Coronavirus: SAS extends suspension of flights to China
Concern over the potential spread of coronavirus has resulted in airline SAS prolonging its suspension of flights to China.
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SAS has extended its suspension of flights to Beijing and Shanghai until March 29th, the company confirmed in a press statement.
"The safety of our passengers and employees is our highest priority," SAS writes in the statement.
"A new evaluation has been made of the situation in China regarding the Coronavirus and SAS has decided to prolong the suspension of all flights to and from Shanghai and Beijing until March 29th. Refunds and rebooking possibilities are offered for affected passengers," the message continues.
Initially, SAS announced that all flights to Shanghai and Beijing had been suspended until February 9th. This was later extended until February 29th and now until the end of March.
SAS services to Hong Kong are not affected by the cancellations.
However, passengers departing from or transferring via Hong Kong are not permitted to enter the Philippines, due to restrictions for travel between Hong Kong and the Philippines implemented by Manila.
"SAS will continue to monitor the (Hong Kong) situation in constant dialogue with authorities and continuously update the information about the situation," the airline writes in the statement.
Denmark's foreign ministry has advised against all travel to Hubei Province in China, where the virus is believed to have originated.
Danish authorities also recommend avoiding all so-called unnecessary trips to the country.
The Swedish Foreign Ministry is also advising people not to travel to China's Hubei province.
READ ALSO:
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Denmark changes travel advice: These are the new coronavirus guidelines
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What are Norway's health authorities saying about the coronavirus?
The death toll from the coronavirus epidemic has now passed 1,100, but the number of new cases fell for a second straight day on Wednesday, AFP reports, raising hopes the outbreak could peak later this month.
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"The safety of our passengers and employees is our highest priority," SAS writes in the statement.
"A new evaluation has been made of the situation in China regarding the Coronavirus and SAS has decided to prolong the suspension of all flights to and from Shanghai and Beijing until March 29th. Refunds and rebooking possibilities are offered for affected passengers," the message continues.
Initially, SAS announced that all flights to Shanghai and Beijing had been suspended until February 9th. This was later extended until February 29th and now until the end of March.
SAS services to Hong Kong are not affected by the cancellations.
However, passengers departing from or transferring via Hong Kong are not permitted to enter the Philippines, due to restrictions for travel between Hong Kong and the Philippines implemented by Manila.
"SAS will continue to monitor the (Hong Kong) situation in constant dialogue with authorities and continuously update the information about the situation," the airline writes in the statement.
Denmark's foreign ministry has advised against all travel to Hubei Province in China, where the virus is believed to have originated.
Danish authorities also recommend avoiding all so-called unnecessary trips to the country.
The Swedish Foreign Ministry is also advising people not to travel to China's Hubei province.
READ ALSO:
- Denmark changes travel advice: These are the new coronavirus guidelines
- How many have been tested for the coronavirus in Sweden?
- What are Norway's health authorities saying about the coronavirus?
The death toll from the coronavirus epidemic has now passed 1,100, but the number of new cases fell for a second straight day on Wednesday, AFP reports, raising hopes the outbreak could peak later this month.
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