May 14, 2009
We have received many inquiries as to whether families will be able to travel to China in order to complete their adoptions as a result of widespread concern about the spread of swine flu.
The information is changing daily, however, at this date we know the following:
1. Sunrise Families who arrived in Beijing this week were kept on the plane until everyone had their temperature taken and filled out a health questionnaire (after that everyone was allowed to leave the airport).
2. However, if anyone on the plane has flu or cold like symptoms, it is probable that everyone will be placed in quarantine. The Vancouver Sun (May 14, 2009 states as follows:
"If even one person on a flight has swine flu or even just cold symptoms when it arrives in Shanghai or Beijing airport, everyone [on the flight] could be quarantined for days, so it's a concern if you are planning to go for a week," said Julia Jiang, a senior consultant at Vancouver-based Canada Swan International Travel, which specializes in trips to China."
3. As far as we know, no further appointments for adoption are being scheduled in any of the provinces in China. Appointments already made for families are going ahead.
4. It is possible that the federal Civil Affairs Department may order the provinces to cancel all remaining appointments. This would be a bad scenario for adopting parents who have traveled to China at that point. They would have to return and lose the cost of that trip.
5. Any family who does not have an appointment to travel to China for adoption at this time, will not receive one until the Chinese government's concern about swine flu has abated.