UPDATED 02MAR 2020
Each day there are new developments in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and, rightly so, Australian families are considering whether their child should travel on an overseas tour in April and/ or July. Staff from Estilo Travel are continually monitoring the situation and will work with schools, clubs and international suppliers to ensure all passengers travelling with Estilo Travel are as safe as possible.
WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs Smartraveller website, smartraveller.gov.au Coronavirus (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Initial human infections of the novel type of coronaviruses were acquired from exposure to animals at a live animal market in Wuhan. On 20 January, Chinese authorities confirmed the novel coronavirus is spreading person-to-person. It remains unknown how easily the virus spreads from person-to-person. Limited person-to-person transmission has now been confirmed in a number of countries around the world.
The disease caused by the novel coronavirus has been named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization.
Common symptoms of the disease include a fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Severe cases can cause pneumonia, and even death.
Further information on COVID-19 can be found at:https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/travel-advice
DFAT ADVICE LEVELS
When travelling overseas, Australians are encouraged to assess the level of risk associated with travel to a particular destination. To help with this process, DFAT maintains advisories for over 170 countries. All of the destinations to be visited by Estilo travel groups are assessed on an ongoing basis by DFAT. These advisories are frequently updated, however DFAT will not change all advisories for all issues and incidents.
There are four levels of advice, with each level reflecting the risk for average Australians travelling to a particular destination. A higher advice level means a higher risk.
LEVEL 1 – Exercise normal safety precautions
LEVEL 2 – Exercise a high degree of caution
LEVEL 3 – Reconsider your need to travel
LEVEL 4 – Do not travel
As of 02MARCH 2020, China is the only destination that Estilo Travel had planned to send a group to which has reached LEVEL 4 status. Italy today increased to ‘Exercise a high degree of caution’ (LEVEL 2) with small towns in two regions today classified as ‘Reconsider your need to travel’. (LEVEL 3) https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy
ESTILO DESTINATIONS IN APRIL and JUNE JULY 2020
Each year, Estilo Travel sends groups around the world on sporting, educational and service tours. In April, groups will travel to Canada, USA, Tonga, New Zealand and Germany, while in June / July, groups will also visit the Philippines and Fiji. As of 02 March 2020, a tour to China and a tour to Italy have been postponed.
RISK MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY GUIDELINES
Passenger safety is paramount at Estilo Travel. Schools are required to complete a thorough Risk Assessment document prior to travel and our experienced staff work with tour leaders to ensure passengers are as safe as possible while overseas.
A crucial component of the Risk Assessment for any tour is adherence to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) guidelines. As outlined on the Smartraveller web site - https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/coronavirus-covid-19
In most countries, DFAT continues to advise Australians to ‘exercise normal safety precautions’. According to DFAT, it does not mean reconsidering or cancelling your travel plans to these countries. With the evolving nature of the situation, staff from Estilo Travel will continue to monitor the situation and will liaise with tour managers and passengers in the lead up to all upcoming tours.
If you are concerned about your upcoming tour, please do not hesitate to call our office to discuss alternate options. If you are considering cancelling your trip, we recommend first you have a conversation with your group insurer to discuss cancellation fees.
