Ask the travel expert: Is it okay to travel to Singapore amidst coronavirus fears?
Don't postpone your travel plans but exercise precautions like sanitising with an alcohol based rub.
By ET Bureau | Updated:
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All attractions, restaurants and tourist places in Singapore are open for visitors and due diligence is being exercised to maintain highest standards of hygiene.
Rakshit Desai, Managing Director, FCM Travel Solutions India, Flight Centre Travel Group Australia’s Indian subsidiary, answers your questions on Travel — howtos, trends, recommendations and more. Send in your questions to: askrakshit@in.fcm.travelRakshit Desai, Managing Director, FCM Travel Solutions India, Flight Centre Travel Group Australia’s Indian subsidiary, answers your questions on Travel — howtos, trends, recommendations and more. Send in your questions to: askrakshit@in.fcm.travel
I have a holiday booked to Singapore but am contemplating cancelling it because I'm worried about Coronavirus. Is it okay to travel in this situation? While I understand your apprehensions, I would urge you to not make a hasty decision. Singapore has been very quick to react to the outbreak and has ramped up measures to contain it very systematically and limit its impact. The government of India has also lifted its travel advisory for Singapore.
All attractions, restaurants and tourist places in Singapore are open for visitors and due diligence is being exercised to maintain highest standards of hygiene including strict cleaning standards for high contact areas and swab tests for inbound travellers.
Based on the current situation and feedback from onground operators in Singapore, my advice would be that you can still go ahead with your trip but exercise precautions like sanitising with an alcohol based rub or soap and water regularly and follow respiratory etiquette along with good personal hygiene. The Indian government in its revised travel advisory on COVID-19 has asked citizens to refrain from travelling to China, Iran, Korea and Japan. TRAVEL BYTE Follow government's advisory and trusted sources for regular updates about on-ground situation. Most importantly, do not panic.
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My kids had their heart set on a summer vacation but we have been sceptical because of the Coronavirus. Will the situation be better for summer? Which destinations can we consider? It is difficult to say with certainty what the situation will be by the summer vacation months but it has been noted that the Coronavirus outbreak is receding in China.
The Indian government in its revised travel advisory on COVID-19 has asked citizens to refrain from travelling to China, Iran, Korea and Japan, however, there are several other domestic and international destinations you can still look at including Sri Lanka, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bali, Egypt, Eastern Europe, Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Maldives and Mauritius as well as Kashmir, Ladakh, Goa and the Andaman Islands closer home.
In the instance that the situation gets better by summer, lastminute bookings will be very expensive whereas there are some great deals on airfares and hotels right now. However, look for flexible travel dates and cancellation terms so that you have the option of cancelling if required.
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Are people coming back to India from international countries being quarantined? A traveller is likely to be quarantined only if they are coming from and have travelled to the most affected countries of Korea, Italy and Iran or have travel history to China since January. As of now, people coming back to India from all international destinations are required to undergo health screening at all points of entry. They also need to inform about their travel history to health and immigration officials. These are preventive and necessary measures that the government is taking in the wake of the current situation for the well-being and safety of everyone.
A traveller is likely to be quarantined only if they are coming from and have travelled to the most affected countries of Korea, Italy and Iran or have travel history to China since January. That being said, I advise that you follow simple health measures at all times when you travel within the country or outside for a safe travel experience.
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Flight Centre Travel Group, headquartered in Australia, is one of the world’s largest travel management companies. In India, the group operates an extensive portfolio of corporate and retail travel brands including FCM Travel Solutions and Corporate Traveller (corporate travel management), Travel Tours (leisure travel), FCM MICE (incentive travel and events) Travel Money India (foreign exchange), FCM InComing (inbound travel) and Travel Air Representations (travel wholesalers).
A lot of what you hear or read about the coronavirus may be myths. WHO data busts a few common misconceptions.
A lot of what you hear or read about the coronavirus may be myths. WHO data busts a few common misconceptions.
Myth: Pneumonia vaccines will protect you against coronavirus.
Reality: Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against coronavirus. The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts. However, while they are not effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.
Myth: Pneumonia vaccines will protect you against coronavirus.
Reality: Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protec..
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Myth: Ultraviolet disinfection lamp can kill the coronavirus.
Reality: UV lamps should not be used to sterilise hands or other areas of skin. Far from killing the virus, the UV radiation can actually cause skin irritation.
Myth: Ultraviolet disinfection lamp can kill the coronavirus.
Reality: UV lamps should not be used to sterilise hands or other areas of skin. Far from killing the virus, the UV radiation can actuall..
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Myth: Thermal scanners can help detect infected people.
Reality: Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever due to the coronavirus infection. However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with the fever. This is because it takes between two and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.
Myth: Thermal scanners can help detect infected people.
Reality: Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever due to the coronavirus infection. However, they cannot ..
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Myth: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over the body kill the coronavirus.
Reality: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. In fact, spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (ie eyes, mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be used to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.
Myth: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over the body kill the coronavirus.
Reality: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. In fact..
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Myth: Putting on sesame oil will block the coronavirus from entering the body.
Reality: Sesame oil does not kill coronavirus. There are some chemical disinfectants that can kill the 2019-nCoV on surfaces. These include bleach or chlorine-based disinfectants, solvents, 75 per cent ethanol, peracetic acid and chloroform. However, they have little or no impact on the virus if you put them on the skin or under your nose. It can even be dangerous to put these chemicals on your skin.
Myth: Putting on sesame oil will block the coronavirus from entering the body.
Reality: Sesame oil does not kill coronavirus. There are some chemical disinfectants that can kill the 2019-nCoV on sur..
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Myth: Coronavirus mainly affects older people.
Reality: People of all ages can be infected by the 2019-nCoV. Older people, and people with preexisting medical conditions [such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease] appear to be more vulnerable. But WHO has advised people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus.
Myth: Coronavirus mainly affects older people.
Reality: People of all ages can be infected by the 2019-nCoV. Older people, and people with preexisting medical conditions [such as asthma, diabetes, h..
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Myth: Rinsing your nose with saline will help prevent coronavirus infection.
Reality: There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from a coronavirus infection. But there is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from a common cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.
Myth: Rinsing your nose with saline will help prevent coronavirus infection.
Reality: There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from a coronavirus infecti..
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Myth: It’s not safe to receive letters or packages from China.
Reality: It is safe to receive letters and packages from China. People receiving packages from China are not at risk of contracting the coronavirus. From previous analysis, we know that coronaviruses do not survive long on objects such as letters or packages.
Myth: It’s not safe to receive letters or packages from China.
Reality: It is safe to receive letters and packages from China. People receiving packages from China are not at risk of contracting the..
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Myth: Pets at home can spread the coronavirus
Reality: At present, there is no evidence that companion animals or pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the coronavirus. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with these pets. This will protect you against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans.
Myth: Pets at home can spread the coronavirus
Reality: At present, there is no evidence that companion animals or pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the coronavirus. However, it is alway..
