Pneumonia outbreak sparks travel panic: Refunds and cancellations depend on epidemic level

By / Scenic Spots Home compiled report
 
The Central Epidemic Command Center announced on February 11 that as new cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia continue to emerge globally, and based on epidemic prevention safety, the travel epidemic advisory level for Singapore has been raised to Level 2 Alert starting today, while Thailand has been raised to Level 1 Watch.

Many travelers have decided to cancel their overseas trips due to the situation. The refund and cancellation processes for tickets and itineraries, as well as how much money can be refunded, are widely discussed. Considering the professionalism of the Central Epidemic Command Center’s epidemic assessment and in coordination with epidemic prevention measures, the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation has coordinated with the Executive Yuan’s Consumer Protection Committee, the Travel Agents Association of the Republic of China, and the Travel Quality Assurance Association to establish principles for group tour cancellations and refunds.

The principles are as follows:
1. For international epidemics and advisory Level 1 Watch, the public should follow general preventive measures in the area: such as in Thailand, in accordance with Article 13 (Clause 13 of the Standardized Foreign Travel Contract) of the Required and Prohibited Clauses in Standardized Foreign Travel Contracts.
 
Clause 13 of the Standardized Foreign Travel Contract:
* If the contract is terminated more than 41 days before the start of the trip, the traveler must compensate 5% of the travel cost.
* If the contract is terminated between 31 and 40 days before the start of the trip, the traveler must compensate 10% of the travel cost.
* If the contract is terminated between 21 and 30 days before the start of the trip, the traveler must compensate 20% of the travel cost.
* If the contract is terminated between 2 and 20 days before the start of the trip, the traveler must compensate 30% of the travel cost.
* If the contract is terminated one day before the start of the trip, the traveler must compensate 50% of the travel cost.
* If the contract is terminated on the start date or after the trip has begun, or if the traveler fails to notify non-participation, the traveler must compensate 100% of the travel cost.
* The travel cost used as the basis for calculating compensation under the above provisions shall be calculated after deducting administrative fees.

2. For international epidemics and advisory Level 2 Alert, the public should take enhanced protective measures when traveling to the area: such as in Singapore, in accordance with Article 15 (Clause 15 of the Standardized Foreign Travel Contract) of the Required and Prohibited Clauses in Standardized Foreign Travel Contracts.
 
Clause 15 of the Standardized Foreign Travel Contract:
* If, before departure, there is factual evidence that one of the destinations in the travel group poses a risk to the life, body, health, or property safety of travelers, the provisions of the previous clause apply, allowing the contract to be terminated. However, the party terminating the contract must compensate the other party by a percentage of the travel cost (not exceeding 5%).

3. If, subsequently, any travel destination is raised to Level 3 Warning (Warning) by the Central Epidemic Command Center due to the “Severe Pneumonia with Novel Pathogens” epidemic, the public should avoid all non-essential travel to that area: in accordance with Article 14 (Clause 14 of the Standardized Foreign Travel Contract) of the Required and Prohibited Clauses in Standardized Foreign Travel Contracts.
 
Clause 14 of the Standardized Foreign Travel Contract:
* If the performance of all or part of this contract becomes impossible due to force majeure or reasons not attributable to either party, either party may terminate the contract without liability for damages.
* In the aforementioned case, the party shall provide receipts for any administrative fees already paid or necessary costs already incurred in fulfilling the contract. After verification, such fees shall be deducted, and the remaining balance will be refunded.
* If either party becomes aware that the travel activity cannot proceed, they must immediately notify the other party and explain the reason. Failure to notify resulting in losses to the other party shall incur liability for compensation.
* To safeguard the safety and interests of the travel group under this contract, after terminating the contract under the first clause, necessary measures beneficial to the group travel shall be taken.

 

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