In recent weeks, many African countries have been taking precautions in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Like many other countries, schools have been closed and people have been advised to limit social contact, but the main precaution taken by these countries are placing travel bans and restrictions on other countries who have been hit by the coronavirus. Countries such as Egypt, who has the most confirmed cases in Africa, and Djibouti, who have no confirmed cases, are shutting down international airports and are closing its borders in order to combat the spread. However, some countries who have placed these restrictions, like Morocco and Kenya, will have to face the repercussions of closing their borders to other countries. According to Najib Balala, Kenya's Secretary for Tourism, the economy of their country will be "hit badly" because of the coronavirus outbreak. Some countries such as Cameroon, have not closed its borders even though there have been five cases of the virus. People in the country are calling for the government seal off the country as a result. The closing of these countries has received widespread support from others but some have been against it. Among those who disagree with the bans include the World Health Organization (WHO). According to Dr. Mary Stephen of the WHO, countries may be making these decisions based off of panic and perception rather than actual risk. Even though Africa has recorded relatively few cases of the virus, many of these countries are not taking any chances when it comes to the safety of its people.
1. Do you believe it was the right decision for these countries to place these travel restrictions on other countries or was it too excessive?
2. What are other possible repercussions African countries might face because they are closing their borders?
3. Do you think other countries who have not closed their borders in Africa should follow in the footsteps of those who did?
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To answer question 2, African countries might face severe problems with their education system, because most of their education system depends on foreign aid. In addition, African countries aren't known to have the best health care, thus, they depend on foreign aid from countries such as America or Europe to deliver medicine or treatments. Their economy might go down as well, since a vast majority of the rural African countries rely on importing and exporting goods to make money, and if they aren't able to obtain that money, their economy won't be as strong.
ReplyDeleteI think it was the right decision to put travel restrictions on countries. Travel restrictions do help slow down the spread of the virus. If travel restrictions had been put into place earlier, the virus could have been slowed down more. I don't think that there will be that many repercussions in African countries from closing the borders. They will most likely still be importing and exporting good normally. I do think that countries who have not closed their borders, should closer their borders.
ReplyDeleteI believe that implementing travel restrictions was a reasonable decision. While it is inconvenient, isolating the virus and preventing further spreading is a higher priority than anything. I personally think that it could help quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteReplying to questions 3, the other countries that haven't closed their borders in Africa should. This will help stop the spread of the virus, and once it is contained, scientists can slowly work on a cure. Containment should be further prioritized because of the amount of people who have died to this disease.
ReplyDeleteTravel restrictions is a must when it comes to reducing the spread of the virus. It may seem selfish but it is the complete opposite, these restrictions are for the good of everyone. Countries are restriction travel to save others, not harm them in any way.
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