Coronavirus Outbreak
Insight Booking Solutions are keeping a close eye on the current Coronavirus outbreak and what this means to business travellers. Our aim with this web page is to provide you with a single resource for all the information you need to make informed decisions about your corporate travel programme.
In order to keep your travellers safe during this unprecedented time, here you will find information on what COVID-19 is, what you can do to stay safe and how it is affecting travel.
Remember, your Insight Travel Team of experienced consultants and account managers are on call to help you and your company through what is now confirmed as a pandemic by World Health Organisation.
What is Coronavirus
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
As with SARS and MERS, it is assumed that this virus originated in animals (possibly bats) and changed or swapped genetics (termed “recombination”) somewhat to be able to infect humans.
Symptoms
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Studies have shown that older men and those with chronic respiratory conditions are at higher risk of developing a more serious case if they contract the virus. Though, young and healthy people have also presented with severe cases as well
Preventing Infection
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and thoroughly cooking meat and eggs.
Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Most importantly – DO NOT TRAVEL IF YOU ARE SICK
FCO – Advise for Travellers
FCO (Foreign Commonwealth Office) – Travel advice: coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance for British people travelling and living overseas following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, and in other countries worldwide.