ReliefWeb

Overview:

Global mobility continues to be severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with sustained borders closures, restrictions on air travel and limitations on internal mobility across several parts of the world. As of 7th May 2020, a total of 219 countries, territories or areas issued 60,771 restrictions, indicating an increase of 11 per cent from 54,866 restrictions recorded on 4th May 2020. Restrictions requiring new documents for travel increased almost doubled and medical requirements for travel increased by 87 per cent since 4th May 2020. In parallel to the tightening of travel restrictions in some parts of the world, there is a new and emerging trend among Governments and authorities for developing a so called ‘travel bubbles’ permitting cross border movements between neighbouring countries. Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia will implement a ‘travel bubble’ from 15th May 2020, allowing movement between the three countries while maintaining an adherence to the 14-day quarantine period. Likewise, after reporting no new infection cases, New Zealand proposed similar plans for a travel bubble with Australia to allow quarantine-free travel, however, a date has not yet been confirmed. Similarly, Greece, Cyprus and Israel also announced plans for a possible ‘corona-free travel corridor’ allowing travel between specific locations if cases remain low. After several weeks under restrictive measures like complete or partial lockdowns several governments and authorities continue tо ease some internal movement restrictions. Jordan lifted restrictions on all economic activity, allowing public transport to reopen but still requiring schools and universities to remain closed and upholding the curfew. Bahrain will ease restriction measures allowing shops and industries to open from 7th May 2020, but restaurants will continue to remain closed. The Russian Federation also announced a three-phased plan to gradually reopen after the non-working-period ends on 11th May 2020. Despite an increase in number of cases, authorities in Pakistan announced plans to end the current lockdown from 9th May 2020, allowing markets to open until 5pm but stipulating internal travel and public transport will remain closed. Conversely, El Salvador announced more restrictive measures to control the spread of the COVID-19 cases, limiting essential grocery shopping to twice a week, prohibiting travel between jurisdictions without written permission and suspending public transportation. Afghanistan extended its national lockdown until 24th May 2020, whereas Egypt extended the nation-wide night time curfew until the end of Ramadan (23rd May 2020). Kenya announced a partial lockdown in Eastleigh in Nairobi and Mombasa City for 15-daysrestricting the movement in and out of these areas. Despite travel restrictions, the mobility of returns and efforts to support the return of nationals steadily continued. India launched efforts to facilitate the return of over, 14,800 Indian nationals from over 13 countries, territories and areas in 64 flights. On 7th May 2020, 10 flights are scheduled to return 2,300 Indians. Additionally, a total of 14 Indian Navy ships have been prepared to return Indians from abroad, the first naval ship reached the Maldives on 7th May to bring back 1,000 stranded Indians. As of 7th May 2020, authorities in Turkey has helped 70,000 of Turkish nationals return home from 107 countries, territories and areas. Authorities facilitated the return of Turkish nationals from Argentina, Brazil, Tunisia and Kuwait, all passengers will be placed under a 14-day quarantine. Similarly, 193 nationals of Pakistan returned to Lahore from India through the Wagah-Attari land border on 6th May and were placed in 14-day mandatory quarantine.