“Preparation is going to become a much more significant part of risk assessment and it will be pivotal for all companies that travel internationally,” said IMG's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Geoff Tothill. “It will be important to travel more carefully; that's to say it will be paramount to understand the requirements of travel and to make sure transit is safe.”

As such, IMG is launching new assistance services to help its clients plan for 2020 and beyond. The company’s new planning and medical consulting services are split into three categories: pre-travel assessment/screening, which includes medical assessment, identification and mitigation of risk, screening employees for underlying health conditions, and producing individual reports for each employee prior to travel; deployment planning, which includes the monitoring and understanding of entry and quarantine requirements, vaccination needs, and prescription medication options; and evacuation planning services, which sees IMG medical personnel supply detailed, location-specific evacuation plans for employees who become ill or injured – these plans are created with advance co-ordination with local hospitals and local health authorities.

“Planning is absolutely essential to ensure safety while travelling during these uncertain times,” Dr Tothill added. “IMG is uniquely positioned because we have the expertise and capability to connect travellers to the support and care they need while away from home, which is what 'global peace of mind' is all about.”