travelling and coronavirus

[oliviagodfreyxx]

hi guys, i’m supposed to be going to paris for two days on tuesday but i am worried sick with the whole coronavirus outbreak. not sure if i’m overreacting but i’m getting really anxious about travelling and being around lots of people and not knowing what illnesses they have especially since my immune system is low and we are more prone to catch these illnesses.

i don’t want to cancel my trip as it’s only for two days but i can’t help but feel worried and that it’s going to spoil my time being there.

any advice would be appreciated x

[Mmrr]

Hi, I think the decision may be made for you, a government statement is expected soon regarding non essential travel.

[Eiram50]

Agree with Mmrr.

I am due to travel to Berlin at the beginning of May. Given the current climate and the model / trajectory of this virus, I have already made the decision to cut my losses and stay put.

[Pippy25]

I think Mmrr is right as things are changing day by day. Thinking things through either in your head or writing it down may be useful as in reasons for going reasons for staying. I have tickets booked for next week at a theatre. I was only there around six weeks ago but since then a lot has changed and I think it would be best in my case to not go. When I had flu at 37 (which triggered my RD) I was a well person and it floored me to the point where I was crawling on the floor like a baby as I was so weak. Fast forward 18 years and RD and it's associates have taken over my body so I have to yield to it on this occasion as much as I hate to and say ok this time you win but I will have other times to enjoy and maybe in other ways too. I have to be practical Pip for now. So take care Olivia x

[Caza]

I think it’s a very personal decision & of course it goes on how many conditions you have & how you are.

I’m carrying on as normal & hoping for the best 🤞

[Pippy25]

Totally agree it has to be based upon your own situation.

[charisma]

Definitely up to you at the moment but that might change quickly. Personally, I would not risk it. This link government.nl/topics/corona... might help you decide.

[helixhelix]

I don’t think being somewhere different is particularly more risky if you are practising proper hand washing etc, you could catch the virus from anyone anywhere. It’s more that the practicalities could be difficult.

What are you planning to do in Paris? As France is ahead of the UK in terms of numbers of people infected so has already banned lots of events, and closed some schools etc. The Louvre has restricted access and some other places may also be closed. They are planning to move to stage 3 any day soon, which could mean more restrictions. Macron (the president) is making a statement at 9pm tonight so that might change things.

I am booked to go home (I live in France) on Thursday and I am concerned that the metro will be closed which will make it very hard to get across Paris to get my connecting train...

france24.com/en/20200312-ma...

[oliviagodfreyxx in reply to helixhelix]

i was planning on going to disneyland but seeing as they have banned large gatherings i’m assuming i won’t be allowed to go there either. i’m just hoping i’ll have more information before tuesday, i don’t want to get stranded in paris if the uk are stopping people from coming in at the end of the month

[helixhelix in reply to oliviagodfreyxx]

Disneyland Paris is open, they have just added in some measures like changing queuing systems to mean less contact, and increasing cleaning. In fact you could find that it’s a brilliant time to go as no crowds!

Eurostar is still operating normally (which is why I can’t change my ticket to go home earlier). Even in Italy which is “closed” Italians are allowed to go home!

Wait to see what Macron says tonight?

[oliviagodfreyxx in reply to helixhelix]

yes i will do my hotel is in disney too so i won’t be going far in terms of travelling around in paris, especially if it’s only for two days i’m hoping i’ll be fine. i’ll see what macron says tonight, thankyou

[helixhelix in reply to oliviagodfreyxx]

Some confusion about whether Disneyland Paris is staying open or not! French newspapers say it will close on Sunday, it's own website says it is staying open!

Public transport remains opens, but schools, colleges and universities are closing.

Macron said that people over 70 should stay at home as much as possible.

[oliviagodfreyxx in reply to helixhelix]

yeah i think they’re closing the park from monday, their twitter have tweeted it but apparently they don’t make many updates on their website. it’s annoying because the disney hotels are staying open but the park itself is shutting so i’m not sure if i will be getting all of my money back

[helixhelix in reply to oliviagodfreyxx]

Well not much fun to be stuck in a hotel with nothing to do as DL is outside Paris itself.....

[oliviagodfreyxx in reply to helixhelix]

exactly, trying to see if we can move it till the end of april/may without losing money, although i feel like it may still be closed

[helixhelix in reply to oliviagodfreyxx]

Disney are now saying you can change bookings for trips up to 1st June without cost. You have between now and 15th April to do so.

Si vous avez réservé un séjour dans un Hôtel Disney pour une arrivée jusqu’au 1er Juin 2020, vous avez jusqu’au 15 avril 2020 pour le reporter ou l’annuler sans frais. Si vous souhaitez reporter votre séjour pour une date d’arrivée avant le 15 octobre 2020, nous vous offrons la possibilité de réserver au même prix (hors transport).

[oliviagodfreyxx in reply to helixhelix]

thankyou hopefully i can sort something out

[Hidden]

Hi

I'm in France at the moment, in the South.

Like you, I'm very concerned and it has dominated my stay here, to the point that I've booked on an earlier flight home as I really can't face the thought of being trapped here if they decide to impose a lock down or the flights are cancelled.

Things are moving so quickly that anything is possible so I'm just looking forward to being back home again, safe.

Having said that, the weather here is perfect for me! Between 15 and 20 degrees during the day. This trip is my retirement treat to myself (rather than a cruise). It has been lovely but I need to get home!

Best wishes with your decision.

L

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Olivia. Whilst we are a little more compromised on methotrexate it's not as much as, say, someone on biologics. I've been on MTX a good while & it wouldn’t stop me travelling if there were no real reason not to, I’d definitely go back to Paris, there are no travelling restrictions just now. It's a decision only you can make though, just keep up to date with information, I would think the risk is greater if you have a chest infection or lung or lun g problems such as bronchitis. If you don't then you can form a better decision.

Did you think to take out insurance when you made your booking? If so I’d check if you'd qualify for full or part refund if you choose not to go & there are no travel restrictions in place. If you do choose to go I hope you have a lovely time.

[oliviagodfreyxx in reply to nomoreheels]

thankyou i have abit of a cold/feel run down so i don’t think i am going to go. apparently we can rebook with no problem before the 15th of april so i’m hoping to sort something out. my main reason for going was to go disney but it has been shut down hopefully i can rebook & i also have travel insurance so it should help x

[nomoreheels in reply to oliviagodfreyxx]

Ah, I hadn't realised it was Disney. Then you're at their behest then aren't you? Hope you're able to sort it without losing any money.

[oliviagodfreyxx in reply to nomoreheels]

still no where but we’re trying ! thankyou

[Neonkittie17]

I just saw The Louvre and Musee D”Orsay galleries are closed now until further notice and expect more public places to do the same so it couldn’t be limited to what you can do once you’re there if you go.