Coronavirus- thailand

[Khtchkn]

I’m going to thailand (Phuket) in less than 2 weeks with my husband and 8 month old. Now I’m freaking out about the Coronavirus as I read on the news there are 14 infected in Thailand. Would you cancel your trip?

To Thailand I would, do you have travel insurance? Even if not, the risk is too much and your 8 month old would be very vulnerable I really wouldn't risk it.

14 people infected in an entire country, no of course I wouldn't cancel and I doubt your travel insurance would cover that. You are not going to China, chill.

Of course I wouldn’t cancel. Go and have an amazing holiday.

No I wouldn't cancel, lots of countries (including the UK) have a small number of people with corona virus.

The chances of catching there it are very very slim.

I'm off to Malaysia in a few weeks, won't be cancelling that either.

My DD flew to Bangkok 3 days ago. We were a bit worried but no way was she cancelling.
It's been fine so far. Just keep washing your hands.

Thank you all. I didn’t want to cancel so it’s nice to read your msgs. I will keep an eye out for updates closer to the time

We’re going in the summer so I’m just keeping an eye out. Check the foreign office travel guidelines - I’m sure it’ll be fine.

no, but 24/7 insect repellent due to endemic dengue, plus all the other essential jabs.

I would ask your doctors / health visitors advice as you have an 8 month old. If they say fine I would go.

I very much doubt insurance would pay out unless doctor writes letter saying not safe to travel or FCO changes travel advice to avoid all but essential travel.

We are going in summer and just watching but I did quickly get annual travel insurance but it does only cover if FCO changes advice and you have to have start date to be before advice is changed to be covered. We will go unless advice goes to not go but I very much doubt that will happen. I would be more careful with a baby though but am on the over-cautious side. I would get lots of hand sanitizer etc before you go .

If you go, go prepared. Take some face masks, hand sanitiser etc etc and read up on the best way to protect yourself!

Someone living in York has got it I believe.
Just be sensible & hygienic.

Hand sanitisers won't work and face masks are next to useless unless its an FFP3 one (plus eye protection).

CDC recommends hand sanitizers against coronavirus, at least 60% alcohol.
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/about/prevention.html

@Khtchkn According to the Lancet www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30260-9/fulltext the contagion is going to be way bigger than the current models. There is a table with the travels and Thailand is listed in the top destinations from China.
However, with the travel bans imposed, less people from China are able to travel, so the projections are just that , projections.

It is tricky, so the things to consider are a higher and longer health insurance that covers you for at least + 14 days from the return date (make it 30 to stay safe) . What if you are put in quarantine on the day before your flight home. Who pays for the hotel? The new flights? What if you are in hospital? If the baby is in ICU? Medical expenses in hospital can reach easily the 10.000 pounds.

Would Phuket have the facility to care for people needing ICU?

I wouldn't cancel, but I would go prepared.
Have paracetamol and ibuprofen for adults and babies, anti bac wipes for the plane and cleaning surfaces before eating at tables (babies bang their hands on tables then put them in their mouth) , yes to hand sanitiser , given the chronic n95 and n99 facemark shortage , it might be easier to buy them in Europe, even useless surgical masks cause long queues in Thailand www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1853294/gpo-insists-one-baht-masks-are-not-old-stock and

www.thephuketnews.com/health-minister-kick-out-western-tourists-not-wearing-face-masks-74746.php

Your temperature will be taken at arrivals but so far no cases in Phuket www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-remains-coronavirus-free-report-officials-74727.php#29361