Travel and coronavirus risk

[Gardener17]

My other half was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and AF a year and a half ago. Meds have worked well plus a successful cardioversion and he is back to his normal healthy self. An echo scan has confirmed that he now has only slight impairment. Question is that we are due to fly to Canary Islands in April. Our feeling is that we should still go as no more likely to come into contact with the virus out there - only concern is the flight. What does everyone else think please?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

It all honesty no one has a "crystal ball" to say whether you should go. In a month's time flights to Tenerife may be banned, your town may be in lock down or whatever.

I was going abroad in April but have put in on hold till the situation is clearer. It is your decision in the end but as said you may not even be allowed to go!

[Gardener17 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks for your input. As you say, the situation may well be taken out of our hands by then. Will speak with his cardiologist and then decide.

[thetidders]

Hi, we have just come back from Lanzarote (last Thursday) & at the moment there is no coronovirus there, I think the only island to have the virus at the moment is Tenerife & that is because an Italian doctor went there on holiday & had the virus itself.

Whether all that will change in the next few weeks remains to be seen but we took the decision to go & enjoyed the sun & the warmth. It’s your decision in the end.

Jean

[Gardener17 in reply to thetidders]

Thanks for the reply. I definitely see your point about going and enjoying the sun. Not concerned about while we are there as it’s a very outdoors type hotel; it’s mainly the plane journey that bothers me.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Gardener17]

I would regard the airport as the biggest risk as they are a crossroads for many nations.

[GracieOS]

Hi, I'm in a similar situation, I was diagnosed with heart failure about 18 months ago. With meds my heart function has improved significantly and is now only just below normal. We are due to go to Sorrento in southern Italy in a couple of weeks. The vast majority of cases in italy are in the north and we now have 2 confirmed cases here in Pembrokeshire, where I live.

At the moment we are still planning on going. Get some sun and relaxation. Foreign Office advice is that is safe to travel to italy, outside the affected northern areas. We are keeping watch.

Unless the advice changes and we are advised not to travel the insurance won't pay out. This is a consideration, but secondary to health concerns. That said the virus is on our doorstep so I could just as easily contract it here.

[Gardener17 in reply to GracieOS]

Difficult isn’t it! We are inclined towards going but will speak to his cardiologist and take advice I think. Best wishes with your decision too! Whenever you do get your trip - enjoy!

[Yasyass in reply to Gardener17]

I too have been wanting to travel but have hf no symptons but as of yet not booked tickets and cannot get to talk to cardiologists til mid April althou I would be scared to get the virus from the airports and planes

[mistymolly]

I would postpone your trip.

[Gardener17 in reply to mistymolly]

Thanks - will speak to his cardiologist before deciding I think

[Polski001]

My daughters getting married this year in August. Been planning for ages. In Italy! Watching that closely😳

[Gardener17 in reply to Polski001]

Fingers crossed!

[NotAllWhoWonder]

I honestly don't understand how people are so nonchalant. It's still spreading all around the world because people still insist on travelling. Postponing your holidays won't kill you, but COVID-19 probably will.

[Lezzers in reply to NotAllWhoWonder]

Not 'probably' it 'may' kill you. You can catch it just by talking to your neighbour!

[GracieOS in reply to Lezzers]

I Agree. We have confirmed cases here in Pembrokeshire, so I'm just as likely to catch it at home as I am by travelling. So unless Foreign Office advice changes we still plan to go, taking all the necessary, and more, precautions. We have a self catering apartment, won't use public transport and will stay away from crowded places. This is likely to go on for many months, maybe a year, so I'd rather carry on, as far as possible and officially advisable, as normal. I have rheumatoid arthritis as well as a heart condition and the former would definitely benefit from some dry weather, warmth and sun.

[Gardener17 in reply to NotAllWhoWonder]

Thanks for your reply. I also think we are no more likely to catch the virus on holiday than here - it’s simply the plane issue that’s causing concern.

[Lezzers in reply to Gardener17]

If your cardiologist sees no problem in going, practice good hygiene, wear disposable gloves at the airport, don't touch your face until after you've washed your hands with soap and water for the 20/30 seconds, enjoy your holiday.

The sun is shining here, it lifts the spirit, we all need more sun in our lifes ☺

[MEW123]

My biggest concern would be getting stuck somewhere, so not travelling at the moment and I also feel that the best chance to stop this thing is for people to stop moving around unless it is very necessary. This seems to be working in China and now South Korea.

[Gardener17 in reply to MEW123]

Thanks for your reply.

[AlexB88]

It's been almost a year, and we're still home, not going almost anywhere. To be honest, I'm even afraid to go grocery shopping, not speaking about a restaurant, another city, or even about another country. They said it will last only a few months, but I guess we'll have to deal with this a lot longer. I have friends that still travel to places safe for tourists like travelsafe-abroad.com/mexic... and they're not as anxious as me. I'm not judging anyone, they're doing what's best for them, but I would rather stay home and stay safe.

[Yass_123]

It would be lovely to have a holiday but u health comes first I have two relatives who were relatively fit before they had covid but now after one month they r always breathless and in out of gps think about it is it worth the risk my cardio told me before covid I could travel I haven't seen my sons over 13 years but they advis me not to travel yet I prefer to wait then keep worrying if I get the virus take care