Harassing Chinese nationals over coronavirus wrong

In what can be attributed to lack of sufficient information on coronavirus, some Kenyans took it upon themselves to harass a Chinese couple. The two were accosted and nearly assaulted in the Kibera informal settlement by some Kenyans who demanded to know their status a few days ago.

Earlier, an outpouring of public rage followed the admission of 239 travellers, most of them Chinese nationals, into Kenya a week ago. At a time that other countries had banned flights from China over fears of coronavirus, Kenyan authorities not only allowed a Southern Airlines flight from China to land at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, they prescribed a 14-day self-quarantine for the travellers.

That was unlike the standard procedure in other countries where visitors from China are quarantined in special facilities within hospitals. The rationale for such action is to closely monitor and limit the spread of the virus should any of those quarantined exhibit signs of infection.

No doubt, coronavirus started as an epidemic in Wuhan, China, but rapidly became a pandemic causing serious global concerns, especially because of the lack of an effective antidote. The global spread therefore means anybody, whether Asian, African, European or American, could become a carrier. That being the case, it is wrong to harass or stigmatise Chinese nationals, some of whom have not been to China for a very long time.

Allowing xenophobia to take root is not in the best interest of the country.

We have, over time, seen the negative effects of xenophobia in South Africa though the circumstances are different. Nevertheless, it is incumbent upon the government to carry out sensitisation campaigns aimed at enlightening the public about coronavirus.