Chest specialists Cyprus/Holiday insurance advice

[Leafsweeper]

Hi,

I haven't travelled abroad since late 2019, when I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis, due to Covid concerns. I know many people on this forum have travelled extensively since the start of the pandemic and I'm planning to go to wedding in Cyprus in June - I understand Greek Cypriots are more Covid cautious than in UK eg masks are mandatory in healthcare settings. Resp consultant says I should start travelling again, however, I''m apprehensive about the whole trip and planning on wearing mask on flight and taking rescue meds etc to Cyprus but does anyone know

!) Insurance companies which willl cover me without charging an arm and a leg

2) it's possible to go through UK/Cyprus security without removing mask.

3) Any good chest specialists in Cyprus?

Thanks, Ann

[Bevvy]

I have multiple health issues. Try Staysure insurance. I found them extremely helpful.

[Leafsweeper in reply to Bevvy]

Thanks so much Bevvy, I'll call them.

[peege]

I too was going to suggest Staysure. I've not had to use it as I have travel insurance through my bank account if I didn't I would try Staysure because I believe its absolutely essential to be insured because things do happen ie an accident, covid, stroke heart attack etc. Pre covid I flew or drove to near Marseille 5 times a year to family. I flew Ryanair from Stansted in December for 1st time since 2019. I wore a mask throughout journey just dropping it at passport controls. Luckily came back unscathed.

It's great that Cyprus is still taking precautions. Good luck & have a great time ×

[Leafsweeper in reply to peege]

Thanks so much for this Peege, I will speak to Staysure. It;s good to hear you were able to go abroad and return home without infection - I'd really like to go this wedding as I'll see relatives who I haven't seen since 2019. If I'm able to fly once and, touch wood, come back unscathed it'll give me the confidence to travel again. Flight to Cyprus is about 4.5 hrs plus time in airports- don't think I've worn a mask continuously for such a long time but hey ho, I know I'll regret it if I don't go! x

[peege in reply to Leafsweeper]

Forgot, I also used Nasal Guard every couple of hours making sure I'd washed my hands first. It has some antiviral in it, expensive little tube but worth it for an extra bit of protection. Even before covid using The Tube daily in London for work I trained myself not to touch anything anyone else had during every journey, I used my scarf, sleeve or skirt to open doors with to avoid germs/bugs. I'm sure plenty of people don't practice hand hygiene now they think covid is over 🙄. There's Vicks Cold & Flu too and Zinc Loxenges.

Wishing you the best and hope you get there. P

[Leafsweeper in reply to peege]

Thanks again P, looks like Boots sell a product called Nasaleze which sounds the same - so will definitely buy some sort of nasal spray. (I've always been a bit OCD esp while travelling, so I'll be carrying Clinell wipes and packing Dettol room spray - and not eating on the plane, which won't be a great loss,,)

[Mooka]

Try a broker like MoneySupermarket which will compare different companies. Better still look at moneysavingexpert there’s plenty of advice on there re travel insurance for existing conditions.

[Leafsweeper in reply to Mooka]

Thanks Mooka, I didn't think of trying Money Supermarket - will give it a go.

[CyprusPat]

I live in Cyprus and at the moment you only need to wear a mask in hospitals and clinics. But you wouldn’t be out of place wearing a mask many still do. Most hospitals will have a pulmonologist you could be seen by. I see a pulmonologist under the Cyprus health system (so much better than the UK) as a permanent resident. There are many pulmonologists in Cyprus and you could get an appt very quickly and it would cost €50 upwards. But if you have an European Health Card you could be seen by a pulmonologist at a hospital for €10 I believe. I’m sure it would be difficult to go through passport control whilst wearing a mask. Hope this helps. It’s a beautiful island to visit especially before it gets too hot.

[Leafsweeper]

Thanks so much for your reply Pat. It's both surprising and reassuring to hear that the Cyprus Health system is better than that in UK = the prices you mention seem reasonable. I did'nt realise that the European Health cards still existed after Brexit, it's useful to know if they still do. No, I didn't really think passport control would work without a mask - I guess I'll just hold my breath and keep my fingers crossed! (Apart from the wedding in the Paphos area, we'll be spending some time in Limassol but mostly in a village in the mountains not far from Lefkara.)

[Suzie42]

I certainly think you should go. Will do you the world of good. I have IPF and leukaemia and I haven't stopped going abroad. Planes are much better after covid. But you must use a fresh mask after a couple of hours. They are not good to keep wearing the same one, my health care people told me. Go and enjoy yourself. Take GHIC card with you that covers for most things in Europe. Have a great time

[Leafsweeper in reply to Suzie42]

Thanks so much for your reply Suzie,-to be honest I didn't know HIC cards existed till I saw your reply. Hoping to book flights by start of April. It's good to hear that you find planes are better than they were, but I'm aware that Covid hasn't gone away and the last flight I took Jet2 pre-Covid was awful - plane jam packed and stuffy. It's good to hear you've carried on travelling over the past few years, hopefully with no ill effects x

[Suzie42 in reply to Leafsweeper]

I used to always catch a cold or cough on planes pre covid but not since. Good luck with your holiday. I cannot wait to get to my favourite greek islands in September