Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Pakistan may be under-reporting cases of Covid-19 to avoid antagonising China, on whom they rely for major investments in infrastructure, the analyst Fitch Solutions said in a research note yesterday.

Laos and Myanmar have yet to report a single case, while Cambodia is reporting one and Pakistan has logged five so far.

This appears anomalous because Chinese companies and workers had a heavy presence in those countries before the outbreak in Wuhan captured international attention.

Fitch said poor healthcare systems might go some way to explaining the low numbers.

But it added that “a desire to avoid antagonising China by ‘overreacting’ to the outbreak” is also a cause.

The four countries are all participating in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which gives them access to capital for infrastructure in exchange for loyalty to China.

China, meanwhile, has repeatedly voiced displeasure with countries instituting travel restrictions against its citizens.

BklynBoy wrote: ↑Fri Mar 06, 2020 9:26 am

Clemen wrote: ↑Fri Mar 06, 2020 8:09 am "Coronavirus COVID-19 is being called a pandemic by insurers, making travel insurance policies void"
Full: https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-03- ... n/12027638

I am in process of purchasing ticket for summer and was looking into that issue... I found this on a site I have purchased a few times in the past === Travel Protection Plan

Makes me feel like its not even worth it to purchase.... any thoughts???


What’s does the Travel Protection Plan cover?Unforeseen sickness, injury, or death of the Insured, a Traveling Companion, Immediate Family Member, or Business Partner. (Certain exclusions apply.) Requires medical documentation from a licensed M.D. Pre-existing medical conditions may be excluded.

The Insured’s principal residence being made uninhabitable by fire, flood or similar natural disaster, vandalism, or burglary.

• The Insured(s) being subpoenaed, required to serve on jury duty, hijacked, or quarantined.
• Being involved in or delayed due to an automobile accident en route to departure.
• Inclement weather that causes complete cessation of services for 24 hrs.
• Strike, resulting in the complete cessation of travel services at the point of departure and/or destination.
• A Terrorist Incident in a City listed on the Insured’s itinerary (Please see the specific wording for your state included in the certificate of coverage).
• A delay due to theft of passports or visas specifically required for the Insured’s Trip.
• Insured or a Traveling Companion being the victim of a Felonious Assault within 10 days prior to his/her departure date.

Reasons not covered:
• Carrier-caused delays such as mechanical difficulties
• Travel arrangements cancelled by the tour operator, airline, or cruise line.
• Change in plans (“I just don’t want to go.”).
• Normal pregnancy or childbirth.
• Financial circumstances (“I can’t afford to go.”).
• Business or contractual obligations (“My boss changed my vacation.”).
• Any government regulation or prohibition, war, civil disorder. (Unless otherwise covered specifically in the policy).