Last Updated on October 27, 2020, 8:26 AM AST by Anthony Morris
As of November this year, all visitors to Jamaica would have to purchase ‘Jamaica Cares’ travel insurance, which would cover medical expenses of the travellers while on the island, including those relating to COVID-19.
Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, explained that insurance partner Global Rescue would provide the cover via a ‘public-private partnership’.
Local hospitals would provide treatment and medical evacuation for those who require a higher level of care and the Global Tourism Resilience Crisis Management Centre, which is co-chaired by former Secretary-General at the World Tourism Organization, Dr Taleb Rifai and Bartlett and is administering the programme.
The ‘Jamaica Cares’ travel insurance, which would be included as part of Jamaica’s online Travel Authorization application and would cost travellers US$40, would include:
- An ‘all-hazards’ component covering field rescue, emergency transport and oversight services from personnel at Global Rescue and other partners
- International health coverage up to $100,000 for visitors travelling to and from Jamaica
- On-island health coverage up to $50,000
The ‘all-hazards’ component provides evacuation, logistics and response for travellers in need of medical support following ‘systemic’ crises, including natural disasters and terrorism, explained Dan Richards, Global Rescue CEO.
“Covid-19 has changed the world and the travel industry,” said Bartlett. “The International Monetary Fund late last week said the impact of Covid-19 on the Caribbean has been massive particularly for tourism-dependent countries.”
Bartlett added: “Assurance is becoming a critical precondition of travel today.”
“Travellers want to know they are better prepared in the event of a medical emergency or a natural disaster,” said Dr Rifai.
“Agents and operators will see the Jamaica Cares programme as the gold standard to restore traveller confidence and rebuild bookings.”
In late October, the Caribbean Public Health Agency launched a set of tourism and public health initiatives. It seems the Caribbean is doing all that it can to pick its tourism numbers back up.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
