What to do if unrest strikes while travelling  

Sometimes leaving your host country is the obvious correct choice when there is clear and present danger due to civil unrest. But sometimes the risks versus the costs of staying aren’t so clear, Lonely Planet writes. 

For example, the Government of Canada and the U.S. Government advise their citizens to exercise a high degree of caution while travelling in Hong Kong, but they don’t say to avoid travel. 

In these instances, it can be harder to decide. Lonely Planet has this list of considerations to factor into your decision:

• Is the entire country or city affected or only select areas, and how easy would it be to avoid trouble spots?
• Are the airlines offering refunds or free flight changes?
• How much money would you lose by canceling?
• What are the locals or travelers there right now recommending?
• Is the issue a threat to your safety or more of an inconvenience to your plans?
• How likely is it that the situation will escalate?
• What are the odds that you could end up stranded and unable to reach the airport or unable to leave the city or country?
• Am I contributing to the problem?
  

More insight comes from Harvard Global Support Services. Here are some of their considerations:

• Your ability to maintain a supply of food and water in the event of business closures.
• Your access to basic medical support and any prescription medications you rely on.

Avoid active protests. Leave the area immediately. If you find yourself caught in one, try to stay close to the edges of the crowd. Avoid walking against the crowd and identify exits just in case you need to leave a scene quickly. Never drive through a crowd.

If there is a protest near your accommodations, stay away from windows. Don’t leave your accommodations if it is unsafe to do so or outside of government issued curfews.

Remain neutral. “If strikes do occur, do not participate in activities that could be interpreted as crossing the picket line,” Harvard Global Support Services writes. Do not take video or photos. 

Follow local news closely. Local news would have more timely and targeted updates than international coverage. Use social media to search hashtags for your location in that language. Use digital translation as needed.  

Stay tuned for alerts from the Government of Canada for your host country. You should check your host country’s risk level before you go and if you experience civil unrest. 

Sign up for alerts from the Registration of Canadians Abroad, a free service that notifies you in case of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home. The service also provides important information before or during civil unrest or a natural disaster.   

Leave the country immediately if Canada issues a red-level warning to avoid all travel. If you are in a city or region directly impacted by civil unrest, leave immediately if Canada issues an orange-level advisory to avoid all non-essential travel.  

It’s wise to purchase travel insurance before any trip. You should know that your Government of Canada health insurance plan may not fully cover you outside of your home province. Medical facilities abroad may also expect upfront payment for treatments. 

Comprehensive plans by Allianz Global Assistance offer both emergency medical benefits and trip cancellation benefits. However, medical emergencies due to civil unrest, or reimbursement for covered expenses if your trip is cancelled due to civil unrest, would not be covered by your policy. 

As a world leader in travel protection, Allianz Global Assistance helps millions of Canadians annually answer the call of adventure with confidence every year. Let us be there for you too. 

Travel insurance is underwritten by CUMIS General Insurance Company, a member of The Co-operators Group of Companies, administered by Allianz Global Assistance, which is a registered business name of AZGA Service Canada Inc.

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