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With rising concerns about traveling Asia during the coronavirus, one may wonder if it’s really as bad as the media is making it sound. A number of large airlines have canceled flights to various cities and provinces in and out of China, but that doesn’t stop the smaller airlines from doing so. The media has created a lot of fear and worry. And, while these things shouldn’t be taken lightly, it can be slightly stretched from the truth.

I wanted to share true accounts and experiences from travelers and ex-pats within Asia. I hope that they will shed some light for future travelers on what is actually going on around the region.

Disclaimer: I am not a health expert. It is ultimately your choice to travel to Asia during the coronavirus. I recommend that you take your country’s travel guidelines and warnings into consideration in making decisions on your travel plans.

Thailand and Cambodia

I personally traveled between Thailand and Cambodia in early February 2020. Upon checking in for my flight at Don Muang International Airport, I noticed that most people were wearing masks. A few other travelers were wearing plastic gloves. Going through immigration was not any different from other times I’ve traveled. There were a few signs informing people about the virus in English and Thai and well as hand sanitizer placed on immigration counters.

When I arrived at Phnom Penh airport, there were no signs or extra health precautions. Around the city, it didn’t feel very busy, but I’m not sure what it’s like normally. Not that many people were wearing masks, and aside from a few nicer restaurants that offered some hand sanitizer, nothing else seemed cautious.

Upon leaving Phnom Penh, I was only asked if I had been to China recently while checking in for my flight. There, again, weren’t any signs about the virus or precautions leaving Cambodia. When I re-entered Thailand everyone had to walk past a thermal camera before going to immigration. Other than that, it was business as usual at the airport.

Thailand Islands & Bangkok

Travelling through Thailand at the end of January and part of February 2020, we were blissfully unaware of the Coronavirus outbreak until notified by friends online. Krabi, Southern Thailand, seemed totally unaffected, and it was only when we reached Bangkok that we saw the impact. Free facemasks were being handed out at Suvarnabhumi Airport and on buses and were being worn by 99% of people. Otherwise though, life seemed to continue as normal. We flew with Etihad through Abu Dhabi and were not subjected to any additional checks by health and immigration officials on departure or arrival. For the most part, we were completely unaffected by the coronavirus.

Zara from Passport for Living

Flying Bangkok to London

At the end January, I flew to London from Bangkok via Beijing. Before I was even able to check-in they had tested my temperature. During check-in, I was asked if I had a mask, and if not they would give me one which I should wear at all times. Once on board the flight, we had to confirm that we had not been to Wuhan in the past 15 days by filling out a form and signing paperwork. During the second flight, they disinfected the cabin mid-flight and on arrival, we were handed information sheets regarding what to do if we suspected we had the virus. Once I was in London there were absolutely no checks. Got off the plane and then went through to immigration with all the other flights. I used the e-passport gates so didn’t even interact with anybody on arrival.

Sarah from Sarah’s Sojourns

Japan

We visited Japan in the middle of January 2020. As we arrived into Haneda airport there was a quarantine desk, but we were waved through. We certainly noticed a lot of people wearing masks, although this is pretty common practice in Japan anyway. Otherwise, nothing else was being done precautions-wise – all museums/public transport/popular tourist attractions (for example Disneysea, Teamlab Borderless, Fushimi Inari) were open and busy. We didn’t have any problems leaving Japan. We thought there would be more security, etc., at the airports but didn’t see anything different than usual.

Emma from Team Thomas Travels

Philippines, Indonesia, Australia

In January 2020, we finished a month stint in the Philippines and then headed over to Indonesia to spend some time there, and then finally flew into Australia in early Feb, all during the Coronavirus outbreak. Immigration coming out of the Philippines and into Indonesia was not strict and we didn’t notice any extra checks. Out of Bali and into Australia we were quizzed a lot on our interaction with China and if we had entered the country at any point recently – we were in Hong Kong in October but that didn’t seem to matter thankfully! Other than a few extra questions and some new fancy infographic signs, immigration didn’t feel any different. We noticed a lot of westerners were wearing face masks in the airport and on Bali itself, but it’s been widely reported that most masks won’t do anything to help you anyway. It’s sadly not as sensationalised as the media will have you believe. Coronavirus has not affected our trip in any way other than there being noticeably less tourists strolling about.

George, from vegan travel blog Immy and George (currently only on Instagram – website coming soon!)

Taiwan

Here in Taiwan, I have noticed increased precautionary measures, especially at local tourist attractions. Before entering Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial in Taipei, there were officials with thermometers taking temperatures, and anyone running a fever was turned away. They also took temperatures at our hostel. Not sure if it would’ve been possible for them to turn us away from our accommodations, but my guess would be that they had some kind of quarantine. I haven’t noticed any drastic decrease in the number of tourists however, and everything seems pretty business as usual – minus the long lines at pharmacies for masks, and pop-up hand sanitizer stations in some public areas.

Courtney from Courttheblog. Currently living in Taichung, Taiwan.

Malaysia and Singapore

Some of the changes in Malaysia since the CoronaVirus have been different now verses the first few weeks it was initial. During the first few weeks, many people stayed home, some international schools closed, sanitizer masks were sold out.

Now, Malaysia has closed all flights from affected areas in China, and certain events have been cancelled. For example, Chingay Celebration is not happening this year. Immigration has stepped up infrared temperature checking at airports. They give you a letter in English, Malay, and Chinese about the side affects of the virus and what to watch for if you have come from a country that has any cases. The letter is to be given to a doctor if you fall ill. Hand sanitizer and masks are still hard to find within Malaysia. Many people are wearing masks daily, and sanitizer stations have been set up in random public areas.

Singapore is actively seeking out affected individuals and there is some panic there as the number continues to grow. They are offering individuals affected $100SG, and free health care to come forward. Singapore has also elevated the threat level, and this has resulted in some panic buying of groceries and essentials. Stores have been wiped out. There are elevated checkpoints between Singapore and Malaysia, again with temperature checks.

Jamie from He Travels She Travels. Currently living in Malaysia.

China

Living in Shanghai during the pandemic is not a great experience. You feel like a prisoner in your own home. All of the restaurants and bars are closed, and housing communities are on lockdown. There are thermometer checks at gates, time restrictions on when you can come and go to your own house. It’s also not as bad as the rest of the world thinks. We can still get food delivered or buy it from the local shops.

Anonyomous ex-pat living in Shanghai

Additional Resources and Updates About the Coronavirus

• TDR Explorer has lots of information about Disneyland Toyko, Shanghai, and Hong Kong
• CDC Coronavirus
• World Health Organization