Since the first report on the discovery of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on 31 December 2019, the problem has continued to worsen, and the world has gone into a pandemic panic-mode. In early March 2020, it was confirmed that the virus had made its way into South Africa and by Sunday 15 March, 61 cases had been reported across Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal.
Those who had been following the development and spread of COVID-19 around the world knew that it was only a matter of time before South Africa declared a State of Emergency. A special cabinet meeting was convened, and on 16th March 2020, President Ramaphosa announced a travel ban on incoming visitors from high-risk countries.
South Africans returning home on international flights from the EU, the US, the UK, and countries such as Iran and South Korea would be tested and subject to quarantine or self-isolation.
People are still choosing to take advantage of cheap flights to travel to countries considered to be low-risk; however, this list is subject to change daily and it is the responsibility of passengers to keep themselves informed.
While domestic flights are still sanctioned, the government recommended that people should avoid all “non-essential” public transport such as air, rail, taxis and buses. Many people are now beginning to question whether any form of travel is currently a good idea.
Is It Safe to Travel?
That’s the big question, isn’t it? Ultimately, it’s all about assessing risk.
There are certainly a number of countries out there that have yet to be affected by the virus. However, considering how quickly and easily it is spread, there is always a chance that the situation could change in the blink of an eye. According to most experts, travellers would be well advised to put travel plans for the next few weeks (or even a few months), on hold until a safer time.
Having said that, staying put isn’t always going to be possible for everyone. Many will have little choice but to hop on a plane over the course of the next few weeks, whether it is to come home from vacation, a spring break from studies overseas or a need to travel for urgent business purposes.
The silver lining is that if travel is unavoidable for you in the near future, or you are prepared to take your chances, there’s a great opportunity to benefit from cheap flights. With the decline in travel due to the outbreak, flight prices are cheaper than they have ever been before. Looking to compare? You can do so easily using the SA-Airlines flight comparison tool.
What Are Airports and Airlines Doing to Maximise Safety?
Both local and international airlines, along with many airport,s are working closely with the CDC (Centre for Disease Control) to aid in reducing the spread of Coronavirus. Some of the special precautions that are currently being implemented include the following:
- Airlines are ensuring that all aircraft are undergoing advanced, thorough cleaning in between flights.
- Fogging is now taking place with tray tables lowered and overhead bins down, particularly on international flights.
- Cabin crew members across all classes, are now wearing gloves at all times when on board and dealing with passengers, and will supply new cups rather than offering refills during service.
Cancellations and Changes to Travel Plans
Concessions are now being offered by many airlines in regards to changes or cancellations of flight bookings. This is excellent news if you’ve already made a flight booking and you’re hesitant to proceed with your travel plans, or if you’re keen to book now but want a bit of extra reassurance should you change your mind in the near future.
These concessions vary from airline to airline, but most are offering the chance to cancel or change flight bookings without incurring additional administration fees. Here are just some of the airlines implementing various concessions:
- British Airways
- Virgin Atlantic
- Mango Airlines
- Lufthansa and Swiss Air
- KLM
- Emirates
- United Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- Qatar Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- Air France
- Cathay Pacific
Follow this link for a daily updated master list of all the major airline’s policies.
Safe travel tips
Regardless of your reasons for deciding to or needing to travel during this challengingtime, there are things that you can do to optimise your safety while at the airport and on-board the aircraft:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
- Carry medical-grade hand sanitiser with you, ensuring that it is of an appropriate size for air travel.
- Use the hand sanitiser provided at various terminals, and bus stops etc. especially if you do not have your own.
- Make every effort to avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes.
- Avoid close contact with other passengers, requesting seats in empty rows if the flight is only moderately full.
- Cover your mouth with a tissue or use the crook of your elbow if you need to cough or sneeze.
- Steer clear of anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Don’t use the touch-screen self-service kiosks at the airport. Check-in online and go to the counter at the airport.
- Avoid giving your phone to the airport crew if you have an e-ticket – show it. Alternatively, print your ticket out before arrival.
- Show your boarding pass and ID at the entrance of the airport lounge. Never use the touch-screen fingerprint scanners.
- Wipe down your phone and/or laptop following the obligatory security screening in the plastic bins.
- If an officer needs to pat you down, politely request that they change their gloves.
- Consider bringing empty water bottles along for the flight which you can fill up once through security.
- Clean trays and armrests with high-quality antibacterial wipes before using/touching them.
The bottom line
Ultimately, the Covid-19 outbreak is real, and it is up to all of us to take it seriously. It is also everyone’s responsibility to do their bit to help prevent the spread of the virus.
If travel is a necessity for you in the next few months, be sure to take all of the advice mentioned above to heart, implementing it at every chance you get. At the very least, ensure that you practice good hygiene habits, washing your hands regularly and coughing/sneezing into a tissue or the crook of your arm and distancing yourself where possible from other passengers.
As the airlines struggle to cope with ever-changing flight schedules, a drop in bookings and reduced flights, you will find that many are offering “no-brainer” deals. If you are making plans for several months’ ahead, say in August or September,and the deal is a huge saving, then it might be worth booking now, and then keeping your fingers crossed!
Use SA Airlines’ to search and compare cheap domestic flights on any of our local airlines, or book cheap international flights for the future, today.
Stay healthy and travel safe.