in control of what we eat/drink etc.

Even though the number of cases in France are increasing, I don't think catching the illness is necessarily your biggest concern at the moment.

I think the biggest concerns with foreign travel are still:
-How would you cope if caught in a quarantine situation?
-What would happen if your flight home was cancelled?
-What would you do if you were told to self isolate on your return to the UK? Could you work from home or would you be on SSP?

Most of the reported French cases aren't currently in the Alps, though.

This is a tricky one and I'm not sure what I'd do in your shoes. I'm not an anxious person at all but planes do seem particularly risky to me - lots of people from all over the place enclosed in a small space.

This is from the Guardian live feed about the French situation:

*French health chief Jérôme Salomon corrected earlier reports that there had been four deaths from coronavirus in France, and reduced the number down to three.

There are now 191 cases confirmed in the country. The third death was an 89 year old woman who was declared positive for the virus after a post mortem examination.

Salomon said that for 75% of cases in France there was a clear chain of transmission that could be identified. Across France, 12 regions have reported cases, five of which have more than 10 infected people.

Asked why certain events, like the Paris half marathon had been cancelled, Salomon said it was a “rational, scientific response”.
“It’s not a question of whether people are confined (in a space) or not, it’s a question of proximity,” he said.*

It's the 25% of cases without a clear chain of transmission that is probably most concerning.

The French don't seem to be responding by locking down towns etc, which may be good for you.

I would go! Take hand wipes and anti bac gel and get the kids to keep washing their hands whilst travelling. The ski resort itself will be ok I am sure. It's in the UK as well isn't it!

I would still go, don't think there's much risk difference between France and UK and French healthcare is very good. Check insurance would cover you though.

I'm not too bothered about planes, think risk would be similar to taking a bus or train in UK, possibly less as planes cleaned more often though not an expert. I would take hand sanitiser with high alcohol content on plane and use it before eat, after bathroom once back at your seat.

I'll be watching the comments on this thread. I have a holiday booked in the Dolomites in Northern Italy next week, 60 kilometres from the nearest CV case, who is in hospital. The concerns I have are firstly travelling, trains, airports, planes, coaches. Then being stuck in quarantine there, a nice hotel but being confined would be a trial. Lastly I'm travelling on my own, what if i get sick? Oh and then if I get home on schedule fit and well, do I return to work? I told acquaintances I'd miss our sports session for a few weeks because of my trip - the look on their faces - don't come back too soon!!!
A tip - take and use First Defence - it works for me if I get a sniffle, colds don't develop I'll be snorting it whilst travelling.

Dd is in France now, never even considered cancelling. The risk is still very low, no more than staying at home

sansa yes I am more worried about being stranded in the alps rather than getting ill. I imagine if we were to become unwell we would be fine. But I think I’d rather be ill at home.

I know there are cases in the UK.

It’s the travelling element rather than the contagion element. What if countries close borders? What if planes etc are grounded?

I think I am catastrophising a bit!

Even if France where to close its borders in the next week which I think is 100% unlikely I think they would let foreigners leave. If they ground planes, again almost 0% chance in next week, take a coach or train or if you are really worried you could drive down so you'ld have your car. I think you are worrying too much. I think there's the same chance of being in a lockdown in the UK as in France but doubt either is likely next week especially in a villa.

We are going to les arcs on Friday. We have our own chalet and tend to stay in our group so keeping the chance of contagion down.

Can’t put our life on hold for ever.

We're going on Friday, admittedly we're driving but I wouldn't hesitate to fly either, I don't think the risk of getting stuck in a quarantine or actually catching it is any different to the UK tbh.

I would go to France but not Italy.

But many of the French ski resorts are right bang next door to those Italian ones that people picked up the virus from. What's the difference?

I would go to France. We have cases here too now so you have no idea where you may pick it up.

Expert on 5Live today also recommends using First Defence. Worth a shot as an extra precaution along with lots of gel and hand washing.

Thanks for the messages on here. Really reassuring that other people are travelling to the area and I will get some first defence! Thanks.

We have arrived in France.

Airport was well stocked with hand gel to squirt at all the counters and you could buy it from Superdrug.

Passport agency workers have blue gloves on to handle your docs. Starbucks are only using disposable/recyclable cups.

Felt very safe and clean.

I have been anti bac’ing our seats, trays tables etc as we go and no one bats an eye.

Also off to French alps tomorrow so this is quite reassuring!

I'd be tempted to go. BUT be prepared for possible quarantine when you get back. We were in N. Italy and are now in isolation awaiting DC's test result. I'd be very surprised if DC has it but it is such a pain with all the DC's at home for what feels like an eternity!!! We had no idea when we were in Italy. You never know what the next hot spot is... good luck!

Following as am in two minds as to whether to cancel for first week of Easter holidays. I'm not concerned about actually getting CV but am tying myself in knots about what would happen if we got quarantined while out there, and about how much can change in three weeks. OP how is everything in resort - does it feel normal or are people behaving differently?

I would think about driving instead? That way you still get your break but can minimise your contact with other people while travelling.

It means your flight part of your cost will be lost but you still have the holiday.

Oops - just realised you are already there! Hope you have a relaxing holiday! I always use anti bac wipes on the plane anyway - even before all the recent stuff! Figure the planes get turned around so quickly that they can't possibly clean all the tray tables!

Ski rep said everyone is feeling fine and everything is normal. No issues with getting food/stuff. We have brought a lot with us in terms of medicine, extra loo rolls (I know) and some food.

Feels really lovely to be here!

We are due to go to Italian Alps at Easter and unless FCO advice changes, we are going. I commute into London everyday and have more chance of catching it on the train/tube.