Any advice on what the flu outbreak is like in practice? - Please use this topic to discuss the implications of travel in and around Mexico City.
For general discussion on Swine Flu - please visit: The Swine Flu Pandemic
We're starting our travels in Mexico City on 16 May - I wanted to ask if there are any travellers currently in/around Mexico City who have any comments on the flu outbreak. Are public buildings/tourists attractions closed? Are there any restrictions on movement? Do we need to wear face masks etc? I'm not too panicked about all this as the UK foreign office advice does not seem overly concerned, just wondered what anyone's experience is like "on the ground". Thanks
Reply to this Thanks for the info everyone - I think we'll just have to keep an eye on developments and if things are looking bad nearer the time see if we can fly straight to our second destination, Ecuador, instead.
Reply to this Will airlines allow passengers to Mexico to fly to an alternative Central American country instead
Multiple airlines are waiving change fees for passengers flying through Mexico because of an outbreak of swine flu but have not canceled flights, according to myfoxal.com. United Airlines took the lead in doing this.
My husband was due to do some work n Mexico in the next couple of weeks, but his company have shelved plans for now.
Reply to this Here's the current report from the U.S Embassy in Mexico -
April 26th Public Announcement.
All government sponsored concerts, public gatherings and museums will be closed through May 6th. The U.S is expected to issue a travel advisory asking all individuals without mandatory or emergency travel to Mexico City to alter their plans - but that announcement is "unofficial" as of yet.
Given that major pandemics occur is when viruses are transported from one region to another by travelers, probably a good idea not to travel through the area if at all possible. The fewer the number of travelers routing through international airports after being in the affected area, the easier it will be to quarantine (although the WHO has stated that is likely impossible by this point already).
Reply to this UK flights to Mexico out of Gatwick and Manchester have been cancilled - how about other airports in Europe? My internet is a little intemitent, so have not been able to look.
Reply to this I would change destinations as well to be honest. There were people on the local news this morning who had turned up at Gatwick to find their flights canciled and they were complaining about it, just moaning on about how long they have waited for thier holiday to Mexico (even though the travel compainies were arranging holdidays to other destinations for today). I beleive the two cases in Scotland have been confirmed now as well, I don't think enough people realise the consequences if this does spread. I have a background in Virology, so I am watching developments carefully.
Reply to this The UK FCO has now advised against all but necessary travel to Mexico:
Article here
Hopefully this means any changes are covered by insurance, but I need to check that out. Working with my flight booker now to sort an alternative destination, but really gutted that we might not get to start the trip as we wanted in Mexico City.
Reply to this ...even though the travel compainies were arranging holdidays to other destinations for today...
Ah cool! I suppose some people dont like changes like that, but I never consider it a problem if I can have an alternative exciting destination. 😊
Hopefully this means any changes are covered by insurance,..
I think you may get another flight in exchange free of charge. I think airlines would be relieved if people accept an alternative instead of taking up their time demanding what is no longer available. At least, when I couldnt fly to Ecuador the airlines seemed happy and relieved that I was asking to get on a plane to someplace else because it was something they could do. Which airline are you flying with anyway? They probably have routes to all over S. America. It may be an idea to contact the airline, rather than the travel agents, unless the travel agent is of the particularly helpful type.
Reply to this Definitely contact your airline to see what sort of travel waiver may be in effect, although May 16th is still a ways away as far as the airline industry is concerned.
I know that once the WHO raised the pandemic alert level to 4, all U.S based airlines automatically altered their ticketing restrictions - so if you have tickets to Mexico booked between now and certain dates in May (May 6 - 20th, depending on the airline) you can either postpone your trip to a later date without paying the change fees/additional fares OR some will let you use the ticket price towards travel to another destination within a certain time frame, again without the usual change fees. Given that all airlines are partnered in some one or another these days, chances are your airline is offering something similar.
Reply to this WHO has raised status to 4 today and UK foreign office advice is not to travel unless essential. My question is how the situation is for the rest of central america? I don't seem to find any info, but it is still a concern: I am due to fly to Guatemala this friday...
Reply to this I work in an online travel agency right now and we are receiving volume of calls regarding swine flu. I would suggest not to take the risk. Some airlines are waiving their fees to change the flight going to a different destination. I really love United and American Airlines so far. They are great when it comes to issues like flight interruption due to weather condition, political unrest and flu outbreaks. They issue waivers right away and also they cover the longest travel dates waiver. Other carrier covers only travel dates between 24th of April to 04th of May and others dont issue waivers for customers to waive the penalty fees to change the reservation.
Reply to this Just read:
- Mexico City bans restaurants and cafes from serving all food except takeaways
- Nationwide - all archaeological attractions (pyramids etc) are closed
Reply to this http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8031761.stm
See the above link. Looks like the problem is abating in Mexico, hurrah - we may not need to rearrange flights (and more to the point, pay the additional cost!) afterall.
Reply to this http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8032582.stm
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