LAS PALMAS — Spain’s Canary Islands has become that country’s first region to offer visitors, both Spanish and foreign, coverage for all expenses in the case of COVID-19 illness, including medical expenses, health repatriation and extension of stay due to quarantine.

The Canary Islands Government’s Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce recently signed an agreement with insurance provider AXA Spain for a travel assistance policy applicable to all tourists who travel to the Islands, whether foreign or national, in order to respond to incidents related to Covid-19, including he need to prolong stays due to quarantine.

The tourism board says: “In the unfortunate case of a positive test for COVID-19, this agreement guarantees all related medical expenses, health repatriation and extension of stays due to quarantine related regulations.”

Visitors should make sure they check the fine print though, and make sure they’re free of COVID-19 before taking their trip, as the policy will not cover cases of COVID-19 known prior to travel, as set out in the insurance policy conditions.

Regional Minister of Tourism, Yaiza Castillak, who is also CEO of Promotur Turismo de Islas Canarias, says with this new policy, “the Canary Islands go even further in their commitment to reinforce and increase the safety and peace of mind of tourists.”

The coverage through this insurance policy takes effect immediately and will be valid for 12 months. It covers all visitors who did not know they had the virus and do not have personal insurance to cover the costs.