Thailand’s Department of Health Services Support has given health insurers clearance to launch products covering COVID-19 treatment for foreign tourists and expand hotel isolation for patients with mild symptoms.

Most health insurance products currently available to foreign tourists usually don’t cover treatment expenses if they are infected with COVID-19, The Nation reported.

“In this regard, the department has proposed that the Office of Insurance Commission allow Thai health insurance companies to launch packages that cover COVID-19 treatment for foreign tourists,” said Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Department of Health Services Support. “This will help foreign tourists to make faster claims for treatment expenses. It normally takes seven to 10 days to claim expenses with some foreign health insurance companies.”

Krassanairawiwong added that there is a growing number of hotel operators requesting to transform their facilities into isolation centres for COVID-19 patients.

Chonburi province recently launched a hotel isolation scheme for tourists, with most patients remaining asymptomatic. Hotels in other tourism-centric provinces are expected to follow suit. The move could help revitalise Thailand’s ailing tourism sector.

“Treatment expenses under the hotel isolation scheme will remain at THB1,000 (SG$40.66) per person in line with National Health Security Office regulations,” Krassanairawiwong said.