The Novel Coronavirus and its spread through mainland China and other countries is a rapidly changing situation, therefore, we advise any of our customers travelling to or from any affected area to keep up to date with the advice issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
If you are travelling to, or even through, a country that has been affected by the virus, you are advised to take basic precautions like regular hand washing and to watch out for any symptoms of the virus, for example a dry cough, high temperature or feeling short of breath. If you notice these symptoms, and you have been to an affected country within the last 14 days, you are advised to call 111 and to stay in your home. For more information visit the NHS website dedicated to the Wuhan Novel Coronavirus.
While the UK Chief medical Officer has raised the risk to the UK from low to moderate, the chances of catching the virus outside of mainland China is very low.
As of the 29th January 2020, the FCDO are advising against all but essential travel to mainland China. Most UK insurers are excluding travel insurance cover for China, this is a standard industry response to an outbreak of this nature.
If you have any questions about how this may affect your travel insurance policy, please get in touch and we can talk things through with you.