From providing referrals to COVID-19 testing sites to organizing video conferences with healthcare specialists on behalf of members, and coordinating complex medical transports, our Operations team has been a constant support to members facing a medical emergency while traveling during the pandemic.

With cases still on the rise in many parts of the world, and spikes of new cases in countries where the virus is deemed under control, it is clear that the pandemic will not vanish overnight. Until a vaccine is approved for distribution, the world must adapt to a new environment with new travel routines and behaviors.
 

Helping Travelers Meet New Travel Requirements

COVID-19 shows us how unpredictable the world can be, and how countries can react very differently to the same crisis. Every country has some sort of requirements or travel restrictions in place. Some nations announced they would require passengers to test prior their departure or upon landing. Others are asking travelers to show proof of coverage for medical emergencies including evacuations or repatriations.

In recent weeks, Global Travel Plus has assisted travelers as they prepare for future travels and apply for visas by providing Letters of Coverage. The letters list the services that travelers are eligible for such as medical evacuation or repatriation without financial limits. Whether our members plan to travel to Canada, Ukraine or West Africa, one thing is sure: the virus has not stripped them of their taste for travel.
   

Heightened Awareness for Travel Emergency Solutions

The pandemic has created a heightened awareness for the need of travel emergency solutions. While crime and cyber security were the top concerns for travelers in 2018 and 2019, concerns about getting COVID-19 and access to qualified healthcare are understandably at the forefront of every traveler’s mind this year.
 
With a heightened awareness, travelers want access to trustworthy resources about the virus and their destination, health recommendations, medical referrals, and other medical assistance services at their fingertips. To meet these new needs, Global Travel Plus now provides a dedicated COVID-19 platform which includes the latest information regarding the virus, an interactive map of travel restrictions, and other resources such as recent findings regarding COVID-19 symptoms and prevention tips. Our coordinators are also experts on topics such as quarantine measures, medical transport logistics, and testing procedures and remain available 24/7.
 

Possibility of a Virus Resurgence 

Whether they travel domestically or internationally, travelers need to be prepared for any circumstances such as new lockdown or travel restriction measures which may happen overnight. Global Travel Plus has helped members who were unexpectedly stranded in a foreign country receive adequate care near their location or get the required tests and documents to travel back home. Recently, our medical coordinators organized a medical evacuation of a member to receive surgery in Florida after severe kidney pain while traveling in Bahamas. The member later shared that “We were very satisfied with the services. The constant updates every step of the way and the professional yet caring attitude shown by everyone I was in contact with will always be remembered."​



For more information about Global Travel Plus's pandemic services, visit www.globaltravelplus.com/covid-19.