By GENALYN D. KABILING
Filipinos will have to shell out money for travel insurance if they plan to embark on trips abroad during the coronavirus pandemic.
Addressing the nation early Wednesday, President Duterte recognized the need for travel insurance since falling sick or getting hospitalized abroad is quite expensive.
Having adequate travel insurance is among the conditions imposed by the government for Filipinos going on overseas trips. The government earlier lifted the suspension on the non-essential outbound travel of Filipinos and other exit travel restrictions but imposed certain conditions for their safety and health.
“Adequate travel and health insurance to cover rebooking and accommodation expenses if stranded, and hospitalization in case of infection. Medyo mabigat ito. Ewan ko how much would be added to your expenses but itong insurance mabigat ito na kung while in travel magkasakit ka,” the President said in a taped public address aired on State television.
Duterte mentioned a name of an insurance firm that can provide assistance to Filipino travelers. He said Blue Cross is considered the “best” insurance firm that would “answer for anything while you are out of the country.”
“You get sick and you can choose even I think the hospital that you would be checking in. This is a very expensive proposition. Tayo, hindi tayo maka-afford nito, ‘yung ano lang. The Blue Cross is almost like in membership,” he said.
Apart from travel insurance, the President said Filipino travelers must also submit confirmed round-trip tickets for those traveling on tourist visas.
“This is not only a mandate dito sa Pilipinas. Iyong mga lugar na punta – puntahan ninyo, interesado rin na pupunta kayo, pagkatapos aalis kayo ‘pag panahon na,” he said.
Filipinos may also travel abroad if destination country allows the entry in accordance with their travel, health, and quarantine restrictions.
They must also sign a declaration acknowledging the risks involved in traveling including the risk of delay in their return trip. “This is so because COVID is still rampaging,” Duterte said.
The government imposed several travel restrictions on Filipino travelers back in March as precaution against the coronavirus spread. Filipino tourists were prevented from leaving the country while only overseas Filipino workers and balikbayans (returning Filipinos) were allowed to travel if flights were available.
