Government announces medical and trip protection insurance for all visitors

[Dolores]

Starting at the end of September, all tourists visiting the Dominican Republic will be covered with a temporary comprehensive health and travel insurance plan. The medical and trip protection insurance plan for visitors will cover hospitalization for coronavirus in the tourism destinations in the country, extended hotel stays and airline ticket changes.



Only random testing will be carried out at airports. Visitors will not be required to bring test results to travel here. The random rapid breathalyzer testing is set to start at the end of September. Once this measure is in place, the current requirement that travelers come with a negative PCR Covid-19 test or be subject to random antibody blood test at the airports will be eliminated.



During the presentation of the Responsible Tourism Recovery Plan to Covid-19 at the Presidential Palace on 25 August 2020...

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[Caonabo]

"A comprehensive health and travel insurance plan will cover medical expenses and the cost of changing their airline tickets if a tourist has to stay longer due to Covid-19."

I happen to be a huge fan of the new administration, but this is a hard sell.
I can not buy into these subsidies for foreigners, while Dominicans struggle to put food on their tables, and maintain a roof over their head.

 

[ramesses]

"A comprehensive health and travel insurance plan will cover medical expenses and the cost of changing their airline tickets if a tourist has to stay longer due to Covid-19."

I happen to be a huge fan of the new administration, but this is a hard sell.
I can not buy into these subsidies for foreigners, while Dominicans struggle to put food on their tables, and maintain a roof over their head.

They can't cover the medical costs for a tourist but not cover a Dominican in the same way....could they?

 

[Caonabo]

They can't cover the medical costs for a tourist but not cover a Dominican in the same way....could they?

I guess we will see.
Kicking the PLD out on their rear ends will expose the riches that do indeed exist, and should be passed on to the citizens of this nation. Not the pockets of the greedy lot, nor foreigners as well.
Perhaps the thought process is......that with these subsidies to foreigners, that there is more to be gained, and therefore more to be ultilzed correctly longterm within?
Let's watch.

 

[AlterEgo]

As I read it, this coverage is only for tourists staying in hotels. Not apartments, homes, etc.

 

[william webster]

I see that too.... hotel tourists
Perhaps the hotels are subsidizing it too

 

[windeguy]

As I read it, this coverage is only for tourists staying in hotels. Not apartments, homes, etc.

Where does it say that this is only for tourists at hotels? I do not see it that way.

I have the same question on exactly what is the definition of a "visitor". (But then, everybody already knows that answer based upon immigration law.)

 

[GusFring]

Why even bother saying they will have random rapid breathalyzer testing. What is the purpose?

It will be great assurance for all would be travelers that if they get the Rona they will be administered to with Dominican medicine or err telemedicine.

This obviously is an act of desperation as very few will brave traveling for months and months to come.

I cannot fault the administration though. They have to start somewhere.

 

[william webster]

Where does it say that this is only for tourists at hotels? I do not see it that way.

I have the same question on exactly what is the definition of a "visitor". (But then, everybody already knows that answer based upon immigration law.)

I saw it once Windy but you're right,
it's not there now

 

[Ecoman1949]

Aren’t the public and private hospitals still overloaded? Didn’t a major hospital in Santo Domingo recently crash due to overloading? Aren’t infected patients still being sent home without treatment? If all this is still happening what tourist would be foolish enough to come, get infected, and place their lives in the hands of an overloaded system? If the government was willing to cover the medical evacuation costs to a tourists country of origin, that might entice them to come. I suspect the new government is under a lot of pressure from resort owners to get the resorts filled and the tourist segment of the economy going again.

 

[AlterEgo]

Where does it say that this is only for tourists at hotels? I do not see it that way.

I have the same question on exactly what is the definition of a "visitor". (But then, everybody already knows that answer based upon immigration law.)

It’s in the other thread https://dr1.com/forums/threads/no-need-for-covid-tests-for-arriving-tourists.394290/

 

[GusFring]

I suspect the new government is under a lot of pressure from resort owners to get the resorts filled and the tourist segment of the economy going again.

Ya think???? 5% occupancy, if even that, is not going to keep the lights on.

 

[william webster]

Thank God AE..... I was beginning to think I'd lost it

 

[aarhus]

I doubt this will have much affect on tourism. This winter maybe we can get some more US tourists but don’t think they will return from Europe.

 

[Deetee]

"A comprehensive health and travel insurance plan will cover medical expenses and the cost of changing their airline tickets if a tourist has to stay longer due to Covid-19."

I happen to be a huge fan of the new administration, but this is a hard sell.
I can not buy into these subsidies for foreigners, while Dominicans struggle to put food on their tables, and maintain a roof over their head.

No my Canadian travel insurance doesn't cover covid but didnt I was told before covid existed. But I totally agree look after the people here. I could not get a flight home because of my fur kids. They wouldn't take them on cargo. My insurance I was able to extend here to December. But right now there's no extending it further. Even OHIP in Ontario is not going to take action againstpeople still abroad. So maybe the insurance companies will work with people. Covid isn't covered anyway.

 

[Harleysrock]

Sure would be nice if they cared about Dominicans health as much as Tourists. Tourists do not want to be treated here for COVID they are pretty clueless here. Only way I am getting better is my own research. First day in months I can finally breathe ok and it wasn't from the meds the lung specialist or hospital gave me. Good luck tourists!

 

[Big]

I doubt this will have much affect on tourism. This winter maybe we can get some more US tourists but don’t think they will return from Europe.

sadly I agree, this winter season is not going to be salvaged. I initially thought this wold blow over much quicker. Now its just covid-politics

 

[Lobo Tropical]

Try collecting from Abinader.
A family of four.
A parent get's sick.
All have to stay extend hotel stay.
One parent in hospital.
Airline re- booking.
CV19 often causes long hospitalization.
A very complicated process.
Promises are great, how do they translate into reality in case of emergency?
Already Dominicans had problems with getting aid.

 

[Son of a sailor]

"This insurance will be provided at no cost to the visitor until December 2020"

Why? this could be done with a temporary surcharge on travel to the country, pay the fee upon arrival...at least a pittance to help offset the costs.

 

[windeguy]

Time will tell if the insurance plans work or even help bring back tourism.

It is easy to see the focus on AI short stay tourism, since that was by far and away the biggest money maker for the DR.