Ontario Blue Cross and Quebec Blue Cross announced March 18, in similar but separate statements, that they will immediately stop selling individual travel insurance products in Ontario and Quebec respectively, until further notice.

They explained that these exceptional measures were taken “in the context of efforts by public health authorities, both in Canada and abroad, to limit the movements of individuals as much as possible, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”

Both insurers added that their customers who are currently traveling are insured in accordance with their contracts. However, they said it is imperative that travelers make every effort to return immediately to Canada, or they may not be unable to assist them “due to the scale of the crisis and the limited availability of medical resources abroad.”

Both organizations say they will reassess the situation on an ongoing basis in light of information and recommendations communicated by health and government authorities in the coming weeks.