All Policies Include Enhanced COVID-19 Cover
Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30
Coronavirus FAQs
Questions about cover for coronavirus? Read our FAQs and find out what our policies can do for you. If you would like to contact us, please note we are currently only available 09:00 to 17:30 Monday to Friday due to reduced operational capacity. Thank you.
20 October 2014 10:08
Passengers being screened at Heathrow for Ebola
Plans to expand Ebola screening to more airports across Britain should help reassure passengers travelling abroad.
For many it may have seemed that the health crisis was a million miles away, with most of those infected living in Africa. But the emergence of cases in Europe and the US have caused concern closer to home.
The outbreak has encouraged the UK government to take action, and screening at airports of people entering the country from certain areas of West Africa will now be a far more common sight.
Measures are already in place at Heathrow and Gatwick, as well as the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras. Once officials are satisfied the measures are working smoothly at these locations, they intend to start screening at airports in Birmingham and Manchester.
The crisis will have prompted travellers to consider taking out medical travel insurance and - while the risks of Ebola are not great unless visiting infected areas - it is always handy to have such cover in case of other emergencies while abroad.
Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies describes the risk to the UK as "low", but Prime Minister David Cameron is worried that the quality of checks in other European countries may not be of the same standard as those in Britain.
Why the UK is low risk
Becoming infected with the Ebola virus is unlikely in the UK unless you have travelled to areas infected with the disease or had direct contact with a person with Ebola-like symptoms.
While the virus could arrive in the UK by plane, there are a number or reasons why a rapid spread of the disease is doubtful.
- The virus is not as easily transmitted as a respiratory virus such as flu.
- People with Ebola are not infectious until they have developed symptoms, such as a fever. The disease then progresses very rapidly. This means infectious people do not walk around spreading the disease for a long period.
- Britain has a resilient public health system with the necessary staff and facilities to contain cases of Ebola.
- Border Force have been trained to identify possible cases of Ebola, while f light crews know how to respond quickly to any passengers who develop symptoms during a flight.
21 September 2020
Take a trip to the world's top tanneries.
[more...]
Learn more about the Land of the Rising Sun's most famous culinary export.
09 September 2020
Get a slice of the action in Napoli, the pizza capital of the world.
Get way ahead with your getaway plans with our top five handy tips for planning a holiday in 2021...
02 September 2020
Many international borders may have reopened, but is air travel safe during the coronavirus pandemic? The answer may surprise you.
26 August 2020
Learn more about the government's advice on travel corridors and see the list of countries where you can travel back from without self-isolating.
Plan your next getaway while reducing the risk of catching and transmitting coronavirus, by following our simple advice.
09 March 2020
Move over hot cross buns and chocolate eggs, there's a whole world of Easter treats out there. Here are some alternative Easter foods from around the world.
Forget egg hunts and bunnies, Easter's done a little bit differently in these corners of the world. Here five alternative Easter celebrations.
28 February 2020
Keep your carbon footprint in check and travel green with our eco-friendly travel tips.
25 February 2020
For true carefree travel, decide on a destination that's kinder to the planet...