Transat, announced Sept. 25 that customers will now benefit from a COVID-19 Emergency Medical Certificate of Insurance.

This insurance plan, offered through Manulife, covers emergency medical and quarantine expenses at destination, in addition to providing assistance if COVID-19 is contracted during the trip.

The offering, provided at no extra cost, applies to eligible customers who book a roundtrip flight from Canada to an international Air Transat destination or a Transat package to Mexico, Central or South America, or the Caribbean, from Sept. 25 to Oct. 31, 2020, for stays of up to 21 days between Oct. 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021.

The coverage will automatically be included in the purchase of the flight or package, whether it is made at a travel agency, online or through Transat's Customer Contact Centre, says the company.

"The travel industry has been transforming at a frantic pace in recent months, and we are listening to our customers' expectations in order to offer them programs and solutions adapted to the new realities," says Annick Guérard, Chief Operating Officer of Transat. "The introduction of a free and automatic COVID-19 medical insurance and assistance plan included in our flights and packages, combined with our rigorous health and safety program, Traveller Care, demonstrates our desire to allow our customers to carry out their travel plans despite the uncertainties related to the pandemic."

The plan offered through Manulife with the purchase of a roundtrip Air Transat flight or Transat package, includes emergency medical insurance, which covers up to CA $200,000 per insured person for medical and hospital expenses that may be incurred as a result of a positive COVID-19 test result during the trip.

It also covers accommodation costs caused by quarantine or isolation due to a positive COVID-19 test result during the trip, up to CA $150 a day per insured person or CA $300 a day per family, for a maximum of 14 days

"Our top priority remains the health and safety of our customers, employees, partners and communities," says Wally Thompson, Vice-President, Distribution, Manulife Affinity Markets. "That's why offering specialized travel insurance for Canadians is important. Offering coverage for COVID-related expenses means we can help Canadians protect what matters most when they plan their travel with Transat."