TOURISM COMMUNITY IN THE UK AND ACROSS AFRICA UP IN ARMS OVER BLANKET DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TRAVELERS RETURNING FROM THE CONTINENT
(Posted 11th October 2020)
Travelers returning from anywhere in Africa to the UK have for some time now faced a discriminate blanket quarantine order – having to stay at home for 14 days.
This appears to be irrespective of the country they are coming from, for instance Seychelles with only 4 active cases, Mauritius with only 27 active cases or Sao Tome and Principe with only 17 active cases or equally regardless that they may carry a #COVID19 negative test with them which many African countries require from departing passengers.
The UK stands alone in the world with such a discriminating policy and has come under increasing fire from especially Africa’s Commonwealth member states for their inflexible approach – generally seen as yet another affront against the African continent.
The African Travel and Tourism Association is now appealing to solicit as many signatures as possible from across their membership and beyond, to have the UK government show some sense and broadly lift the quarantine restrictions.
Writes Nigel Vere Nicoll, President of ATTA:
ATTA® petition to UK Government nearing 2,500 signatures in just two days Nigel Vere Nicoll, President of ATTA (African Travel & Tourism Association) quote
“We cannot to wait any longer, African countries have been opening their borders since the beginning of September and have some of the lowest COVID numbers in the word. Despite this, the FCDO are still advising against all but essential travel and implementing a 14-day quarantine period. It is time for the FCDO to start applying the same metrics to Africa as they are to the rest of the world. In order for the government to start fairly applying the metrics to African countries and to get air bridges in place ASAP, we have started a government petition and we are asking for help from everyone that is passionate about Africa or African travel to sign our petition and write to their local MP to apply as much pressure as possible.
Our hope is that this will not only help safeguard many UK jobs in the tourism industry, but also help communities and wildlife across Africa. Africa is currently on the verge of a humanitarian crisis, the African continent relies heavily on international travel for £130bn income and 25m jobs. Each African travel job typically supports 8 – 10 dependents, in turn helping to support up to 250million people. In addition, the poaching of wild animals such as elephants, rhino and pangolin has increased significantly with fewer eyes on the ground and subsistence poaching is on the rise where families previously relied on the tourist pound to support them. “
https://www.atta.travel/openafricantravel/
Best regards
Ball in your court dear ATCNews readers, click on the link and sign the petition if you care for the continent’ travel, aviation and conservation sectors.
And while at it, if you are not yet a member of ATTA it is high time you send in your application now via www.atta.travel
