The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has approved a requirement for foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to have insurance coverage against COVID-19 of up to SAR650,000 ($173,300) each.
The measure is aimed at providing financial protection to pilgrims in case of exposure to COVID-19 infection during their stay in the Kingdom and to allow patients to receive speedy access to health services.
The insurance coverage includes the costs of treating infected pilgrims; the cost of quarantine procedures for the pilgrims; the cost of medical evacuation in an emergency, and the repatriation of dead bodies of those who die from contracting COVID-19, reported Saudi Gazette.
The insured sum would include cover of up to SAR450 per day for the cost of staying in quarantine for a maximum period of 14 days. The insurance policy will also provide cover of up to SAR6,500 for repatriation of the pilgrim’s body to his or her home country in the event he or she dies after contracting COVID-19.
The Saudi Central Bank and the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance have announced that all foreigners who arrive in Saudi Arabia on Umrah, visit and tourism visas must have insurance coverage against the risks of coronavirus infection.
Source: MEIR
