Despite the cost-of-living crisis, the first summer following the protracted restrictions of the pandemic is seeing a huge uptick in the number of people travelling abroad. For thousands, getting away from it all will mean throwing off the constraints of the last two years. However, while keen to put the worst of the Covid era firmly behind us, there are several considerations well worth bearing in mind.
For the UK as with much of the West, since most adults have been vaccinated, society has returned to pre-pandemic conditions and is now learning to live with Covid. However, with the R-rate rising in some popular destinations, not all countries are in the same position. New sub-variants of Omicron are more prevalent in some regions than others and are being monitored closely by the World Health Organisation.
In which case, and while people are still being hospitalised and falling ill, it is essential to check if the travel insurance you have purchased for your summer trips cover Coronavirus. Likewise, it is vital to be aware of the rules and government advice in the destination country and to know what medical facilities are available should someone fall ill.
With under insurance an issue affecting many travellers each year, it is sensible – and especially so now – to ensure the limits for medical treatment are adequate and this can vary greatly depending on the country being visited. For example, a $200,000 – 250,000 limit is more than adequate for most travellers from the UK visiting Europe, but for those travelling to America this ought to be at least double that amount.
UK residents planning to holiday in Continental Europe would further be well advised to take note of the changes post Brexit. The most fundamental of which is that Britain is no longer part of the European Health Insurance Card scheme, meaning there is no reciprocal healthcare arrangement between the UK and Europe. Comprehensive insurance for these travellers is therefore more important than ever.
After being cloistered away for so long, we all deserve the 2022 holiday season to be one of the best. With the application of minimal forethought to ensure the appropriate safeguards are in place, there is every chance this summer will rightly be remembered for many years to come and for all the right reasons.