Jamaica is reported to be in the final stages of discussions with insurance providers to allow visitors who test positive for Covid-19 to be isolated and repatriated.
The Jamaica Gleaner said the talks formed part of the country’s plans to reopen the tourism sector from June 15.
Tourism minister Edmund Bartlett told a press conference on Friday: “I want to make the point that we have done checks around and Jamaica is the only country in the Caribbean and arguably, the only one in the Americas that has taken on this responsibility now, to begin those negotiations and discussions with insurance and global logistics providers.
“I met one of those groups in London a few years ago…and among the many things they do is to provide quick response to remove distress situations and to deal with medical emergencies.”
He added: “Without trying to give the full figure, I can assure you it will be less than US$20 per person for that coverage, which will allow them to be rescued and be repatriated once there is a positive case of Covid-19.”
Bartlett also said measures had been put in place to safeguard the health of tourism workers, with access to a trained safety point person and an onsite or on-call medical professional.