Thomson gives pregnant women option to avoid Zika-hit countries
Thomson has issued a statement on its website offering pregnant women travelling to a number of countries infected by the Zika virus to amend their booking free of charge.
Thomas Cook confirmed yesterday that it will offer free amendments to pregnant women due to travel on charter packatges to Zika-infected countries before April 30.
Thomson says that women who have a doctor’s note confirming their pregnancy can switch to another destination up to October 31 this year.
Its offer is available to pregnant women travelling to Mexico, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Cape Verde, Panama, Colombia and Martinique.
Customers due to travel on or before April 30 must take the alternative holiday on or before this date.
Customers due to travel on or before October 31 must take the alternative holiday on or before this date.
If the alternative holiday is cheaper than the original holiday, Thomson will refund the difference. If it is more expensive the difference must be covered by the customer.
The decision comes as the World Health Organisation announced it was setting up a Zika emergency team to fight the virus.
Zika has been linked to thousands of babies being born with small brains in Brazil and has now spread to more than 20 countries in the region.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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