From the organising committee to all members of the Lourdes Hospitalité and the family of the Diocese of Middlesbrough.

We are writing to update you regarding the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and the impact this is having on plans for this year’s Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

This situation is unprecedented, has developed very rapidly on an international scale and changes almost daily. This makes it difficult to predict the eventual outcome and how we should be responding to it.

If we cancel the pilgrimage unilaterally, we/you may not be able to claim a refund on our insurance.

If, on the other hand, we are advised by the government and Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to cancel then we may be in a stronger position to claim a refund.

We have a provisional plan that is in two stages:

1. We await the official advice of the government and FCO regarding travel to France.
   1. They have already advised on March 12 against school trips and people over 70 years old travelling on cruises.
   2. This alone may not be enough for insurance purposes in the event of the organising committee deciding to cancel the whole pilgrimage.
   3. If in due course the government and FCO advises against all but essential travel to France, this not only makes the decision to cancel the pilgrimage clear, it may also make any claims for refunds more straightforward.
2. If such a declaration by the government and FCO is not forthcoming within the next two weeks, we will take medical and financial advice and a final decision will be made by the committee and communicated to you.

Thank you for your patience and support in these difficult times.