Travel and COVID-19: I have a vacation planned, should I cancel or postpone it?
/The viral outbreak of COVID-19 had forced countries to implement travel bans and restrictions. Airlines have been forced to significantly slash flights and shrink their network. The Prime Minister has also announced to extend the movement control order (MCO) for another two weeks until April 14, 2020. This has resulted in many people having trouble deciding whether to cancel or postpone their upcoming travel plan as the COVID-19 continues to spread across the globe.
The question of whether to travel, and where it is safe to go, has become increasingly complicated. It is important to stay informed about the latest updates of COVID-19. Before making any travel decisions, the first thing you should do is check to see if your travel destination has some major travel warnings or restrictions.
Early information out of China, where COVID-19 first started, shows that some people are at higher risk of being infected from this illness. This includes:
Adults who are over the age of 65
People who have serious chronic medical conditions like:
Heart disease
Diabetes
Lung disease
You should avoid the locations that the CDC website warns you to avoid. Also, consider cancelling or postponing all non-essential air travel if it is reasonably feasible for you to do so. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid air travel if you are in a higher risk group such those over 65 years of age or with a chronic medical condition.
Follow closely announcements from trusted sources. In other words, just stay appropriately grounded when making your decision of whether to fly.
If I cancel my flight, will I get my money back?
Local airlines have loosening their booking policies and suspending cancellation or rescheduling fees. For those whose travel plans are affected by the restrictions or cancellations, both AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines allow full refund or travel date change.
Learn more about AirAsia’s Covid-19 Refund Request Guide here.
Learn more about Malaysia Airlines’s Covid-19 Travel Rebooking and Refunds Guide here.
If I cancel my Airbnb, will I get my money back?
Yes, you can get a refund under Airbnb’s extenuating circumstances policy. Airbnb has also introduced “More Flexible Reservations” policies to give guests and hosts the option to cancel reservations without any charges until 1 June 2020 if they’re affected by COVID-19. Find out more information about cancelling your Airbnb trip here.
Will I be quarantined when I come back?
According to the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, Malaysians and PR holders who are returning from overseas would have to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine and a medical check-up.
Should I just stay home?
It is good to avoid air travel to prevent infection during COVID-19 outbreak. However, if you are craving for a holiday, a staycation at an Insta-worthy private property or a nature retreat away from the crowd might be a good idea for you to go on vacation without leaving the country. Even if it’s just for a weekend, you get to feel as if you’re transported to an entirely different time and place.
