COVID-19 travel guidelines for people from China and discrimination

Therefore, such restrictions are more likely to be a political gesture than an effective control policy due to their low impact. However, restrictions could have unexpected consequences, including potential discrimination and even hatred against Asians, including Asians living in countries with travel restrictions, as the travel restrictions for some Asian countries could send the wrong message of associating the disease with a specific demographic. As in the earlier story of infectious diseases such as leprosy and HIV/AIDS, the ineffective use of quarantines and isolation measures that link a vulnerable minority to an infectious disease can lead to both ethnic minority discrimination and a false sense of low risk others outside the designated population.

Studies have documented the rise in anti-Asian discrimination and violence during the US pandemic.

Discrimination from such an ineffective policy can be long-lasting. COVID-19 is a pandemic and a health threat to people around the world. Therefore, all communities must work together to confront and combat COVID-19 with measures that contribute to this ultimate goal of reducing deaths, hospitalizations and infections. Any action that increases discrimination against certain population groups without full scientific benefit undermines the fight against COVID-19 and other global efforts to improve health equity.