RAWALPINDI: Emirates has offered free global cover (medical bills for travellers) for coronavirus-related costs, saying it will cover medical and quarantine costs of its customers regardless of their class of travel or destination.

This cover is immediately effective for customers flying on Emirates until Oct 31, 2020 (first flight to be completed on or before Oct 31). It is valid for 31 days from the moment they fly the first sector of their journey.

Emirates said in a press release on Friday that it is the first airline in the world to offer free global cover for Covid-19-related costs.

Emirates customers can travel with confidence, as the airline will cover medical expenses of up to EUR 150,000 and quarantine costs of EUR 100 per day for 14 days, should they be diagnosed with Covid-19 during their travel, while they are away from home.

Emirates Group Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, 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.

Unique facility becomes effective immediately

“We know people are yearning to fly as borders around the world as it gradually reopens, but they are seeking flexibility and assurances should something unforeseen happen during their travel.”

He added: “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.”

This cover for Covid-19-related medical expenses and quarantine costs is offered by Emirates free of cost to its customers regardless of class of travel or destination.

This cover is immediately effective for customers flying on Emirates until Oct 31 (first flight to be completed on or before Oct 31). It is valid for 31 days from the moment they fly the first sector of their journey.

This means Emirates customers can continue to benefit from the added assurance of this cover, even if they travel onwards to another city after arriving at their Emirates destination.

Customers do not need to register or fill in any forms before they travel, and they are not obligated to utilise this cover provided by Emirates.

Any impacted customer who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 during their travel simply has to contact a dedicated hotline to avail of assistance and cover.

The hotline number, and details of what Covid-19-related expenses are covered, is available on www.emirates.com/COVID19assistance.

Emirates has implemented a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the customer journey to ensure the safety of its customers and employees on the ground and in the air, including distribution of complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes to all customers. For more information on these measures and the services available on each flight, visit: www.emirates.com/yoursafety.

Earlier, Emirates had resumed passenger service to Pakistan’s four main cities — Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Sialkot — after a temporary suspension, but with a condition that passengers will be required to carry with them a fresh negative Covid-19 report from a specified laboratory.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2020