State-owned carrier Emirates has announced that it will cover its customers’ medical and quarantine expenses, totalling up to almost $250,000, should a passenger fall ill with COVID-19 while travelling overseas.
The provided cost includes medical expenses up to around $245,000, as well as contributing $160 per day for 14 days, towards the cost of government or self-quarantine.
The cover is offered to all passengers, regardless of class of travel or destination, with the policy coming into effect immediately. This policy will remain in place until 31 October 2020.
Passengers can claim this cover up to 31 days after the first Emirates flight taken on their journey, with no registration or paperwork required.
A customer who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 during their travel only needs to contact a dedicated hotline in order to claim the cover from Emirates.
The policy has been announced as governments around the world begin to ease travel restrictions, in an attempt to ease the mind of potential travellers.
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Group chairman and chief executive, said, “Under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Emirates is proud to lead the way in boosting confidence for international travel.
“We know people are yearning to fly as borders around the world gradually re-open, but they are seeking flexibility and assurances should something unforeseen happen during their travel.”
He continued: “Emirates has worked hard to put in place measures at every step of the customer journey to mitigate risk of infection, and we have also revamped our booking policies to offer flexibility.
“We are now taking it to the next level, by being the first in the industry to offer our customers free global cover for COVID-19 medical expenses and quarantine costs should they incur these costs during their travel.
“It is an investment on our part, but we are putting our customers first, and we believe they will welcome this initiative.”
