20 July 2009

'Swine flu threat to summer holiday travel'

Peak summer holiday plans could be thrown into chaos amid reports that airlines and cruise companies are refusing to carry passengers showing signs of swine flu.

Government advice to people issued yesterday was not to travel home from abroad if they were suffering from the H1N1 virus and wait until the symptoms had gone.

British Airways and Virgin became the first airlines to monitor passengers at check-in and turn them away if they appeared to have the virus, according to newspaper reports.

P&O Cruises reportedly said passengers were being given a medical questionnaire and would be assessed by the company's medical staff prior to boarding if they were a suspected sufferer. Anyone deemed unfit to travel would be turned away.

Shearings Holidays said coach travellers were being asked not to travel if they felt unwell. Antibacterial hand solution has been placed at pick up and drop off points to help prevent the spread of infection, the Daily Telegraph said.

BAA, Eurostar and P&O Ferries said they were not vetting customers but would respond to any official advice.

A BA spokesman was quoted as saying there had been a "very small number of cases" where people displaying symptoms had been advised not to travel.

"Our staff are trained on what to look out for if someone has swine flu or any other communicable disease.

"The staff seek medical advice and anyone with swine flu would be advised they are unfit to travel. Even if they disagree with us we have the power to stop them going on board."

Virgin Atlantic said people suffering from the condition and turned away would not be allowed back on board without a 'fit to fly' certificate from their doctor or a hospital. It had not yet had any cases.

Passengers arriving at airports on Sunday wore masks and a boys' football team from Esher, Surrey, was banned from a South Korean tournament because over fears they might bring swine flu with them even though none of them has the virus, the newspaper reported.

by Phil Davies

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Tour operators and Insurance?

so what happens with tour operators and insurance companies if clients decide that they 'might' be ill, and decide not to travel? The tv news says people should not go to their doctors, but stay at home, so how do they get a certificate to say they are not fit to fly, and apply for refunds? It looks as if the government were just considering people going on independent driving holidays in the UK, a small portion of the market.

By diana giannoulis, Tuesday, July 21, 2009