Omicron on the rise: Steps to take if you test positive for COVID-19 while abroad

Testing positive for COVID-19 can disrupt even the most carefully made plans. With the omicron variant now the leading strain in the U.S., this situation could complicate your efforts to return home, potentially leading to an unexpected extended stay in a foreign country.

All travelers heading to the U.S. — regardless of vaccination status — must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within one day of departure or evidence of recent recovery from the virus.

Even if you are fully vaccinated, there's still a possibility of a positive test result. So, what should you do if you're unable to reenter the U.S.? Let’s explore how to prepare for this scenario and the steps you should take if it occurs.

Familiarize yourself with the quarantine regulations at your destination

Certain countries with strong tourism and COVID-19 protocols have specific guidelines for those who test positive upon arrival or during their stay. For instance, the Bahamas mandates that travelers purchase compulsory COVID-19 health insurance when applying for a Travel Health Visa.

If you receive a positive test result while in the Bahamas, you are required to quarantine at a private residence, rental accommodation, a hotel or private club in an unused room with an attached bathroom, or a private boat. Alternatively, you may stay at a government-designated quarantine facility at your own expense.

However, not every nation follows the same straightforward rules and procedures.

No matter where you go, it’s wise to consult your destination's embassy website to find out what costs will be covered — and what expenses you may incur if you test positive for COVID-19.

Visa regulations

Your backup plan should also take into account what will happen if you have to spend an additional week or two in a foreign country (or however long it takes to recover and receive medical clearance).

While some hotels and resorts may assist, many others may not be equipped to help or may be unaware of the regulations. For example, if you’re in a country that issues a 30-day visa upon arrival, will it expire once your quarantine ends? Be sure to reach out to the local U.S. embassy for support.

Accommodation options if you test positive while traveling

Baha Mar in the Bahamas. (Photo by Nick Ellis/Dinogo)

If you test positive, you'll need to secure accommodations abroad until you recover. As noted earlier, some locations require you to quarantine in a government-designated facility, while others allow you to quarantine at a hotel.

Some hotels may permit you to extend your stay for quarantine, but most will require you to cover the costs yourself. However, certain properties, like the Baha Mar resort complex in the Bahamas, have adopted a different policy. If a guest tests positive, they can quarantine on-site or arrange to fly home via a "private aircraft" coordinated by the resort. Guests choosing to remain will enjoy "courtesy suite accommodations" and a daily dining credit of $150 per person for up to 14 days or until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result.

If resort living isn't your preference, look for accommodations like extended-stay hotels or Airbnbs that provide a place to stay post-positive test. Additionally, find properties that offer services such as meal delivery or are conveniently located near medical facilities.

Insurance options that cover expenses related to COVID-19

The possibility of testing positive for COVID-19 should be a concern for every traveler.

For international travelers currently on the move, it's important to budget for — or secure insurance for — an unexpected quarantine that may be required after a positive test result abroad. Keep in mind that the quarantine period could last several days, weeks, or even longer following the initial positive test.

For optimal protection, consider investing in Covac Global, a COVID-19 evacuation and repatriation service established in 2020. They provide medical evacuations if you receive a positive PCR test and report at least one symptom.

A medical evacuation and repatriation plan that covers medical expenses for injuries or illnesses starts at $175 per person for a 15-day single trip, or $810 for a combined COVID-19 and medical coverage for the same journey. The Covac Global team works with government authorities to arrange your return home via private aeromedical transport, accompanied by two medical flight crew members.

Insurance options differ based on your destination, trip length, and various other factors. To streamline your search, consider using insurance marketplace websites like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth.

If you're concerned about needing to cancel your trip for pandemic-related reasons, a "cancel for any reason" insurance policy could be a smart investment to protect your plans. However, while you can typically purchase basic travel insurance up to 24 hours before departure, most premium add-ons, including "cancel for any reason" coverage, need to be bought within a specific timeframe from your initial trip payment date.

For example, with Squaremouth travel insurance, you need to purchase "cancel for any reason" coverage within 14 to 21 days of your initial vacation payment, and you must insure 100% of your trip costs. This typically raises the policy's premium by about 40%.

If you’ve had a trip planned for a while but haven’t secured insurance yet, research whether you’re still within the eligible timeframe from your initial trip payment to qualify for cancel for any reason coverage or other time-sensitive benefits.

Emergency transportation

Another option is medical transport coverage like Medjet. There are two types of Medjet memberships: MedjetAssist and MedjetHorizon. Both offer the following medical transport benefits:

• Transfer between hospitals regardless of medical necessity
• All-expenses-paid air medical transport in the U.S. and abroad (for trips at least 150 miles from home)
• Includes COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the contiguous U.S., Canada, Caribbean, Costa Rica, and Mexico. (Medjet may expand this coverage to more regions)
• You choose the medical facility to which you’ll be transferred
• Options include a facility at home or a specialized hospital in your home country
• Travel medical emergency referrals, monitoring, telephone interpretation, and message relay
• Transfer of remains

The MedjetHorizon membership includes these additional advantages:

• 24/7 travel security response and evacuation services in cases of political threats, terrorism, natural disasters, pandemics, and violent crimes
• 24/7 crisis support for kidnapping for ransom, disappearances, wrongful detentions, blackmail, and extortion
• Emergency medical cash advances
• Ground ambulance and specialty hospital transfers (for distances under 150 miles)
• Trip intelligence and electronic alerts
• Legal referrals

Therefore, if you find yourself hospitalized due to COVID-19 in a covered country, Medjet will arrange transport to a hospital of your choice back home for treatment. Medjet also now states that it covers all members for COVID-19 transports while traveling worldwide.

Airlines offering COVID-19 insurance

(Image by Ryan Patterson for Dinogo)

Throughout 2020, airlines began introducing COVID-19 insurance packages to encourage travelers to return to the skies. However, these policies are experiencing renewed interest from travelers in 2021, especially with the emergence of new coronavirus variants.

Airlines providing COVID-19 insurance for American travelers include:

• Cathay Pacific: The airline offers free COVID-19 insurance automatically for trips booked through December 31, 2021. This coverage applies to anyone holding tickets issued by Cathay Pacific, including codeshare and interline partners. It covers overseas medical expenses and quarantine costs, including all overseas PCR tests, whether the results are positive or negative. However, Cathay Pacific clarifies that medical treatment costs, quarantine expenses, or PCR tests within your home country, as well as medical expenses unrelated to COVID-19, are not covered.
• Emirates: The Dubai-based airline is discontinuing its multi-risk insurance policy, which included COVID-19 coverage, for tickets purchased after December 1, 2021.
• Etihad: This airline will cover medical and quarantine costs in the event of a positive test through March 2022, although it does not cover PCR test expenses. Coverage, provided by AXA, begins after the first flight outside your home country and lasts for up to 31 days. Medical expenses are covered up to 150,000 euros (about $177,000), with quarantine costs up to 100 euros per day (about $118) for 14 days.
• Japan Airlines: JAL also includes free COVID-19 insurance, offered through Allianz Travel, similar to other airlines' offerings. It covers up to 150,000 euros (approximately $177,000) in total medical costs and up to 100 euros per day (about $118) for 14 days. This policy is valid for up to 31 days following the departure date of the first international flight on a JAL-operated flight with a JL flight number or until entering your country of residence, whichever occurs first. The policy is available for bookings made through January 10, 2022.
• Virgin Atlantic: This British airline's policy provides an impressive coverage of £15,000,000 (approximately $20 million) for medical and assistance services in the event of illness or accident while traveling, including COVID-19. It also covers up to £5,000 (about $6,900) if you need to cut your trip short, including if denied boarding due to COVID-19 symptoms.

It's worth noting that several major U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, do not offer travel insurance that explicitly covers COVID-19-related expenses.

Regardless of which airline you choose, it’s advisable to contact them immediately upon receiving a positive COVID-19 test result to inquire about possible assistance.

FAQs

The rise of the omicron variant has prompted travelers to raise many questions about their travel destinations. Here are responses to the most frequently asked questions we've encountered.

Who should I inform after testing positive?

Inform everyone you've been in close contact with. If you traveled by flight, cruise, train, or any other form of public transport, it's advised to notify the company, providing your travel details, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

If I test positive but my travel companions do not, must we quarantine separately? Will travel insurance cover them?

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health advises that if one member of your group tests positive, that individual should isolate from the others, and the entire group should quarantine for 14 days.

If I'm allowed to remain in my current hotel room, should I do so? If yes, what will be the rate?

You should reach out to your hotel to inquire about its COVID-19 policies before traveling, including whether they can accommodate guests who test positive. You might be asked to change rooms, but if not, ask about the nightly rate. Additionally, inquire about the possibility of having groceries and medications delivered during your stay.

Will I need to stay in a government facility?

This varies by country. Consult the embassy of the country you are in for regulations regarding stays in government facilities.

Will I have to cover treatment costs myself if I lack travel insurance?

Certain countries, like Aruba and Jamaica, mandate that travelers obtain government-issued travel insurance to cover medical expenses. Others, such as Chile and Costa Rica, require proof of a health insurance policy that includes COVID-19 and related health issues.

Without travel insurance, you may need to pay for testing and medical services upfront. Check with your home insurance provider to see if you can get reimbursed for those expenses.

When can I return home without putting others at risk?

An unvaccinated individual who has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 must quarantine for 10 days, regardless of test outcomes. If you are fully vaccinated and have been exposed, you should get tested three to five days post-exposure and wear a mask in indoor public spaces for 14 days or until you receive a negative test result.

The CDC indicates that if you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you can return to the U.S. by presenting proof of recovery, which includes a positive COVID-19 viral test result taken no more than 90 days before your flight and a letter from a licensed healthcare provider or public health official confirming your clearance to travel.

When should I consider seeking medical care for my symptoms?

According to the CDC, you should seek medical attention if you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, inability to stay awake, or discoloration of the skin, lips, or nail beds (pale, gray, or blue).

What should I do if I need to go to a hospital overseas and I don't speak the local language?

Get in touch with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a list of local healthcare providers and facilities, including those that have English-speaking staff. If your situation is serious, embassy personnel can also notify your family or friends. You can also locate English-speaking medical professionals through the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers.

Final thoughts

If you test positive for COVID-19 while traveling abroad, you won’t be able to return to the U.S. until you receive a negative test result or documentation of recovery.

For those traveling now, there are strategies to minimize potential quarantine costs. One approach is to purchase comprehensive travel insurance before leaving the U.S. Alternatively, choose to travel to countries or airlines that provide extensive COVID-19 insurance coverage. Staying at accommodations that assist with isolation expenses is another viable option.

For unvaccinated travelers, the CDC advises getting tested three to five days after returning and self-isolating for a full week. If you are vaccinated, testing three to five days after travel is still recommended, but quarantine is not necessary.