The discussion is back and has been seen in the media both sides of the Tasman Sea.

Below is an example of what is in the general media about the Australian and New Zealand link. as for the other Pacific Island nations – this has not been discussed so much, but those that are looking ‘good’ are; Fiji, the Cook Islands and Vanuatu.

Airlines and hotels have been working overtime to improve their covid safe profiles. As the potential for local interstate and ultimately increasing international travel become reality we must all keep up to date with the science and medical issues related to our new travel environment. The following link takes you to a very good indexed list of topics related to covid protection. There is a link to translate into another language if required.

FAQs on Protecting Yourself from COVID-19 Aerosol Transmission

General outline from main media.

After plenty of talk from both sides of the ditch about the prospect of a Trans-Tasman bubble happening before Christmas, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today confirmed she is “working hard” to make it happen as soon as possible. “That’s what everyone said back in May and June!” We hear you say. Which is fair enough, but a lot has happened since then. The COVID situation in Victoria and Melbourne is heading in the right direction, state borders here in Australia are opening much quicker than was previously anticipated and overall, the knowledge, COVID-tracing and health responses are increasingly becoming more advanced.

All of which, is contributing this time to a much more measured and realistic response to the potential of reciprocal travel bubbles for Trans-Tasman travel and beyond. In what was a candid interview with the Today show this morning, Ms Ardern started by saying “I think firstly we should acknowledge that we do, as strange as it might sound, we actually miss each other, “What we will need to work through is what the definition of a hot spot really means? At what point will Australia say, ‘That’s an area we will put up a bit of a border around and won’t have travel to?” She said.

“That will determine whether or not in our minds that will be sufficient just to keep everybody safe.”

It’s believed the Trans-Tasman bubble could initially work to enable residents of the South Island in New Zealand to travel to low or COVID-free states in Australia in the coming weeks, with Australians potentially being allowed to travel to New Zealand before Christmas. “There have been a number of states that have had huge success with COVID. “So much of that comes down to the decisions that Australia chooses to make going into the future.”

“What you can see is that we do want to make it work. We want it to be safe. We want everyone to be comfortable with it and know that we are safeguarding our own strategies as we do it.”

New Zealand’s deputy prime minister Winston Peters had also said earlier in the week that the country was “raring to go”, and that it would be a welcome boost for tourism on both sides of the Tasman. “We have never given up hope on the bubble plan. We are raring to go and the sooner to get going the better.” He said. Asked if the bubble could be happening in time for Christmas, Mr Peters had said, “I think it is capable of happening much, much sooner than that.” “We have worked on it very staunchly for a long time and the real issue is whether or not we can ensure that the protocols work for both countries,” said Mr Peters.

Meanwhile, last Sunday, Federal Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Simon Birmingham told Channel Nine’s Today Show he was ‘really hopeful’ that Australians would be able to travel to New Zealand by the end of 2020.

“We’re working hard to make sure every safety precaution and measure is in place through our airports, our border protections, screening processes, to make sure people can travel safely between Australia and New Zealand without risk of encountering other air travellers that may be coming in from higher-risk countries,” Mr Birmingham said.

“Ultimately, whether New Zealand opens up to Australia will be a matter for New Zealand, but we are working to make sure we’re ready and hopefully we can see those steps taken this year.”

Simon Birmingham, Federal Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister

Clearly now, the momentum is building, though getting the Trans-Tasman bubble green light will still depend on establishing coronavirus tracing protocols and other systems, especially given Melbourne and Auckland’s second COVID-19 outbreaks.

New Zealand also has its own General election on October 17, which will further go some way to confirming a timeline for a Trans-Tasman bubble, depending on whether or not Ms Ardern and Labour retain their leadership of the nation.

The post Travel Bubble Australia and New Zealand + FAQ protection from aerosol transmission appeared first on Education Travel.

One has to be careful. For example the Virgin Atlantic offer is for roughly 1 million dollars. If you were caught up in the American medical system that may not be enough money!! The Emirates and Etihad offers are at least more logical with their amounts for European and UK destinations, but not viable for the US.

This information is only good for those that can travel out of their own countries and afford the current ticket prices. One other positive is that it shows that insurance companies are working on pandemic covers. All underwriting comes back to two prime business city locations in the world. One would have to conclude that if cover is available for these airlines then something must eventuate for general travel insurance.

As part of Etihad Airlines new health and hygiene program, the airline includes insurance cover up to AU$243,500 of medical costs and up to AU$162.40 a day of quarantine costs in case of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis for 14 days. This essentially means that at the very least, any passengers who are unfortunately diagnosed with COVID-19 during their trip won’t have to worry about medical expenses or quarantine costs when they fly with Etihad. This of course, only applies to those who are allowed to fly into or out of Australia as government approved essential travel.

• How does it work
• All Etihad tickets regardless of the date of the booking or class, travelling between now and 31 December 2020will include COVID-19 insurance.
• Any passengers with existing bookings don’t need to do anything as they will automatically be enrolled into the program.
• The insurance is valid worldwide for 31 days from the first day of travel.

Duncan Bureau, Senior Vice President Sales and Distribution, Etihad Airways, said: “The safety, health, and wellbeing of our guests and employees is our top priority, during and beyond the flight. The introduction of global COVID-19 insurance, in partnership with AXA, builds on stringent measures already in place as part of our Etihad Wellness program, championed by our Wellness Ambassadors.”

The post Airlines start including Covid Travel insurance with ticket appeared first on Education Travel.

Compiled by travel industry technology company, Travelport, the Guide to Travel Recovery report found that one third (33%) of all travellers expect a rise in their use of agents in the future, with two-thirds (65%) of those believing that travel professionals will be the best placed to provide the safety information they need.

Perhaps surprisingly, it is millennials (44%) and not older travellers that feel this way.

Overall, the study showed that the majority of travellers would be ready to hit the road again, but only if airlines, airports, hotels and car hire companies implement ten safety measures throughout their experience. The most critical of these are a demand on social distancing rules, mandatory use of facemasks, and easy access to sanitizing gel or wipes, gloves and masks, at all parts of the travel journey.

Consumers also want fully flexible or refundable flight tickets.

Here are the ten separate safety features participants in the study identified as being vital for rebooting travel:

This study highlights the criticality these measures are now playing in restoring traveler confidence,” Travelport CEO Greg Webb said. “However, for the majority of travellers to return to the skies, the industry now needs to work together to not only ensure a wide array of safety measures are in place throughout the travel journey, but to collectively communicate these changes to travellers using a range of channels and merchandising technologies.”

Demand for robust safety measures was high across all categories, but highest among baby boomers and lowest among millennials. CAPA (Centre for Aviation) managing director Derek Sadubin said that while health and safety were understandably front of mind for travellers right now, “what’s encouraging, is that many suppliers, such as airlines, have already implemented the safety measures travellers say they need to book a domestic or international trip”.

“Collaboration and communication are now key to restoring traveller confidence and securing a strong and responsible industry recovery,” he remarked.

The Guide to Travel Recovery report took into account the opinions of 5,000 travellers across the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and India, along with 29 leading travel suppliers.

The post appeared first on Education Travel.

The Eiffel Tower is used for many illumination events and has a sophisticated away of lighting already in place to allow themed events.

The post Stunning Eiffel Tower Tribute to COVID victims of France appeared first on Education Travel.

Read article about future of travel

Read article about Qantas and its middle seats

The post appeared first on Education Travel.

This is a general explanation and although produced in Australia has the same base facts that relate other other countries. Some countries are more strict about credits – Italy made it a law that any refunds for canceled travel could not be made in cash – only a credit.

In Australia, it’s estimated that 1-in-13 jobs are impacted directly or indirectly by travel and tourism. So, we all know somebody whose livelihood is dependent on some part of the travel and tourism industry.

This is why it’s vital for everyone to understand the situation we are currently facing.

In this video, CATO’s Chair, Dennis Bunnik tackles important questions around the complexities of the travel and tourism ‘ecosystem’, why travel credits rather than refunds are so important and why these credits and refunds are taking so long to be processed, to provide insight and answers to travellers impacted.

The post What’s All This About Travel Refunds & Credits? appeared first on Education Travel.

We are following accurate mainstream media and govt. information. In addition, we are talking to our partners in Europe. Along with these sources we have also heard directly from people we know in the medical science area in Australia. Thankfully some of the media is now stating correctly that this is a strain of flu, vaccine unavailable as yet. This is not Ebola – for which there is now a vaccine. The usual people are more susceptible – elderly with existing medical conditions. Aside from the ‘no vaccine yet’ situation it is the fast way this has spread which is a major aspect of difference.

Some of the feedback we have had;

From Thursday last week – family travelling from Australia to Italy with one of our school groups.

The all situation is just crazy! I saw a facebook live yesterday in Venice, a girl was filming the national tv channel (RAI) as they set up cameras and had paying actors stating that Venice was empty and no one was attending the annual carnival event because of this virus. All people were pushed on the sides of St Marco plaza to show no one was around!!! This is the information Italians are receiving from the Italian Media! Venice was packed, considering it was a working day!

Unfortunately the majority still believes that all the news are like gospel. If it’s in on tv or radio, must be true! Our parents are saying that a bottle of bleach or sanitizer now can cost up to 70Euro and a box of 10 mono use masks is now 15Euro (use to be 1Euro) 

We are still planning to travel, at this stage our only concern is if on the way back we will need to be isolated, but if it will happen, we will deal with it. 

From an Italian tourism service provider;

Dear Giuseppe,
We would like to reach out to you to let you know that the media is perpetuating fear in people and companies are now following suit by threatening to quarantine any employees if they come to Italy. I know someone who works in the infectious disease unit in Milan and the virus is not as bad as what they are saying. It is like the common flu, which is really only threatening the elderly or people with weakened immune systems due to a chronic disease or illness, per normal with any virus or flu. This leaves out most of the general population…which are the people cancelling their plans. Many study abroad programs are also being cancelled. It is doing a disservice to everyone, causing missed opportunities and financially destroying a beautiful country that relies greatly on tourism to stay afloat. Yes, on occasion you will see someone wearing a mask but it is only because of the media’s scare tactics and not because people are dropping like flies on the street. Italy has an amazing and very inexpensive healthcare system (public healthcare is free) unlike in the US and other parts of the world… so in my opinion, Italy has most, if not all of the cases documented because people can actually afford to go to the hospital and/or doctor without costly deductibles. They have an amazing treatment in place which is implemented for those infected.

Below we have set out the latest status of warnings from the DFAT Smart Traveller site (www.dfat.gov.au) and the Centre for Disease Control in the United States (www.cdc.gov) sites.

DFAT ADVICE & WARNINGS
At present the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a number of coronavirus related warnings in place. They are:

“In most countries, we continue to advise Australians to ‘exercise normal safety precautions’.  For the coronavirus, this means taking sensible measures to minimise your risk of exposure such as practising good hand hygiene (see Health).  It does not mean reconsidering or cancelling your travel plans to these countries.

We have raised our advice level for five countries: China and Iran – to ‘do not travel’; South Korea, Japan and Mongolia – to ‘exercise a high degree of caution’. We have also raised our advice levels for regions in northern Italy – to ‘exercise a high degree of caution’.”

Specifically, in relation to Italy, DFAT states:

 “Due to a heightened risk of sustained local transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) in parts of northern Italy, we now advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in the regions of Lombardia and Veneto. We continue to advise you to exercise normal safety precautions in the rest of Italy”

As we know, many countries have adopted advanced screening procedures including temperature checks, self-quarantine obligations and restrictions on those who have been in specific countries or regions including China, northern Italy and other parts of the world.

CDC ADVICE
The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States has specific travel advice out for 6 countries as follows:
“China — Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel — updated February 22;
Hong Kong — Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions — issued February 19;
Iran — Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel — updated February 28;
Italy — Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel — updated February 28;
Japan — Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions — updated February 22;
South Korea — Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel — updated February 24.
CDC also recommends that all travelers reconsider cruise ship voyages into or within Asia at this time.”

The DFAT and CDC warnings are replicated in similar advice from other organisations including the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The link below takes you to an FAQ section re coronavirus and asks and answers (to the extent that answers are known at the present point in time) many questions about the virus.
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

Attached to this document as Annexure A is the latest WHO recommendations for international traffic as updated on Saturday 29^th February.

And the link below will take you to the latest WHO Situation Report, SR40, which was issued on Saturday 29^th February.
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200229-sitrep-40-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=7203e653_2

Our more specific advice is the obvious;

• people should avoid any area which is open to travel but where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly including South Korea, Iran and northern Italy;
• people should seek to mitigate their risk by undertaking advanced hygiene measures, including wearing protective masks on aircraft (including Australia if there is an outbreak here) and other means of public transport, carrying hand sanitising gels at all times (and using them) and wearing gloves when out in public areas;
• people who are unwell for whatever reason should defer their travel plans until they have fully recovered;
• people who have respiratory problems including a history of pneumonia should defer their travel to any areas where there may be a risk of contracting the virus.

So, for our part, would we go to Japan right now? Yes.
Would we go to Italy? Yes, except to the affected villages.
Would we go to Singapore? Definitely.
Would we take a domestic or Trans-Tasman cruise anytime soon. Yes.
Would we book a Mediterranean or Antarctic cruise for summer 2021. Yes.
Would we book a cruise for any time this year in Asia? Not unless the crisis was over, a vaccine available and you could get 100% of the deposit back in the event I chose to cancel for any reason.

CONCLUSION
We are now in uncharted territory.

The situation today has moved on since yesterday, which was different to the day before. Tomorrow will be different again. As the world races to control this outbreak, pharmaceutical companies and research facilities around the world are working day and night to come up with a vaccine. In the meantime governments are planning for a possible pandemic and, outside of China, for the most part, people are getting on with their lives as best they can.

The post Corona virus is dominating the travel industry. Here is what we are hearing: appeared first on Education Travel.

The post Corona Virus and Travel update and Can wearing a mask protect you from catching the virus? appeared first on Education Travel.