×
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.
  • Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
  • The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
  • P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
  • Email: [email protected]

How countries have reacted to COVID-19 scare

At least 57 countries have taken drastic measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), including suspending flights and closing their borders.

Russia closed its entire land border with China on January 30 while North Korea moved to close its border to all foreign tourists and suspended all flights to and from China.

On February 4, South Korea, which had recorded 833 cases, started denying entry to foreigners who had travelled to the province of Hubei in China in the past 14 days. It also suspended a regional visa waiver programme.

Eight days later, the country designated Hong Kong and Macao as “contaminated areas”, in addition to mainland China.

The US, which has reported 35 cases so far, raised its travel advisory for mainland China to Level 4 thereby stopping its citizens from travelling to the country as from January 31. It also suspended all flights to the Asian country.

The US maintained its travel advisory for Hong Kong at Level 2, which means increased caution is expected. It also denied entry to foreign nationals who had travelled anywhere in China within the past 14 days. Flights to Hong Kong were also suspended.

On February 1, Australia, which has recorded 22 cases, raised its travel advisory for mainland China to Level 4, meaning its citizens should not travel to China. It also denied entry to foreign travellers who have left or passed through mainland China in the past 14 days.

Passport holders

Iran, which has reported 43 cases, banned all flights between the two countries even as Singapore denied all Chinese passport holders entry including people who had recently travelled to China in the past 14 days.

The country suspended all flights to China and reduced flights to the country. The number of citizens with coronavirus now stands at 89 – making it one of the worst hit countries.

On February 5, the United Arab Emirates suspended all flights between the two countries just four days after Thailand, which had experienced 35 cases, started requesting Chinese tourists to provide medical certificates to prove that they were healthy and free of infection.

The Philippines also denied all entry to foreign travellers from China, including those who had been in China within the past 14 days. It also suspended all flights going to and from China.

Saudi Arabia not only suspended flights to China but it also advised its citizens in China to leave, and its residents to postpone visits to the country.

In Africa, Egypt suspended all flights to the Asian country while Kenya Airways also stopped flights to and from China.

Related Topics


.

Trending Now

.

Popular this week