Swine flu response: Mexico City offering free health insurance to visitors for emergencies

Mexico City made big news in the travel industry on July 28, 2009 when it announced that it will be offering free health insurance to visitors for emergencies.

With tourism on the decline due an outbreak of the swine flu in April 2009, the Ministry of Tourism of Mexico City has posted on its website that their goal is "to maintain and increase the quality of the touristic infrastructure of Mexico City."

The following services will be subsidized for both national and international guests requiring assistance or medical aid in case of any emergency:

 Medical assistance in case of influenza AH1N1 (swine flu)

 Medical care in case of any other disease or accident

 Provision of an ambulance in case of an accident

 Hospital accommodation in case of any emergency

 Prescription of drugs through from cooperating physicians

 Emergency dental care

 Home transportation in case of illness

 Hotel accommodation for time of recovery

 Accompaniment of minors

 Home transportation in case of death

 Informing the emergency contacts

 Legal assistance in case of robbery or loss of documents or belongings

 Touristical advice

 Event reservation in Mexico City

 Forwarding of forgotten belongings

 Assistance in case of luggage loss

 Assistance in case of flight delay or cancelation

Call Centers, available 24 hours in Spanish, English, French, German and Portuguese. For more information, email  servicios@mexicocity.gob.mx.

According to The China Post, Mexico City has approximately three milion international and four million national tourists each year. "Hotel occupancy sunk as low as 10 percent in April and May and is currently at 59 percent, according to industry group officials," said The Post.

Swine Flu Science Update, July 31, 2009: The first trials of swine flu — influenza A(H1N1) — vaccines are expected to begin over the next few weeks and the first vaccine should be available in the United States by September.