Emirates has introduced a number of measures to protect travellers when flying with the airline.
Emirates has introduced a number of measures to protect travellers when flying with the airline.
Emirates has introduced a number of measures to protect travellers when flying with the airline.
Emirates has introduced a number of measures to protect travellers when flying with the airline.

Emirates offers free medical cover for Covid-19: what is included and how to claim it

The Dubai airline is the first in the world to offer travellers free assistance for any medical costs related to the coronavirus

  • English
  • Arabic

Emirates is offering passengers free medical cover for Covid-19-related expenses.

The Dubai airline is the first in the world to offer travellers free cover against medical costs incurred if they contract the coronavirus.

The new policy was implemented under the directive of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and is designed to boost people’s confidence to travel during the pandemic.

The medical cover was announced hours after UAE authorities said all travellers arriving in the country would have to be tested for Covid-19 before boarding flights. However, the policy does not cover the cost of coronavirus testing.

All Emirates passengers can use the cover for medical expenses of up to €150,000 (Dh638,118) if they contract Covid-19 during their travels.

“Under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, Emirates is proud to lead the way in boosting confidence for international travel," said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, group chairman and chief executive of Emirates.

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

The cover gives travellers assistance for costs related to medical treatment, quarantine and repatriation if they get sick after taking an Emirates flight. It is provided by the airline in partnership with Allianz Partners and Nextcare and is valid for up to 31 days from the first day of travel.

Emirates announced the new Covid-19 cover after the city eased travel restrictions earlier this month and began issuing tourist and visit visas for the first time since March.

The airline has opened up more than 60 routes for tourists and residents, who can travel abroad as long as they follow a series of measures, including being tested for the virus on their return to Dubai.

All inbound travellers to Dubai, whether tourists or residents, must sign a form when they land guaranteeing they have medical insurance that would cover treatment should they contract the virus.

How can travellers get Emirates' Covid-19 assistance?

All Emirates travellers can use the free medical cover between July 23, 2020 and October 31, 2020. Courtesy Emirates
All Emirates travellers can use the free medical cover between July 23, 2020 and October 31, 2020. Courtesy Emirates

All Emirates passengers flying between Wednesday, July 22 and Saturday, October 31 will automatically receive the cover. This includes existing and new bookings, as well as Emirates flights booked via travel agents.

There is no additional fee to pay – the service is entirely free of charge and passengers do not need to register or fill out any additional forms.

Travellers flying with Emirates on a ticket that involves a flight with another airline will be covered only if the ticket was purchased via Emirates, and the first flight is with Emirates or one of the airline's codeshare partners.

How long is the cover valid for?  

It's valid for 31 days, from the date that travellers first fly with Emirates. This is the same for one-way and return tickets.

The cover ends when travellers return to their country of residence, or after 31 days – whichever is sooner. There is no option to extend the cover for longer trips. A second one-way ticket will be treated as a new booking, with a new 31-day period of assistance.

What destinations are covered?

Emirates' Covid-19 cover is valid in all Emirates destinations and covers travellers even if they continue on to another location.
Emirates' Covid-19 cover is valid in all Emirates destinations and covers travellers even if they continue on to another location.

The cover applies to travellers flying on any Emirates flight, to and from any destination and across all classes of travel.

It is also valid in any destination that travellers continue to after arriving at their Emirates location – even if flying with another airline – so long as the onward travel is within the 31-day cut-off period.

What should I do if I get sick and want to use Emirates' Covid-19 cover?

Travellers diagnosed with Covid-19 that want to make use of Emirates' cover will first need to contact the airline's Covid-19 response team.

This can be done via a free hotline number (00971 4 270 8825) and support is available 24 hours a day. Travellers can also get in touch with the airline via WhatsApp (+971 56 35 89 937).

When contacting Emirates, travellers need to have their flight ticket, boarding pass, passport (including residency visa if applicable) and a positive Covid-19 test that's dated after their first day of travel to hand.

Emirates says that travellers must receive approval from the Emirates Covid-19 assistance team before seeking medical treatment.

Once the airline has been informed, the Covid-19 assistance team will arrange any medical assistance that's necessary. They will settle bills directly with hospitals and clinics. Travellers that pay for medical services for Covid-19 that have not been pre-approved by Emirates will not get any of their money back.

What is covered by Emirates' Covid-19 assistance?

Emirates' Covid-19 assistance will help travellers with medical costs, repatriation expenses and quarantine costs if they contract Covid-19 during their travels. Unsplash
Emirates' Covid-19 assistance will help travellers with medical costs, repatriation expenses and quarantine costs if they contract Covid-19 during their travels. Unsplash

Emirates' Covid-19 assistance can be used by travellers that test positive for the coronavirus while overseas.

It will cover travellers for repatriation assistance, medical and hospital costs, and any expenses related to mandatory quarantine in approved designated facilities.

Medical and hospital costs are covered up to €150,000 (Dh638,118) per person.

Reparation assistance is covered, including all costs to return the covered traveller home. One travel companion and accompanying minors will also have their travel costs covered. This will be via economy class flights, taxi or on first-class trains, as per the airline's Covid-19 assistance team's decision.

If travellers need to quarantine, up to €100 (Dh425) per day can be claimed by each covered person, for up 14 days.

Should any travellers die from Covid-19-related reasons, Emirates will cover the cost of transporting the body back to the traveller’s home country and assist with funeral costs up to €1,500 (Dh6,376).

What’s not covered by the policy?

Emirates' Covid-19 cover does not pay for travellers to have a coronavirus test. Unsplash
Emirates' Covid-19 cover does not pay for travellers to have a coronavirus test. Unsplash

The free insurance does not cover travellers for the cost of testing for the virus before or during a trip.

If a destination requires travellers to have a PCR test upon arrival or show negative Covid-19 test results before boarding a flight, this must be paid for by the individual.

Emirates does not provide any cover for passengers in their own country of residence and is not valid if travellers decide to fly against the advice of their local government. Passengers must follow all the rules of local authorities in their destination or cover will be invalid.

Like all insurance policies, there’s also a long list of circumstances that render Emirates' Covid-19 cover invalid. These include, but are not limited to, civil war, hostage situations, riots and terrorism.

The cover also won't hold up in the event of another pandemic or epidemic, and travellers participating in gambling, crime or fighting, or who have consumed alcohol or drugs, will not be covered by the airline’s Covid-19 insurance.

Tomorrow 2021
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler

Price, base / as tested Dh57,000

Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

Transmission Six-speed gearbox

Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

On Women's Day
You might also like
While you're here
More from Firas Maksad
Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
While you're here
While you're here
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site

The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.

WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS

England v New Zealand (Saturday, 12pm)

Wales v South Africa (Sunday, 1pm)

Plastic tipping point
World Mental Health Day
Tomorrow 2021
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
On Women's Day
While you're here
Neighbourhood Watch

Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt

On Women's Day
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
While you're here
While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Towering concerns
E-cigarette report
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More coverage from the Future Forum
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo

Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Paris%20Agreement
%3Cp%3EArticle%2014%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E1.%20%5BThe%20Cop%5D%20shall%20periodically%20take%20stock%20of%20the%20implementation%20of%20this%20Agreement%20to%20assess%20the%20collective%20progress%20towards%20achieving%20the%20purpose%20of%20this%20Agreement%20and%20its%20long-term%20goals%20(referred%20to%20as%20the%20%22global%20stocktake%22)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E2.%20%5BThe%20Cop%5D%20shall%20undertake%20its%20first%20global%20stocktake%20in%202023%20and%20every%20five%20years%20thereafter%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Our commentary on Brexit
More on this story:

W.
Wael Kfoury
(Rotana)

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

More on this story
Super Bowl LIII schedule

What Super Bowl LIII

Who is playing New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams

Where Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States

When Sunday (start time is 3.30am on Monday UAE time)

 

UAE currency
On Women's Day
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
World Mental Health Day
THREE
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Nayla%20Al%20Khaja%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Jefferson%20Hall%2C%20Faten%20Ahmed%2C%20Noura%20Alabed%2C%20Saud%20Alzarooni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ELECTION%20RESULTS
%3Cp%3EMacron%E2%80%99s%20Ensemble%20group%20won%20245%20seats.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20second-largest%20group%20in%20parliament%20is%20Nupes%2C%20a%20leftist%20coalition%20led%20by%20Jean-Luc%20Melenchon%2C%20which%20gets%20131%20lawmakers.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20far-right%20National%20Rally%20fared%20much%20better%20than%20expected%20with%2089%20seats.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20centre-right%20Republicans%20and%20their%20allies%20took%2061.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
War on waste

Day 1 results:

Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)

Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

The Voice of Hind Rajab

Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Rating: 4/5

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Plastic tipping points
In Praise of Zayed

A thousand grains of Sand whirl in the sky
To mark the journey of one passer-by
If then a Cavalcade disturbs the scene,
Shall such grains sing before they start to fly?

What man of Honour, and to Honour bred
Will fear to go wherever Truth has led?
For though a Thousand urge him to retreat
He'll laugh, until such counsellors have fled.

Stands always One, defiant and alone
Against the Many, when all Hope has flown.
Then comes the Test; and only then the time
Of reckoning what each can call his own.

History will not forget: that one small Seed
Sufficed to tip the Scales in time of need.
More than a debt, the Emirates owe to Zayed
Their very Souls, from outside influence freed.
No praise from Roderic can increase his Fame.
Steadfastness was the Essence of his name.
The changing years grow Gardens in the Sand
And build new Roads to Sand which stays the same.
But Hearts are not rebuilt, nor Seed resown.
What was, remains, essentially Alone.
Until the Golden Messenger, all-wise,
Calls out: "Come now, my Friend!" - and All is known

- Roderic Fenwick Owen

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E6-cylinder%2C%204.8-litre%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E5-speed%20automatic%20and%20manual%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E280%20brake%20horsepower%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E451Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh153%2C00%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood

Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.

On Women's Day
Read more about the coronavirus
FIGHT%20CARD
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFeatherweight%204%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EYousuf%20Ali%20(2-0-0)%20(win-loss-draw)%20v%20Alex%20Semugenyi%20(0-1-0)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWelterweight%206%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EBenyamin%20Moradzadeh%20(0-0-0)%20v%20Rohit%20Chaudhary%20(4-0-2)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EHeavyweight%204%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EYoussef%20Karrar%20(1-0-0)%20v%20Muhammad%20Muzeei%20(0-0-0)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWelterweight%206%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMarwan%20Mohamad%20Madboly%20(2-0-0)%20v%20Sheldon%20Schultz%20(4-4-0)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESuper%20featherweight%208%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EBishara%20Sabbar%20(6-0-0)%20v%20Mohammed%20Azahar%20(8-5-1)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECruiseweight%208%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMohammed%20Bekdash%20(25-0-0)%20v%20Musa%20N%E2%80%99tege%20(8-4-0)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESuper%20flyweight%2010%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESultan%20Al%20Nuaimi%20(9-0-0)%20v%20Jemsi%20Kibazange%20(18-6-2)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELightweight%2010%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EBader%20Samreen%20(8-0-0)%20v%20Jose%20Paez%20Gonzales%20(16-2-2-)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
About Proto21

Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group

More on animal trafficking
Our commentary on Brexit
Things Heard & Seen

Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton

2/5

Profile of Bitex UAE

Date of launch: November 2018

Founder: Monark Modi

Based: Business Bay, Dubai

Sector: Financial services

Size: Eight employees

Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings

KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
While you're here
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Whiile you're here
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20myZoi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Syed%20Ali%2C%20Christian%20Buchholz%2C%20Shanawaz%20Rouf%2C%20Arsalan%20Siddiqui%2C%20Nabid%20Hassan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2037%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Initial%20undisclosed%20funding%20from%20SC%20Ventures%3B%20second%20round%20of%20funding%20totalling%20%2414%20million%20from%20a%20consortium%20of%20SBI%2C%20a%20Japanese%20VC%20firm%2C%20and%20SC%20Venture%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
War on waste
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
TransportUAE