Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic is risky, both health-wise and financially. Countries can’t really claim to be 100 percent safe, so tourists are gambling with their health and budget if they do become infected abroad. But Uzbekistan is backing up its safety claims with a financial incentive, promising to give travelers $3,000 in compensation if they do become infected with the virus while visiting the country.
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Uzbekistan Will Pay Tourists $3,000 if They Get COVID-19 During Their Visit
Sophie Ibbotson, Uzbekistan’s tourism ambassador to the UK, said in a statement, “We want to reassure tourists they can come to Uzbekistan. The government is so confident that the new safety and hygiene measures being implemented across the tourism sector will protect tourists from COVID-19 that the president is prepared to put money where his mouth is: if you get COVID-19 on holiday in Uzbekistan, we will compensate you.”
The $3,000 would cover the cost of medical care that you may require, should you become infected. To be eligible, however, you have to visit through a group tour using a local operator. Under Uzbekistan’s new hygiene measures, hotels must meet certain standards of health and safety. If a traveler is infected at one of these properties, the hotel must pay for the guest’s medical bills.
This policy is a sharp contrast to Cambodia’s rule, which requires all visitors to pay a $3,000 deposit upon arrival to cover any potential medical expenses. 