Insurers should provide coverage for S’pore travellers who get Covid-19 shortly after returning from trips

As more vaccinated travel lanes open up, more Singaporeans will start to travel.

I believe many will purchase Covid-19 travel insurance before their trip, especially when certain countries, such as Malaysia and South Korea, have made it compulsory to do so.

During overseas travel, we are protected from large medical bills with travel insurance.

However, travel insurance largely does not cover medical bills if one tests positive for Covid-19 shortly after arriving in Singapore.

While Singaporeans and permanent residents can make use of government subsidies, they are still responsible for the costs associated with Covid-19 treatment and recovery, if they test positive or have onset of symptoms within 14 days of their arrival to Singapore, according to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority’s Safe Travel website.

I agree that travelling is a privilege, and taxpayers should not foot the bill if someone contracts Covid-19 overseas.

However, I hope that local insurance companies will look into closing this gap and provide more coverage, maybe at higher premiums, to ensure that travellers do not have to fork out hefty sums for Covid-19 treatment.