Health, Safety and Security

Do I need to take Travel Insurance?
What immunisations do I need?
What vaccinations do we need to travel in China?
Do I need to take any medical supplies?
Health Precautions while traveling in China:
Do I need to bring my medical record?
How safe are the activities?
Is it safe to travel in China?


Do I need to take Travel Insurance?Top
It is compulsory that you have comprehensive travel insurance. Domestic government medical insurance and private health schemes will not cover you in most overseas countries. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that your policy covers you for the following:

Emergency repatriation and full medical cover of hospitalization
24hr Emergency Assistance
Personal Liability coverage
Coverage for Cancellation, curtailment, loss of luggage and personal effects

Once you have paid your deposit or full payment, certain fees will apply if you cancel your holiday. Insurance should therefore be organised at the time of booking to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances that would require you to cancel before travelling.

Your PANDA leader will need two copies of your policy - the Tour Leader and our Ground Operator will keep one copy each in the unlikely event of an emergency. The copies must show the policy number and the emergency hotline phone number.

What immunisations do I need?Top
There are no particular immunizations required for entry into China, unless the traveler is coming from a yellow fever infected area. The Canadian and US disease control and prevention authorities recommend the all travelers have current polio and tetanus immunizations. For traveling into the countryside and remote areas, immune globulin is also recommended to combat hepatitis A, as is typhoid immunization. We strongly recommend you visit your local doctor or a branch of the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (TMVC), if there is one near you, to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations and in some places anti-malaria medication may also be required. Some vaccines need to be administered a few weeks before departure, so allow yourself plenty of time. It is also important that you obtain a certificate of vaccination and you must carry this with you on your trip.

Useful links:
www.who.org
www.cdc.gov
www.travelvax.com.au

What vaccinations do we need to travel in China?Top
Here are some precautions for you to take into consideration for your trip to China. In additional, all travelers are recommended to take their medical records when they travel.

Vaccines/Immunizations (4-6 weeks before your trip)
Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
Hepatitis B if you might be exposed to blood, have sexual contact with the local population, be exposed through medical treatment, or stay longer than 6 months (Hepatitis B is recommended for infants and for children 11-12 years of age who did not receive it as infants)
Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals
Typhoid

Vaccination is particularly recommended for those who will be traveling in smaller cities, villages, and rural areas off the usual tourist itineraries. Travelers should be cautioned that typhoid vaccination is not 100% effective and is not a substitute for careful selection of food and drink.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?Top
We strongly recommend you carry personal medical items for managing your common minor ailments such as colds, diarrhoea, blisters and sore throats etc. Travellers who take regular medication should take an appropriate supply. Asthma sufferers should ensure that they have an adequate supply of their routine medicine, as some major cities have high levels of air-borne smog.

Health Precautions while traveling in China:Top
Drink only boiled or bottled water or carbonated drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks and ice cubes.
Don't eat food purchased from street vendors.
Don't drink beverages with ice.
Don't handle animals (especially monkeys, cats, dogs), to avoid the risk of rabies.
Don't swim in fresh water (excluding well-chlorinated pools).
Wash hands often with soap or water (and/or instant antibacterial hand wash).
Don't eat or drink dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized.
Don't share needles with anyone.
Eat only thoroughly cooked food, or fruits and vegetables that you have peeled yourself.
Never eat uncooked meat, raw eggs, or unpasteurized dairy products. Raw shellfish is dangerous for people who have liver disease or compromised immune systems.

Do I need to bring my medical record?Top
Yes, all travelers are recommended to take their medical records along. In case of an emergency your medical records will be of great assistance. The medical record should include your blood type, immunization record, allergies, and any medications you are currently taking (both prescription and non-prescription), You should also include your doctor's name, address, phone number, emergency contact name and phone number, and your insurance company's name, address and phone number.

How safe are the activities?Top
The safety of the group is our top priority and a thorough risk assessment is made on each itinerary. You will be given a full safety briefing during the event and cautioned about any activity which could pose a hazard to your own or the groups' welfare.

Is it safe to travel in China?Top
YYes. China is the safest tourist destination in the world, according the WTO (World Tourism Organization). Tourism 2020 Vision, the WTO's long-term forecast and assessment of the development of tourism, also predicts that China will be the world's most visited destination in 2020.

For the most part, the people are very friendly and outgoing, but just like every other country, there are a few bad apples in the bunch. If you go to some very crowded places, please look after your passport, wallet, cameras and other valuable items carefully, especially traveling during the Chinese holidays, like the May Day Holiday, National Day's Holiday and Spring Festival.