A rapid rise in COVID-19 cases, the emergence of foot and mouth disease from Indonesia and long delays and lost luggage have created the perfect storm.
Travellers queue at security at Heathrow Airport in London in late June. The situation is not improving any time soon.Ongoing COVID-19-related illness, winter flu and colds, airport and airline staff shortages and lack of air capacity – plus more extreme weather events – combined to create a perfect storm over the July school holidays.
Meanwhile, there’s an estimated 40,000 pieces of lost luggage at Amsterdam Airport, said Anywhere Travel general manager Nik Young, while insurance firms report 30 to 50 per cent spikes in lost luggage claims. Princess Cruises offered refunds to any of the 2300 passengers on Coral Princess who did not want to proceed after the outbreak.
Protocols before boarding include that all crew and guests must provide proof they are currently testing negative and are fully vaccinated . While positive COVID-19 cases are required to isolate in their cabin, they are not required to automatically disembark the ship.