Employees of Virgin Atlantic and the company’s sister wholesale vacation specialist Virgin Holidays have put up their hands en-mass to work on a voluntary basis as the businesses work on initiatives to preserve cash and protect jobs during the coronvirus pandemic.

Bedarra Great Barrier Reef and Lizard Island Resort has become other casualties of the Australian Government’s ban on domestic holidays fuelled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef-based resorts of Hamilton Island, Daydream Island and Hayman Island have been temporarily forced to close for an indefinite period as a result of the Australian Government’s new ban on non-essential domestic travel, fuelled by the coronavirus pandemic.

Responding to the “rapid de-escalation” of both international and domestic travel, Helloworld Travel Limited (HLO) has announced it will stand down approximately 1,300 (or 65%) of the Group’s workforce globally, effective tomorrow [Tuesday 25 March, 2020] for an initial period of 10 weeks, to 31 May.

It’s been a tumultuous week for the travel and tourism industry as the coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis continues to wreak havoc worldwide. An increasing list of countries have shut down borders, cities are in lock-down, cruise lines have suspended services, airlines have reduced capacity and grounded aircraft, global travel events have been cancelled or postponed, sporting events have been scrapped, hotels, resorts, casinos have pulled down the shutters, ski-fields have ended seasons early and some of the world’s most iconic rail services have grinned to a halt. The list goes on and on.

Qantas Group staff could find themselves working temporarily for the likes of grocery giant Woolworths and telecommunications company Telstra after the Australian carrier this week confirmed that some 20,000 staff would be laid off during the coronavirus pandemic currently gripping the globe.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) this week issued advice for consumers and businesses on the rights and obligations available to Australians if travel services, flights and events are cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The advice also provides guidelines if people decide to cancel their travel plans.

Expedition cruise line Hurtigruten has responded to the global coronavirus outbreak, announcing the temporary halt of its global ship operations until the end of April.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has cited changing entry requirements at cruise ports around the world and flight restrictions due to the coronavirus outbreak for the temporary suspension of all cruises until 28 April 2020.

Tourism Australia has scrapped the 2020 edition of its flagship trade event showcase, the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), which was scheduled for Melbourne in May. At this stage, an alternative “virtual trade show” version of ATE20 is also not on the cards.

American Airlines has temporarily suspended its Los Angeles-Sydney service due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

Hawaiian Airlines has revealed it will temporarily suspend nonstop service between Honolulu and its Australia and New Zealand gateways starting later this month due to new government entry restrictions being imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.