United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
‘Swine flu threat to summer holiday travel’
Saturday, 20 Jul, 2009
0
Peak summer holiday plans could be thrown into chaos amid reports that airlines and cruise companies are refusing to carry passengers showing signs of swine flu.
Government advice to people issued yesterday was not to travel home from abroad if they were suffering from the H1N1 virus and wait until the symptoms had gone.
British Airways and Virgin became the first airlines to monitor passengers at check-in and turn them away if they appeared to have the virus, according to newspaper reports.
P&O Cruises reportedly said passengers were being given a medical questionnaire and would be assessed by the company’s medical staff prior to boarding if they were a suspected sufferer. Anyone deemed unfit to travel would be turned away.
Shearings Holidays said coach travellers were being asked not to travel if they felt unwell. Antibacterial hand solution has been placed at pick up and drop off points to help prevent the spread of infection, the Daily Telegraph said.
BAA, Eurostar and P&O Ferries said they were not vetting customers but would respond to any official advice.
A BA spokesman was quoted as saying there had been a "very small number of cases" where people displaying symptoms had been advised not to travel.
A BA spokesman was quoted as saying there had been a "very small number of cases" where people displaying symptoms had been advised not to travel.
“Our staff are trained on what to look out for if someone has swine flu or any other communicable disease.
“The staff seek medical advice and anyone with swine flu would be advised they are unfit to travel. Even if they disagree with us we have the power to stop them going on board.”
Virgin Atlantic said people suffering from the condition and turned away would not be allowed back on board without a ‘fit to fly’ certificate from their doctor or a hospital. It had not yet had any cases.
Passengers arriving at airports on Sunday wore masks and a boys’ football team from Esher, Surrey, was banned from a South Korean tournament because over fears they might bring swine flu with them even though none of them has the virus, the newspaper reported.
Passengers arriving at airports on Sunday wore masks and a boys’ football team from Esher, Surrey, was banned from a South Korean tournament because over fears they might bring swine flu with them even though none of them has the virus, the newspaper reported.
by Phil Davies
Related News Stories:
Phil Davies
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Tricia Handley-Hughes of Inteletravel announces the location for the TravelQuest 2025 conference
Insights from James Ferrara on Inteletravel’s Growth and Future
Tricia Handley-Hughes on Inteletravel’s Growth and Challenges
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Woman dies after getting ‘entangled’ in baggage carousel
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
BA pilot dies during layover
Boy falls to death on cruise ship