Going to Japan (Osaka) in 2 Weeks - Should I Cancel?

Ltenoclockfindu on 19/02/2020 - 10:37
Last edited 21/02/2020 - 15:20

Hi Everyone,

I will be going to Osaka/Nara/Kyoto in 2 weeks for 2 weeks and my parents are thinking to cancel it due to the Coronavirus.

Their main concern is the flight (we are flying Qantas) as its an enclosed area where the air just circulates/air con system … etc. Also, I have read a lot of articles about Japan suppressing the media to report on Coronavirus as Olympic is happening soon so that can be one of the reason that we arent seeing everything.

However, I think its the best time to go given that there are no tourists (people from China cant go there and they are majority of the tourists).

Also, if I do cancel, I will need to pay $400 for flight cancellation and lose $500 on one hotel as I can cancel the rest

I just want to get some thoughts on this.

Note:

  • My parents are old and older people have higher chance of getting it so thats why they are worried.
  • We have enough face masks (P2 grades)
  • We have been to Japan like 7 times
  • I am also Chinese so I am not racist against Chinese people

EDIT:
I have decided to cancel my trip. Thank you for taking your time to comment.

Thanks in advnace

Travel Asia Japan Osaka

Comments

        • netjock on 22/02/2020 - 17:55

          If you had radiation poisoning from a nuclear blast (provided you didn't die from the initial explosion) you won't be able to infect someone else with radiation poisoning.

          With nuclear explosion at least you can detect it with a geiger counter, it appears chronovirus is not detectable and transmittable before symptoms show.

          No it isn't the same type of threat. Unapologetically I would say it is misinformation that leads to disaster. I would say the same thing to those Chinese who decided to travel overseas post reporting of the outbreak like they can escape (not realising they are already infected)

  • sraymond on 22/02/2020 - 16:42

    Currently booked to go to Japan in May. This was after transferring our tour of China rather than trying to cancel and get our money back via insurance. Not worried in the slightest. Will just keep an eye on the developments but right now we are locked and loaded.

  • BartholemewH on 22/02/2020 - 17:44
    +1

    My sister has been in Japan for a year plus and wasn't too worried, however she is currently in South Korea, not far from the latest cases and will be coming home 26th just in case it kicks off there.

    Edit: I wouldn't be phased about going to Japan.

  • newbiesh on 22/02/2020 - 19:01

    good luck m8 - hope u dont get locked up in chrismas island wen ur bak

  • mrvaluepack on 22/02/2020 - 20:18

    You shouldn't have cancelled, see video:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqd44aoshFI

    • mrvaluepack on 28/02/2020 - 19:16

      Another video:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmMvOpQuKe0

      • tenoclockfindu on 28/02/2020 - 19:29

        Thank you for the update. I know it seems fine but sometimes it's about the awareness, like no one wearing masks doesnt mean its fine. The culture is different, e.g. People wear masks in HK is because they dont want to get sick and the people that are sick dont wear masks. However, in Western countries, only people who are sick wears masks.

  • lolmao on 22/02/2020 - 21:37

    No different from going outside in Melbourne or Sydney

  • superuser on 23/02/2020 - 11:04

    china, japan, korea, 3 top countries have covid19….

  • kylarstern on 23/02/2020 - 11:38
    +1

    Yea I would cancel mainly because of your parents. If you're travelling solo or with people your age, def would continue.

  • Emerald Owl on 23/02/2020 - 12:14

    Go with someone else.

  • 2careless on 23/02/2020 - 13:44

    I'm in similar situation. Booked a trip to Tokyo late March with JAL.
    I've checked the following -
    1. JAL does not yet offer free cancellations - they might do so if AU government issues a travel warning.
    2. No travel insurance policy covers "epidemic" outbreaks - so I'll be on my own with very high medical costs if I do catch this bug overseas or even getting quarantine after coming back.

    Based on this, I'm going to cancel but will wait for the last moment - if AU government will issue travel warning on Japan then maybe I get a free cancellation.

    • sraymond on 23/02/2020 - 14:40

      That’s not entirely true. Plenty of policies cover the Corana virus especially if you took the policy out before it was announced. Also, I can’t see anyone that requires treatment overseas being billed for it. Plus I can’t see anyone being charged to go to quarantine. It’s in the countries best interest to control the spread of the virus as much as possible.

      • 2careless on 23/02/2020 - 23:16

        I spoke with an insurance broker and he advised the consumer travel insurance policies in the market all have that epidemic exclusion clause.
        The only possible exceptions would be business travel insurance policies but I don't have an ABN, and no I have not bought travel insurance yet.

        As for getting billed for treatment overseas, I wouldn't be so sure that I wouldn't be billed if I caught the bug. As for getting into quarantine, maybe the govn't won't charge me money, but lost income would cost me when there is no travel insurance.
        I find this sense of "security" misguided.

        • sraymond on 24/02/2020 - 00:16

          Well that’s what happens when you book a trip OS and don’t take out travel insurance. My policy definitely covers any health costs incurred and has no waivers regarding epidemics.

          • lostn on 28/02/2020 - 16:12

            @sraymond:

            Well that’s what happens when you book a trip OS and don’t take out travel insurance. My policy definitely covers any health costs incurred and has no waivers regarding epidemics.

            Can I ask who your insurer is? Every underwriter's PDS I've read has exclusions for epidemics and pandemics.

          • 2careless on 08/03/2020 - 10:16

            @sraymond: As I said before, I would wait for free cancellations and JAL announced they would cancel bookings without penalties on 6/March. Already cancelled my trip. Now looking to spend my holiday in Australia.

        • lostn on 28/02/2020 - 16:12

          how is 'epidemic' defined, and who defines it? Is this already beyond insurance cover?

          Is it a catch-all for insurance companies? e.g. if the pilot got sick and the flight was canceled, does that fall under the epidemic clause?

          • 2careless on 08/03/2020 - 10:19

            @lostn: This is the response I got from Allianz - They said they have a general exclusion clause on epidemic which is defined in the PDS as-
            Epidemic means a sudden development and rapid spreading of a contagious disease in a region where it developed in a simply endemic state or within a previously unscathed community.

  • esolutionsexpert on 23/02/2020 - 14:59

    I'd be more worried flying with Qantas than catching Corona Virus. LOL.. Just kidding.

  • eccentriq on 23/02/2020 - 22:31
    +1

    https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2926477617419641&id=300467140020715&tn=-R

    We have raised the level of advice for Japan. We now recommend Australians exercise a high degree of caution in Japan due to an increased risk of sustained local transmission of coronavirus. For more information visit Smartraveller.gov.au/Japan

    • petry on 25/02/2020 - 01:24
      -1

      how strange since the aussie university wallets are hurting the chinese are flying back in with little fuss… but its 2 late for our economy, we are just screwed by the America first racist fascists now running Australia.

    • lostn on 28/02/2020 - 16:15

      that's just yellow status though. Plenty of countries are at yellow status even without the virus.

  • Cheap Charlie1 on 28/02/2020 - 16:34

    It's getting to the point where we ban Japanese, Koreans, Italians and any foreigners that have been in those countries the last 14 days from Australia. Ban Australians from travelling to Bali too.

  • tomatosauce on 28/02/2020 - 18:19

    Both USJ and Tokyo Disneyland will be closed until 15th March!

  • duketing on 29/02/2020 - 08:02
    +2

    For anyone concerned about medical coverage if infected in Japan.

    "Based on the Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients with Infectious Diseases (the Infectious Diseases Control Law), the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare classifies 2019-nCoV infection as a designated infectious disease. This means that the government will use public funds to cover the medical treatment of those forced to be hospitalized and other medical expenses for those infected with the virus."

    Source: FAQ Q3 - https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryo…

  • omnipotenceBOS on 01/03/2020 - 12:01

    Good move not coming OP.

    I’m currently in Tokyo and looking to cut my trip short because of the coronavirus. A lot of public attractions are closed and hell of a lot of people are coughing, sniffing and sneezing on crowded trains (half of the people are not wearing face masks and those that are, do not appear to be wearing it correctly. For instance I witnessed some
    people wearing the mask below their noses). The talk about Japan being excellent at controlling the virus is a definite smokescreen to keep the Olympics proceeding.

    • lippy on 04/03/2020 - 14:28

      Is it really that bad? I'm going to Tokyo on 26/03!

  • sim36 on 04/03/2020 - 14:31

    Don't cancel. Be sure your travel insurance is going to cover any " COVID19 issues" you may have when in Japan. Japan is going to be quieter than usual, they'll be warm and welcoming.

    • kiitos on 05/03/2020 - 13:06

      I doubt such cover is available.

    • tenoclockfindu on 05/03/2020 - 13:19
      +1

      I have already cancelled all mt hotels and flights. Luckily, they are very understanding and were happy to issue full refund with no cancellation fees.

  • tomatosauce on 04/03/2020 - 15:01

    Apparently it is quieter but almost all the major attractions/amusement places are closed until 15th of March.
    Disneyland, USJ, museums, concerts, sports events, list goes on.
    That's to discourage students and the general public to go out.
    School term is cut short to prevent transmission.
    There's no guarantee these attractions will reopen on 16th.

  • Howdydoo on 11/03/2020 - 00:37
    +1

    Have just returned from japan and it was fine. Everywhere touristy and all bus, trains and airports completely deserted. We went on a domestic flight and there were a total of 14 people on our flight and that was after several flights for the same day had been cancelled. Ski slopes empty. A good time to visit of you are comfortable, just take reasonable precautions.

  • KozieSeller on 11/03/2020 - 17:16

    Lol Coronavirus is in Australia anyways, 100% to blame stupid media for making people panic and make stupid decisions

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