Travelling to China

On 11th of May the UK Foreign Commonwealth Office posted the following information about arrivals in China.  It is just something to be aware of before you arrive.'The Chinese government continues to place great emphasis on screening and surveillance, rapid detection, quarantine and treatment. Stringent measures, particularly in Shanghai, are affecting flights into China from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Israel, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Spain, Mexico and the UK. If any passenger has flu-like symptoms this may lead to all passengers being quarantined for up to seven days until health officials are satisfied they are free of the H1N1 virus. Otherwise, any passenger having come into direct/indirect contact with H1N1 carriers may also be quarantined. Any British national affected should report the details to the Embassy's Consular Section on (010) 8529 6600.  Given a confirmed case in China, and that the sufferer was not detected on arrival at Beijing, we understand it is likely that more stringent measures, similar to those currently in place  at Shanghai, may be introduced at Beijing airport. Additionally there are recent unconfirmed reports that holders of Chinese visas who have visited countries affected by H1N1 (specifically Mexico, USA, Spain and Canada) since 20 April 2009, may be refused entry into China: other reports, again unconfirmed, are that applications for Chinese visas from those four countries are likely to be refused. Until this report has been officially confirmed prospective travellers are advised to seek clarification from their local Chinese Embassy.'

All Overseas Travellers

Imaginative Traveller continues to monitor the situation with the development of Swine Flu throughout the world.  Something that medical authorities are advising everyone to do is to regularly clean hands through the use of antiseptic gel or with soap and water. Antiseptic gel is not always readily available in all the countries where our tours are running so it is advisable to pack some in your luggage. The World Health Organisation is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza virus.  If recommendations on travel change at any time Imaginative Traveller would provide advice on this to our guests.