Compensation ball in court, say insurers

The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers says whether an employee will be compensated if he gets the Wuhan virus at work will be subject to the decision of a court.

The virus is not an occupational disease specified in the Employees' Compensation Ordinance. However, if an employee is infected with the virus as a result of an accident arising out of and in the course of employment as stipulated in the ordinance, the employee can still claim for loss. The final result is subject to the court's judgment, the federation said.

Meanwhile, federation pointed out that if an itinerary is canceled due to restrictions on entry, in general, it is not a named peril covered by travel insurance.

Passengers are suggested to apply to vehicle operators, such as airlines, for refunds of airfare, depending on the arrangements of the organizations, it said.

Some insurance companies have announced that hospitalization and treatments prescribed for the virus will be covered, which will provide additional hospital cash protection for an insured person.