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Brits told not to travel ANYWHERE around the world over coronavirus
BRITS shouldn't travel anywhere outside the UK for at least 30 days to stop the spread of coronavirus, the Foreign Secretary has announced today.
Dominic Raab told the entire nation to stay put unless it is absolutely essential - cancelling all holidays and trips - as he updated the country's
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Yesterday the EU said it would ban all external travel for a month to try to stop the spread of the virus - along with countries around the world, leaving millions stranded.
The Foreign Secretary said he didn't want any more people to be stuck overseas with no way of getting home, as flights get cancelled and routes shut down.
He told MPs in the House of Commons: "With immediate effect I've taken the decision to advise British nationals against non essential travel globally, for an initial period of 30 days and of course subject to ongoing review."
He added: "UK travellers abroad now face widespread international border restrictions and lockdowns in various countries.
"The speed and range of those measures across other countries is
unprecedented."
It's unclear exactly how long the lockdown would be for in the long run, but it means flights will likely be cancelled for weeks.
However, today's FCO update will make it far easier for Brits to get refunds on their travel insurance.
The Government said it was still up to members of the public to make decisions on whether they should fly abroad or not.
I've taken the decision to advise British nationals against non essential travel globally, for an initial period of 30 days
Dominic Raab
They stressed that anyone thinking of travelling should check their insurance policies and whether they would be valid.
But anyone looking to try and come back to the UK should try and do so as soon as possible, while flights are still running.
Repatriating everyone at the current time would be "unrealistic".
Today airports warned they would have to shut within weeks unless they received urgent help from the Government.
Boris Johnson told Cabinet this morning the UK was "engaged in a war against the disease which we have to win".
Today's news comes as:
- The number of UK deaths reached 71 this afternoon, with nearly 2,000 confirmed cases
- Doctors warned that asthma sufferers and anyone who gets the flu jab should stay at home
- Cinemas are set to close their doors to the public as the coronavirus crisis continues to escalate
- Experts said the lockdown could last up to 18 MONTHS - and warned that thousands would have died without this week's drastic measures
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Ryanair, Virgin and EasyJet have cut flights by 80 per cent this month and IAG has decreased capacity by 75 per cent.
And Ryanair has already warned they may have to ground all of their flights due to the dramatic spread of the deadly disease.
Staff have already been laid off or told to take unpaid leave for the next eight weeks.
In the last week a huge 430 changes have been made to FCO Travel Advice – more than in the entirety of 2019.
Mr Raab also told the Commons the Government will "continue to do everything in our power" to get British nations back home.
But he stressed every situation was complicated, and could take come time.
However, it was warned that Brits could face trouble getting their money back if flights are not cancelled.
Alana Gomez, spokesperson for flight-comparison site www.jetcost.co.uk, said: "The problem that arises here is that airlines are not necessarily compelled to cancel flights in these circumstances, which can lead to issues with compensation.
"If your flight is cancelled then you should be able to claim a refund direct from the airline (or rearrange your flight), but if it is still running and you do not fly, then the problem needs to be raised with travel insurance companies or credit card providers, though sadly there is no guarantee there."
What is non-essential travel?
There is a grey area concerning the definition of non-essential travel.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not lay out exactly what the phrase means.
Instead, FCO says: "whether travel is essential or not is your own decision. You may have urgent family or business commitments to attend to. Circumstances differ from person to person."
In its travel advice guidance, the FCO goes on to say only an individual can make the decision as to whether travel is essential.
In other words, it is up to a person to determine whether travel is important enough to override travel advice.
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Your rights - how to cancel your holiday and get a refund for travel now
TRAVEL COMPANY OR AIRLINE
Try getting a refund from your travel company, airline or accommodation provider first.
Now the FCO guidelines have changed, they may refund you anyway.
INSURANCE
If that doesn't work, you can speak to your insurer to sort out a refund.
But you'll only be covered if the insurance was purchased before the FCO advice was changed.
Plenty of insurance providers stopped offering coronavirus cover after the World Health Organisation declared the crisis a pandemic on March 11.
This means you might not be covered if you booked last minute after then.
CREDIT CARD REFUND
If you paid by credit card, you should be able to get the money back through Section 75 laws as long as you paid between £100 and £30,000.
Section 75 credit card rules protect customers, for instance in the event of a cancellation.
To make a claim, contact your credit card provider - your first port of call should be its customer services phone number - and tell them you want to make a claim under Section 75.
It should then send you a claim form which you can fill in.
We've explained everything you need to know if your flights have been cancelled due to coronavirus.
Here is everything to know if you want to cancel your holiday.
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