Coronavirus (COVID-19) and travel: The situation around the world is changing dramatically. Various governments have changed their travel warnings to restrict travel during this time. To understand how this may impact cover under your policy, please go to our FAQs and select your country of residence.
For the latest travel warnings and alerts around the world, read about lockdowns and border restrictions.
What are the issues affecting travelers to China? Read the latest travel warnings and alerts.
Photo © Getty Images/Gassen
A change to China's COVID-19 policy – December 29 2022
From 8 January 2023, China will drop its COVID-19 quarantine requirements for international passengers, in the latest easing of the country’s previously strict measures.
Currently, travelers have to quarantine in a hotel for five days, followed by three days at home. The removal of this measure is a big step toward fully reopening travel with the rest of the world which includes allowing some travelers - but not yet tourists – to enter the country.
Chinese citizens will be gradually allowed to travel overseas for tourism again, which is an important source of tourism income for many countries around the world. The Guardian reported that the news was received with joy around China and that "online searches for flights abroad surged on the news, state media reported, with the travel platform Tongcheng seeing an 850% jump in searches and a tenfold rise in inquiries about visas".
Other countries have started to react with caution, however, because of concerns that new COVID-19 variants may now spread beyond China. Some countries – such as India and Japan – have introduced screening measures for arrivals from China, including the need to a negative PCR test.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel restrictions in China – updated 18 June, 2020
Anyone permitted to enter China is required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Foreign nationals, including visa and residency permit holders, are currently being denied entry. Diplomats, travelers on official business, and C visa holders are exempt from the entry ban.
From 8 June, foreign airlines can apply to resume commercial flights to China with limited capacity and restrictions.
Due to a renewed COVID-19 outbreak in Beijing, from 16 June, anyone who has flights through Beijing Capital and Beijing Daxing airport should contact their airline to see if their flight is affected by cancellations or changes.
Lockdown measures and restrictions have been relaxed in areas where transmission of COVID-19 has reportedly slowed or completely stopped. Expect restrictions to be reimposed at short notice if there are further outbreaks, such as the mid-June outbreak in Beijing.
You may be required to self isolate for 14 days when traveling between provinces or cities in China.
An outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province – January 2020
On 31 December 2019, the first case of a new type of Coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China. It is thought to have been contracted from exposure to animals at a seafood and meat market.
The World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency on January 30 2020.
The number of people infected by the virus is continuing to rise, and the death toll is also expected to increase. Cases have also been reported overseas.
Multiple cities in China are in lock down to avoid an unprecedented spread of coronavirus. It is unknown how long the lockdown will be in place, so stay up to date with local news and media to be prepared for changes to transport schedules.
What are the symptoms of Coronavirus?
The CDC report that the symptoms of Coronavirus contain the following:
- A runny nose
- Headache
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Fever
- A feeling of being unwell.
If you have any of the symptoms and have recently traveled to Wuhan or an area considered a threat, contact your doctor immediately, and maintain your distance from other people, cover all coughs and sneezes with tissues or your clothing, and wash your hands consistently.
Listen to the World Nomads Podcast: COVID-19
In this episode, we address FAQs about the virus and how it affects your travel and tips to survive self-isolation.
Sichuan Earthquake – June 2019
A magnitude 5.9 earthquake has struck Sichuan province. Several aftershocks have been felt following the earthquake. 11 people have been killed and dozens injured in Gongxian and Changning counties.
Infrastructure has been damaged and services have been cut to the area.
The tremors have been felt in major regional cities such as Chengdu and Chongqing.
- Keep updated with local news and government travel advisory information if you are currently in China
- Always exercise caution while traveling
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Carry your personal ID with you at all times.
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14 Comments
My husband and I have been trying to contact you yesterday and all day today. The waiting time is over 2 hours !!! We opted for the option of an operator from WorldNomads to call us back. After about 3 hours "Mike" called back but DID NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO OUR QUESTION! He transferred the call to "SOMEONE WHO WILL HAVE THE ANSWER". We waited for over 1 HOUR for "this person to respond" but "NO ONE" answered. Again we opted for the of an operator to call us back. Well here we are, it is now 7:50 PM USA EST and NO CALL!
We booked a tour back in October, 2019. It results that some of the countries we are visiting plus our layover, Hong Kong, are on the WARNING LEVEL 3 for the outbreak of the deadly CORONAVIRUS. The United States is advising its citizens not to travel to those countries affected by this virus. With that said, we are need to contact you before the deadline of getting at least 25% of our tour back. The deadline is 7 days, which is tomorrow, 1/30,2020.
We need someone to contact us immediately to discuss our options as far as insurance reimbursement is concerned.
Thanks
Mark and Rosalia Smiti
Hi Mark and Rosalia,
We’re very sorry for the delay with our service teams and for this reply and thank you for your patience. I’ve checked in with the team and they’ve let us know they have responded to you via email.
To summarise, as you’ve purchased your insurance before the cut-off date (31st of January 2020), you may have coverage for trip interruption and emergency medical coverage if you are quarantined or become ill from the virus.
However, for both the Standard and Explorer World Nomads plans, fear of travel and/or fear of illness are not covered reasons under the plan provisions. There is also no coverage in the plan should the city/location/travel supplier determine there is a quarantine and services are canceled as a result.
Please note that the above coverage advice is for residents of the United States. For more in information on the current situation and where coverage may or may not be available, please refer to this Travel Alert: https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/help/insurance/recent-events/travel-alert-coronavirus-january-2020-2
All the best,
Sarah – World Nomads
We are experiencing the same challenges as the Smiths in the comment above. 3 days of multiple calls and emails to the customer service team at World Nomads with no results.
We understand the company and its underwriters are buried with a flood of coronavirus questions but it would be very helpful if you to send all policy holders specific instructions on how World Nomads and your underwriters plan to handle this issue. I followed every link in your website remotely related to this situation.
It must be cheaper for you to cover upfront cancelation costs than it will be to evacuate or cover medical expenses of all your policy holders traveling to/thru Asia.
Looking forward to your response and proactive approach moving forward.
BHK
Hi BHK,
We’re very sorry for the service delay with your calls and emails and thank you for your patience and understanding.
We have a Travel Alert up on our website that provides advice on how your insurance may respond to events related to the Corona Virus. This advice does depend on your country of residence, so when you click into the link below – just make sure you select your home country.
https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/coronavirus
All the best,
Sarah – World Nomads
Did someone got in contact with you? Rosalia, Brent would you give some feedback to the comunity?
Thank you
We bought insurance for two people the 22nd of January, given the ncov situation spreading all over Asia, I need to understand what is covered and which kind of help you can give I will be traveling to Vietnam and Cambodia.
Question is if one of us fell sick in Vietnam, let say in the beginning just cough or sore throat,the insurance covers expenses to be hospitalized in a proper Clinic with proper health assistance? Which kind of action is covered and you can assure to perform?
Hi Cristina,
We hope your Vietnam and Cambodia trip is hassle-free, but in the event of illness or travel interruption/delays – please call our emergency assistance team for help.
Unfortunately, we can’t confirm coverage as it does depend on a few factors, for example your country of residence. Have a look at our Travel Alert page for more information on coverage. You’ll just need to enter in your country of residence first.
https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/coronavirus
Hope this helps, but if you have any further questions, jump to our Contact Us section to reach out to an experience agent in the service team. https://pp.worldnomads.com/contact-us
Safe travels,
Sarah – World Nomads
For USA residents, where exactly in the policy fine print does it state, "There is also no coverage in the plan should the city/location/travel supplier determine there is a quarantine and services are canceled as a result." Why would a travel coverage policy exclude such an important reason that the policy holders travel plans are changed beyond their control? This is not a case of war or civil unrest. Nor a case of forecasted weather. Please show where this exclusion is plainly stated.
Hi Steven,
While there is a coverage under Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption in the event you get sick (and the doctor certifies you should not travel due to your condition) or you are quarantined within 10 days of your trip; there is no listed benefit coverage for the city / location / travel supplier if they determine there is quarantine and services are canceled.
We know this is upsetting, but no insurance policy covers everything. Each provider chooses to tailor a product by excluding certain things in order to limit exposure.
One important thing to remember, that in the event your travel plans are impacted by cities or services being quarantined, most hotels and providers offer a 100% refund.
If you have any further questions, please contact the team on serviceUSA@worldnomads.com
All the best,
Sarah – World Nomads
You would think an area being under quarantine due to a pandemic would qualify as "Your accommodations at your trip destination are no longer liveable as the result of an unforeseen natural disaster." This sounds like the policy trying to not pay out. What good is this insurance if it can't be used in situations like this. Countries going from a level 1 travel advisory to a level 3 or 4 when a policy was purchased well in advance of anything happening or being announced should be paid out. Also I would think paying cancellation fees would be a lot cheaper than paying for hospitalization or evacuation especially with how fast things went downhill in China.
Hi Ellania,
Thanks for your comment.
When accommodation and travel arrangements are impacted as a result of quarantine, most travel providers offer a 100% refund.
There is coverage if you fall ill or you yourself are quarantined due to the outbreak, provided you purchased your insurance before the cut-off date. For more info on this, please see our Travel Alert article: https://www.worldnomads.com/help/insurance/recent-events/travel-alert-coronavirus-january-2020
If you have any further questions, please contact the team at info@worldnomads.com
Thanks,
Sarah - World Nomads
I agree, if a country is on a level 3-4 alert it is unsafe to travel and should be covered . My travel companion and I are both in our 60’s and have a trip booked for Italy next month . The risks involved are too great for us to go, we took out our policy well before any virus was discovered In Italy .seems like money is more important than lives or even a pandemic , sad situation for all .
Hi Madelyn,
I'm sorry you won't be going on your trip to Italy.
There is coverage if you fall ill or you yourself are quarantined due to the outbreak, provided you purchased your insurance before the cut-off date. For more info on this, please see our Travel Alert article: https://www.worldnomads.com/help/insurance/recent-events/travel-alert-coronavirus-january-2020
All the best,
Sarah - World Nomads
"When accommodation and travel arrangements are impacted as a result of quarantine, most travel providers offer a 100% refund."
This is a cop-out. "most" you claim. What about the ones that don't? You should be covering the gap when people have bought in good faith and the situation changes totally outside their control.
I purchased my insurance in March and I was to travel to a Country that at the time was not in any Emergency Crisis. It was only after my arrival that things took a certain turn forcing the Airlines to Cancel my return reservations. All of this was unforeseen, exactly for which I purchased a World Nomad Insurance Policy thinking that I would be in good hands at all times. Wolrd Nomad Insurance was aware of where I would be traveling to but said nothing, took the money I paid and gave me a sense of security. I even extended my Policy again World Nomad being aware of where I am accepted my contract. Now, at 4 am in the morning today are you telling me, now that I am stuck in a Country only now under quarantine, "sorry we can't help you, but thanks for giving us your money?", Is this what I am to understand?
Wow!!!!