coronavirus

Tag Archives for coronavirus.

Marriott Extending Status, Waiving Cancel Fees and Points Expiration For Chinese Members

by Gary Leff on February 21, 2020

Feb 21 2020

Following a similar move already announced by Hyatt, Marriott is extending elite status by a year for residents of China and its Special Administrative Regions (as well as Taiwan so as not to get in trouble by differentiating it) due to the coronavirus outbreak and concomitant drop in travel to and from the region. This is based on account address date as of February 1, 2020.

Marriott is also extending Suite Night Awards and Free Night awards for these customers won’t expire points in these members’ accounts until February 2021.

How Chinese Airlines Are Changing Inflight Service To Stop Spread Of Coronavirus

by Gary Leff on February 11, 2020

Feb 11 2020

Here are 7 things Chinese airlines are doing on the aircraft to reduce the spread of coronavirus. It comes down to don’t eat, don’t drink, don’t speak, don’t use the lavatory and use a mask – but there’s more.

Expedia Websites Won’t Even Sell Travel To China

by Gary Leff on February 4, 2020

Feb 04 2020

As if China travel wasn’t already burdened enough by coronavirus fears, a concomitant drop in demand, and airlines cancelling flights, a major online travel agency group won’t even sell tickets in or out of China to passengers looking to buy them.

Passengers Being Sprayed Before 14 Day Quarantine After Leaving Wuhan

by Gary Leff on February 4, 2020

Feb 04 2020

Batik Air flew passengers stranded in Wuhan, China to Batam, Indonesia on Sunday. All 243 people on board had been screened for coronavirus prior to boarding. Then once they made it to Indonesia they were flown on board military aircraft to Natuna Island for quarantine.

Disembarking in Batam everyone was sprayed with an unknown substance, though individuals in hazmat suits had backpacks that read ‘ALHOKOL’.

A Coronavirus Treatment May Be Working

by Gary Leff on February 2, 2020

morgan freeman in movie outbreak in hazmat suit

Feb 02 2020

With a ban on non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents entering the country within 14 days of having been in China going into effect, China Eastern has announced a suspension of its U.S. flights.

Coronavirus has claimed lives, infected many, and led to worldwide panic and turmoil in markets. If we’re looking for a bit of good news, though, Thailand may be seeing some success treating the virus with a mixture of anti-flu and anti-viral drugs.

Coronavirus Crackdown: The Extreme Way The Philippines Is Handling Travel

by Gary Leff on February 2, 2020

Feb 02 2020

The regime of President Duterte, of course, is considerably more autocratic than predecessors. Among other things he’s well known for stating that his presidency would be “bloody” and that he’d pardon police and soliders accused of human rights abuses, and pardon himself for mass murder.

Starting Sunday Foreigners Who Visited China Within 14 Days Banned From Entering U.S.

by Gary Leff on January 31, 2020

Jan 31 2020

In addition US citizens who have been in Hubei Province, China within the last 14 days are subject to screening and 14 days of monitoring upon their return.

American Suspends LAX – China Flights For A Month And A Half

by Gary Leff on January 29, 2020

Jan 29 2020

American Airlines has suspended is Los Angeles – Beijing and Los Angeles – Shanghai flights between February 9 and March 27. Service continues until February 9 unless there are new developments (such as the federal government ordering earlier cessation of US-China flights) and is attributed to reduction in demand for travel.

Meanwhile in Beijing…