The coronavirus has affected several countries globally, from their economies to the education and health sectors. Most of the countries are struggling to control the spread of the disease as hospitals and doctors are under pressure. Some world organizations are supporting nations, especially from Africa with donations and protective gear for the health workers. After a long period of lock-down, South Africa reopens its borders as flights resume operations.
However, some countries are involved in corruption of the foreign aid, making the situation worse. Recently, there are countries such as Kenya that are recording low cases, hence they are resuming most of their activities such as education.
Initially in South Africa, just like other nations, the government imposed restrictions to control the spread of the virus. Travel bans and border closure were among the restrictions that the South African authority had imposed in March. Other limitations were lock-downs, curfews, and banning the sale of alcohol.
Flights Resume Operations Amid COVID-19
The authorities had decided to gradually ease the restrictions they had put earlier. The decision on reopening the borders was still debatable, making the international borders stay inactive until early October. Imagine what the people who had businesses abroad were going through because no flights were operating. The country that suffered losses because there were little trade activities between nations. The economy of South Africa went into a deeper recession because of the situation.
The good news is that the international borders are now active in receiving international flights in the country for the 1st time. There were a lot of celebrations as the country removed the travel limitations. People sprayed jets of water to welcome an Emirates flight that came from Dubai. At the arrival section, some people were dancing and playing wonderful music.
The Ethiopian Airlines flight landed in the country after coming from Ethiopia’s capital. More flights came in from Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. This shows that South Africa is recovering gradually.
Tourism in the Country
Tourism is one of the main foreign exchange earners for South Africa. Besides, it has also created a lot of job opportunities for young people in South Africa. According to the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, travel restriction affected the tourism sector.
Records say that the industry uses millions of people and adds up to over 8% to the state’s GDP. The group analyzed that each day the COVID-19 situation restrained the industry; it represented a financial loss of over 740m rand in foreign expenditure. The government prohibits foreign visitors from over 45 countries with large infection rates for the period. This is inclusive of the United Kingdom, Russia, and the United States. However, the authorities promise to review the travel limitations every 14 days.
South Africa ought to use strategies to return the tourism sector to the level it once was.
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COVID-19 Stats in South Africa
The pandemic has affected South Africa the most in the African region. The country has recorded over 670,000 infections related to the virus and over 16,000 fatalities.
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