As COVID-19 wreaks havoc across the globe, business and lifestyle tourism-dependent regions are suffering exponentially. Africa is one glaring example, with South Africa propelled into the global top 10 for coronavirus infections. It reportedly has surpassed the United Kingdom in cases.
For its part, the tourism and industrial sectors in North Africa will likely be hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the African Development Bank’s 2020 edition North Africa Economic Outlook report.
Even as the continent contends with pandemic concerns, there are still throngs of business travelers who need or desire to visit the region in the near future. Many are doing diligence to discern if, when, and how to go about scheduling a business trip to this tourism hotspot.
To help spotlight some top-line issues, I turned to entrepreneur and philanthropist Jay Cameron, executive director of Maximum Impact Travel. Cameron is one of the leading global experts on Africa travel and commerce, so his insights are invaluable as travelers deal with this tumultuous situation and plan smartly in the post-pandemic era.
What are the key do’s and don’ts when traveling to Africa amid COVID-19?
Surprisingly, some African countries have escaped the devastating impacts COVID-19 has caused globally. While other countries around the world have experienced often overwhelming consequences as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, much of Africa appears to have been spared. Even so, the statistics do not suggest the citizens of the countries of Africa have not felt its impact. The fact is, many countries in Africa are seeing regular increases in the numbers of those infected by the novel coronavirus, while much of the world is experiencing a decline in infections.
Around the world, experts warn outbreaks of COVID-19 in Africa may continue, resulting in a higher rate of deaths due to the limited local health services available. With coronavirus worries come fears of potential famine due to the virus threat, in combination with existing drought conditions and ongoing conflicts.
With this in mind, should you intend to travel to the continent now, or post-COVID-19, you should be prepared. Some good preparedness ideas include researching virus statistics in the country you wish to visit that, for one, you can review at AfricaNews.com. It is also advisable to learn if said country has any travel restrictions, which is information that is accessible online at CDC.gov. Of course, maintaining a healthy lifestyle to boost immunity before and during your visit is also key.
Source: Africa Business Travel Do’s and Don’ts Amid COVID-19
