Combating Coronavirus: COVID-19, Stopping It, & Australia’s Travel Restrictions

The threat is real, and it is spreading. COVID-19 poses a significant global threat as the virus sweeps through Europe and America, and Australia has scrambled to put a contingency plan in place as the highly contagious disease worms its way into civilization.

How does this situation affect your travel plans, and is it necessary to change or cancel these plans altogether? BudgetAir Australia puts together what the experts know in a bid to shed more light of the outbreak as it unfolds.

Header image by Lucrezia Carnelos

• What is COVID-19?
• I have to be overseas - what can I do to protect myself?
• Travel restrictions to and from Australia (Updated 7 March 2020)
• What to do if I bought a ticket with BudgetAir Australia?

What is COVID-19?

Image by Matteo Fusco

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines COVID-19 as the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new disease and virus began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It’s not an entirely new disease - COVID-19 is part of a large family of viruses known as coronaviruses, known to cause illness in animals or humans. Humans infected with such a virus usually experience respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Those who remember the 2003 SARS outbreak may be understandably worried, but initial estimates show a far lower mortality rate - 3.4% compared to SARS’ 15%. This does not negate its danger, as it has proven more infectious than SARS and MERS, possibly due to its longer incubation period.

I have to be overseas - what can I do to protect myself?

Image by Liam Burnett-Blue

The coronavirus disease has pushed many to postpone or delay holidays, while schools and other institutions are recalling their students and staff from at-risk areas. However, should you still have to travel, the following measures, supplied by WHO, will go a long way in protecting you from COVID-19.

• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
• Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
• Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
• Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
• Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

While you’re overseas, this means staying in touch with news in Australia and your country of visit. Stick with established news sources - fake news is as real a threat as the virus, and could cause you to make misguided decisions which could backfire in today’s unsteady climate.

Travel restrictions to and from Australia (Updated 7 March 2020)

Image by Erik Odiin

Australia was not COVID-19’s first victim and certainly will not be the last. In a bid to stop the contagion, some countries may have imposed sanctions that may affect when and how you’re travelling for the next few months. Don’t get caught out - know what to expect when you touch down at your country of visit, and what to expect when you’re back!

Updated 7 March 2020

What to do if I bought a ticket with BudgetAir Australia?

As a result of the outbreak of the Coronavirus worldwide, the tightening of government guidelines and the large number of cancelled bookings, many airlines have decided to cancel flights to prevent further spread of the virus.

What does this mean for you if you have bought a flight?

If your departure date is less than 4 weeks away:

• Check if you have received an email from us regarding the status of your flight.
• Check the website of the airline regarding their policies and the status of your flight.
• Contact us via this form: BudgetAir Australia Customer Service.

If your departure date is more than 4 weeks away:

• Check if you have received an email from us regarding the status of your flight.
• Check the website of the airline regarding their policies and the status of your flight.
• We kindly ask you to wait until your departure date is within 4 weeks before contacting us.

You can help us!

We are currently experiencing enormous pressure due to the impact of the Coronavirus. That is why we are currently only available by email in order to focus on handling cancelled and changed bookings.

To help all our customers, we are forced to focus on passengers departing within 4 weeks. We give these passengers priority in handling their requests. If your planned departure date is in 4 weeks or later, we kindly ask you to wait a little longer in contacting us as the situation can quickly change.

With good personal hygiene and social etiquette, preventing the spread of COVID-19 can be done without inconvenience or compromising our well-being. Stay happy and healthy, everyone!