https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/japan
I have a trip next week and I'm now concerned :(
Smart Traveller (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) has upgraded Japan's advice level to level 2
eathb on 24/02/2020 - 09:16
Last edited 24/02/2020 - 09:16
Last edited 24/02/2020 - 09:16
Comments
Yep it's a tough one. Japan really stuffed up letting confirmed infected people off the cruise and wonder off which makes this situation an unknown.
My experience with Japan (been there 4 times - love the place) is that they're so strict and so relaxed at the same time with rules. So I can see it's going to be hard to decide.
Eg. They're so clean and so proud of their work and culture, but then so relaxed with illness. Possibly a case of strict with what can be publicly seen, but relaxed with what's hidden (eg. sex industry is rife there despite being illegal!)
Honne and Tatemae in a nutshell
Do you have travel insurance?
Yeah, I'm with ING but they will only do claims if the advice levels go to Do not Travel.
I checked my travel insurance, not with ING, and they have a general exclusion for anything related to pandemic/epidemic, which I would assume would be the reason for a "do not travel" advice in this case.
Found out the Studio Ghibli tickets I purchased has been cancelled and refunds are going to be issued :(
Thats really disapointing for anyone who decides or is forced to go anyway due to lack of refunds for their tickets/accommodation.
our travel dates are in june. will need to watch closely
Will be interesting to see how/if this effects the Olympics this year.
Lesson learned for me, will ALWAYS purchase cancellation policies moving forward. About $1k down the drain if I choose to cancel ugh.
I truly feel your pain. I'm meant to fly out for a long anticipated trip in a few weeks' time, so I'm going through the same thought-process. But, to be honest, I don't think you're got much coverage either way.
Most policies that I've seen have broad exclusions for cancellation due to the occurrence, or threat of an occurrence, of an epidemic/pandemic.
You mention above that you have ING insurance, which as you mention only seems to cover you if you're forbidden from going. It leaves a big gap for other corona related stuff that may not be covered. Then again it's better than most policies. Hopefully, if it comes to it, they don't try to wriggle out of paying up.
My cancellation fees will be $100pp agent and $300pp Japan Airlines, family of 5 so $2,000 all up. I'm hoping the airline will be forced to cancel the flight so I'll only be up for the agent fee.
I'm still in two minds. I figure it's only a matter of time before we have an outbreak in Australia, so chances of catching it eventually are pretty high, so might as well go. However I don't want to get stuck in Japan if flights are banned while we're away.
I go to Japan most years to visit family, luckily after last year's trip we decided we'd give it a miss this year and visit somewhere else. I guess I'll be holidaying in Aus this year to 1, avoid coronavirus and 2, help the communities that need tourist dollars after the bushfires.
Same. Similar sentiments.
Won't be going to Japan until this whole mess has been contained/ eradicated.
I'd cancel if possible.
I'm in Seoul right now, came in a week ago when there was only 20+ cases thinking that's still rather low risk.
With the spike in cases (it's all showing up because SK is now testing everyone with flu/pneumonia symptoms, rather than just patients with travel history to China), last 2 days have been a bit anxious whenever I see crowds - literally everywhere in this city.
Although Japan is not seeing this spike in cases now, both SK and Japan are highly dependent on Chinese tourists.
I have 2 days left before flying out and I've never been as keen to end a holiday.
Yeah Australia is pretty much owned by China.
At least there is a travel ban for all incoming Chinese flights unlike SK and Japan.
Not that it helps with universities offering third-country flight options and tuition fee discounts to circumvent the ban.
Yeah I saw that one. I was tempted to give them a call to check whether they taught modules on ethics!?
I've held off my planned tip for 6 months. I know quite a few people there right now and it hasn't been an issue for them.
Due to go in 60 days, i'm still going.
Heading to Thailand in 9 days time, and then in April back to Thailand again, Cambodia and Singapore. Europe in July, and Osaka in August. Guess I don't give a care or worry about coronavirus. If I live in FEAR I might as well be dead.
Been in Philippines. Thailand and Malaysia for last 2 months. Not even really mentioned here as there are no Chinese tourists any more…..
CDC has now upgraded South Korea's travel alert to level 3,https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/coronavirus-south-korea. It would not surprise me if Japan also gets moved to level 3 in the upcoming days (level 2 atm).
I'd rather they just bite the bullet and go with do not travel. Then I can start canceling stuff and claim on travel insurance. In the current state, I'm in limbo. Due to travel in 3.5 weeks.
Australia doesn't use this though..?
They don't but CDC is more looked at to try and the Hotels I've booked to waive their cancellation fees and offer a refund.
australia often copies US advisory. They trust the US judgment so when the US elevates, Aus does it too.
I'm going there in May. Hopefully it's under control by then or Jetstar suspend flights to Seoul.
Jetstar cancelled my flights today - my flights were for Seoul in March
Did they say why? Any info?
Jetstar will temporarily suspend its Seoul-Gold Coast service from 8 March 2020 until 30 June 2020.
We’ve made this decision in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the Australian Government’s recent travel advice for South Korea and the subsequent drop in demand.
Customers will be offered a range of options including the option to defer their travel dates until March 2021 or a refund if they no longer wish to travel.
An update on my situation if anyone is in a similar boat/interested:
Decided to cancel our trip for next week as it's too much of an unknown at this point, biggest fear would be the travel alert getting increased while we're in Japan, didn't really want to risk going through the whole screening and quarantine procedure.
I'm with ING Travel which I purchased before Smart Traveller raised Japan's alert to Level 2. At that point I was aware of the Coronavirus situation but Smart Traveller still had Japan as safe to travel. I confirmed with an ING rep that I would be covered (medical, hospital visits, trip/hotel cancellations) etc. if Smart Traveller switches Japan to a Do Not Travel at any time after.
Keio Prelia Hotel Kyoto Karasuma Gojo kindly waived cancellation fees and gave a full refund upon contacting them. Waiting to hear back from Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku to see if they'll refund.
Had purchased Studio Ghibli museum tickets and they've announced that they will cancel and refund this.
Not able to get flights refunds at this point. If Smart Traveller raises Japan's alert to Do not Travel, I will then be able to go through ING Insurance.
Thanks for the update, much appreciated.
Did you discuss with ING what cover you would potentially have if you had actually decided to push ahead?
From what I understand you'll be covered if SmartTraveller lists Japan as good to travel (i.e. anything but a Do Not Travel) and then it changes afterwards as long as you bought the policy while it's safe to travel. Would be best to call them and confirm this however.
Thanks for the tip. Ive called my usual Travel Insurance company, World2Cover, they do not cover any country if the reason is Coronavirus, regardless of what level Smart Traveller says.
I then called ING as per your advice, and they confirmed that I will be covered as long as I take out the Comprehensive or Essential cover, and only if Japan changes to a Do not Travel. Im ok with that.
World 2 cover doesn't cover the Coronavirus? Even if the policy was bought before this happened?
Or does it not cover medical costs, but covers cancelation costs?
Sorry, should have been clearer. They do cover it if purchased before. Not for new covers.
@starburstyellow: most if not all insurance have an exception for cases involving epidemics or pandemics. This is a catch all that will absolve them of any liability even if it's elevated to Do Not Travel, and you purchased insurance before Corona was known about.
Some will say go.. Some will say abort.. It's up to you(?) if you choose to go still.
There's already been a lot of discussions about people visiting Japan and unsure to proceed or not.