Which Countries Don’t Have Travel Bans In Place by

This week has been a historical week of international travel bans. While nations try to handle the COVID-19 outbreak in their own ways, several of them have outright placed restrictions on who can enter the country. Here is a look at some of the nations that currently don’t have bans in place.

European restrictions

While several European countries have already closed their airports in the last week, the European Union is proposing that all non-essential travel should be suspended to the European Union for 30 days.

The United Kingdom will be exempt from this rule EU ban. However, the UK still hasn’t enforced any restrictions itself but has merely advised against all non-essential travel.Advertisement

Self-quarantine measures

There are various countries that still allow travelers to enter the country but they have to go through self-quarantine measures to pass through.Advertisement

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China

Even though China was the epicenter of the outbreak, at the moment it is only implementing self-quarantine measures rather than international bans. CNN reports that all passengers arriving in Beijing from destinations abroad must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine. They will be placed at designated facilities at the passenger’s own expense.Advertisement

“From now on, all travelers who have been in South Korea, Italy, Iran, Japan, France, Spain, Germany, the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium will have to self-quarantine for 14 days,” a statement from the city’s municipal government said, according to CNN.

Australia

Anyone arriving at the island continent has to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Singapore

All passengers entering the city island city-state from ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries will be issued with a 14-day “Stay-Home Notice”. This also applies to those traveling from Japan, Switzerland or the United Kingdom. Moreover, these fliers will have to prove that they will self-quarantine.

Belize

The Central American country will order a 14-day quarantine for anyone coming from China, France, Germany, Italy, Iran, Japan, South Korea, and Spain. Furthermore, cities that have widespread growth of the virus will also be subject to the rule. 

Barbados

Currently, a quarantine of 14 days applies to the Caribbean country. Therefore, many will wish to wait before booking any vacations here.

Bermuda

A 14-day quarantine also applies here.

African nations

It seems that several regions across Africa are more relaxed when it comes to restricting entry.

Nigeria

There is no restriction on entering Nigeria in regards to coronavirus. Premium Times reports that the minister of state for health Olorunnimbe Mamora has no plans on restricting any passengers from entering the nation.

Alternatively, his country is increasing screening measures on travelers from areas that have been overwhelmed with the virus.

Across the continent

Presently, the following African countries don’t have strict travel bans but have orders for self-quarantine for 14 days.

• Benin
  
• Botswana
• Democratic Republic of
• Congo
• Ethiopia
• Mozambique
• Rwanda
• Tunisia
• Uganda

South America 

With cases starting to grow in the continent, the majority of countries have started to implement restrictions.

Guyana

Those traveling from highly affected countries will also be ordered to self-quarantine here. In addition, travelers from the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Panama, and St Vincent & the Grenadines will have to undergo the same treatment.

Brazil

Currently, Brazil has not forced any travel restrictions. Instead, the South American country’s health ministry recommends those arriving from international lands go through seven days of self-isolation. Additionally, they should seek medical help if they develop symptoms.

Tough times

Altogether, there aren’t many well-visited countries that don’t have some sort of restriction in place. It likely that the ones holding out will also put measures in place soon.

However, these bans will only work as short-term cover. Essentially, there are too many individuals that rely on air travel for personal and financial needs. With so much reliance on international relations, authorities need to figure out ways to balance the restrictions. Perhaps new screening technologies will be introduced at airports to support security systems.

Ultimately, these extreme measures were put in place to help protect citizens from coronavirus. However, the financial and emotional implications could lead to severe indirect consequences on health and wellbeing if they continue.

With many countries closing their airports altogether, there have been families separated and many people that can’t go home. There are also reports that these sorts of measures can remain largely ineffective. Therefore, global bodies need to review their approaches in the coming months.