English
Expert travel advice for a busy Chinese New Year
Beijing
• With more than 3 billion trips expected on roads, trains, planes and ships, good preparation is key to ensuring a healthy, safe and happy Chinese New Year.
• Huge crowds in China can cause travel delays and pose potential security risks.
With over a billion people on the verge of celebrating the lunar New Year festival, International SOS offers tips to keep members in China safe, secure and healthy.
International SOS and Control Risks are expecting over 700,000 expats and travelling members to be in China during the festival season.
The International SOS and Control Risks alliance brings together the extensive global network and expertise of both companies. International SOS is the world’s leading medical and travel security risk services group. Control Risks is the world’s leading global risk consultancy firm.
“Every Chinese New Year, there’s talk of the risks in travelling either domestically in China or internationally”, said Dr. Gordon Peters, Medical Director for North Asia.
He continued: “Of course there are plenty of dangers associated with being on the move at this time of year, but with increased traffic on the road, plenty of fireworks being set off and the flu season in the northern hemisphere, risks will be all around this festive season.”
Despite reports in the Chinese media suggesting that the sales of fireworks at Chinese New Year had fallen last year by around 37%, the numbers of injuries caused by fireworks still runs into the tens of thousands every year, ranging from mild burns to amputations and even death.
Additionally, with huge numbers of people travelling, crowds pose potential risks to those on the move or those staying in their resident city.
James Shi, Director, Client Liaison for International SOS and Control Risks in China said:
“After the recent tragedy which involved a large crowd in Shanghai, it is important for locals and expats alike to plan before travelling or celebrating during the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival period. Planning ahead and staying vigilant is the cornerstone of minimising risks during this time.”
Tips to keep in mind
• Preparation is essential – prior to going anywhere during spring festival, ensure you know your schedule well. Check the local news and any security alerts you may have received from your assistance provider. If you plan on travelling, ensure that you have copies of all essential travel documents including passport, insurance documents and any details of medication. Please note that during the holiday season, hospitals and clinics in China will have reduced staff and services, so please check the schedule of available services in your local hospital.
• Travel will be a challenge – if you plan on moving around during Chinese New Year, book tickets well in advance. Tickets for planes, trains and other forms of transport will be sold out quickly and will become more expensive as the holiday approaches. Due to the number of people travelling expect delays and set aside more time to make a journey. Long queues and big crowds can be expected at the security checks of railway stations in major cities. Additionally, major airports will experience bigger crowds and extra time should be planned for immigration and security.
• Stay alert in crowds – where possible, avoid crowded places and if you do find yourself in a crowd, remain vigilant, with a planned exit route if necessary. Theft and petty crimes can be prevalent in crowds so be on your guard and make sure your possessions and valuables are in a safe place.
• Avoid Petty Crime – despite the increased police presence during the festival season, petty crime is a major concern in crowded places in China especially at this time of the year. Common crimes to be aware of are theft of cell phones, wallets and jewellery, confidence scams, fake train tickets, counterfeit bank notes and the theft of bank or credit card information. Travellers are advised to monitor and guard their own belongings carefully, take precautions when using the ATM and other cash/credit devices, not to expose signs of wealth, and not to trust strangers easily.
• Watch out for fireworks – when lighting fireworks never put any part of your body over the firework and move immediately to a safe distance after the firework has been ignited. Never let children light fireworks and don’t try to re-ignite or handle them if they don’t ignite properly. Finally, once you have finished, water down all remaining fireworks to ensure there is no risk of fire or unplanned explosions.
• Be careful on the roads – every year over 1.24 million people die globally in traffic accidents. During the Chinese New Year the numbers of cars and people on the roads will dramatically increase at the beginning and end of the festival, and at popular tourist spots. To ensure safe road travel, make sure the vehicle you are travelling in has been serviced recently and that brakes, lights and tyres are all in good condition. If you are driving, get a good night’s rest before travelling, ideally eight hours sleep, and finally, always wear a seatbelt!
About the International SOS Group of Companies
The International SOS Group of Companies is in the business of saving lives, protecting your global workforce from health and security threats. Wherever you are, we deliver customised health, security risk management and wellbeing solutions to fuel your growth and productivity. In the event of extreme weather, an epidemic or a security incident, we provide an immediate response providing peace of mind. Our innovative technology and medical and security expertise focus on prevention, offering real-time, actionable insights and on-the-ground quality delivery. We help protect your people, your organisation's reputation, as well as support your compliance reporting needs. By partnering with us, organisations can fulfil their Duty of Care responsibilities, while empowering business resilience, continuity and sustainability.
Founded in 1985, the International SOS Group, headquartered in London & Singapore, is trusted by 12,000 organisations, including the majority of the Fortune 500, as well as mid-size enterprises, governments, educational institutions and NGOs. 12,000 multicultural medical, security and logistics experts stand with you to provide support & assistance from over 1,000 locations in 90 countries, 24/7, 365 days.
To protect your workforce, we are at your fingertips: www.internationalsos.com
