Coronavirus (Covid-19) – Impact on Medical Travel

Last Modified: November 9, 2022 | Created on: April 16, 2020
General Health

The World Health Organization (WHO), after assessing the alarming levels of spread and severity, declared the novel Coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. Covid-19, the disease caused by this virus, has claimed thousands of lives across the world. It is being termed as the worst crisis the world has been subjected to since World War II. Presently, there is no active vaccine that has been approved for this disease and the world continues to battle with the coronavirus outbreak.

The COVID-19 virus can infect people of all ages, gender and ethnicity. According to the trends observed, older people (over 60 years old) and people with underlying medical conditions (such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer) are at a higher risk of developing the severe form of COVID-19 disease and death. However, the knowledge about this disease is still evolving, as new trends are seen. Most people who get infected with the disease are reported to recover over 2-4 weeks, but in severe cases, it can lead to respiratory failure, multi-organ failure, severe acute respiratory syndrome, and even death, in more severe cases. It is important that everyone follow the recommended precautions and in turn protect themselves as well as others who might be more vulnerable.

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Current scenario

As of April 5 2020, over 1.3 million people have been infected worldwide and the global death toll has reached over 72000. With each passing day, these numbers keep on increasing as thousands of diagnostic tests are being carried out. The outbreak started in China, infecting several thousands of people and leading to hundreds of deaths. From there, it has rapidly spread to other countries, now affecting more than 180 countries. United States of America has emerged as a new epicenter for the disease, followed by the European countries – the worst hit being Italy, Spain, France, Germany and UK. Although the top medical travel destinations such as India, Thailand and Turkey have comparatively fewer cases, precautionary measures have been implemented in these countries. India is still in the Local Transmission phase – this is when the spread of infection is limited to those who have a history of international travel and people they come in contact with. The government put the whole nation in a lockdown for 21 days on 25 March 2020, and imposed an international as well as domestic travel ban. This is a necessary step, implemented for the safety of the entire population and preventing the spread. Against a backdrop of travel restrictions being introduced by most countries, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has strengthened its collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the sectors like civil aviation, leisure travel and medical tourism have been heavily affected. It is impossible for patients seeking treatment abroad to travel to the destination of their choice. The hospitals are not conducting inpatient or outpatient procedures other than emergency surgeries. People who travelled from abroad have to stay in self-quarantine for 15 days.

What can Medical Tourists do?

The economic and social impact of Covid-19 is inevitable and the best we can do is – be prepared for the aftermath of the situation. The situation in China seems to be improving, which is giving the world a ray of hope for getting relief from this pandemic. While we are taking all the precautionary measures to control the spread of the disease during this time, it will also be beneficial to invest this time in planning for travel afterwards. People who seek medical care for life-threatening or serious health conditions can use this time to make preparations to travel once the travel ban is lifted. Once the ban is lifted there will likely be a surge in patients travelling abroad. Therefore, making plans ahead of time is wise to avoid delayed responses and appointments which hospitals will likely be dealing with. The conditions for which travel can be considered include cardiac problems, organ transplantation, certain neurological abnormalities, cancer treatment and other urgent treatments. Even patients considering elective procedures must plan ahead and use this time to determine which hospital or doctor they should choose. For patients seeking treatment for serious or fatal conditions in another country, here are certain considerations to help them be prepared:

Continue to have treatment at a local center to manage the condition or keep in touch with a medical specialist to ensure the best personal care is provided to the patient.
Meanwhile, it will be good to select the hospitals and doctors for the required procedures, as per your suitable budget range. This also stands true for people seeking treatment for non-life-threatening medical conditions or even elective procedures.
Contact the nearest Indian Mission if you want to travel to India for emergency medical treatment. Provide them all the necessary documents, including a copy of the medical reports (attested by the local doctor), recommendation letter from the local doctor, and visa invitation letter or confirmation letter of the appointment from the hospital in the preferred destination.

To know more about the travel restrictions, contact us on +91 892 944 8116 or care@lyfboat.com. We will help assist you in your query regarding the desired treatment. Our medical experts will guide to the best of their capabilities and can get you in touch with appropriate agencies.

Symptoms of COVID-19

The most common symptoms of Covid-19 that should look out for:

Fever
Dry Cough
Shortness of breath
Body ache
Heaviness in the chest

An infected person may experience these symptoms any time within 2 to 14 days. You must inform local health authorities as soon as these signs appear.

How can Lyfboat help?

We understand that this can be a difficult time for everyone, but especially for people who are suffering from an illness and their families. With travel restrictions, access to medical care in other countries is difficult and the best you can do is manage your condition locally. We are here to support and guide you in these troubling times. Feel free to contact us or share your medical concerns through email – care@lyfboat.com or call at +91 892 944 8116.

Lyfboat is a nationally accredited organization that helps patients across the world avail quality medical treatment. We have been certified by the National Accreditation Board for Hospital and Healthcare provides (NABH) for the excellence in patient care services.

We have a team of doctors and technical experts who provide reliable guidance to the patients seeking healthcare facilities in another country.

Travel restrictions to top Medical tourism destinations

All countries have advised their citizens by their respective Health Departments as well as WHO to avoid all types of non-necessary travel in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus.

India

Update on Visa restrictions: source https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

On 12 March 2020, the Government of India suspended all types of visas, (including e-visa) for all countries citizens for next 30 days, until 15 April 2020 or further notice to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Categories exempted from this Mandate: Visas issued to Diplomats, Officials, UN/International organizations, Employment, Project visas remain in force exempt from the current restrictions.
For all the foreign visitors currently in India: Although, they are not allowed to return to their countries for their own safety as well as the concern of spreading infection to other people. The Indian government has given permission to extend their e-visas.
Visas of all foreign nationals who are already in India will remain valid. They must contact the nearest FRRO/FRO or through e-FRRO service for extension/ conversion of their visa or if they want any consular service. It is important to note that all the visa services granted on account of COVID-19 are GRATIS.
The validity of OCI cards of foreigners who are currently in India shall remain.
Visa free travel facility granted to OCI card holders who are not in India presently, has been suspended till April 15, 2020. This notice is effective from March 13, 2020 at the port of departure of any foreigner for onward journey to India
A foreign national, including OCI cardholder, who wants to travel to India for urgent reasons may contact the nearest Indian Mission for a fresh visa.

International traffic through land borders has been restricted to designated Immigration Checkposts, effective since March 14, 2020. No scheduled international commercial passenger aircraft is allowed to take from any foreign airport to any airport in India, starting from March 22, 2020. This shall remain in force till April 14, 2020.

Thailand

Visa on arrival services has been suspended for most of the nations. A person has to contact the Embassy of Thailand in their country in case they have a compelling reason to travel. According to the Announcement Guidelines for Foreign Nationals Travelling to Thailand During COVID-19 Pandemic on 19 March 2020: Every foreign traveler, who wishes to enter into the Kingdom of Thailand via air transportation, must present the following documents at the airlines’ check-in counter in order to obtain a boarding pass:

A Health Certificate marking that the person does not pose any risk of being infected by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). The health certificate must be issued no more than 72 hours before the date of travel.
Health Insurance Policy with minimum medical coverage of USD 100,000 in Thailand, and which covers the expense for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) treatment, if needed.

United Arab Emirates

All visas to foreigners have been invalidated, except diplomatic passport holders, from 17 March 2020.
From 19 March, the UAE has temporarily suspended all visas on arrival facilities with the exception of Diplomatic passport holders, until further notice.
No passenger is allowed to enter the United Arab Emirates except the family members (including father, mother, son, daughter, wife, husband, grandparents, grandchildren and domestic helpers) of the United Arab Emirates nationals, effective since 19 March 2020.
As per the UAE government’s directive, all passenger services for air transportation have been suspended from 25 March 2020 to contain the spread of COVID-19.
A person has to contact the respective Embassy in their country in case they have a compelling reason to travel for a medical intervention.

Turkey

All international flights to and from Turkey have been suspended, effective since March 28, in order to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
All international flights have been temporarily suspended.
Turkey has also closed the land borders with all its neighboring countries.

In case you have any questions regarding the travel restrictions to these countries, send us your query at care@lyfboat.com. We will help and further guide you to the best of our capabilities.

Written By Dr. Surbhi Suden

Dr. Surbhi Suden is one of the founders of Lyfboat and a doctor with a renowned name in the Medical tourism industry. She has been working with international patients since 2008 and is a deeply committed professional with a long term vision of transforming the current healthcare scenarios.

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Coronavirus (Covid-19) – Impact on Medical Travel

Current scenario

What can Medical Tourists do?

Symptoms of COVID-19

Travel restrictions to top Medical tourism destinations

India

Thailand

United Arab Emirates

Turkey

Written By Dr. Surbhi Suden

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