
Visiting a destination where there are confirmed cases of coronavirus
January 28, 2020
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China is a top destination for travellers in search of history, culture, and architecture. But the Canadian government just issued a travel advisory due to the outbreak of a new coronavirus (COVID-19) in China. While the risks for Canadian travellers are considered low, the authorities recommend you exercise a high degree of caution during your stay.
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause a wide variety of health problems, ranging from a simple cold to much more serious illnesses, such as pneumonia, kidney failure, or gastrointestinal disease.
People with weakened immune systems—the elderly, young children, and those suffering from chronic illnesses—are at greater risk of developing complications if they become infected with a coronavirus.
Symptoms of infection often resemble those of the common cold. Examples include:
Symptoms vary in seriousness depending on the health of the person infected and can worsen unexpectedly. That’s why you must be very careful if you visit a region where a coronavirus has been detected, especially if you have a weakened immune system.
For more information about coronaviruses, see the Canadian government website.
If you have one or more of the above symptoms, start by contacting the medical assistance service available through your travel insurance plan. The numbers to call can be found at the bottom of your travel insurance certificate.
The medical assistance service specialists will assess the symptoms you describe and direct you as needed to a hospital or clinic for the appropriate care. Depending on your situation and needs, they may also:
During your consultation, inform the physician if you have visited any risk areas (a farm, a public market, etc.) or been in contact with any animals or persons who showed symptoms associated with coronavirus.
Yes, your travel insurance covers emergency medical care received for a coronavirus infection.
Remember, however, that if you are sick before your departure, that illness may not be covered by your insurance policy. So if you develop symptoms associated with a coronavirus before your vacation, it may be wiser to avoid travelling. For more information, read the clause about preexisting conditions in your insurance policy closely or contact your insurer.
Yes, only if your coverage is effective from March 30, 2022*. The Trip Cancellation or Interruption coverage covers costs related to COVID-19 and its variants, under the same conditions as any other event, as mentioned in the contract.
*This provision only applies to Trip Cancellation or Interruption coverage that becomes effective on March 30th, 2022. For more information, please review the "Trip Cancellation or Interruption" section of the travel insurance policy.
During your entire vacation, it is important to follow certain rules of hygiene and be careful to minimize your risks of becoming infected or contagious. Here are the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Canadian government:
Stay informed, be prepared, and take precautions: these are the three best ways to ensure you stay safe during your vacation. As soon as you start making your travel plans, check regularly for updates on the specifics of the country you will be visiting.
The Canadian government’s Travel and Tourism page is an excellent resource for anyone planning to travel abroad. There you’ll find the government’s official recommendations for safety measures and precautions to take before and during your stay, country by country. To learn more, check out our post on how to travel safely.
Our medical assistance service specialists can also answer your questions before you leave. Feel free to give them a call!
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