SINGAPORE – Budget airline Vietjet is prepared to shell out tens of billions of Vietnamese Dong to insure domestic travellers as the country put a pause on all international flights on Saturday.
The airline is seeking to reassure passengers flying on its domestic routes through its insurance initiative, Sky Covid Care.
All passengers flying on domestic flights through 30 June 2020 will be offered insurance, with coverage up to VND 200,000,000 (US$8,570).
The insurance coverage will be valid within 30 days of their flight date, regardless of the location of infection. Vietjet is prepared to shell out tens of billions of Vietnam Dong to help passengers and cabin crew should their test positive on virus tests administered by the Ministry of Health of Vietnam.
Late Saturday evening, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that the country would be “suspending all flights carrying foreign passengers to minimise the number of people coming to the country” but had not stated a timeframe.
Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines announced last Thursday it was suspending all international services until 30 April.
VietJet has also ceased international flights to major Southeast Asian destinations including Thailand from Friday.
All foreign visitors arriving in Vietnam will also have to observe a 14-day quarantined, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health said.