• The decision to travel or not to travel remains with the individual. People may continue to travel to China if they wish and a flight can be secured.

• A letter from the Australian Chief Medical Officer (Click Here) outlines the situation and we suggest circulating the notice among your staff.

• Airline Services to Mainland China may be altered - please check with the airline directly as to how this may affect your client's bookings.

• CLIA Members have implemented prevention measures that may affect certain passengers. We recommend you contact the Cruise Operator directly if you have any questions:
  
• CLIA Members to deny boarding to all persons who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, within 14 days before embarkation.
• CLIA Members are to deny boarding to all persons who, within 14 days before embarkation, have had close contact with, or helped care for, anyone suspected or diagnosed as having Coronavirus, or who is currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure to Novel Coronavirus. 
• CLIA Members are to conduct preboarding screening necessary to effectuate these prevention measures. Enhanced screening and initial medical support are to be provided, as needed, to any persons exhibiting symptoms of suspected Novel Coronavirus.
  

• You can keep up-to-date with the latest news on the Coronavirus from the Australian Government’s Department of Health, including updated health warnings by Clicking Here.

• If you have any concerns questions please contact AFTA
  

Do you have a Client considering cancelling?

• If insurance is to be relied upon for any cancellation fees to be covered, ENSURE that the terms and conditions are confirmed with the issuing company before taking any action on the clients behalf. It is not possible to issue a standard advisory on any travel insurance as each policy issued and each insurer may have different terms and conditions or rules. CHECK FIRST – ACT SECOND.
• Suppliers are NOT required by law to waive cancellation fees, this is completely at their discretion. As is the case usually in times of challenges, most suppliers are open to credit transfers, date changes and alterations without fees – but we stress this needs to be checked before making changes. Some suppliers may also be willing to refund – again CHECK FIRST – ACT SECOND.
• Ensure that the cancellations arrangements are well explained to the client before taking action. We recommend you advise your client via EMAIL and request a written reply. We know that this is not always easy to do, but it is best to get the agreement in a written form, unless you have a voice recorder on your phone system – which is not always possible for all members.

Latest News Updates

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to now increase travel advisory to level 4 – do not travel to all of mainland China.

The decision to travel or not to travel remains with the individual. People may continue to travel to China if they wish and a flight can be secured.

The travel advisory from the government is just an advisory, not a mandated legal statement.

It is important to check with insurance providers as to cover and if it remains available/applicable and what if any conditions may apply, should a client wish to travel.

2) All travellers arriving out of China to self-isolate for 14 days

As of 1 February, all travellers arriving out of mainland China (not just Hubei province) have been asked to self-isolate for a period of 14 days from the time they leave mainland China.

This is again a recommended practice, clearly to safe guard the Australian population.

3) Border Measures – to deny entry to Australia to people who      have left or transited through China, with some exceptions.

These measures aim to substantially reduce the volume of travellers coming from mainland China. The AHHPC recommends additional border measures be implemented to deny entry to Australia to people who have left or transited through mainland China from 1 February, with the exception of Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family and air crews who have been using appropriate personal protective equipment. This also applies to passengers transiting in Australia, unless they are Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Read full release from The Prime Minister >

Additionally, while these travel restrictions are in place, Australian Border Force (ABF) has confirmed that all Australian SmartGates will incorporate a question on travel to Mainland China to incoming travellers, to identify passengers that will require additional screening by ABF staff.

Many airlines both Australian based and those based overseas have made announcements about their services to and from China and also in and out of Australia.

It is important that contact is made with the airline directly to determine what the latest situation or policy is for that individual airline.

If you have clients travelling to or from China, it is best to check with the airline to determine the status of the flights.

We are aware that some airlines have provided trade updates on the status of the airline, again it is best to check with the airline your client is booked on to check for any changes, cancellations or alterations.

We understand that this situation will be causing an increased level of activity within your agency as you work to assist clients and distil the wide ranging media reports and information.