We are only a couple of months into 2020 and it’s already been quite eventful, particularly with the coronavirus outbreak. It has everyone feeling uneasy, not knowing what the upcoming months have in store. In this article, you’ll find the information and guidance you need to navigate your upcoming travel plans during the coronavirus outbreak.

As of today, the coronavirus (COVID-19) has been detected in at least 97 countries. The number of worldwide cases is over 100,000 and 3,462 people have died. Most cases have been confirmed in Asia, the majority in mainland China. More than 80 percent of confirmed cases are not severe, the most at risk are older adults and people with underlying health conditions. Cases within children are very rare.

“While the outbreak is a serious public health concern, most people who contract the coronavirus do not become seriously ill, and only a small percentage require intensive care. Older people and those with existing health conditions, like heart disease or diabetes, are at higher risk.” - NY Times

So what does this mean for you? Even if you contract the disease, you have a very low chance of needing intensive care and you’ll recover!

Coronavirus Safety and Readiness Tips

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap
Practice good coughing etiquette - cover your mouth with your tissue or elbow (not your hands)
Keep distance from sick people
On the flip side, stay home if you’re sick
Disinfect surfaces and things that are commonly touched around your home and workplace
Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth
Keep hand sanitizer in your car or purse to use after touching contaminated objects when you can’t wash your hands immediately.

So now you’re probably wondering, what should you do about your upcoming travel plans you’ve already booked?

Should I cancel my travel due to coronavirus?

Simply put, you probably don’t need to cancel your travel plans. The World Health Organization (WHO) is advising against travel restrictions because the risk of being infected is low in many countries.

They are advising against traveling only if you are planning to be in a region where COVID-19 is spreading, or you’ve been in contact with someone who is transmitting the virus. Not to mention, evidence shows that restricting travel and trade can have negative social and economic effects on affected countries.

WHO is recommending that elderly travelers and those with underlying health conditions should delay or avoid areas that are experiencing ongoing transmission of coronavirus. Check out this video by the World Health Organization (WHO) for more helpful information.

Ultimately it’s up to you to make the best decision for yourself and your upcoming travel plans! It’s important to take into consideration where you’re going when you’re going, and your personal health conditions. Be sure to call your airline tour company to see what options are available if you do need to pivot your travel plans.

What are health and government agencies saying about travel?

It’s a good idea to closely monitor the health and government agencies for any international travel you have planned, even before the coronavirus outbreak. The US Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued travel notices for a few countries affected by the coronavirus. We recommend following these sites to stay up to date with travel advisories

As of today (March 5th), the US Department of State gives four levels of travel-warning guidance from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).

China, Iran, and Italy (Lombardy and Veneto) are currently the countries issued Level 4 warnings related to coronavirus.

South Korea and Italy (excluding Lombardy and Veneto) are currently the countries issued Level 3 warnings related to coronavirus.

If I’m traveling within the next few months, what should I know?

While it’s safe to travel to most countries and WHO is advising against canceling your travel plans, here are some things you should know.

Your flight plans may get disrupted because of other passengers deciding not to travel. When booking flights you should also consider the more expensive “cancel for any reason” coverage.

In fact, some airlines are waiving fees for all flights, so right now is the perfect time to take advantage of flight deals to certain destinations!

Beware of the symptoms! The symptoms of coronavirus are a lot like the flu and can appear in two to 14 days after being exposed to the virus. If you experience any flu-like symptoms after returning from a trip, call your doctor ASAP!

Don’t panic. While we know that’s easier said than done, as long as you stay aware and on top of the travel advisories, you’ll be just fine.

Can I get a refund if I cancel my travel plans because of coronavirus?

Once again, there isn’t a yes or no answer here. It depends on what you booked and who you booked with. Your best option is to contact the company you booked with and ask. Most companies want to keep your business and will figure out a solution!

Airlines: You may have to pay a change fee if your air carrier doesn’t cancel your flight. But like we mentioned earlier, many airlines are relaxing their rules and will work with you.

Car Rentals: If you haven’t prepaid for your car rental, most car rentals are fully refundable. If you did prepay, reach out to the company you’ve booked through and see what they can do for you.

Hotels: Just like car rentals, most hotel rates are fully refundable unless you prepaid. Once again, reach out to the company and see what they can offer.

Tours: Tours are tricky and a little more complicated because they include various components (like hotels and transportation). Each component will have its own refund policy.

A Note from Acanela Expeditions

We understand that this is a situation that no one could foresee and that it can make people feel uneasy and stressed. Whether you have been directly affected by COVID-19 or not, we get that it can be tiring with new information and stories breaking all over the media.

We want to reassure you with 100% confidence that our travel tours are currently running as normal. As a travel company, we are paying close attention to travel advisories and encourage you to do the same. As travel advisories make changes, we will make the necessary adjustments to keep all our travelers safe. Rest assured that we are still operating the majority of our tours around the world. We have travelers going out every week and we are currently in the process of filming our series “Crossing Borders” in Bhutan and Bangladesh.

Updates to our Booking Terms & Conditions

If we cancel your tour, you can choose to:

transfer amounts you have already paid to an alternate departure date
ask us to hold your money on file for up to 12 months

If you cancel your tour, you can choose to:

If you cancel your trip booking before the final payment is made, you can choose to transfer your deposit to an alternative trip or hold what you have paid as a credit towards a future trip taken within 12 months from the date of cancellation.
If you have paid in full and cancel at least 31 days prior to departure, we will refund 50% of the trip cost and hold the remaining 50% as credit towards a future trip taken within 12 months from the date of cancellation.
If you have paid in full and cancel at 30 days or less prior to departure, we will charge a 50% cancellation fee and hold the remaining 50% as credit towards a future trip taken within 12 months from the date of cancellation.

Please note that airlines and other travel providers may charge additional fees or have different policies.