Travel Ban Implications on your Health
Are you thinking of getting on a plane soon? Then read this till the end!
One of the most recent plagues facing the world is the spread of Coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, and its new variants.
Many countries have instilled travel bans specifically on African countries to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus and its variant.
The restrictions on African immigration and entry into popular travel destinations have created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among immigrants, and travelers, who worry about how this might affect their lives.
Many people think about what this means for their health, especially those who need to travel to visit family abroad.
Because of the travel ban, economies are suffering, and we need to prepare for any changes that may come in the future.
Travel Ban implications on Nigerians
Nigeria, an African country, has suffered from imposed travel bans because of the health concerns caused by Covid-19 and its variants, adding them to the list of countries identified with public health risks.
The travel ban has had a significant effect on Nigerian citizens who cannot travel for work or visit family members in countries where they are prohibited.
The imposed travel bans disrupted whatever global partnership Nigeria had with those countries. Leaving many Nigerians upset and worried.
The United Arab Emirates announced the lift of the travel ban imposed on Nigerians in December 2021, which led to the suspension of airlift operations from Abuja and Lagos airports to Dubai.
As the new rules were effective from January 29, 2022, all inbound flights from Nigeria will resume operations in the United Arab Emirates.
To fly to the United Arab Emirates, passengers from Nigeria must present a negative COVID*19 PCR test certificate with a QR code obtained at an approved facility within 48 hours before departure.
Failure to comply will cause the denial of entry into the country.
To fly from Nigeria to the United Arab Emirates, you need to get a PCR certificate from one of the approved labs listed in the designated laboratories list.
What are the health and economic implications of travel bans?
- The stress that comes with travel bans
- Immigration fraud and illegalities
- The unprecedented shock to the travel industry affecting jobs and businesses
- Psychological risk
- The stress that comes with travel bans- One of the most serious and often ignored effects of a travel ban is stress that weighs the country and traveling passengers.
- Immigration fraud and illegalities- Despite the potential consequences of travel and immigration, some tourists and immigrants might take the risk of entering a country with bans.
- The unprecedented shock to the travel industry affecting Jobs and businesses- Travel bans can cause work layoff, especially in the travel industry, disrupting economic development.
- Psychological risk- Travelling on its own is stressful, even especially during this pandemic. Psychological risk occurs when an event, for instance, an immigration officer, returns a traveling passenger to their country because of a just-announced travel ban. It triggers psychological discomforts such as anxiety, worry, regret, and concern.
Policy priorities to prevent travel ban implications
-Be wary of travel bans as a sole answer for controlling pandemic outbreaks since they only account for half the equation – they do not address research and prevention.
-Efficacious health care resources can improve outcomes after an emergency or pandemic outbreak occurs, which makes investing in public health systems the best course of action for this crisis.
-Countries need to undertake change to rethink all levels of public preventive infrastructure against a spectrum of emergencies without repeating earlier mistakes by staying open-minded to new initiatives and approaches beyond the use of short-term restrictions on international air traffic.
